Bernardsville Republican Municipal Committee

Hello All – we received a few updates from the NJGOP which we wanted to pass along. Please remember you can sign up for the newsletter directly at NJGOP.org.

Friends,

Earlier this week President Biden was inaugurated. 

NJGOP Chairman Michael Lavery released the following statement regarding President Joe Biden’s inauguration:

“While we applaud President Joe Biden’s call for healing and unity, it rings hollow as he slowly reveals a very liberal agenda for his Presidency. New Jersey cannot afford his vision of draconian regulations, anti-business policies, new spending and tax hikes. Now, more than ever, our state must embrace New Jersey’s tradition of off-year elections, and provide a common-sense conservative check and balance to what we are about to see in Washington. We must elect Republicans up and down this state and throw Phil Murphy out of office.”

Continue reading →

The following information was shared with us from Senator Bucco on the COVID-19 Vaccination:

All Seniors & Individuals With Certain Medical Conditions Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccination Beginning today, all New Jersey residents ages 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. Those conditions include cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, obesity and severe obesity, sickle cell disease, smoking, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Individuals who are pregnant and those in an immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant are also eligible but should follow CDC guidance and first discuss vaccination with their medical provider before receiving the vaccine. In addition to paid and unpaid healthcare workers in Phase 1A, these two groups mark the expansion of eligible residents in Phase 1B, which recently opened to include sworn law enforcement and fire professionals. How to Register for Vaccination Pre-Register for the Vaccine Who Is Currently Eligible for Vaccination in New Jersey? How to Get Vaccinated if You Are Eligible What to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine How Do COVID-19 Vaccines Work? Vaccine Trials and Safety Precautions Vaccination Timeline and Priority Groups Where and How to Get Vaccinated Related FAQs on the COVID-19 Info Hub New Jersey’s Phased Approach to COVID-19 Vaccination: Phase 1A Is the COVID-19 vaccine free? What if I don’t have insurance? Who is eligible for vaccination in New Jersey? Who is included in the vaccination phases?

For those who do not subscribe to Assemblywoman Dunn’s newsletter, we wanted to pass on the following information from her office:

Monthly Update It was a busy 2020 in Trenton, with 31 bills I worked on passing the Legislature; 29 of which were signed into law. The attack on our Capitol and Constitution is disheartening but no one statement of condemnation of these actions will be enough. My prayers are with our nation as we seek justice and real solutions to end the division, hatred, and violence that has tragically become all too normal in response to disagreement.  As a public official, and as a mother, I believe that those in elected office should be held to a higher standard as they serve as role models in our society. Note, if the link does not work, you can access her video here: Watch | Facebook

The state just launched its COVID-19 vaccine registration site! You can pre-register to receive the vaccine when you are eligible or, if you are eligible to receive it, you can schedule an appointment. Register here: https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/ Unemployment has been extended by the state, visit the link below to file and get your benefits ASAP: https://www.myunemployment.nj.gov/ The deadline to apply for the Senior Freeze property tax program has been extended to February 1, 2021. To apply, visit this website:https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/ptr/index.shtml  Before your next trip to the Motor Vehicle Commission, be sure to check if you can “Skip the Trip.” Check the MVC website to see what services are available online:https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/online-services.html Dunn in the NewsDunn Bill Addressing Access to Mental Health Services on College Campuses Advanceshttps://parsippanyfocus.com/2020/12/17/dunn-bill-addressing-access-to-mental-health-services-on-college-campuses-advances/  Dunn Bill Now Law: MVC to Educate Drivers on Rights and Responsibilities During Traffic Stopshttps://www.insidernj.com/press-release/now-law-mvc-educate-drivers-rights-responsibilities-traffic-stops/  Dunn Introduces Resolution Urging HUD to Prioritize Transitional Housing for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Homelesshttps://www.insidernj.com/press-release/dunn-introduces-resolution-urging-hud-prioritize-transitional-housing-survivors-domestic-violence-homeless/ Legislative Update I’d like to share some of the legislation I am working on:  A5092- Requires Secretary of State to create website for voters to report irregularities regarding mail-in ballots; establishes a “Vote by Mail Study Commission.” We heard many stories this past election season about receiving invalid mail-in ballots, yet we have no central way to record these issues. This bill is one of several that I am working on to ensure our voting system is secure.  A5105- Prohibits solicitation of business based on death notices. Losing a loved one is hard enough as it is; you should not have to worry about being hounded by solicitors as a result.  A5153-Requires the Department of Health to conduct study on causes of youth suicide. Suicide at any age is a tragedy, but especially when we lose a child with their whole life ahead of them. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the 10 to 34 age range. Getting a detailed understanding of why this is happening is key in preventing future pain and ending this epidemic.

Good Deed of the Month Congratulations to the newly founded Roxbury Kiwanis Club on hosting a successful holiday food drive! It is always fulfilling to help others when you can. I know great things are in store for this club!

Send me your Good Samaritan stories at aswdunn@njleg.org

Need help or have a question?My District Office is located at 191 Main St, Suite D, Chester, NJ, 07930 Phone: 908-955-7228 Email: aswdunn@njleg.org

Hello all –

Please see below for an upcoming virtual rally in Somerset County for Jack Ciattarelli for Governor!

Also in case you missed it in the news this week, Jack rolled out a number of key endorsements, including key Bergen County GOP Leaders – read more here: Ciattarelli Earns Support from Key Bergen County GOP Leaders Momentum Growing for Ciattarelli Across the State  – Insider NJ

We hope to see you (virtually!) at Jack’s event on the 26th!

Hello – we thought this was important information from Leader Bramnick on Vaccine distribution sites, so we would like to pass onto you as well:

Update: New Jersey Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution New Jersey procured 400,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses in the month of December and began administering doses on December 15th.  Approximately 120,000 of those doses have been reserved for long-term care facilities and 280,000 doses for hospitals and community healthcare sites.  At this time two vaccines have been approved for use by the FDA. Both vaccines require two doses. The vaccine will be administered in phases based on risk and timing will depend on the supply of vaccines to the state. The phases are as follows: –       Phase 1A includes people serving in paid and unpaid healthcare roles and long-term care residents and staff.  –       Phase 1B includes people 75 and older as well as frontline essential workers who are at a substantially higher risk of exposure to COVID-19. –       Phase 1C includes adults 65 and older and adults with underlying medical conditions.  Once these phases are complete, the vaccine will become available to the general public. Additional information on who is included in each category can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/Priority_Groups_English.pdf The state has partnered with Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS to deliver the vaccination to home care and hospice staff and residents of long-term care facilities.  Six state mega sites will begin to open in early January to assist with the administration of the vaccine. These sites will only vaccinate those who are eligible based on the current phase. Those sites are: Atlantic County: Atlantic City Convention Center Bergen County: Racetrack at Meadowlands, East Rutherford Burlington County: Moorestown Mall Gloucester County: Rowan College of South Jersey, Sewell Middlesex County: New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Edison Morris County: Rockaway Townsquare  Assemblyman Jon Bramnick | 251 North Avenue West, Westfield, NJ 07090

Hello – for those who do not receive Assemblywoman Aura Dunn’s newsletter, we wanted to pass on these important updates and links:

Monthly Update We have reached the end of this incredibly trying year. Despite all the hardships, we persevered and will end up better for it in the long run. I hope everyone gets the chance to safely celebrate this holiday season.

I am honored to continue to work for you as your Assemblywoman.  My district office has moved to Chester. The address is 191 Main St, Suite D, Chester, NJ, 07930. Visit anytime! I am also pleased to announce that my office will be a drop off location for Toys for Tots. Get in the giving spirit and drop a toy off for less fortunate children who may not get them otherwise.

Nearly a third of our small businesses in New Jersey have closed. We must keep working to support the small business community that is struggling so mightily right now. The pandemic has hit us all hard, but we must afford these business the opportunity to survive and thrive! If you own a small business, look here for programs that may be available to assist you:https://faq.business.nj.gov/en/articles/3838662-what-state-financial-assistance-programs-are-available-for-my-business  Zufall is offering free COVID-19 testing. To see locations and to schedule your test, click here:https://www.zufallhealth.org/for-patients/locations/ The Department of Health is looking to hire more contact tracers to aid in the fight against COVID-19. If you or anyone you know may be interested, more information on how to apply can be found here:https://covid19.nj.gov/forms/tracer  I was glad to call into a recent New Jersey Globe Power Hour! My segment starts at 37:18 and runs until the end of the show!https://newjerseyglobe.com/campaigns/pascrell-dunn-muller-and-quinn-on-new-jersey-globe-power-hour/

Dunn in the NewsDunn Founding Member of New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucushttps://www.insidernj.com/press-release/bucco-dunn-laud-creation-new-jersey-legislative-disability-caucus/ Dunn Participates in Thanksgiving Food Drive https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2020/11/21/thanksgiving-food-county-college-morris-table-of-hope/6372921002/

Dunn Makes Children’s Safety Priority in New Daycare Protocol Passing Assemblyhttps://www.insidernj.com/press-release/dunn-makes-childrens-safety-priority-new-daycare-protocol-passing-assembly-today/

Legislative UpdateI’d like to share some of the legislation I am working on:  A4627– Establishes Digital Divide Solutions Grant Program in DOE to assist public schools in purchase of online instruction equipment. Remote learning has exacerbated disparities in access to technology in some communities. An education is the best way to lift one out of poverty, but without the proper technological equipment, impoverished students cannot get the education they need in these times of remote learning. That is why we must take action and work to close this digital divide.  A4334– “Transparency in Government Act;” provides for establishment of a State public finance website and requires certain public entities receiving State funds to establish similar website. Transparency in government is required for our democracy to function properly. That is why I believe we need to take measures to foster good governance and hold our officials accountable. ACR191-“Rainy Day Fund;” Amend the Constitution to require deposit of excess revenue in Surplus Revenue Fund and restricts appropriations there from. We learned the hard way that New Jersey was not prepared for an emergency of this magnitude. It is time we practice responsible governing and stop borrowing on the backs of taxpayers.

Good Deed of the Month Amanda Austin-Young Modale of Bernardsville is taking matters into her own hands to help the community. She is leading a group of people who are buying local restaurant gift cards and giving them to families in need, both helping the small business community and those struggling to make ends meet right now. Amazing work!

Send me your Good Samaritan stories at aswdunn@njleg.org

Need help or have a question? My District Office is located at 191 Main St, Suite D, Chester, NJ, 07930Phone: 908-955-7228 Email: aswdunn@njleg.org

Hi Friends, 

On Friday, Governor Murphy said at a press conference that “N.J. would have ‘blood on our hands’ if we shut indoor dining, retail without stimulus money.” 

Republicans continue to beat the drum that Murphy is clamoring for more stimulus money, but at the same time, abusing the initial $2.4 billion in grants received from the CARES Act.

Over the weekend, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick called for both houses of the New Jersey Legislature to hold a special session to redirect CARES act funding towards an emergency aid package to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Continue reading →