Doherty Legislation to Exempt Veterans from State Park Fees Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) to allow veterans with service-related disabilities into New Jersey State parks and forests free of charge passed the Senate Environment Committee.
Sen. Michael Doherty’s legislation to allow veterans with service-related disabilities into NJ State parks free of charge passed the Senate Environment Committee. (©iStock)
“The courage and valor of our disabled veterans deserve to be honored,” Doherty said. “Demonstrating our appreciation through free access to New Jersey’s State parks and forests is small way to say ‘thank you’ for their selfless sacrifices. Whether they are fishing with an old friend, or hiking with their children, our disabled veterans can know every time they enter a State park that New Jersey residents are eternally grateful for their service to our country.”
Senate Passes Doherty Resolution Naming May “Civil War Veterans Recognition Month”
Senator Mike Doherty’s (R-23) resolution designating the month of May as “Civil War Veterans Recognition Month” has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Mike Doherty’s resolution designating the month of May as “Civil War Veterans Recognition Month” has passed the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Civil War was the bloodiest and deadliest war in our nation’s history,” Senator Doherty said. “More than 620,000 soldiers lost their lives right here on American soil. Our young nation emerged bruised but not broken; fragile yet indivisible. To honor the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, it is fitting that we designate the month of May as ‘Civil War Veterans Recognition Month.’”
Doherty: Pharmaceuticals are contaminating NJ’s water supply, putting families at risk. We must act now.
In response to reports demonstrating that the water supply is awash with pharmaceutical pollutants, Senator Michael Doherty (R-Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset) is renewing his call for action on legislation he has long-sponsored to protect families statewide from the harmful effects of consuming contaminated water.
The United States EPA, in a conjunction with Riverkeeper and Cornell University, have confirmed that the Hudson River is heavily-polluted by commonly-prescribed pharmaceuticals such as anti-depressants, blood pressure, and cholesterol medications.
Pharmaceutical pollution is severely impacting all manner of water ecosystems and resources, according to a May 2019 report by The Atlantic. The resulting contamination of marine life also poses a threat to the commercial fishing industry.
Sen. Mike Doherty is calling for action on legislation he has sponsored for more than a decade to combat pharmaceutical water contamination, in response to mounting reports of polluted waterways. (Pixabay)
“Everyone, regardless of where they live, should have the right to clean water,” Senator Doherty (R-23) said. “I’ve sponsored a bill for at least 10 years to study and combat pharmaceutical pollution, and although it passed out of committee last year, it has never reached the Senate floor.
“It is incredibly disappointing that so few environmental groups have joined the effort to remove pharmaceutical pollutants from our water. The consequences for further delays are dire.
Doherty Bill Requiring Parental Consent for Black Box Prescriptions Advances
Legislation Protects Minors from Risks of Psychotropic Drugs
Senator Mike Doherty’s (R-23) legislation to protect minors from potentially dangerous prescription medications by requiring parental approval passed the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee.
Sen.Mike Doherty’s legislation to protect minors from potentially dangerous prescription medications by requiring parental approval passed the Senate Health Committee. (WikiMedia)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently labels certain drugs with potential deadly side effects with a “black box warning.”
“Powerful psychotropic drugs sometimes prescribed for behavioral issues must be treated with caution, especially when given to children and young adults,” Doherty said. “We must ensure that parents and guardians should be informed of the risks and have an opportunity to weigh in on the recommended course of treatment. Guaranteeing parental consent will increase vigilance and prevent misuse, leading to a happier and healthier outcome for the child.”
Doherty: Jersey City’s School Funding Lawsuit Should Be Thrown Out
Says City Abused the System for Decades, Getting Billions It Didn’t Deserve
Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) said a lawsuit filed by the Jersey City Board of Education against the State to challenge planned school funding cuts should be thrown out:
Sen. Doherty said a lawsuit filed by the Jersey City Board of Education against the State to challenge planned school funding cuts should be thrown out. (SenateNJ.com)
“After stealing billions of school aid from the rest of the State for decades, Jersey City’s lawsuit should be tossed in the garbage.
“Jersey City has a long history of abusing PILOT agreements, manipulating the school funding formula, and fighting a citywide reassessment, all in an attempt to hide the city’s growing wealth and shift the cost of operating their schools from local taxpayers to the rest of the state.
“As a result of this scheme, Jersey City collected billions more in State school aid than it deserved, while rural and suburban districts across New Jersey got less as a result of this diversion.
“The city should drop the lawsuit and consider itself lucky that it collected as much as it did for so long.”
Doherty: Democrats’ Backroom Dealing on Pot Will Lead to More Drug Dealing in Our Communities
Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) said Democratic leaders are cutting backroom political deals that would put convicted drug dealers back on our streets in an effort to secure the votes they need for marijuana legalization within their legislative caucuses.
Sen. Mike Doherty said Democrats are cutting backroom political deals that would put convicted drug dealers back on our streets in an effort to secure the votes they need for marijuana legalization. (©iStock)
“The backroom dealing by Trenton Democrats over legalization is almost certain to lead to more drug dealing in communities across New Jersey,” said Senator Mike Doherty. “That’s what will happen if drug dealers with multiple felony convictions for possessing pounds of marijuana are given a clean slate as part the Democrats’ rush to legalization.”
Doherty: Marijuana Legalization Is “Deal with the Devil”
Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) is voting “no” on legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in New Jersey, saying the proposal represents “a deal with the devil” that will sacrifice children and communities for short-term political gain.
Sen. Michael Doherty is voting ‘no’ on legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in New Jersey, saying the proposal represents ‘a deal with the devil’ that will sacrifice children and communities for short-term political gain. (Pixabay)
Doherty made his comments as the Senate Judiciary Committee was set to begin consideration of S-2703, which would legalize the recreational use of cannabis by adults.
“This legislation to legalize recreational marijuana use is a deal with the devil,” said Doherty, a member of the Judiciary Committee. “It’s a gateway drug that will destroy thousands of lives, starting with our kids. Nobody is talking about the real, measurable impact that can be seen today in places like Colorado where car accident rates have risen and youth marijuana use has skyrocketed since legalization.”
Doherty Responds to NJ Comptroller’s Report on Tax Breaks
Senator Says Corporate Tax Breaks Failed to Create Jobs; Demands Action to Combat “Crony Capitalism”
Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) is calling for legislative action following the release of a report by the State Comptroller that proved that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) has failed to ensure companies that received corporate tax subsidies were using those funds to create jobs.
Sen. Mike Doherty responds to the NJ Comptroller report proving the EDA failed to ensure companies that received corporate tax subsidies were using those funds to create jobs. (WikiMedia)
“While millions of New Jersey residents were struggling to cope with the highest property taxes in the country, the State was handing out millions in tax breaks, and getting little in return,” Senator Doherty said. “As far as I’m concerned, any company that claimed tax breaks and failed to keep their promise to use that money to create jobs has committed tax fraud. The lack of oversight at the EDA is appalling. I am exploring all legislative options to ensure every subsidy that was wasted in this corporate welfare scheme is returned to our taxpayers.”
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Doherty/Bateman Bill to Allow Dogs at Breweries Passes Senate
The New Jersey State Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senators Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman to allow dogs in New Jersey breweries.
The New Jersey Senate has passed a bill by Sens. Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman’s to allow dogs in consumption areas of microbreweries. (©iStock)
“Any time we see an industry that’s actually growing in New Jersey, we should seize any opportunity we can to help those businesses succeed,” Senator Doherty (R-23) said. “Employers face enough challenges as it is because of all the red tape in this state. Our bill was inspired by all of the brewery owners who have been vocal about the fact that being dog-friendly is good for business. Eliminating the regulation that keeps dogs out of breweries is an easy way to keep craft beer flowing in the Garden State.”
Doherty & Bateman Move to Allow Dogs at NJ Breweries
Legislation sponsored by Senators Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman to allow dogs in New Jersey breweries has passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sens. Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman to allow dogs in NJ breweries has passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. (Wikimedia)
“One of the biggest challenges any small business owner will face is increasing foot traffic. Our bill will increase foot AND paw traffic for local breweries,” Senator Bateman (R-16) said. “Breweries are more than brick and mortar and steel tanks – they are hopping hang out spots where people can get together, hoist a pint, and make new memories. Allowing man’s best friend to come along will make those memories even better. My daughter just adopted a new puppy. I hope this bill will pass quickly, so we can go support our local brewery together, with Sydney in tow.”
