Jeff Van Drew

TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew to help returning military veterans expedite work-related licenses so they can resume employment without getting bogged down in bureaucratic red tape.

“When our citizen soldiers return from defending our freedom, we should make sure they don’t lose time from work because of expired licenses,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland. “Their lives have been disrupted enough by their active service.”

TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew to help municipalities and counties set speed limits for roads based on specific criteria such as the presence of school children and the proximity of parks, child care facilities and senior centers.

The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 39 to 0 and forwarded it to the Assembly.

“This bill will provide officials and community residents the backup they need to justify a call to slow down the traffic to maximize safety in a neighborhood,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland.

TRENTON – The State Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew that would allow local authorities to impound abandoned ships, boats and other watercraft.

“Since there is no current law against abandoning vessels in public waters or on public lands, we see many owners abandoning their boats when they no longer want them,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic. “Abandoned and sunken vessels are a growing problem for our coastal communities. These boats are not just an eyesore but cause pollution to the surrounding area and pose navigational hazards.”

TRENTON – The Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew that would allow local library boards to transfer surplus funds to the local municipality in order to provide property tax relief to homeowners.

“This bill will provide much needed property tax relief to towns that are desperately trying to stay underneath the 4% cap while maintaining services,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic. “Unfortunately, State law can mandate an annual increase in library funding far beyond what is needed, preventing our towns from efficiently and fairly using tax dollars.”