Senator Vin Gopal joined Assemblyman Dan Benson in introducing a bill to support ovarian cancer research on Thursday, July 26.

The bill (S2857) establishes the “New Jersey Ovarian Cancer Research Fund” and provides for a designation on the State gross income tax return that will permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to the fund to support ovarian cancer research projects.

To ensure local students have the resources they need for a successful school year, District 11 Legislators Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey are hosting their annual School Supplies Drive.

“Back to school shopping can be a major expense for families who live on a strict budget,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “We want to ensure that every student has the supplies they need to start the year off right. Every child deserves the same chance at a successful school year. We are here to make that happen.”

“No family should have to worry about how they are going to afford the supplies their children need for school,” said Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling. “This initiative provides local students with all of the basics they need for back to school. We are proud to be able to support our local students and we are grateful to everyone who has donated thus far.”

“As children and their parents prepare for the start of the school year, they should be focused on studying, making new friends and making the most out of the new year,” said Assemblywoman Joann Downey. “They should not have to worry about how they are going to be able to get new school supplies. We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with the City of Asbury Park to collect donated school supplies to ensure every child starts the year out right.”

Senator Vin Gopal has introduced a bill prohibiting the issuance of law enforcement-style badges to politicians and political appointees.

The legislation was inspired by a recent incident wherein the former Port Authority Commissioner verbally attacked two Tenafly Police Officers during a routine traffic stop and attempted to leverage her authority for personal gain by utilizing her badge.

In response to the racist and discriminatory comments made by the hosts of “The Dennis and Judi Show” on Jersey 101.5, Senator Vin Gopal issued the following statement:

Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Vin Gopal and Senator Bob Smith that bans smoking on New Jersey’s beaches was signed into law Friday, July 20 by Governor Phil Murphy. The law, S-2534, prohibits smoking on all public beaches and at state, county and municipal parks.

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin and Senator Vin Gopal, in a bipartisan effort, have introduced legislation to combat scams and protect residents.

The bill (S2838/A4185) requires telecommunications service providers to warn residential customers of potential scams or other frauds committed through use of these services. Specifically, this bill requires a telecommunications service provider to publish a statement on every bill sent to a service subscriber within New Jersey describing the potential for active scams that the service provider may be aware of, to the best of the knowledge of the service provider, or other types of suspected fraud that may be committed through the use of a telecommunications service offered by the service provider.

Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would allow for casinos and racetracks to remain open in the advent of a state government shutdown was introduced into the Senate.

“The racetracks and casinos continue to be a driving force for the economy in New Jersey, and even more so now that sports betting is legal,” said Senator Gopal. “A government shutdown for any length of time has consequences for our residents and the regional economies.  We want to prevent any negative impact on these facilities and remove any threat or uncertainty if a shutdown occurs.”

A bill sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would authorize the issuance of twelve additional alcoholic beverage licenses in the defunct Fort Monmouth revitalization project area passed the Senate Sunday, July 1.

A bill sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal providing immunity from criminal and civil liability for someone who breaks and enters a vehicle to rescue an animal under inhumane conditions was approved by the full Senate Sunday, July 1.

A bill sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would establish minimum certified nursing assistant-to-resident ratios for nursing homes was approved Sunday, July 1 by the full Senate.

The bill, S-1612, would set certified nursing assistant-to-resident ratios as: one certified nursing assistant for every eight residents on the day shift; one certified nursing assistant for every ten residents on the evening shift; and one certified nursing assistant for every 16 residents on the night shift.

In response to a proposed tax increase on shore rental properties, Senator Vin Gopal issued the following statement in opposition:

“The shore is central to New Jersey’s $44 billion tourism industry, drawing millions of visitors each summer,” said Senator Vin Gopal.

A bill sponsored by Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo and Senator Vin Gopal that would distribute a portion of revenue generated from sports wagering at racetracks to the community where that track is located, or in the case of the Meadowlands racetrack, to the Meadowlands intermunicipal tax-sharing program, was approved by the Senate on Monday, June 25.

“Sports wagering is a new source of revenue for communities that host a racetrack,” said Senator Sarlo. “We need to be smart about how we use this funding and ensuring that a portion of this revenue goes back into communities where these tracks are located will provide money for infrastructure improvements and so much more. This is about reinvesting in the local site that is generating state revenue. Everybody wins.”

“Atlantic City benefits by this same formula,” said Senator Gopal. “A percentage of the revenue generated from casinos goes back to the city. Casinos generate economic growth and so do racetracks. Racetracks are generating needed revenues for all New Jersey residents. Returning a small portion of that revenue to eligible local communities so they can reinvest it in local projects is just smart government.”

OCEAN TOWNSHIP – In response to the controversial Federal policy of separating children from their families who are attempting to seek refuge in the United States, New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal issued the following statement: