On Friday, August 17 Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a bill introduced by Senator Vin Gopal to distribute additional liquor licenses to the three host communities surrounding Fort Monmouth.

The bill  (S2498) allows for the issuance of 12 additional licenses to properties in Fort Monmouth, which comprises Tinton Falls, Oceanport, and Eatontown. Tinton Falls will receive two additional licenses; Oceanport will receive four licenses; and Eatontown will receive six additional licenses.

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin and Senator Vin Gopal, in a bipartisan effort, hosted a fraud panel to educate residents on the dangers of scams and teach them how they can protect themselves.

The panel was held on Wednesday, Aug. 15 in the Warner Student Life Center at Brookdale Community College. The Legislators were joined by a panel of experts who shed light on the types of scams that target residents and shared advice for combating these malicious fraudsters. The panelists included Melanie Hazim of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Christine Newman of AARP, Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Lori Linskey and Asbury Park Press “Press on Your Side” reporter David Willis.

In an effort to engage local seniors, Senator Vin Gopal will host a Community Forum.

“As your State Senator, there is nothing I value more than feedback from my constituents. Whether I am drafting a bill, casting a vote in Trenton or working with my colleagues to address a local issue, the opinions and needs of my constituents are at the center of everything I do,” said Senator Vin Gopal.

Senator Vin Gopal hosted a hearing of the Bipartisan Legislative Manufacturing Caucus to gauge the needs of the manufacturing industry.

The hearing, hosted at SPEX Certiprep in Metuchen on Tuesday, August 14, gave leaders within the manufacturing industry a platform to discuss the issues impacting their businesses, including tariffs, apprenticeships and minimum wage.

A bill sponsored by Senate Labor Committee Vice Chair Joseph F. Vitale and Senator Vin Gopal to permit individuals who are unemployed due to a labor dispute to collect unemployment compensation under certain circumstances is now law after being signed by the governor.                       

The new law, S-1046, will allow unemployment compensation during a labor dispute if it was caused by the failure of an employer to comply with an agreement or existing labor laws and specifies that if a dispute is caused by any other reason, unemployment compensation would not be available for the first 30 days of unemployment.  The bill outlines that a waiting period would not apply if the employer hires a permanent replacement worker and that any hired replacement workers would be presumed to be permanent unless the employer certifies in writing that the unemployed individual would be able to return to their position when the labor dispute ends.

Senator Vin Gopal applauds Governor Phil Murphy for allocating $47.3 million in grant funding to maintain county bridges.

Local Bridges, Future Needs (LBFN) is a $47.3 million program funded through the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), which provides funding for each of New Jersey’s 21 counties for the improvement of county bridges. The recent gas tax increase as part of the TTF renewal made it possible to increase grants in Fiscal Year 2018 to $47.3 million from $25 million in prior years. These are the largest bridge grant awards in New Jersey history, almost doubling the amount of funds previously provided to counties across the state.  

Senator Vin Gopal has been appointed to serve on the newly founded Special Task Force on Volunteer Retention and Recruitment.

The task force will consist of 15 members who will study and make recommendations for short-term and long-term strategies, as well as policies for the recruitment of volunteer first responders to ensure volunteer first responder ranks stabilize and grow to adequately serve the people of New Jersey. The task force will be responsible for evaluating incentives, training and recertification requirements, as well as the Length of Service Award Program for volunteer first responders.

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.