“As a candidate, state Sen. Chris Brown said he would form a panel of Atlantic County stakeholders to develop legislative goals to help revitalize the local economy. In February he appointed the Economic Revitalization Advisory Committee (whose dozen or so members include the publisher of The Press), and this summer they delivered their consensus on what priorities he should pursue, which he has released.” 
Brown: It’s Time to Return Our American Flags to Full Mast
Senator Chris Brown (R-2) called on Governor Phil Murphy to order the American and New Jersey flags to be raised to full mast.
Sen. Chris Brown called on Gov. Murphy to order the American and New Jersey flags to be raised to full mast. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is time to raise the flag. First, flying our flags for a prolonged period at half-mast minimizes the sacrifices and the honor due to our servicemen and women along with our first responders who died in the line of duty while intentionally putting themselves in harm’s way. Raising the flags acknowledges we will overcome our current circumstances. Consider the fact the American flag is lowered on Memorial Day only from sunrise to noon, after which it is raised to its full, glorious height, symbolizing America’s resilience,”Brown wrote.
Brown Supports Nomination of Fabiana Pierre-Louis to New Jersey Supreme Court
Senator Chris Brown today announced his support of the nomination of Fabiana Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court and was thanked by Olivia Caldwell, President of the Mainland-Pleasantville NAACP, and Bishop Robert Hargrove II, President of the Fellowship of Churches of Atlantic City and Vicinity.
Sen. Chris Brown today announced his support of the nomination of Fabiana Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court and was thanked by Olivia Caldwell, President of the Mainland-Pleasantville NAACP, and Bishop Robert Hargrove II, President of the Fellowship of Churches of Atlantic City and Vicinity. (SenateNJ.com)
“We are blessed to live in a country where a first generation American like Ms. Pierre-Louis, following the example of her working class, immigrant parents – who made great sacrifices for their family- can earn a nomination to the state’s Supreme Court by doing a great job upholding the law and serving with integrity as a US Attorney while building respect among her colleagues. After speaking with Ms. Pierre-Louis, I think she has the ability and fair temperament to serve as a justice. While I have always said it is important for our government bodies to reflect the communities they represent, Ms. Pierre-Louis is also a role model on how anyone can achieve the American Dream,” said Senator Brown, who spoke at length with Ms. Pierre-Louis.
“I appreciate Governor Murphy’s choice of Ms. Fabiana Pierre-Louis to be the first woman of color to serve on the New Jersey State Supreme Court. For generations, the NAACP has said where there is an open and fair nomination process, you will find truly qualified candidates. Ms. Pierre-Louis has distinguished herself in a relatively short, but exceptional career. Senator Brown understands she will have a lasting impact on the court as a justice and on our society, which is why we appreciate Senator Brown’s support for her nomination,” said Ms. Caldwell.
“We fully embrace the historic nomination of Ms. Fabiana Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey State Supreme Court as it marks the elevation of an eminently qualified person of character while lowering another barrier to advancement for anyone in our society. Ms. Pierre-Louis has excelled in every position throughout her career, and we know she will be a superb justice. Having the support of Senator Brown, a Republican who understands the importance of diversity in our institutions and is willing to reach across the aisle to promote qualified candidates for service, helps Ms. Pierre-Louis nomination and means a lot to the members of the Fellowship of Churches,” said Rev. Hargrove.
Ms. Pierre-Louis’s nomination requires approval by the New Jersey State Senate.
Senate Republicans: Reopening Parks a Reasonable Step, Many Businesses Ready to Reopen Too
The Senate Republican leadership team said Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement that State and county parks and golf courses will be allowed to reopen is a reasonable step and that many businesses are also ready to resume operations once restrictions are lifted:
The Senate Republican leadership team said Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement that State and county parks and golf courses will be allowed to reopen is a reasonable step and that many businesses are also ready to resume operations once restrictions are lifted. (SenateNJ.com)
“Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed with awe and pride an amazing transformation in the attitudes and practices of individual New Jerseyans as they adopted necessary social distancing and personal protective measures that just months ago would have been unthinkable.
Shore Senators Call for Detailed Plan to Reopen Jersey Shore
Senators representing communities from Sandy Hook to Cape May sent the following letter to Governor Phil Murphy yesterday asking for a detailed plan to reopen the Jersey Shore.
Senators representing communities from Sandy Hook to Cape May sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy asking for a detailed plan to reopen the Jersey Shore. (Bing Maps)
Click here to view a PDF of the letter from Sen. Robert Singer, Sen. Chris Brown, Sen. Michael Testa, and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon.
Brown to Sponsor Bipartisan Ethics Reform Package
Senator Chris Brown will sponsor a bipartisan package of ethics proposals to strengthen restrictions on lobbying, enhance financial disclosure requirements, and increase transparency in the legislative process.
Sen. Chris Brown will sponsor a bipartisan package of ethics proposals to strengthen restrictions on lobbying, enhance financial disclosure requirements, and increase transparency in the legislative process. (SenateNJ.com)
“What’s the difference between the Jersey Devil and ethics reform in New Jersey? Up until now, you had a better chance of spotting the Jersey Devil,” said Brown. “Hopefully, working in a bipartisan manner with Governor Phil Murphy and my legislative colleagues Senator and former Governor Dick Codey and Assemblyman Ryan Peters, we will change that. Cleaning up greed and corruption in Trenton is something we – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – can all agree on. We need to loosen the grip special interests have on state government by increasing transparency and making government more accountable to our working families and retirees.”
Brown Bill Creates Grant Program to Support Vet-Friendly College Campuses
The Senate Higher Education Committee recently released a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Chris Brown that would establish an annual grant program to recognize public colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of veteran programs and services.
Sen. Chris Brown’s legislation establishes an annual grant program to recognize public colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of veteran programs and services. (SenateNJ.com)
“Every time I hear about another veteran committing suicide or losing their home, I feel we should and can do more to help our veterans find stability and purpose in civilian life,” said Brown. “Earning a college degree can play a large role in helping a veteran transition into civilian life, but while on campus, veterans should have access to other support services.”
Brown Bill Increasing Funding to Promote Regional Tourism Advances
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Chris Brown to help boost regional tourism advertising and promotion across the state cleared the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Chris Brown to help boost regional tourism advertising and promotion across the state has advanced. (SenateNJ.com)
“Everyone knows the competition for tourism dollars is intense, which is why we need to continue to fight to ensure Atlantic County gets its fair share of marketing dollars to protect the 70,000 families whose jobs depend on tourism,” said Brown.
Brown noted though the State raises over $100 million from the hotel-motel occupancy fee, it only spends $9 million of that revenue for tourism advertising, the same amount for the last 15 years. The hotel-motel occupancy fee is supposed to support tourism, the arts, culture, and history, yet most of the revenue is diverted for other purposes. Further, while Atlantic County generated $5.4 million in State hotel and motel occupancy fees in 2018, it only received $158,000 in State grants to help promote local tourism.
Deployed Service Members Get More Options on College Courses under Brown’s Bipartisan Bill
Service members who are enrolled in a course at a public college or university but are unable to complete a course due to deployment, reassignment, or other military obligation will have more flexibility in making a decision that works for them under a bipartisan bill sponsored by State Senator Chris Brown.
Sen. Chris Brown’s legislation would provide service members enrolled at a public college or university with more options when they are unable to complete a course due to deployment, reassignment, or other military obligation. (SenateNJ.com)
“Your life can turn around quickly when the military calls you into action,” said Brown, who was in law school and had already paid for his tuition and books when he was deployed to serve in the Persian Gulf War. “Men and women in uniform should not be penalized when our country sends them overseas to fight our enemies, so this bill gives those college students a menu of options to get their academic affairs in order when they are deployed while also making it easier for them to resume their education when they return.”
Brown Legislation Helping Families in Recovery Now Law
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Chris Brown that will give families recovering from addiction a second chance by making them eligible to work in casinos is now law.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Chris Brown that will give families recovering from addiction a second chance by making them eligible to work in casinos is now law. (SenateNJ.com)
“Having attended interventions for those close to me fighting with substance abuse, I know first hand how addiction attacks families throughout Atlantic County no matter their race, age, or where they live. To help our families win their battles against substance abuse, so we don’t lose an entire generation of young people to addiction, we have to assure them recovery won’t be easy, but it will be worth it by providing real hope for their future with a second chance to live productive lives by opening doors to get jobs in our casino industry,” Brown said.
Help on the Way for Victims of Sandy to Recover from Contractor Fraud
Families who are still waiting to get into their homes after Superstorm Sandy can expect additional help after a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Chris Brown has become law.
Families who are still waiting to get into their homes after Superstorm Sandy can expect additional help after a bipartisan bill sponsored by Sen. Chris Brown has become law. (SenateNJ.com)
“Families who lost their homes to Sandy should not be victimized twice by contractor fraud, which is taking a further toll on them by wasting limited public dollars and draining their personal savings. Too many of our families had the grants to rebuild their homes essentially stolen by unscrupulous contractors, and yet the bureaucracy was making it difficult for them to find relief. Now, it will be possible for our local families to move back home and on with their lives,” said Brown.
Brown cited the example of Angel Eguaras, who chose one of the State-approved contractors to rebuild his home, but that contractor failed to complete the work according to the architect and engineer’s specifications.
