“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: Fix for Route 40 Flooding in A.C. on Track Despite Pandemic
The following editorial by Senator Chris Brown was published by The Press of Atlantic City on November 19, 2020:
One thing I kept in mind when fighting and defeating North Jersey casinos was Benjamin Franklin’s advice, “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” His advice remains my approach when fighting for our fair share of transportation resources to fix one of the most important roadways in Atlantic County.
In this Press of Atlantic City editorial, Sen. Chris Brown said a fix for Route 40 flooding in Atlantic City remains on track despite the pandemic. (SenateNJ.com)
Atlantic County’s families deserve their fair share of state support for vital projects. Our county’s economy, pre-COVID, generated nearly a billion dollars in taxes and nearly 20% of all of the jobs in the state’s tourism and hospitality industry. That’s why I continue to remind Gov. Murphy and others that our local economy is unique and vital to the entire state. One way to ensure the state is successful while our families have job opportunities is by upgrading our roads and bridges, like Route 40.
Brown’s Bipartisan Bill to Help Homeless Vets Passes Senate
“I didn’t know where to go,” George Benner, a Vietnam veteran said. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Senator Chris Brown repeated the story of Mr. Benner, who served in the Navy, was left homeless several years ago when he lost his job, as the Senate passed Brown’s bipartisan bill to create a grant program to help homeless veterans in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties find shelter.
The New Jersey Senate passed Sen. Chris Brown’s bipartisan bill to create a grant program to help homeless veterans in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties find shelter. (SenateNJ.com)
“I don’t want any veteran to reach a point in their life, like Mr. Benner, where they have no job, no home and no answers,” Brown, a combat veteran activated for war on two occasions, said.
Senate Approves Brown Bill Allowing Families to Display Flags with Pride
Families will be allowed to continue expressing their patriotism under a bill sponsored by Senator Chris Brown that was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Families will be allowed to continue expressing their patriotism under a bill sponsored by Sen. Chris Brown that was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Flying the American flag is an expression of love of country and our fellow citizens. The flag is a unifying symbol, which we rallied around after 9/11,” Brown said. “I think keeping these flags in place recaptures the unity we all felt at the time and need more than ever now.”
Senate Clears Pennacchio/Brown Bill to Ensure State-Purchased POW-MIA Flags are Manufactured in the USA
All POW-MIA flags purchased with state funds must be manufactured in the United States under legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Chris Brown and advanced today by the Senate.
Senator Pennacchio and Senator Brown sponsor legislation that would require all POW-MIA flags purchased with state funds to be manufactured in the United States. (Pixabay)
“Out of respect for the military members who never came home, these POW-MIA flags are flown, often at state offices and buildings,” said Pennacchio. “When we are remembering these heroes, we should do it with flags manufactured here in the nation they so proudly defended. There’s no reason for the state to buy cheap, imported flags to memorialize our brave soldiers.”
Committee Approves Brown Bill to Assist Vets with PTSD and Brain Injury
With nearly 20% of military personnel returning from combat suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and brain injury, the Senate Military & Veterans Affair Committee released a bill sponsored by Senator Chris Brown to help military and veteran families cope with after-effects of war.
With nearly 20% of military personnel returning from combat suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and brain injury, the Senate Military & Veterans Affair Committee released a bill sponsored by Sen. Chris Brown to help military and veteran families cope with after-effects of war. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is a tragedy there are men and women who survived the war, but are unable to make the transition to peace and fully reconnect with their loved ones,” said Brown, a combat veteran who was twice activated for war. “Many of the cases of suicides, homelessness, and unemployment among our veteran are sadly a result of PTSD and brain trauma. We need to do better to help our veterans overcome these debilitating conditions.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
No women should be denied preventative life-saving care, and we can save 7,000 women through early detection.
Vote “YES” on Ballot Question #2 to Expand Property Tax Relief Benefits for Veterans
Honorably discharged military veterans who did not serve during time of war would be eligible for the $250 property tax deduction and the property tax exemption granted by law to veterans with a service-connected disability thanks to a bipartisan ballot question sponsored by Senator Chris Brown.
Sen. Chris Brown urged voters to vote “YES” on Ballot Question #2 to expand property tax relief for veterans. (SenateNJ.com)
“We are taking one more step to help all of the men and women who served our country to afford to stay in their homes,” Brown said. “Expanding property tax relief to all veterans is part of our effort making it easier for them to transition into civilian life.”
Under Sen. Brown’s Law, More Help for College Families Now Available
Middle-class families dealing with student loans will now have an advocate to assist student loan borrowers and help resolve disputes with student loan services.
Middle-class families dealing with student loans will now have an advocate to assist student loan borrowers and help resolve disputes with student loan services under a bipartisan law sponsored by Sen. Chris Brown. (SenateNJ.com)
Under a bipartisan law sponsored by State Senator Chris Brown to help middle-class families with student loan debt, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) designated a Student Loan Ombudsman within the department.
“The core of the American dream is every parent’s hope to see their children do better than they did, and college is the path to making that dream a reality,” Brown said. “However, the cost of college and the fear of being straddled with debt has led many middle-class families to see college as a mirage, not a dream.”
Brown Backs Expanding Tax Relief to 60,000 More Families
Under a new law supported by State Senator Chris Brown, 60,000 more working families will be eligible for the New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit.
Under a new law supported by State Senator Chris Brown, 60,000 more working families will be eligible for the New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit. (SenateNJ.com)
“This tax break is very timely because the pandemic is making it very hard for many young families entering the full-time job market to make ends meet,” said Brown, a longtime advocate for the New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit. “We are building upon a successful tax relief program that keeps families working and protects them from falling into poverty.”
Brown Measure Helping Families of Service Men and Women in Combat Now Law
“We got their back,” said Senator Chris Brown of men and women serving in combat zones, as Governor Murphy signed into law his bipartisan bill (S-2050/2090) to help military families during deployment by exempting combat pay from New Jersey’s income tax.
Service men and women serving in combat zones will no longer have to pay New Jersey income tax on their combat pay under a newly enacted law sponsored by Sen. Chris Brown. (SenateNJ.com)
Uniformed military personnel deployed to designated combat zones, where tensions and danger are escalated, receive weekly “combat pay” stipends of an additional $225.
Up until Brown’s law, New Jersey was the only state that taxed combat pay.
