New Jersey

Bill would require more drug testing for bus drivers – New Jersey Monitor

Published

3 years ago

April 28, 2022

Bill would require more drug testing for bus drivers – New Jersey Monitor

As lawmakers debate whether or not law enforcement officials ought to have the ability to eat hashish whereas off responsibility, two Republican say they plan to introduce a invoice requiring all private and non-private faculty bus drivers be drug examined twice a yr.

Beneath present federal regulation, faculty bus drivers are topic to annual random drug checks. Faculty districts or contracted bus corporations should take a look at 10% of their drivers for alcohol and 50% for medication like managed opiates and marijuana every year.

The brand new measure would increase that to 100% of college bus drivers no less than twice yearly, together with drivers for personal faculties. The invoice can be sponsored by Bergen County Meeting Republicans Robert Auth and DeAnne DeFuccio.

“We’ve a collective duty to guard kids, which can be more difficult as our New Jersey legal guidelines and attitudes towards medication like marijuana evolve,” mentioned DeFuccio in an announcement. “Faculty bus drivers are carrying our most valuable cargo and our guidelines relating to drug and alcohol testing ought to mirror that.”

The lawmakers cited a 2019 crash in Newark the place a bus driver allegedly used heroin earlier than driving 11 special-needs kids to high school. She overdosed and crashed, and was revived with Narcan. In 2020, a Paterson bus firm was cited for failing to conduct drug testing and background checks and for utilizing unqualified drivers.

Contractors and boards of schooling must file proof of the finished testing with their county faculties superintendent beneath the invoice.

“Dad and mom deserve the peace of thoughts that comes with figuring out their kids are within the most secure arms after they get on the bus within the morning,” mentioned Auth. “Our invoice addresses gaps in drug and alcohol testing protocols and ensures each single faculty bus driver is being held to the identical customary.”

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New Jersey

Surprising reason why this Democrat is attending Trump’s inauguration

Published

5 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Surprising reason why this Democrat is attending Trump’s inauguration

At least one big-name New Jersey Democrat will travel to D.C. for Donald Trump’s inauguration Monday.

Gov. Phil Murphy said he will be on hand to watch Trump take the oath of office a second time. That‘s even as several other top members of his party from across the country are skipping the event.

Murphy this week was asked to explain his decision compared to Democrats who feel their attendance would validate the Republican former and future president over Jan. 6 and other polarizing views and policies.

The governor said what convinced him to go was Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2020. Murphy said he and First Lady Tammy Murphy went and were surprised to see who was among the crowd.

“It was socially distanced, so it was not like your normal tableau,” Murphy told reporters at the Statehouse in Trenton on Monday. “We were struck by the amount of Republican governors who showed up. And not just by how many but who they were. Kristi Noem (of South Dakota), Doug Burgum (of North Dakota), Doug Ducey (of Arizona), Asa Hutchison (of Arkansas).

“It’s the right thing to do no matter all of the challenges and issues with Trump … and frankly, the big one to me is I just can’t believe the American people have given him a pass on denying that he lost four years ago. Still, I believe with all my heart it is still the right thing to do for the country and for the office.”

Democrats have cited numerous reasons for ditching Trump’s swearing-in Monday, whether it being the lingering uneasiness of Jan. 6, because the event is being held on Martin Luther King Day, or out of fear for their safety. Others have not said why they won’t be there.

The inauguration, usually held outside the U.S. Capitol, will instead be inside Monday because of freezing temperatures.

Murphy and Trump have long had a kind of love-hate relationship. The governor has repeatedly criticized Trump and fought his policies on immigration, guns, and taxes in court.

Still, the two collaborated on COVID-19 response and the Gateway Tunnel project during Trump’s first term. Murphy also visited Trump at his Bedminster golf club last summer after the assassination attempt on the ex-president. Then, after Trump won back the White House in November — and performed better than expected in blue New Jersey — Murphy said he got a phone call from Trump.

Murphy notes by the time he leaves office next January, he is the Democratic governor who will have served the longest under a Trump presidency, coming into office a year into Trump’s first term and exiting a year into his second.

That, Murphy argues, gives him a good perspective on how to handle Trump, even as Democrat sound alarms over what may happen to undocumented immigrants and reproductive rights under his new tenure. The governor has said he will “fight like hell” against Trump on some issues and try to find “common ground” on others.

That’s similar to stances that other Democratic governors have taken on Trump, who is famous for enjoying praise as much as he enjoys dishing out insults.

“I will never back away from partnering with the Trump administration where our priorities align,” Murphy said Tuesday during his latest State of the State address. “But just as importantly, I will never back down from defending our New Jersey values — if and when they are tested.”

To that end, Murphy said during the speech New Jersey will join other blue states in stockpiling a supply of medication used in abortions.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @johnsb01.

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New Jersey

New Jersey Titans pull ahead in the third to defeat Maryland Black Bears – The Rink Live

Published

12 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

The New Jersey Titans were victorious against the Maryland Black Bears on Friday, Jan. 16, 2025 at Middletown Ice World Arena.

After two periods, the teams were tied at 0, but New Jersey pulled away in the third, winning the game 2-0.

The Titans first took the lead early in the third period, with a goal from Owen Leahy, assisted by

James Schneid

and

Blake Jones

The Titans increased the lead to 2-0 with 52 seconds remaining of the third after a goal from James Schneid, assisted by

Nikita Meshcheryakov

and

Ryan Friedman

Next up:

The teams play again on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. CST at Middletown Ice World Arena.

New Jersey

Fmr. South Jersey camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial

Published

20 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Fmr. South Jersey camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial

Friday, January 17, 2025 10:53PM

Fmr. camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial

A former South Jersey camp director accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is out of jail.

DEPTFORD TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — A former South Jersey camp director accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is out of jail.

Forty-six-year-old Tara Carr, of Woodstown, is accused of assaulting the 14-year-old four times last year and sending him inappropriate videos and photos.