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News from the District

From the office of Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney
June 2019 Newsletter
A Message from the Assemblyman:
Dear Friend,
 
I hope you had a safe and healthy month of May. As we enter June, I want to remind everyone June 30 th  is the constitutional deadline to pass a budget and I encourage you to pay close attention as we gear up for what seems like a budget battle between the legislature and Governor Murphy. I continue to work with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in the legislature to pass a budget that raises zero taxes.
 
This month, I want to share with you some background on legislation that I have sponsored and explain why I introduced them. In May, we learned of two different incidents regarding our elections – both are related to vote by mail. In Elmwood Park, former Mayor Frank Caramagna is accused of filling in vote-by-mail ballots of other registered voters during the 2017 election. Mayor Caramagna was forced to resign because of this incident. In Cedar Grove, Councilman Harry Kumburis was captured on a doorbell camera knocking on a voter’s door at 10:30 PM (more than two hours after the polls closed) after realizing he was about to lose his election for town council. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and that is why my district 40 colleagues and I are introducing legislation that would upgrade penalties and bar anyone from filing official and completed absentee ballots after polls close on Election Day. Our elections are sacred and we must do everything we can to protect them.
 
On May 13, I introduced Assembly Bill No. 5328, which requires the Department of Transportation to provide additional information in an annual report to the public on pavement condition and conduct pavement lifecycle cost analysis. It makes no sense to me that the state cannot do the basic maintenance on our roadways. State officials raised the gas tax promising better infrastructure and yet our roads look worse now than ever before. It is time they answer directly to the public. I will continue to fight to make sure our infrastructure remains a priority in Trenton.
 
If you have any ideas on legislation, please reach out to my office. Together, we can fix our state and bring affordability back to New Jersey.
 
Other news from the District and about my activities this past month are included below. I've also included a brief section detailing June’s Observances as Flag Day and Aphasia Awareness Month. Finally, our  Spotlight  feature this month recognizes Jeanette Donnarumma of Ridgewood for winning an Emmy Award for her work on “The Rachel Ray Show.”

Sincerely,

Kevin J. Rooney
Assemblyman
Rooney's Recipes
Assemblyman and winner of Food Network's "Chopped" shares his favorite recipes
Huevos Rancheros
Ingredients
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 Jalapeno chopped
  • 1 large garlic clove
  • 1-tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 small bunch cilantro
  • 1-teaspoon ground cumin
  • One 14-ounce can diced or chopped tomatoes
  • 1 chipotle pepper (use one teaspoon of packed sauce from can fore additional heat)
  • One 14-ounce can pinto beans, drained
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 Sliced Avocado
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 sliced lime
  • Corn tortillas, to serve (optional)

Directions
  1. Dice the onion, seed and chop the bell pepper into ½ inch pieces. Slice the jalapeno and mince the garlic. Heat a medium ovenproof skillet or frying pan over low heat, and then add the oil. Once oil is hot, add the vegetables and stir well.
  2. Cook the vegetables for 8- 10 minutes or until softened.
  3. While the vegetables soften, finely chop the cilantro. Add half of the cilantro and the cumin into the pan, cook for another 3 minutes, until it smells fragrant. Stir the tomatoes, chipotle pepper (sauce), and pinto beans into the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the tomato juices have thickened a little. Season with salt and pepper to taste, next preheat the broiler to medium.
  4. Crack an egg into a small cup. Use a spoon to make 4 hollows in the beans, and then slide the egg into one of them. Repeat with the rest of the eggs.
  5. Cover the pan with a lid, simmer for 5 minutes or until the eggs are cooked underneath but still are a little running. Finish cooking under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs.
  6. To serve the dish, add the rest of the cilantro, sprinkle over the eggs.
  7. Serve with warm tortillas and sliced avocado. 

Recent News
Recent Legislation and News from Trenton
Here is some of my recent activity at the State House.
District Events
Law Day
Welcomed Chris Gomez from Wayne Valley High School into my office. I had a great time talking with him about ways we can improve our State.
Cedar Crest Memorial Day Service
Attended a very moving ceremony Cedar Crest Community for Memorial Day.
Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions Press Conference
Attended ANJEC’s press conference celebrating passage of 50+ ordinances to ban single-use plastic bags, balloons, straws, Styrofoam, etc. I’ve had the privilege of sitting on the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee for nearly 3 years. It’s an honor working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect our environment for future generations and all New Jersey residents
Tour of Morris County's Allied Health Program at Chilton Medical Center
Senator Kristin Corrado and I joined Mayor Kohle to learn more about Morris County’s Allied Health Program. This incredible program is a true model for the entire State and I’m so proud of the students
Roll Call for Veterans Event
It was an honor to attend  Wyckoff Family YMCA ’s Roll Call for Veterans event this morning.  Senator Kristin M. Corrado ,  Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips , and I had the pleasure of presenting a resolution to World War II veteran, Marino Lepore, for his service.
Tri-County Chamber of Commerce's Panel Discussion
Participated in a panel discussion on the legalization of recreational marijuana. It was a very spirited conversation with opposing views on both sides of the issue
Tour of Deo Volente Farms
Joined Agriculture Secretary Doug Fisher, Mike Gulotta, Senator  Steven Oroho , Senator Sam Thompson, and legislative colleagues to Deo Volente Farms in Flemington. We discussed the recent law to add to horse racing purses and my legislation that creates a special license plate to commentate the horse as the State animal while monies generated will support therapeutic riding for NJ’s wounded warriors and residents with special needs.
The Northwest Bergen Regional Senior Center's Talk: Protection from Scams
I joined  Midland Park Police Department  and Sgt. Noah Van Vliet to talk about steps our seniors can take to protect themselves.
Meeting with American Cancer Society
Met with Diana Hoover-Sulewski of  American Cancer Society  Cancer Action Network to discuss cancer research funding, palliative care, CEED funding, and tobacco control.
Cedar Crest Republican Club Meeting
Had the privilege of speaking with residents of Cedar Crest about issues facing our seniors. I remain committed to making New Jersey affordable to live, work, and retire.
Bergen County Historic Preservation Awards
Attended the annual Bergen County Historic Preservation Awards to recognize the wonderful selfless contributions by volunteers in preserving our rich history including Judy Abma and Jean Hildebrandt of Wyckoff and Sheila Brogan of Ridgewood.
Pioneer Academy Graduation Ceremony
Delivered the commencement address to Pioneer Academy's class of 2019.
Interview with WMTR's Julie Briggs
Joined Julie Briggs to discuss current events and the upcoming budget.
Assembly Appropriations Committee
Sat in on the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 20th. I am pleased to report the committee passed my bill that prohibits the leasing of cats and dogs.
Interview with NJ 101.5's David Matthau
Had the pleasure of talking to David Matthau of  New Jersey 101.5  to speak about Assembly Bill No. 4800, which authorizes the creation of special license plates commemorating horse as State animal. This bill will also fund therapeutic riding to individuals with special needs and our wounded warriors.
CIGNJ Insider NJ Podcast
Sat down with Paul Crupi for an episode of CIG Insider NJ  podcast. We had a great conversation about current issues impacting the state and my background in government and politics
M  eeting with Morris County Mental Health Addiction Services Advisory Board 
Met with Laurie Becker and Marcy McMann of the Morris County Mental Health Addiction Services Advisory Board to discuss care at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital and other mental health.
Thomas Edison State University's State House Day
Had the pleasure of speaking to over 30 nursing students from  Thomas Edison State University  during their State House Day.
Insider NJ's Politically Direct Podcast
Recorded Insider NJ 's Politically Direct With Fernando Uribe to hear me discuss issues impacting the state including the upcoming budget.
Midland Park Memorial Day Parade
Participated in Midland Park's Memorial Day parade with  Senator Kristin M. Corrado  and  Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips  to honor and remember the fallen.
Pompton Lakes Memorial Day Ceremony
Attended a very moving ceremony in Pompton Lakes for Memorial Day.
Totowa Memorial Day Parade
Senator Kristin Corrado, Assemblyman Chris DePhillips, and I walked in Totowa's annual parade.
Wyckoff's Memorial Day Parade
Walked in Wyckoff's annual Memorial Day Parade.
June Observations


The first celebration of the U.S. Flag's birthday was held in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777. However, it is believed that the first annual recognition of the flag's birthday dates back to 1885 when school teacher, BJ Cigrand, first organized a group of Wisconsin school children to observe June 14 - the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes as the Flag's Birthday. Cigrand, now known as the 'Father of Flag Day,' continued to publicly advocate the observance of June 14 as the flag's 'birthday', or 'Flag Day' for years.

In 1916, the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 became a nationally observed event by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson. However, it was not designated as National Flag Day until August 3rd, 1949, when an Act of Congress designated June 14th of each year as National Flag Day. To learn more on Flag Day, click here .


2 million people in the United States have aphasia, but 84.5% of Americans state that they’ve never heard the term aphasia. Aphasia is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. Aphasia is always due to injury to the brain-most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals. But brain injuries resulting in aphasia may also arise from head trauma, from brain tumors, or from infections.

Aphasia can be so severe as to make communication with the patient almost impossible, or it can be very mild. It may affect mainly a single aspect of language use, such as the ability to retrieve the names of objects, or the ability to put words together into sentences, or the ability to read. More commonly, however, multiple aspects of communication are impaired, while some channels remain accessible for a limited exchange of information. Learn more on Aphasia by clicking here .

Consumer Tips
Tips, scam alerts, and other advice about every-day situations for consumers
Spotlight: Jeanette Donnarumma
Ridgewood resident wins Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show for her work on the "Rachel Ray Show."
On May 5, “The Rachael Ray Show,” for which Jeanette Donnarumma is the senior culinary producer, was awarded the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Informative Talk Show – making her an Emmy winner!

This is Donnarumma's 13th season working for Rachel Ray and 5th season as a producer. It was her first time being nominated. I congratulate Jeanette and her family for representing the 40th Legislative District in the Emmys.




Image and content from: NorthJersey.com
Office Information
1211 Hamburg Turnpike
Suite 301
Wayne, NJ 07470
Office: (973) 237-1362
Fax: (973) 237-1367
Email: AsmRooney@njleg.org
Appropriations
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Environment and Solid Waste
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