Connors, Rumpf & Gove Praise Governor’s Absolute Veto of Controversial EMS Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 13, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove praised Governor Christie’s decision to veto S-1650/A-2463, a controversial measure which would revise requirements for emergency medical services delivery in New Jersey. The legislation faced staunch opposition from local EMS volunteer squads and residents who feared that their communities would be negatively impacted in terms of the emergency services provided and increases in property taxes.
DiAnne Gove
The 9th District Delegation, which has consistently stood vehemently opposed the EMS legislation for years and voted against its passage in two consecutive Legislative Sessions, wrote to the Governor on March 26 of this year urging that the S-1650/A-2463 be vetoed. In their letter to the Governor, the Delegation voiced their concerns regarding onerous burdens that would be placed on rural and suburban communities throughout the state that rely on volunteer emergency service organizations should the legislation be enacted. Further, the Delegation warned that property taxes could skyrocket due to costs that would be associated with implementing the legislation’s myriad of provisions, coupled with the expenditures that municipalities — who presently rely on volunteer services — would also incur when being left with no other option but to pay for such services.
Following the Governor’s veto of the EMS Legislation, the 9th District Delegation issued the following statement:
“In vetoing the controversial EMS legislation, Governor Christie is representing the interests of a large segment of the 9th District’s constituency. Our Delegation shares the concerns of many of our constituents who rightfully expressed trepidation over the direct and indirect costs that would be imposed on taxpayers as well as the unknown impact on the state’s overall emergency medical services system in the event this legislation was enacted.
“Setting aside for a moment the uncertainty of the costs involved and the myriad of regulations, it is important to stress that this legislation is being pushed by those interests who didn’t consider, or simply chose to ignore, that areas of the state, including Ocean County, have volunteer EMS personnel who are well trained, extremely effective, and have the enduring respect of the communities they ably serve.
“It is also important they we make special mention of the persons in Berkeley Township who led a petition drive in opposition to the EMS legislation early on in the process. To be proactive, given the serious nature of this issue, in October of last year, our Delegation immediately forwarded the petitions with more than 600 signatures to the Governor’s Office. This provided the Governor with the opportunity to understand the level of opposition to the legislation and be in a more informed position on how he could best serve these constituents’ interest. Obviously, these collective efforts, which we are pleased to have been part of, were effective in light of the Governor’s decisive action in vetoing the legislation.”
Upon being absolute vetoed by the Governor, S-1650/A-2463 was received by the Senate, which is the legislation’s House of origin.
