Quorum Call
News from the District

From the office of Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney
May 2018 Newsletter
A Message from the Assemblyman:
Dear Friend,

Although the cold weather has not fully gone away, Spring has finally sprung! April was rather quiet for the legislature with the month's activities focused on Budget hearings. The break in the legislature opened up my calendar for more events throughout the district. From the ribbon cuttings, to anniversaries, to BPU hearings, to National Rebuild Day, and everything in between, it was great to spend time celebrating with the community. 
 
Just because the month was focused on the Budget, doesn't mean that it was a quiet month for me. I spoke out on several pieces of legislation including a salary increase bill for certain state employees including the brand-new cabinet members, as well as legislation allowing NJ residents to include their property taxes as charitable deductions on their taxes.
 
New Jersey currently is our nations leader in recycling standards, but we still haven't lived up to our own goals. I introduced legislation that focuses on one key aspect of recycling and will hopefully allow us to reach goals. Right now everyone in New Jersey is required to recycle - except for the state government itself! My bill amends the Recycling Act to include state government and state entities. 
 
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Please be sure to take a moment to read about why it's important to participate in their recognition. Finally, this month's  Spotlight  feature highlights Dylan Hartigan from Wyckoff, who recently competed on a national singing competition, “ The Voice”. 
 
Finally, I wanted to share with you an open invitation to our  District Office Open House  at the beginning of June! It will be held on  June 6, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM . We'll be sending out another invitation soon, but please let me know if you'll be able to join us that day! 


Sincerely,

Kevin J. Rooney
Assemblyman
Assemblyman Rooney's District Office Open House
LOCATION
1211 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite 301, Wayne, NJ 07470

DATE AND TIME
06/06/18 3:30pm - 06/06/18 6:30pm

Come join friends from the community as we celebrate the grand opening of our new district office!
I'll be there!
Maybe
I can't make it
Rooney's Recipes
Assemblyman and winner of Food Network's "Chopped" shares his favorite recipes
Grilled Chicken-Asparagus Salad
Serves approximately 6
Ingredients:

  • 1½ pounds skinned and boned chicken breasts
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
  • 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced shallots
  • ¼ mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • 2 teaspoons chipped fresh dill
Preparation:

Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Brush chicken with 2 Tbsp. oil; sprinkle with 1 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Grill chicken, covered, 5 minutes on each side or until done. Let stand 10 minutes; chop.

Toss asparagus with 2 Tbsp. oil, and grill in a grill basket, covered, 1 minute on each side. Cut asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Toss together chicken, asparagus, cheese, shallot, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a bowl. Whisk together mayonnaise, next 3 ingredients, 2 Tbsp. oil, and 1/4 tsp. salt; drizzle over chicken mixture. Top with herbs.
Recent News
Recent Legislation and News from Trenton
Here is some of my recent activity at the State House.
National Rebuild Day
I joined Rebuilding Together North Jersey for their National Rebuilding Day project in Pompton Lakes.  

The project will make the home of Virgin Rosario, single mom and her three children, safe and healthy. The work they are doing will make the home handicapped accessible for Millie, age 11, who uses a wheelchair due to Spina Bifida. 

The Carpenters Union 253 and Electrical Union 102 have been working at the home the last couple weeks widening doors, building a wheelchair ramp and deck and making the bathroom handicapped accessible,thank you for all your hard work and expertise. 
Rebuilding Together is a national movement that transforms thousands of homes across the country each year.

Rebuilding Together North Jersey (RTNJ) brings financial resources and materials from generous corporate sponsors and donors together with hundreds of volunteers to assist our low-income neighbors in communities throughout Bergen and Passaic Counties.
For National Rebuild Day, RTNJ chose 8 projects located in Englewood, Oakland, Hackensack, Pompton Lakes, Cresskill, Fair Lawn, Teaneck and Ramsey.
BPU Hearings
Senator Corrado, Assemblyman DePhillips, and Assemblywoman Schepisi and I provided testimony to the Board of Public Utilities at the legislative hearing in Mahwah. We joined together to address the actions of power companies prior to, during, and after the March 2018 Storms. Much of the power outage response was avoidable, and to be frank, unacceptable. I, along with my colleagues, have taken steps to hold the power companies accountable for their lack of preparedness as well as their lack of response to the power outages. We look forward to implementing creative solutions to these problems so that they may be avoided in the future
May Commemorations
National Mental Health Awareness Month
Since 1949, Mental Health America and our affiliates across the country have led the observance of May is Mental Health Month by reaching millions of people through the media, local events and screenings. Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.

One in 5 Americans is affected by mental health conditions. Stigma is toxic to their mental health because it creates an environment of shame, fear and silence that prevents many people from seeking help and treatment. The perception of mental illness won’t change unless we act to change it.

Participating in a local or national, stigma-free or mental health awareness event is a great way for you to help increase people’s understanding of the complexity of mental illness. Through these events we can expel myths, educate the public and show support for the many people affected by mental health that are working to improve their lives.
Consumer Tips
Tips, scam alerts, and other advice about every-day situations for consumers
Spotlight: Dylan Hartigan
Wyckoff Township Native, Finalist on The Voice
Dylan Hartigan  was a child actor growing up . He booked his first national commercial, for 1-800-Flowers, when he was 3. At 5, he booked his first feature film, "The Stepford Wives." Hartigan has several television acting credits, including three episodes of "The Black Donnellys," "Guiding Light," "Law & Order" and "Law & Order Criminal Intent."

Dylan quickly turned his focus to music, playing guitar and working with a manger to build a solo funk-pop career. Dylan found success but began questioning his passion for music. He made the decision to move back home and focus on his artistry rather than his career. Now he is writing songs in his basement studio that he built with his dad and is playing college baseball.

Although Dylan didn't take home the championship, we can definitely say we are all proud of Dyland and how far he came! Congratulations, Dylan, and best of luck as you continue your music career!!!
Spotlight highlights accomplishments of people throughout District 40. Each month, this section will recognize a person or persons for their achievement, and will be chosen at random. Do you have someone you would like to nominate to be in the next month's Spotlight ? Click the button below to fill out a submission form.
Office Information
1211 Hamburg Turnpike
Suite 301
Wayne, NJ 07470
Office: (973) 237-1362
Fax: (973) 237-1367
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