Quorum Call
News from the District

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

It is hard to believe that February has already come to a close and that spring is just around the corner. I am excited to let you know that my staff and I will be moving into a new office location at the end of this week. The telephone number and fax number for the office will remain the same. The address is as follows:

NEW ADDRESS:
Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney
Legislative District 40
1211 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite 301
Wayne, NJ 07470

Phone: (973) 237-1362
Fax: (973) 237-1367

On the Legislative front, committees have begun their work and we have had our first Voting Session of 2018. I've introduced several bills this month addressing issues like net neutrality, epi-pen usage, waiving fees for seniors, and paperless ticketing systems.

There is a great accomplishment that I wanted to share this month. I, along with the my fellow District 40 Legislators, have successfully secured $4.5 million in funding from Department of Transportation. Each town in the District will be receiving funding.

I wanted to highlight my package of bills to protect Net Neutrality. These bills ensure that internet users are protected from paid prioritization and slowed-down services, and they actually require internet companies to update their services to the fasted internet speed across their entire service area. My office worked directly with the Division of Rate Counsel, the state advocate for consumers, and the Passaic County Education Association to make sure we were addressing the real problems that internet users might face. I am committed to introducing and supporting meaningful legislation -- legislation that actually makes a difference for the people of New Jersey.

Unfortunately, there are many bills that pass that don't actually accomplish anything or benefit anyone. As legislators, it is our responsibility to put forth bills that improve the lives of the nine million residents of our state.


Sincerely,

Kevin J. Rooney
Assemblyman
Rooney's Recipes
Assemblyman and winner of Food Network's "Chopped" shares his favorite recipes
Braised Veal Shank Osso Bucco
Serves 6 to 8
Main Ingredients:

  • 8 Veal Shanks tied, about 1 lb. each
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon corse sea salt
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 garlic cloves smashed
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 10 medium carrots, diced ¼ inch
  • 6 stalks of celery, diced ¼ inch
  • 3 large Vidalia onions, diced ¼ inch
  • 2 fresh bay leaves
  • 1 sprig of thyme, finely chopped
  • 2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped
  • 8 sprigs of rosemary for garnish
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • ½ cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup crushed plum tomatoes
  • 1⅓ cups white wine (use what you like to drink, but avoid really sweet wine)
Spaetzle Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoon white pepper
  • 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 6 quarts chicken broth or water (I prefer chicken broth)
  • 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
Preparation :
Dry off the veal shanks with a paper towel; season the shanks with salt & pepper. Mix garlic powder, salt and pepper into your flour and dust shanks lightly. Heat a heavy large Frying pan or Skillet, add Olive Oil. Once oil is hot, turn heat down to medium; add 4 shanks at a time as not to over crowd pan. Brown each side 4-5 minutes per side. Once all shanks have been browned add to large Dutch oven or Roasting pan with lid.

In same pan used to brown shanks add, garlic, carrots, celery and onions. Cook for approximately 15 minutes until soft. Add wine, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beef stock, thyme, bay leaves and chopped rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes, and then pour over Veal Shanks.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cover oven or pan with lid and cook for 3 hours until fork tender.

Remove shanks from pan, remove strings and set aside covered with foil. Strain vegetable from liquid for smooth sauce, or keep vegetables as part of the sauce as I do - this is a personal choice.

(To make spaetzle) - In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Slowly add in eggs and milk; mix well batter will thicken. In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil. Drop batter by 1/2 teaspoonfuls into boiling liquid. Boil until spaetzle rise to the surface; remove with slotted spoon and place in ice water to stop the cooking. Drain well. In a skillet, heat spaetzle in butter until lightly browned.

Serve the veal shank over the spaetzle. Place rosemary twig in bone of shank facing upward for garnish. Finish by spooning gravy over shank and spaetzle.
Recent News
District 40 Legislators Secure $3.5 M from Department of Transportation
New Bills Introduced
The Fight to Protect Net Neutrality
I introduced two bills to keep an open internet and protect consumers. Click the buttons below to read about these important pieces of legislation that will protect residents across the state.
Stop Do-Nothing Legislation, Time to Take Action for the Environment

I called on Democrats to work in a bipartisan way and pass legislation that actually does something to improve the lives of New Jerseyans during the Assembly vote to join the U.S. Climate Alliance. Earlier in February , environmentalists admitted that the bill would have no effect on pollution in New Jersey during an Assembly Environment Committee hearing. It's time we address the problem with effective legislation. Watch the videos below.
Consumer Tips
Tips, scam alerts, and other advice about every-day situations for consumers
Honoring the Victims o f
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
This month instead of a spotlight feature, let us honor on the victims, families, friends, and community in Parkland, Florida.

Our c ountry was devastated by the tragic loss of 17 beautiful individuals. There are no words that can ease the pain for all those affected by what happened. W e can all agree that our students should never have to experience another tragedy like this again. My thoughts and prayers remain with the friends and families of those who were senselessly murdered, and to those injured who are facing down a long road to recovery.
There are various ways to support the community during this difficult time. Go Fund Me has compiled a list of all the verified fundraising campaigns related to the students, families, and survivors of the mass shooting tragedy. You can also contribute towards a survivors recovery, make a donation to the Stoneman Douglas Victims Fund directly or support it through buying a t-shit. A




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
Appropriations
Consumer Affairs
Environment and Solid Waste
Statewide Public Safety Communications Commission