‘Inside Out’ offered for free Saturday at Bayonne museum
The Bayonne Theater Company and BCB Community Bank will present another “Movie at the Museum” on Saturday, Jan. 23.
“This month we will feature the movie ‘Inside Out,’ accompanied by a kids’ jam with interactive music instruction by Rich Casella, of Guitar Den, and the El Shaddai Kids Dancers,” said theater company spokesman Adam Semanchick.
The kids’ jam will begin at 5 p.m. It will be followed by the movie at 6 p.m.
Since it will be floor seating, sponsors ask attendees to bring something to sit on.
Concession items will be available for purchase.
For more information, call Semanchick at (201) 780-8378.
Sacco bill aiming to improve public safety moved from Senate
In an effort to assist criminal investigations, legislation sponsored by Sens. Nicholas Sacco and Paul Sarlo that would expand the state’s DNA database was approved by the full Senate.
“DNA matching is already an important tool for our law enforcement, but it has the potential to be a much more useful way to identify perpetrators,” said Sacco, D-Hudson.
The bill, S-393, would add indictable offenses to the list of criminal conduct that, upon conviction, requires sampling for the DNA database. These offenses include prostitution, domestic violence assault, and crimes related to narcotics and dangerous drugs.
After a sample is taken, the Division of State Police identifies, analyzes, and stores it in a state databank. Results of the sample are confidential under state statute.
The bill reflects a Supreme Court decision on June 3, 2013, which ruled that the police may take DNA samples from people arrested in connection with serious crimes.
The federal government and 28 states currently authorize DNA collection after an arrest. All 50 states require the collection of DNA from people convicted of felonies.
The bill cleared the Senate 31-4. The next stop was the governor’s desk.
Sweeney announces Democratic leadership, committee assignments
State Senate President Steve Sweeney on Jan. 13 announced the Democratic leadership team and committee memberships for the 217th Legislative Session.
Among them was Sen. Sandra Bolden Cunningham (D-Hudson), who will return as majority whip.
The committee chairs for the 2016-2017 legislative session include: Sen. Nicholas Sacco as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and Sen. Cunningham as chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee.
The Senate leadership was sworn in at the Senate’s organizational meeting.
“This is the best leadership team the people of New Jersey could have,” said Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem). “They know the issues, they understand the challenges we face, and they are committed to making real progress in ways that move the state forward and expand opportunities for everyone. They possess a standard of excellence that will continue to make the Legislature proud.”
The Senate Democratic Majority reelected Senate President Sweeney in November.
Sires comments on President’s State of the Union address
Congressman Albio Sires released a statement on Jan. 13 on President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech before Congress:
“President Obama had a direct conversation with the American people and discussed the challenges and opportunities that will impact our country for generations to come. I agree with the President’s goals of fixing the immigration system, making college more affordable, and protecting more children from gun violence.
The President focused on our nation’s future being built with the American spirit of innovation, pushing for advances in medical breakthroughs to cure cancer and to accelerate expansions in clean energy innovation to create new jobs. The President reminded the nation of what makes America great, citing our diversity and rejection of fear and intolerance. America succeeds when we oppose partisanship and find common ground when addressing our most difficult challenges.
As the President noted, we in Congress will never agree on everything, but my hope is that over the next year, Congress can work with President Obama to focus on policies that will continue to support American families and grow our economy.”