JENNIFER BECK

Bill Prevents Tuition Assistance and Salary Increases for School Employees that Earn Degrees at Unaccredited Institutions of Higher Education

The Senate Education Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Jennifer Beck that would prevent school employees from receiving tuition assistance or salary increases for degrees earned at so-called "diploma mills." The legislation, S-2127, was introduced in response to revelations that school administrators in Freehold had received both tuition assistance and pay raises after completing doctoral programs at Breyer State University, an unaccredited online school that provides advanced degrees in exchange for little more than the tuition that is paid.

Statement from Senator Jennifer Beck (R-12) on the hung jury in the BPU whistleblower trial:

"While a jury may have been divided on whether Jeanne Fox retaliated against an employee who identified mismanagement at the BPU, the State Auditor and Treasury Department have confirmed in no uncertain terms the vastness of her mismanagement. It's time for Chairman Adler to end this circus and her tenure of mismanagement."

Governor Corzine is talking about the right moves when it comes to ethics reform. Republicans who have been advocating these reforms for the past three years welcome his decision to join the fight, and hope he can sway the members of his party who have blocked reform.

State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth), left, and Assemblywoman Alison McHose (R-Franklin).: Politicker photo

TRENTON - They think she’s getting a bum rap early because she’s a woman, and rather than languish on the sidelines, senators Diane Allen (R-Edgwater Park) and Jennifer Beck (R-Rumson), and Assemblywoman Alison McHose-Littell (R-Franklin) made a statement today of Republican unity on behalf of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Calling themselves "Palin’s Truth Squad," the three legislators stood up for the Republican nominee for vice president, arguing that Palin’s success and home state popularity contrast sharply with that of New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

"Look at her public policy on spending," said Beck. "Alaska is a more self-sufficient state. In his first year as governor, Jon Corzine raised spending. (In contrast), she is taking the right steps."

Fairleigh Dickinson University's The Public Mind polling center released a poll today that offered statewide favorable and unfavorable ratings of several possible candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor in 2009. 

Photos by Getty Images

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone doesn’t buy state Sen. Jen Beck’s explanation that she didn’t discuss the upcoming gubernatorial race with U.S. Attorney Chris Christie when the two met over the summer.

But even taking her at her word, Pallone said that it makes him wonder why Christie can meet with Beck, a Republican state legislator, and not him, a Democratic Congressman. Or, for that matter, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson), who also pushed for a meeting.

“To me it’s abusurd. Because I’m sure they are talking about politics and his gubernatorial ambitions. But even if I take them at their word, I say that if you can talk amongst yourselves about what’s going on in your office with regard to Monmouth county and Marlboro, he can talk to us,” said Pallone.

State Sen. Jennifer Beck acknowledged meeting with U.S. Attorney Chris Christie over the summer, but denied that they talked about the upcoming gubernatorial race or anything else political.

PolitickerNJ’s inside edge reported last week that the two discussed the prospect of Beck as Christie’s running mate for Lieutenant Governor.

“I talk to him fairly regularly and get together with him once in a while, and obviously we don’t have any conversations about political stuff. It’s about Marlboro and Monmouth County and what’s going on there,” she said.

U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Rumson) met privately this summer to discuss the 2009 campaign for Governor and specifically the possibility of Beck running on Christie's ticket for Lieutenant Governor, according to two key Monmouth County Republicans who say they heard this from Beck.  Christie did not offer the number two spot on his ticket to the freshman State Senator from Monmouth County, the sources say, but did indicate he was likely to enter the race for Governor next year.  

Beck, who ousted a Democratic Assemblyman in 2005 and a Democratic State Senator in 2007, has appeared on most short lists as a possible candidate for Lt. Governor next year.  He Senate seat is not up until 2011.

Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth), campaigning last year with Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon.: Politicker file photo 

MINNEAPOLIS - Identifying in her hockey mom, small town mayor’s story the features of a universal American life, and exhilarated by her willingness to put her head down and charge after their rivals, members of New Jersey’s GOP delegation praised the acceptance speech delivered tonight by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, their vice presidential nominee.

"I know my constituents will be able to identify with her, a working mother whose family depends on two incomes," said state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Union).

Since he first declared his hope two or three weeks ago that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) would choose Palin as his running mate as a way of reaching base conservative voters, women, and blue collar America, Kean has consistently emphasized as a strength Palin’s distance from the ambitious political culture of Washington, D.C.

"This was someone who was picked because of her competence as governor, as opposed to her going out and seeking the office," the senator added.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Enjoying his current career as an attorney, lobbyist and political operative, former Republican Senate President John O. Bennett said that he has no desire to return to elected office.

“I’m not done. I’m involved. But I’m done with elected office, other than party positions, basically,” said Bennett, who served an eventful four days as acting governor in 2002 and is in Minnesota this week as an alternate delegate.

Bennett remains active in the Monmouth County Republican Party, and is the county’s state committeeman. He said he believes that the new Republican county chairman, former Sheriff Joseph Oxley, has the ability to bring competing factions together.