Republican Senate Leader Tom Kean announced today that Deputy Republican Conference Leader Christopher "Kip" Bateman will take a new seat that has been created on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

With profound sadness and grief, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issues a statement about the passing of his dear friend, Assemblyman Eric Munoz of Summit.

"My staff members are no different than other state employees. The Senate Republican office will participate in a furlough program."

Republican Senate Leader Tom Kean urges anyone interested in common sense fiscal policy to remain vigilant in the fight against the false savings promised by Governor Corzine's pension deferral plan.

Cost overruns of more than billion dollars have Republicans exploring a potential lawsuit to block the use of highway tolls for construction of a rail tunnel under the Hudson River.

Kean, Ferguson and Lance make the rounds in Cranford

CRANFORD -- State Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Flemington) said turnout is high today, but that it won’t necessarily benefit his opponent in the 7th District Congressional race.

“I’ve been endorsed by every editorial board based upon my independence and views on the issues, and I believe that the public will vote based upon the issues,” said Lance, who’s running against Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood).

At his own polling place in solidly Republican Hunterdon County, Lance and his wife were voters numbers 305 and 306 as of 10:30 a.m., which Lance called a “very healthy” turnout.

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce seek Democratic support for vital economic development bills.

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.

Senator Kean urges Governor Corzine to accept the challenge of defending his toll hike plan in person and not just leave Turnpike officials to face the public's wrath.

BUONO-KEAN PROPOSE LIMITS TO CRACK DOWN ON OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUG ABUSE

Measure Would Require Age-Verification for Purchase of Cough Medicines Containing DXM

EDISON – At a news conference at Edison High School today, State Senator Barbara Buono unveiled legislation, sponsored by Senator Buono and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., requiring that customers be at least 18 years old to purchase over-the-counter cough and cold remedies containing dextromethorphan (DXM), an ingredient which, when abused by teenagers seeking to get high, can have potentially lethal consequences.

“New Jersey needs to step up and address this very serious danger to the health and safety of our teenage sons and daughters,” said Senator Buono, D-Metuchen. “DXM abuse can have lasting and potentially fatal consequences for teenagers who misuse this legal, inexpensive, and easily accessible substance in order to achieve a high. By instituting common-sense limitations on who can purchase products containing DXM, we can reduce the risk that our children will add to the growing number of tragic statistics.”