Thomas Kean Jr. in NJ legislative records

On Civil Rights: Replace civil unions with same-sex marriage

Excerpts from legislation: The "Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act" would recognize same-sex marriage. Same-sex civil unions would no longer be permitted, and all previously sanctioned civil unions would be deemed to be marriages. Religious organizations are not required to solemnize or provide goods or services for any marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.

Excerpts from veto message: Neither the US Constitution nor the NJ State Constitution contain a right to same-sex marriage. In 2006, the NJ Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples must be afforded the same rights and benefits as their heterosexual counterparts. Civil unions grant all the same rights and benefits. I encourage that the Legislature trust the people of NJ to vote on the question of same-sex marriage, and then amend the State Constitution.

Legislative outcome: Kean voted YEA; bill passed House 42-33-4; bill passed Senate 24-16-0; Governor vetoed.

Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S1&A1 Feb 13, 2012

On Crime: Co-sponsored bill establishing crime of human trafficking

Bill A2730: Establishes crime of human trafficking; adds to racketeering; authorizes victim compensation and services; provides certain affirmative defenses.

This bill would establish new crimes concerning forced labor and sex trafficking. Both of these activities represent a modern form of slavery, in which ever increasing numbers of persons, primarily women and children, are trafficked across international borders and into this State. Forced labor and sex trafficking would each be categorized as a crime of the second degree.

Also, if a person destroyed, concealed, or possessed the passport or any other government-issued identifying document of a victim, while in the course of committing, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit, the crime of forced labor or sex trafficking, the person would be guilty of a crime of the third degree.

Source: New Jersey State legislative voting records, Bill A2730 May 6, 2004

On Energy & Oil: Don't require disclosure of renewables on electric bills

Excerpts from legislation: S 1707: Requires Increased Use of Renewable Energy

Requires electric power suppliers to disclose on a customer's bill a uniform set of information about the environmental characteristics of the energy purchased by the customer, including:
Its fuel mix, including categories for oil, gas, nuclear, coal, solar, hydroelectric, wind and biomass
Its emissions, in pounds per megawatt hour, of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and any other pollutants
Any discrete emission reduction retired and regulations adopted

This bill requires the percentage of renewable electricity sold in the State to increase once every five energy years between 2015 and 2050: from 11% in 2015 to 80% in 2050 percent of the electricity sold.

Legislative outcome:Kean voted NAY; Bill passed Senate 23-15-2; bill died in House.

Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 1707 Mar 14, 2016

On Government Reform: No in-person early voting

Excerpts from legislation: S 536 Requires availability of early voting. This bill establishes an in-person early voting procedure to allow voters to cast their votes starting on the 15th day before the general election. A voter who participates in early voting would not be permitted to vote by mail-in ballot or in person on election day.

Excerpts from veto message:New Jersey voters have been able to vote early in person in every election since 2009, via "Vote by Mail." I support responsible and cost-efficient election reform that increases voter participation because democracy works best when the most people vote. But this bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a new voting method and process, and would cost $25 million.

Legislative outcome:Kean voted NAY; Bill S.536 passed Senate 21-15-3; House equivalent S.2364 passed House 46-31-3; vetoed by Gov. Christie; veto sustained.

Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 536 Dec 1, 2014

On Gun Control: No criminalization of all 50-caliber weapons

Excerpts from legislation: Revises definition of "destructive device" to include weapons of 50 caliber or greater. The current definition is 60 caliber.

Exemptions for antique firearms or muzzleloader rifles; these firearms would continue with the current 60 caliber restriction.

Individuals who lawfully own one of these newly prohibited firearms have one year in which to dispose of them.

Establishes a buyback program to facilitate the voluntary surrender of these firearms.

Excerpts from veto message: New Jersey already has the second strictest gun laws in the US. In early 2013, the NJ SAFE Task Force recommended narrowly limiting one specific type of firearm: the Barrett 50 caliber long-range rifle. This bill goes well beyond that recommendation and would instead criminalize the ownership of a whole class of firearms.

Legislative outcome: Kean voted NAY; bill passed Senate 23-16-1; bill passed House 46-29-4; Absolute Veto Sept. 9

Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: A 3659 May 30, 2013

On Health Care: Ok for state to sue to prevent ObamaCare implementation

Excerpts from legislation: Urges Governor not to join lawsuit against enforcement of new federal health reforms:

Whereas, a number of states have undertaken legal action to [stop implementation of ObamaCare]
Whereas, ObamaCare will make health care coverage more affordable for businesses and families, enable millions of the uninsured to gain coverage, and help to control the relentless rise in health care costs
Whereas, from 2000 through 2009, the increase in the cost of family health care coverage premiums for New Jersey workers outpaced the increase in their median earnings by 4-to-1; however, under the new health reforms, New Jerseyans with moderate incomes will receive sliding-scale subsidies to help them purchase high-quality health care coverage
Be It Resolved: The Governor is respectfully urged not to join any [anti-ObamaCare] lawsuit

Legislative outcome: Sen. Kean voted NO; Resolution passed Senate 21-16-3; sent to Governor Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: SCR 108 Jun 21, 2010

On Homeland Security: Co-sponsored bill establishing Office of Counter-Terrorism

S66 Establishes the Office of Counter-Terrorism in but not of the Department of Law and Public Safety.

This bill would establish the Office of Counter-Terrorism in but not of the Department of Law and Public Safety. The office already exists, however this legislation would permanently codify the office in statute, and would also enhance the existing mission and authority of the office.

The office would be supervised by a director, who would be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Director of the Office of Counter-Terrorism would report to the Attorney General on matters relating to the enforcement and prosecution of criminal business in the State and to the Governor on all matters relating to homeland security. The bill would create a dedicated, non-lapsing fund to be known as the "Counter-Terrorism Fund." The director would administer any money appropriated by the Legislature to the fund.

Source: New Jersey State legislative voting records, Bill S66 Jan 10, 2006

On Tax Reform: No increase in top tax rate to reduce property taxes

Excerpts from legislation: Increases the top tax rate contingent on enactment of homestead benefit legislation. A new top marginal rate is set at 10.75% for earning over $1,000,000 (an increase from 8.97% for those earning over $500,000); lower brackets maintain the same rates. The purpose of the bill is to fund an enhanced homestead benefit, to temper the regressivity of the property tax for the bulk of NJ's property taxpayers.

Excerpts from veto message: I will not permit the State to succumb to the legislature's enduring addiction to profligate taxing and spending. I also have vetoed AB 3029, which would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide relief to only a subset of NJ's taxpayers. All of our taxpayers are already subject to one of the nation's highest state income tax rates. Instead, we should be lowering taxes for all New Jerseyans.

Legislative outcome:Kean voted NAY; passed House 47-31-2 & Senate 24-16-0; Vetoed by Governor

Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: A 3201 Jun 28, 2012

The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for New Jersey House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for New Jersey House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Thomas Kean Jr.. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Feb 13, 2023