Warren and Hunterdon county legislators push for approval of measures.
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The Union Hotel on Main Street is under redevelopment.
The New Jersey legislature approved bills to improve special education and to provide donations to homeless veterans, and also was urged to vote on a proposal to help redevelop the Union Hotel in Flemington, according to statements issued by the bills’ sponsors.
According to the legislators’ statements this week:
The Assembly approved a bill, A-1365, that would create a task force to improve spending, classification and teaching in special education.
Assemblywoman Donna Simon, a Republican whose district includes part of Hunterdon County, and other sponsors say the bill was a response to an Asbury Park Press newspaper series that showed a lack of standards and little oversight of how $3 billion in annual special-education funding is spent.
The task force would consist of the Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf and 16 members appointed by the Governor, including parents, teachers, administrators and advocates involved in the special education community.
The task force would have 180 days after it organizes to present its findings and recommendations.
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The Assembly passed a bill (A-2011) that would let taxpayers contribute to a grant fund to help homeless veterans in New Jersey.
The grants would be funded by voluntary contributions on the state’s gross income tax returns. The Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs would distribute the money.
The bill’s sponsors include state Republican Assemblymen John DiMaio and Erik Peterson, whose districts include parts of Warren and Hunterdon counties.
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Simon is urging the state Assembly to vote on her proposal (A-3198) that would create new liquor licenses for small, historic hotels.
She said such licenses have been deemed critical to restoring the Union Hotel in Flemington, where Lindbergh kidnapping trial was held. The hotel on Main Street is considered a lynchpin to downtown revitalization in the Hunterdon County seat.
The borough in December picked entrepreneurs Matthew McPherson and Liam Burns to turn the hotel into a banquet hall, steakhouse and pub.