News & Releases

By DMUAdmin Brian P. Stack News & Releases Nicholas J. Sacco

05 May: Sacco/Stack Measure To Give Judges More Flexibility On Driving Penalties In Drug Cases Moves Forward

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Nicholas Sacco and Brian Stack that would allow judges to revoke mandatory driver’s license suspensions in minor drug offenses cases was approved by the Senate Law & Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.

“When it comes to drug offenses, New Jersey looks to provide treatment rather than incarceration whenever possible,” said Senator Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen. “But in order for treatment to work, individuals must be given access to the resources they need to get that treatment and be productive citizens. We’re giving judges the flexibility to restore driver’s licenses when there are compelling circumstances.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases

05 May: Girgenti Bill Would Increase Road Safety Near Emergency And Maintenance Vehicles

TRENTON – The Senate Law & Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator John Girgenti that would require drivers to move into another lane or slow down when passing emergency and maintenance vehicles on the road.

“Common sense would dictate that drivers should move into another lane or slow down whenever passing an emergency vehicle or maintenance truck that is stopped on the side of the road,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Passaic and Bergen and Chair of the Committee. “Unfortunately, not everyone uses common sense on the road, and we need to step in to do a better job at protecting those people who work on and around our roads.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Shirley K. Turner

05 May: Turner Measure Requiring Digital Fingerprints Of All School Employees Through Committee

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would require all public school employees to undergo electronic fingerprinting was approved by the Senate Education Committee today.

“When it comes to protecting New Jersey’s students, we should seek out the latest technology to keep them safe,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and Chair of the Committee. “Electronic fingerprinting allows the State to be more comprehensive in their background checks and better equipped to investigate arrests after an individual has been hired to work in a public school.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Ronald L. Rice

05 May: Rice Measures To Help Homless Advance

TRENTON – The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today approved two bills sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice, to address homeless assistance programs and the problems discovered last year with the deplorable living conditions in transitional housing in hotels and motels across the State for the homeless.

“Many citizens are being forced into homelessness because of sub prime mortgages, and the rising cost of food and fuel,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “As more residents are becoming homeless, we must be better prepared to meet all their quality of life needs. Since last year, the transitional housing set up for the homeless has come under fire. News reports came out describing unsanitary and unsafe living facilities that were being provided to the homeless. My bill will ensure that the homeless population in our State is placed in safe locations.”

By DMUAdmin Loretta Weinberg News & Releases

05 May: Weinberg Bill Would Create Autism Training Programs For First Responders

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg, which would require the Department of Health and Senior Services to establish an autism awareness training course and curriculum for first responders like emergency medical technicians (EMTs), firefighters and police officers, was approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

“This legislation would work to ensure that first responders are trained to deal with the special needs of those living with autism and related disorders,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen, who serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Health panel. “Because characteristics of autism are not always immediately recognizable, we must make sure that those living with the disease are able to receive the medical care they need, as quickly as possible in an emergency situation.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Paul A. Sarlo Ronald L. Rice Shirley K. Turner Steve Sweeney

02 May: Workers’ Compensation Among Senate Committee Topics Monday

TRENTON – The Senate Labor Committee on Monday will gather testimony on recommendations to improve the State workers’ compensation system after published reports suggested reforms are needed to the way injured employees are dealt with in New Jersey.

“Before we recommend changes, we should hear from the people who are directly involved in the system on a day-to-day basis,” said Senator Paul Sarlo, Chairman of the Senate labor panel. “I start off considering our (compensation) system to be one of the best in the country.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Steve Sweeney

02 May: Paid Family Leave Legislation Is Now Law

TRENTON – Landmark legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Barbara Buono, which will make New Jersey the second state in the nation (after California) to provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members or newborn or newly adopted children was signed into law today, at a ceremony at the State House.

“The signing of this bill ushers in a new day for New Jersey’s workforce, in that it gives hard-working parents and caregivers the time they need to take care of the family members who rely on them the most,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “By now, you all know of my strong conviction for this legislation, because I was in a similar situation when my 14 year-old daughter, Lauren was born. My employer was understanding, and allowed me to take the time I needed. Had my employment situation been different, I could have had a difficult time balancing spending the 75 days at the hospital with my newborn daughter, or going to work to provide for my wife and young son. This new law is aimed at helping workers whose employers won’t allow them to take this necessary leave time.”

By DMUAdmin Loretta Weinberg News & Releases

02 May: Weinberg Declares Victory With Enactment Of Paid Family Leave Law

TRENTON – Senator Loretta Weinberg today declared a hard-fought victory for New Jersey workers and their families with the enactment of the new Paid Family Leave law.

“This is a good day for workers and their families because we’ve injected some heart into the world of business,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “This new law will help families deal with what’s really important in life – being there for loved ones in times of need.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Paul A. Sarlo

01 May: Sarlo – Environmental Rules Must Be Fair, Allow For Finality

TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic, the Chair of the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee, issued the following statement today concerning the Committee’s hearing of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)’s water quality and site remediation rules, and the impact that the rules have on the business community and development and redevelopment industries in New Jersey:

“Obviously, the DEP has the best intentions in developing site remediation soil and water quality standards to ensure the greatest possible health and safety of local residents. However, we need to be aware that constantly shifting safety levels have a negative affect on the business community, and developers who are seeking to do the right thing in reclaiming environmentally tainted property in our State’s urban communities.

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Shirley K. Turner

30 Apr: Turner: MVC Should Go After Those Who Owe Money

TRENTON –Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, D-Mercer, made the following statement today after the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing on the proposed FY09 budget for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, NJ Transit and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC):

“The MVC is often referred to as the cash cow of Trenton as the fees it collects far outpace the cost of running the Commission. I was disappointed to hear that the Commission has recently begun to assess residents a $2 “convenience charge” to renew vehicle registrations on-line rather than going to a MVC office to renew.

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