News & Releases

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Shirley K. Turner

06 Mar: Turner Bill Would Help Make College Textbooks More Affordable

TRENTON � A measure sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner, which would help regulate the ordering and sale of college textbooks was approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

�While it�s no secret that the cost of textbooks is ever-increasing, it is important that schools don�t �break the bank� when choosing required texts for classes,� said Senator Turner, D-Mercer, who chairs the Senate Education Panel. �Technology changes and improves, new scientific findings are made, and those discoveries are among the reasons why textbooks are constantly being updated. Schools bookstores must make sure that the cost they charge for textbooks is reflective of the price they pay to buy them from the publishers. Schools cannot use marked-up book prices to profit off of our students.�

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Richard J. Codey Shirley K. Turner

06 Mar: Codey Anti-Steroid Plan Approved By Senate Education Panel

TRENTON — The Senate Education Committee today voted 4 to 0 to approve a bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey that would provide New Jersey with one of the most comprehensive anti-steroid programs in the nation, combining testing, education, instructional training and advertising for students from elementary school on up through high school.

“When a kid grows up idolizing a professional athlete and then finds out that person broke this record or that one because he was using steroids his whole career, well what’s to stop that kid from wanting to use the drugs too?” said Sen. Codey (D-Essex). “We need to get to our kids early and show them that these drugs are not without consequences.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Ronald L. Rice

06 Mar: Rice Measures Offer Protection To New Homebuyers

TRENTON – Bills sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice to offer more protection to new homebuyers was approved in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today.

“Over the last few years, the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) uncovered major problems with poorly built homes,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “This legislation will increase government oversight and provide safeguards for those purchasing homes in New Jersey.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases

06 Mar: Girgenti: Illegal Gun Possession, Not Worth The Penalty In New Jersey

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator John A. Girgenti to impose harsh penalties for those who unlawfully possess assault weapons and machine guns, was approved by the Senate Law Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee today.

“We have done a lot to reduce many types of crime in our State, but crimes committed with guns are still rising and tougher laws are needed to control the gun problem,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic, and Chairman of the panel. “This is another necessary part of the ‘Strategy for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods’ package that we began working on last session. In order to truly make our streets safe we need to continue to enact initiatives that prevent crime by increasing enforcement, focusing on prevention and providing re-entry opportunities for ex-convicts.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases

06 Mar: Buono Bill To Keep Those With Criminal Histories From Working In Schools Moves Forward

TRENTON – The Senate Education Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that would set up a system to ensure that school employees that have been disqualified from working in schools have had their employment terminated by the school district.

“As a parent, I find it troubling that a school district could continue to employ someone with a known criminal background,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “I think every parent wants to know that when they send their children off to school, that they will learn in a safe environment with responsible adults. No district should be allowed to ignore the State’s criminal background requirements.”

By DMUAdmin M. Teresa Ruiz News & Releases Shirley K. Turner

06 Mar: Turner/Ruiz Measure Would Require School Boards To Hear From Public

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and M. Teresa Ruiz that would require boards of education to open a portion of every meeting to public comment was approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

“Successful schools require strong community involvement,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and Chair of the Committee. “We cannot have that involvement if local school boards are unwilling to listen to the thoughts and needs of concerned residents. There is far too much at stake with our schools to allow school boards to function without having to listen to the public.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases

06 Mar: March To Be Named “Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month” Under Buono Measure

TRENTON – The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee unanimously approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that would designate every March as “Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month” in New Jersey.

“More Americans abuse prescription drugs than abuse cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants and heroin combined,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “There is a perception about pharmaceuticals that they are somehow safer than street drugs because they are prescribed by a doctor. If we want to reduce prescription drug addiction, people need to know that these drugs can be just as dangerous and just as addictive.”

By DMUAdmin Jim Whelan News & Releases

05 Mar: Whelan And Jackson Unveil New Fee Formula For Residential Dock Owners

ATLANTIC CITY – At a news conference today at the Atlantic City Convention Center, State Senator Jim Whelan and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa Jackson unveiled a new licensing fee formula designed to introduce fairness for residential dock owners who’ve been hit by soaring tidelands licensing fees.

“Homeowners on the Jersey Shore face some of the highest costs of living in the entire Garden State,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “It seemed patently unfair to pile soaring dock fees onto these already overburdened families. This new formula represents a more rational approach to licensing our State’s tidal lands for private, residential docks owned by families living down the Shore.”

Senator Dana Redd, D-Camden and Gloucester, speaks at the meeting of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

By DMUAdmin News & Releases

04 Mar: Senator Redd Applauds Passage Of Paid Family Leave Bill

TRENTON – Senator Dana L. Redd, D-Camden and Gloucester, has released the following statement regarding the Senate’s recent passage of S-786, which would provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children. The final vote was 22-16, and Senator Redd voted in favor of the bill.

“This bill is good for families. There are few things in life that you can never do in excess, and spending time with an ill family member is one of them. This legislation would give a husband a few more weeks to spend with his wife who is dying of cancer. It would allow new parents a few more weeks of uninterrupted bonding time with their newly adopted child.

By DMUAdmin Joseph Vitale News & Releases

03 Mar: Vitale Bill To Give Adoptees Access To Birth Records Approved

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give adult adoptees and certain others access to the adoptee’s birth certificate was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 30-7.

“For New Jersey’s adopted residents, this bill is about a matter of fairness, giving them the same opportunity to know where they came from as non-adopted people,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “I think too many of us take for granted family history, but the struggles and triumphs of our ancestors contribute greatly to the people we are today. This bill would pull back the veil on history that so many adopted individuals run into in their quest to learn more about their identities.”

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