News & Releases

03 Mar: Weinberg/Turner Bill To Require Religious Parity In Educational Exams Clears Senate

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Shirley K. Turner, to ensure that all colleges and universities to provide alternate testing arrangements for students who are unable to attend scheduled exams because of religious observances was unanimously approved today by the full Senate.

“The goal of this legislation is to ensure parity in these educational tests at all of New Jersey’s colleges and universities,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “I understand that many schools already offer alternate testing dates, but this legislation would work to ensure that all schools in New Jersey recognize the need for these exams to be offered on dates that don’t conflict with students’ religious responsibilities.”

“This bill would provide a fair chance for students who, because of religious reasons, are unable to take a necessary exam during a regularly scheduled time, to do so at a later date,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer, who chairs the Senate Education Committee. “These exams are important, and absolutely necessary for students to move onto the next step educationally. This bill would level the playing field.”

03 Mar: Gill/Adler Measure Would Penalize Counterfeiters For Actual Price Of Fake Goods

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Nia H. Gill and John H. Adler which would amend New Jersey’s counterfeiting laws to make them consistent with those of the International Trademark Association was approved today by the full Senate by a vote of 37 to 1.

“We are sending a strong, clear message: counterfeiting will not be tolerated in New Jersey,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic. “We cannot continue believing counterfeit products are harmless. They have infiltrated markets for every consumer good imaginable and they threaten our economy, health, and safety.”

“The stiffer penalties in this bill will discourage people from selling knock-offs of popular items,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “These products not only hurt legitimate businesses, but threaten consumers’ health and safety. Just a few months ago, there was a product recall because counterfeit tubes of toothpaste were being sold that contained a possibly toxic chemical.”

29 Feb: Senate To Consider Paid Family Leave On Monday

TRENTON – The full Senate will convene on Monday at 2 PM to consider a package of bills including a measure by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, and Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, which would provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children.

“This bill is 12 years in the making, and I am encouraged that this vote will bring New Jersey that much closer to providing workers with the leave time they need, and want to take care of their family members,” said Senate Majority Leader Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem.

29 Feb: Weinberg: U.s. Attorney Needs To Investigate Encap Debacle

TRENTON – Senator Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen today reacted to the Inspector General’s report on EnCap by saying that U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie should begin an investigation into possible criminal acts in connection with the project:

“After my initial review of this disturbing report, it is clear that the U.S. Attorney needs to impanel a grand jury to thoroughly investigate the findings of the report and determine if criminal indictments are warranted.

28 Feb: Sweeney Testifies About Paid Family Leave Before Assembly Labor Committee

TRENTON � Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, released the following statement today regarding his testimony before the Assembly Labor Committee about legislation he sponsored with Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, to provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children.

�This paid family leave bill is a fairness bill; it does the right thing for working men and women. The legislation is 12 years in the making, and I applaud its sponsors as well as the Assembly leadership and Senate President Codey for moving it, and working to make a big difference in the lives of working families.�

26 Feb: Sarlo Statement On The Governor’s FY 2009 Budget Proposal

TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, Vice Chair of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Governor Corzine’s FY 2009 Budget Address, in which he outlined severe cuts in government to help wean the State off non-recurring revenues:

“I applaud the Governor for making the difficult cuts that the people of New Jersey are demanding from their elected leaders. We’re in a particularly tough budget year, and we need to stand on hard choices that realistically deal with the fiscal problems facing the Garden State.

26 Feb: Senator Redd On The Fy 2009 Budget Address

TRENTON – Senator Dana Redd, D-Camden and Gloucester, today released the following statement regarding Governor Jon Corzine’s Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Address:

“Today we were presented with a very sobering picture of the State’s financial crisis. I commend the Governor for confronting the State’s fiscal challenges, in particular, the structural deficit. I realize that some budget cuts are necessary, but they are just one step in confronting the issues that have helped to exacerbate the State’s dire financial situation.

26 Feb: Cunningham: I’m Committed To Making Sure That The Fy 2009 Budget Is Fiscally Sound And Responsible

TRENTON – Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, D-Hudson, who serves on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement regarding Governor Jon Corzine’s fiscal year 2009 budget address:

“I commend Governor Corzine for taking courageous steps to address the State’s financial woes. I understand that crafting a budget that helps to reduce the spending, while also maintaining necessary programs is a difficult task. Even harder still is coming up with a plan that has broad voter approval.

26 Feb: Rice: Proposed Deep Cuts Cause Deep Concerns

TRENTON ? Senator Ronald L. Rice released the following statement today regarding the Governor?s proposed State budget that could result in deep cuts to most State departments and layoffs to thousands of State workers.

?I am deeply concerned with the part of the Governor?s proposal that suggests we lay off 5,000 State workers. There are only so many cuts that we can ask of the public before the impact becomes too much to bear for the low and middle-class residents, the indigent, our seniors and the disabled citizens of New Jersey. These employment cuts would most likely affect the lower-waged working families.