TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill, sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono, to modernize New Jersey’s horse wagering industry and make it competitive with other states.
“It’s clear that New Jersey’s horse horse racing industry has to be competitive with our neighboring states and it has to be compatible with modern technology,” said Senator Buono, Chair of the Senate Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr. to remove “Acting” from the title of Acting Governor Richard J. Codey on official documents. The vote was 36-0 and it now goes to the Assembly.
“New Jersey didn’t get an actor when it got Dick Codey as Governor,” said Senator Kenny, D-Hudson. “I just think we should remove the “Acting” part of the title as an honor for a job well done.”
TRENTON – The Senate today approved Governor Codey’s conditional veto of a bill to reform State and local contracting procedures based on the EZPass scandal during the Whitman Administration. The vote was 39-0 and it now moves to the Assembly.
“This measure will ensure greater integrity and accountability in the state and local contracting process,” said Senator Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset, and a prime sponsor of the reform legislation, S-2194.
TRENTON – The Senate today gave final approval to a bill that would fine sports agents or recruiters up to $10,000 if they bestow gifts on high school athletes to lure them into professional contracts or agreements for college scholarships.
“High school student-athletes should be off-limits to the pervasive influence of big-money sports contracts and other enticements which could ruin their amateur status,”said Senator Shirley K. Turner, Senate sponsor of the bill, S-1634/A-899.
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nicholas P. Scutari that would appropriate $537,965 for the renovation of two academic halls at Kean University in Elizabeth was approved by the full Senate today.
“I am extremely pleased that we are one step closer to making this investment in Kean University,” said Senator Scutari. “As an alumnus, I appreciate what this institution is capable of, and I realize the necessity of continuing the State’s strong support.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice which would allow individuals engaged in military service for more than 90 days to cancel leases of personal property without penalty was approved by the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.
“With no foreseeable end to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must realize that our servicemen and women are going to be called on to serve long tours of duty in the Middle East,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “Many have entered into “rent-to-own” contracts for household goods such as furniture, appliances and computers. This bill helps them get out of these contracts for items they can’t use while serving the United States abroad.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny, Jr., which would provide contract protections to beer and other malt alcoholic beverage wholesalers when dealing with brewers was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 36-1, receiving final legislative approval.
“Alcoholic beverage wholesalers spend staggering amounts of money in building a market for their products,” said Senator Kenny, D-Hudson. “A successful marketing campaign can have many different facets, from local pub relations, promotional costs, media buys and so much more. Unfortunately, as of right now, there are no guarantees that once the market is built and a brewer achieves success that they have to show any loyalty to the wholesaler who spent so much out of pocket to get their name out there, and in some instances, wholesalers have lost millions on a brewer that flew the coop once they became popular.”
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Paul A. Sarlo that would require children who wear prescription eyeglasses while participating in sports activities to wear protective eyewear was approved today by a vote of 30-7 in the Senate.
“When it comes to kids and sports, an eye injury is much different than a twisted ankle or pulled calf muscle; it can mean the difference between sitting out for a few games and permanent blindness,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “Statistics show that protective eyewear helps prevent 90% of sports eye injuries. It only makes sense that we require young athletes to wear the protective eyewear.”
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Fred H. Madden that would require all registered health clubs in New Jersey to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator on site and have employees trained in its use was approved today by the Senate, with a final vote of 37-1.
“In situations of cardiac arrest, rapid response is the best way to save lives,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, who Chairs the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “Health clubs and gyms are places of high activity; activity which can often put strain on the heart. Requiring the facilities to have defibrillators could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.”
TRENTON – The Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that would establish a task force to develop a plan to strengthen New Jersey’s heritage tourism industry.
“As one of the original thirteen colonies, New Jersey has a rich history that spans more than three centuries,” said Senator Buono (D-Middlesex), Chair of the Committee. “New Jersey needs to use our historical landmarks much more effectively as part of our tourism industry. This task force will explore ways in which we can accomplish this goal and make New Jersey a leading destination for heritage tourism.”