News & Releases

TRENTON – The Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee 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.

“New Jersey is home to a rich historic legacy, from Colonial times to the Revolutionary War all the way through the Industrial Revolution,” said Senator Buono (D-Middlesex), Chair of the Committee. “This task force will explore ways in which we can marry our historic treasures with our tourism industry to make New Jersey a leading destination for heritage tourism.”

TRENTON – The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee approved legislation today that would clarify the rights of blind and deaf people when accompanied by service or guide dogs.

“For individuals with disabilities, service dogs are not just pets or companions, they are a critical part of that individual’s ability to be an active part of his or her community,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer and Vice Chair of the Committee. “Anyone who interferes with another’s necessary use of a service dog needs to be appropriately admonished and fined.”

TRENTON – Senators Joseph Coniglio and Joseph Doria welcomed committee approval of their bill that would establish prevailing wage rates for workers employed by contractors performing building services for State run facilities.

“New Jersey should not do business with companies that inflate their profits by underpaying their employees,” said Senator Coniglio, D-Bergen. “By requiring State building services contracts be fulfilled by workers making the prevailing wage, these companies will no longer be able to benefit from paying their workers less than fair wages.”

Senator Barbara Buono announced today the introduction of legislation that would require every New Jersey elementary and secondary school to install carbon monoxide detectors inside each building, reducing the likelihood of children falling sick from carbon monoxide poisoning while on school grounds.

“Parents shouldn’t have to worry about their children’s health when they send them off to school,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “The reports that over a dozen children at Our Lady of Peace School were treated for what is believed to be carbon monoxide poisoning brings great concern to all parents of school-aged children. This legislation will require schools to install detectors that it would seem only logical to already have.”

PARAMUS- Senator Joseph Coniglio today said he has come up with a way to replenish the State’s Transportation Trust Fund without placing the financial burden on New Jersey residents.

“The New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund is almost broke, and it is time for us to come up with some financial solutions before the taxpayers are left to suffer,” said Senator Coniglio, D-Bergen. “The transportation system is the backbone of our State’s economy. We have to make finding a permanent funding source a priority because over 1.2 million new residents and 750,000 new jobs are estimated for the Garden State in the next 25 years. We need sufficient funding for the transportation infrastructure in order to guarantee our economic prosperity.”