News & Releases

By DMUAdmin News & Releases

13 Jul: Karcher Bill To Expand Voting Option For Smaller Municipalities Signed Into Law

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would allow municipalities of fewer than 500 residents to conduct elections by mail was signed into law today by Governor Codey.

“In other places throughout the country where voting by mail has already been implemented, it has been a success, allowing voters more time to consider their ballot choices in the comfort of their own homes,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. “On a small scale, we can bring that same model to New Jersey, and if it works as a pilot program, expand it to larger municipalities when appropriate. The end result will ultimately be greater participation in the democratic process, and greater voter attention to elections.”

By DMUAdmin Joseph Vitale News & Releases

13 Jul: Vitale Statement On Familycare Bill Signing

HAMILTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the prime sponsor of legislation to restructure the State’s FamilyCare program to provide affordable or no-cost health insurance to the working poor, issued the following statement today on the bill’s signing into law:

“With the stroke of Governor Codey’s pen, New Jersey is once again at the forefront in the quest for universal health care for our State’s neediest residents.

By DMUAdmin Joseph Vitale News & Releases

13 Jul: Vitale-Buono Familycare Bill Becomes Law

HAMILTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would overhaul the State’s FamilyCare health insurance program for the working poor, to provide accessible, quality health care to all New Jerseyans was signed into law today by Governor Codey.

“Health care is not a privilege — it is a basic right that every New Jersey family should be entitled to, regardless of their financial status,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “For years, New Jersey FamilyCare offered affordable or no-cost health insurance to working families, but the program was scaled back during recent budget shortfalls. This new law would restore FamilyCare, and ensure that no one in New Jersey will ever again have to go without quality, long-term health care because of their economic circumstances.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases

12 Jul: Bryant’s Election Reform Package Is Now Law

TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senator Wayne R. Bryant designed to reform New Jersey’s election process was signed into law today by Governor Richard J. Codey.

“All of these measures would help simplify the voting process for New Jerseyans,” said Senator Bryant, D- Camden and Gloucester. “Many voters are confused when they get to the polls. This measure would help streamline the process and allow residents to focus on the task at hand – electing the most qualified candidate.”

By DMUAdmin Joseph Vitale News & Releases

12 Jul: Vitale Public Advocate Bill Signed Into Law

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which will reinstate the Public Advocate as a watchdog agency to protect the interests of everyday New Jerseyans was signed into law today by Governor Codey.

“New Jersey now has a centralized Public Advocate who will fight for the rights of New Jersey’s most vulnerable and least vocal citizens,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “The Public Advocate will demand a higher level of public service from the State, and will work to make sure New Jersey is more responsive and attentive to the needs of its residents. The Public Advocate will ensure that everyone in New Jersey, not just the politically well-connected, has the ability to be heard.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Ronald L. Rice

07 Jul: Rice Bill For Education Of Planning And Zoning Board Members Becomes Law

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice which requires members of a municipal planning or zoning board to complete a basic course in land use law and planning was signed into law today.

“By requiring more education we are making sure that the members of the planning and zoning boards have the knowledge to make the appropriate decisions,” said Senator Rice. Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. “A mandated course for the members is necessary because the field of land use law and planning has become so complex that the educational requirements are needed to ensure that board members can rule intelligently on applications that come before them.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Steve Sweeney

07 Jul: Smith-Sweeney Absentee Ballot Bill Signed Into Law

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Bob Smith and Stephen M. Sweeney which will allow New Jersey voters to vote by absentee ballot in a general election for any reason was signed into law today by Governor Codey.

“The democratic process is only successful when people are engaged in the voting process, but for many, the inconvenience of going to the polls, for whatever reason, keeps them away,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “Today’s bill signing will allow the people of New Jersey to exercise their right to vote, regardless of whether they can make it to their voting location or not. Through greater access to absentee ballots, New Jerseyans will have an increased opportunity to be a part of the democratic process.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Nia H. Gill

07 Jul: Gill Legislation To Require Voter-Verified Paper Trail Signed Into Law

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill which would require voting machines in New Jersey to provide a voter-verified paper trail to ensure the accuracy of the vote was signed into law today by Governor Codey.

“The right to vote is the most precious one afforded to American citizens, because it holds government accountable to the will of the people,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic. “The history of American democracy, from the Boston Tea Party to the civil rights marches of the 1960’s, has always been inextricably tied to the continued demand for fair and equal representation, but when the integrity of the democratic process is questioned because of programming errors and computer glitches, we must act to restore that integrity. A voter-verified paper trail will assure voters that their votes were accurately received, and that their part in the democratic process was protected from electronic error and abuse.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases Shirley K. Turner

07 Jul: Turner Bill To Require Paper Trail In Voting Signed Into Law

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would require all voting machines to produce an individual paper record for each vote cast was signed into law today by Governor Richard Codey as part of a package of bills to enact needed voting reforms.

“The American people have fought hard during our history to secure the right to vote for all adult citizens,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “When our constituents take the time to exercise this right, they deserve the assurance that their vote will be counted each and every time, without fail. It has become clear with the voting problems we have seen in other states that we need to ensure that every vote is recorded on a piece of paper that can be verified by the voter before leaving the polling booth and can be manually counted by election officials if needed.”

By DMUAdmin News & Releases

07 Jul: Bryant Election Reforms Signed Into Law

TRENTON -Governor Richard Codey signed into law today a package of bills sponsored by Senator Wayne Bryant that would work to reform elections in New Jersey, including moving the presidential primary up to February.

“Far too often, I hear, especially from young people, ‘Why bother voting if my vote doesn’t count?'” said Senator Bryant, D-Camden and Gloucester. “These bills are meant to let the people of New Jersey know that their vote will count for something. Whether by making us more relevant in the presidential primary process or showing every voter a physical copy of their ballot, we are putting into place reforms that will make the right to vote more relevant to everyone in New Jersey.”

1 … 904 905 906 … 951

Enter your email Address

News & Releases