News & Releases

TRENTON -A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph Coniglio and John A. Girgenti which will aid members of the New Jersey National Guard by exempting them from income tax on housing and subsistence allowances became law today.

“Our men and women in the National Guard and the reserves sacrifice a great deal at home to fight for our country,” said Senator Coniglio, D-Bergen, the Chairman of the Senate State Government Committee. “Currently, when guard members are called to active duty the State provides housing and subsistence allowances to recognize the hardship that full-time active duty can have on a person’s life. We should exempt those allowances from the income tax, so that the intention of the housing and subsistence allowances are met.”

TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler announced today that he will be introducing legislation to promote awareness for end-of-life advanced directives when the Legislature reconvenes this spring.

“On the national level, we’ve seen the pain and grieving of Terry Schiavo’s family as they fought over what they believed her dying wishes would have been,” said Senator Adler, D-Camden, the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “The family has had to balance their love for Terry and their desire to be with her with the desire to release the pain and let her go, and the weight of that decision has torn a family apart.

TRENTON – Automobiles headed to the scrap heap will now have to have all mercury switches removed before being destroyed under legislation sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono and signed into law by Governor Richard Codey today.

“Scrapped cars are estimated to contribute 1,000 pounds of mercury into the environment each year,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “The overwhelming majority of that mercury seeps into the ground, contaminating local ground water and adding to already high levels of mercury in sea life. Even minimal exposure to mercury poses a danger to people and animals, particularly expectant mothers and small children. With this legislation, we will prevent a significant amount of mercury from entering the environment each year.”

TRENTON – Senator Byron M. Baer has introduced legislation which would restrict the use of Social Security numbers for identifying purposes in order to protect against identity theft.

“Most people try hard to physically protect themselves by wearing seat belts, eating healthy eating and exercising regularly,” said Senator Baer, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.

News From NJ Senate Democrats

Released on: March 14, 2005

For information, contact:

Jim Manion

Tel: (609) 292-5215

Fax: (609) 984-1235

E-Mail: jmanion@njleg.org

SENATE APPROVES KENNY’S BIPARTISAN INSPECTOR GENERAL BILL

TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr. to create a permanent Office of Inspector General.

“The Inspector General will be the point person to root out profligate spending and mismanagement at all levels of government in New Jersey,” said Senator Kenny, D-Hudson.

TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler today said his bill, S-1926, to require restaurants and other public places to be smoke free is “the single most important proposal to promote health in my legislative career.”

Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill, said, “This measure will save lives. This law will prevent chronic illnesses and avoid tragedy for many thousands of families.”