Joseph Vitale

12 Apr: Vitale Minimum Wage Bill Signed Into Law

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which will increase the State’s minimum wage over the next two years from $5.15 an hour to $7.15 an hour was signed into law today by Governor Codey.

“Today, New Jersey has affirmed its commitment to provide a real living wage for those in the lowest pay bracket,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “Across New Jersey right now, families are struggling to meet the high cost of life in the Garden State with a minimum wage that does not reflect those costs. Hope is on the horizon, however, and soon, workers can expect a $2 an hour State-mandated raise, to help cover the expenses associated with food, shelter, health care, car insurance and other necessities for life in New Jersey.”

14 Mar: Vitale Remarks On ‘New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act’

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following comments regarding the Committee’s approval today, by a vote of 7-0 with 1 abstention, on the “New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act,” which would restrict smoking in nearly all indoor workplaces, including casinos and restaurants:

“Today, we took a significant step forward in the fight for cleaner air in New Jersey. By approving the ‘Smoke-Free Air Act,’ my Committee has taken a stand, passing a bill which would spare New Jerseyans the health risks associated with inhaling second-hand smoke.

14 Mar: Vitale Statement On Charitable Immunity Reform

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the prime sponsor of S-540, legislation which would remove a charity’s immunity from lawsuit when the charity knowingly or negligently put children at risk for sexual assault, issued the following statement regarding a rally today on the Statehouse steps in support of charitable immunity reform:

“New Jersey is a national model for progress in so many key issues affecting the lives of our residents. We were among the first states to ban assault weapons, we were among the first to promote stem cell research, and we were the first to have Megan’s Law to protect children from sexual predators.

14 Mar: Vitale Statement On Resolution Urging President To Reauthorize Assault Weapons Ban

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the prime sponsor of SR-84, a resolution urging the President of the United States and Congress to reauthorize the federal assault weapons ban, issued the following statement regarding the resolution’s passage from the Senate by a vote of 34-0 today:

“In September of last year, the President and Congress made a grave mistake in their failure to reauthorize an assault weapons ban which had protected lives since enacted in the early 1990’s.

07 Mar: Vitale Public Advocate Bill Approved By Senate Budget Panel

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would reinstate the Public Advocate as a watchdog agency to protect the interests of everyday New Jerseyans was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today by a vote of 9-6.

“With today’s vote, we are one step closer to having a strong watchdog demand a government that works for the people,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “The Public Advocate has in the past stood for good government that puts the needs of citizens before the concerns of politics. I look forward to having the Advocate once again fighting to give voice to the voiceless in our society.”

07 Mar: Vitale-Sacco ‘E-ZPass For Gas’ Bill Approved By Senate Panel

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would urge the Turnpike Authority to work with New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway service area vendors to allow motorists to pay for gasoline purchases using their E-ZPass tags was unanimously approved by the Senate Transportation Committee today.

“The E-ZPass system was designed to simplify life for thousands of motorists on our State’s toll roads, and by extending the tags’ purchasing power to cover gasoline purchases on those toll roads, we’re continuing that mission,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “Considering that, in peak summer months, many of the gas stations in service areas on the Parkway and Turnpike are more gridlocked than the worst toll plazas, this make sense.”

04 Mar: Preview-Senate To Consider Good Government Reforms On Monday

TRENTON – On Monday, Senate committees will consider a number of good government reform initiatives to cut down on waste, give voice to the voiceless, and address the issue of vacancy in the Governor’s Office.

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will vote on two bills designed to increase oversight of State government. The first bill, S-541, sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale, would reestablish the Office of the Public Advocate to ensure that government works on behalf of the people of the State.

28 Feb: Vitale Health Care Responsibility And Reporting Bill Advances

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale, known as the “Health Care Professional Responsibility and Reporting Enhancement Act,” which would require greater peer reporting of incompetence and negligence in the wake of the Charles Cullen murders of patients under his care as a nurse was approved by the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee today.

“In the health care field, we’re still shaken by the proficiency and effectiveness with which Charles Cullen exploited the system and avoided notice to kill an alleged 40 patients under his care,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “The only way this could have happened is through a complete systemic breakdown of the safety net designed to keep killers away from vulnerable patients. We must take the steps to ensure that the safety net is intact, and that patients are protected from murderers while in the care of health care facilities.”

28 Feb: Vitale ‘Emergency Health Powers Act’ Approved In Committee

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give the Governor the authority to declare a public health emergency and take steps to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the emergency was released from the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

“This bill would give the Governor the ability to respond rapidly when a public health crisis threatens the well-being of New Jersey’s residents,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health Committee. “Government needs certain safeguards in place so that, in the event of an immediate health risk, we can respond effectively and efficiently to protect New Jerseyans. This bill would give us the tools to respond.”

24 Feb: Vitale Bill To Expand Powers Of State Commission Of Investigation Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would amend and expand the duties and powers of the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) to facilitate greater scrutiny of New Jersey State government was unanimously approved by the Assembly today, receiving final legislative approval.

“Given the reports this week of rampant corruption in Monmouth County, it’s obvious that we need stronger watchdogs to ensure governmental integrity,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “The SCI was designed to be a watchdog agency, charged with keeping government ‘for the people’ instead of for greedy politicians looking to trade their office for personal enrichment. This bill would empower the SCI with the tools needed to accomplish their mission of public scrutiny of officeholders in New Jersey.”