M. Teresa Ruiz

11 Jul: Gill/Ruiz Call GOP Failure To Support Funding Restoration For Sexually, Physically Abused Children ‘Stunning’

TRENTON – Senators Nia H. Gill (D-Essex) and M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Union) today said the failure of Senate Republicans to support the restoration of funding to a program that provides services to children who have suffered sexual and physical abuse was a stunning action that places critical treatment and counseling services in jeopardy.

The Senators expressed their dismay after a failed attempt by the Senate to override a $537,000 cut to the Wynona Lipman Child Advocacy Center, which the governor vetoed from the FY 2012 budget. Officials at the facility have said the loss of funding will force the center to close.

“This is not about politics. This is about real life for thousands of children who have suffered traumatic abuse, often times at the hands of someone they know. Wynona�s House provides critical medical and counseling services to these young people, and does so in a unique way that seeks to minimize the trauma they experience in the aftermath of abuse. They do this by bringing together service providers to treat and counsel children in a compassionate manner. This approach allows officials to conduct a single interview of an abused child, as opposed to having the victim go through the details of their ordeal over and over again with numerous agencies,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex). “That the Republican Party could not find it in their hearts to support such a program is appalling. This was a stunning act. By abdicating their legislative responsibility, Republicans allowed the governor to cross a dangerous line unchecked.”

Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, listens to testimony at the Senate Budget Committee meeting on Governor Corzine's toll road plan.

27 May: Ruiz Statement Mourning Death Of Newark Police Officer

TRENTON – State Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Union) released the following statement on the shooting death of a Newark police officer who has been identified as William Johnson, a 16-year veteran of the department:

“This is a sad day for the city of Newark, and a sobering reminder of the public safety challenges that all of our cities are facing. I know I speak for the entire community when I say that we are all deeply saddened by this senseless tragedy.

“I’d like to extend my personal condolences to the family and friends of Officer Johnson, and to the law enforcement community as it mourns the loss of one of its own. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and the other victims of this horrendous crime.”

Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, speaks on a point of personal privilege on the Senate floor.

26 May: Ruiz Introduces Bill To Overhaul State’s Century-Old Tenure Laws, Promote Teacher Mentorship

TRENTON – State Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Union) today introduced legislation to overhaul the state’s century-old tenure laws and create a new system that will require teachers to prove they are effective in the classroom to gain tenure status and to continue demonstrating their effectiveness over the course of their careers to maintain it.

Recognizing that a strong support system is key to ensuring that teachers are successful, the Teacher Effectiveness and Accountability for the Children of New Jersey (TEACHNJ) Act would establish a first-year mentorship program for those entering the field. Instruction-based professional development would be provided to all teachers, under the bill, with additional support for those who demonstrate the need for extra help.

“Having effective teachers at the front of every classroom is critical to ensuring that all students are given the opportunities they deserve to achieve true academic success,” said Senator Ruiz. “But success cannot be realized without providing the necessary support to our teachers beginning on the first day they enter the school building and continuing throughout their careers. It is our responsibility to focus our efforts on elevating this important profession, as well as ensuring that students in every classroom have the educational tools they need to excel.”

State Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, speaks about legislation pertaining to the FY 2011 Budget.

25 May: Ruiz Welcomes Opportunity To Compete For Federal Education Funding

TRENTON – State Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), who serves as chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that New Jersey will have the opportunity to compete among nine Race to the Top finalist states for a share of $200 million in federal education funding:

“New Jersey, without a doubt, is among the states leading the education reform movement in this country. We have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the quality of education in this state, and for months, have engaged stakeholders across all sectors in a dynamic conversation about how best to do that.

“Today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that New Jersey will have the opportunity to vie for additional funding for these initiatives is exciting news. A competition of this kind can only bring more energy to the discussion in our schools, and in our communities, about our efforts to bring about reform. Most importantly, it will give us a chance to secure funding that will be critical to implementing some of the strategies necessary to facilitate educational excellence statewide.”

Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, speaks on a point of personal privilege on the Senate floor.

10 Jan: Ruiz/Kean Bill Allowing For-Profits To Organize As Issue-Driven Companies Heads To Governor

TRENTON – Bi-partisan legislation sponsored by Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Union) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union) to create a new type of corporate structure in New Jersey that allows for-profit companies to organize in a way that promotes their social or environmental mission today cleared both houses of the Legislature.

“Many companies participate in philanthropic activities, but giving a business the ability to define itself as an entity with a specific mission of improving education or protecting the environment will give it a competitive edge,” said Senator Ruiz. “This bill will allow businesses to boost their bottom line while at the same time working to promote the public good.”

“State government has a responsibility to encourage private businesses to engage in activities that benefit the public,” said Senator Kean. “This legislation will encourage good corporate citizenship and foster greater sense of civic responsibility in New Jersey’s business community.”

10 Jan: Lesniak-Ruiz Bill To Transform Unneeded Public Land Into Nonprofit Urban Farms Receives Final Approval

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Teresa Ruiz which would authorize the transfer of surplus public lands to be used for nonprofit urban farming and gardening projects was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 35-2, receiving final legislative approval.

“Through this legislation, we can strike a blow against hunger in our urban communities, improve access to nutritional food for city residents, and help clean up urban blight,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “While cities cover only 2 percent of the world’s surface, they use up nearly 75 percent of the world’s resources. This bill is about creating a more sustainable model, reclaiming land in our urban centers for green space and allowing urban residents an opportunity to make better nutritional choices.”

A view of the Senate Chambers from the 2010-2011 Senate Reorganization.

20 Dec: Norcross/Ruiz Bill To Help Out-Of-Work EMTS Approved By Senate

TRENTON � Legislation sponsored by Senators Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) and Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Union) to help emergency medical technicians get back to work sooner while at the same time saving hiring agencies training-related costs was approved today by the full Senate.

The bill (S-2411) would allow municipalities to hire laid-off EMTs without having to use Civil Service Lists, provided the termination occurred within the preceding 60 months. It would also allow the hiring of EMTs who have been laid off before completing a working test or probationary period but had not yet received permanent status at their previous place of employment. However, under these circumstances, a non-permanent EMT would be required to complete the remainder of any probationary/field work test period.

�This legislation would not only make it possible for municipalities to give laid off EMTs priority hiring status, but also create an incentive for towns and cities to do so,� said Senator Norcross. �Hiring emergency responders who already have experience in the field will save municipal officials training costs, which will ultimately benefit taxpayers. This is a win for emergency officials and residents alike.�

Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, speaks on a point of personal privilege on the Senate floor.

15 Dec: Ruiz Bill Allowing For-Profits To Organize As Issue-Driven Companies Clears Budget Committee

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Union) to create a new type of corporate structure in New Jersey that allows for-profit companies to organize in a way that promotes their social or environmental mission was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

“Many companies participate in philanthropic activities, but giving a business the ability to define itself as an entity with a specific mission of improving education or protecting the environment will give it a competitive edge,” said Senator Ruiz. “This allows businesses to boost their bottom line while at the same time working to promote the public good.”

Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, listens to testimony during a meeting of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

07 Dec: Norcross/Ruiz Bill To Help Out-Of-Work Emts Approved By Senate Law And Public Safety Panel

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) and M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Union) to help emergency medical technicians get back to work sooner while at the same time saving hiring agencies training-related costs was unanimously approved yesterday by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

The bill (S-2411) would allow municipalities to hire laid-off EMTs without having to use Civil Service Lists, provided the termination occurred within the preceding 60 months. It would also allow the hiring of EMTs who have been laid off before completing a working test or probationary period and had not yet received permanent status. Under these circumstances, a non-permanent EMT would be required to complete the remainder of any probationary/field work test period.

“This legislation would not only make it possible for municipalities to give laid off EMTs priority hiring status, but also create an incentive for towns and cities to do so,” said Senator Norcross. “Hiring emergency responders who already have experience in the field will save municipal officials training costs, which will ultimately benefit taxpayers. This is a win for emergency officials and residents alike.”

State Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, speaks about legislation pertaining to the FY 2011 Budget.

10 Nov: Senators Urge Colleges To Ban ‘Blackout In A Can’

TRENTON – Senators Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) and Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), chairs of the Senate Education and the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committees, respectively, today urged New Jersey�s college and university presidents to ban from their campuses alcoholic energy drinks, commonly known as ‘blackout in a can.’

In letters issued to all college and university presidents, the senators said an immediate statewide campus ban is necessary because of the risk involved with students consuming too much of the substance, and the potential for widespread sickness.

“We cannot emphasize enough the danger these drinks pose to our young people,” the Senators wrote. “A single alcoholic energy drink contains the equivalent of up to four beers and three cups of coffee, an extremely potent combination of depressants and stimulants that can create a deceiving sense of sobriety, leading to over-intoxication and blackouts. Extreme intoxication has become so widespread with consumption that the popular Four Loko alcoholic energy drink inspired a Web site that serves as a forum for consumers to post their blackout stories.”