Nicholas P. Scutari

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Byron Baer, Joseph Coniglio and Nicholas P. Scutari, which would make polling places more accessible to seniors and individuals with disabilities, was approved today by the Assembly State Government Committee.

“As American citizens, we are given the right to vote but for many elderly and disabled individuals that right is often taken away by inaccessible polling locations, ” said Senator Baer, D-Bergen. “We need to be certain that all of the voting locations comply with the ‘Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990’ so that seniors and individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to exercise the right to vote.”

TRENTON -A bill sponsored by Senator Nicholas P. Scutari making the job of the chairman of the Athletic Control Board a part-time position, was approved by the full Senate today. The bill, S-2149, would make the chairman of the Athletic Control Board a part time position, with a salary of $10,000 per year. The job currently is a full time position with a salary of $80,000 a year.

“We need to be smart about saving money,” said Senator Scutari, D-Middlesex, Somerset and Union. “This state has to be run more like a business. We should make sure that when we spend money, it is done efficiently.”

TRENTON – Senators Byron Baer, Joseph Coniglio and Nicholas Scutari welcomed today’s approval by the Senate of their bill that would make polling places more accessible to seniors and individuals with disabilities.

“We need to put policies in place that make voting more accessible for everyone rather than put up barriers to voting,” said Senator Baer, D-Bergen. “The bill will make certain that seniors and individuals with disabilities are afforded the opportunity to exercise the right to vote. We need to ensure that all polling locations conform to the standards set forth in the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Nicholas P. Scutari and Barbara Buono which would provide $1.3 million in federal funding to remove thousands of trees that have been infested by Asian Longhorn Beetles. The bill was approved by the full Senate today.

“The Asian Longhorn Beetles first appeared in October, and began destroying the trees of Middlesex and Union counties,” said Senator Scutari, D-Middlesex, Somerset and Union. “While the insects present no threat to public health, they pose a significant risk to New Jersey’s trees and forests. With no known predator to control them the beetles will continue to spread and kill even more hardwood trees, and, therefore, the Asian Longhorn Beetle problem needs to be handled effectively and immediately before the infestation sweeps throughout the rest of the State.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, which would provide $1.3 million in federal funding to remove thousands of trees that have been infested by Asian Longhorn Beetles, was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“The counties of Middlesex and Union have been the hardest hit areas in the State,” said Senator Scutari.

“The infestation of the Asian Longhorn Beetle is a serious matter because if not controlled, the insects could have devastating effects on the trees throughout New Jersey, and the problem could easily spread to other states,” said Senator Scutari, D-Middlesex, Somerset and Union. “Late last year the first cases of Asian Longhorn Beetle infestation were detected in Northern New Jersey and if this problem is not handled effectively and immediately, the lumber industry throughout the nation could be decimated.”

TRENTON – The Senate State Government Committee today approved a bill sponsored by Senators Ellen Karcher and Nicholas Scutari to reform State contracting procedures by ensuring accountability, improving ethics and saving taxpayers millions of dollars annually.

“It’s bad news for taxpayers when State contracts are awarded based on campaign contributions,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. “The bill reflects the lessons learned from the bungled E-ZPass and Parsons motor vehicles inspections contracts of the Whitman Administration.”

TRENTON – Two Democratic Senators – Ellen Karcher and Nicholas Scutari – have introduced a bill, S-2194, that would re-structure State purchasing procedures and implement reforms recommended by the State Commission of Investigation after its probe of the bungled E-ZPass electronic toll collection contract awarded by the Whitman Administration.

“These reforms will save money for New Jersey taxpayers and will help clean up the way we award State contracts so they go to those most qualified to do the job,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer.