Senator

09 Feb: Rice Bill Solves Voting Booth Dilemmas

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice, which would permit the use of lever voting machines for nonpartisan elections on May 9th without having to implement the federally mandated electronic machines, was approved by the Senate State Government Committee today.

“I want our citizens to feel comfortable when they go to the polls to make their choices,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “Allowing the old machines to be used through May will create a smoother election day. My bill will alleviate concerns about having to rush the training of the poll workers and educating the public about using these new machines.”

09 Feb: Rice: ‘Aids Report Is Proving That Needles Are Not Needed’

TRENTON – Senator Ronald L. Rice released the following statement regarding reports that the number of new AIDS cases in New Jersey has declined without a needle exchange program through education and treatment.

“I am excited by the news of the decreasing number of AIDS cases throughout New Jersey, because it proves that through education, testing and treatment we are making a difference. We don’t need a needle exchange program to fight AIDS; we need to provide additional funding for the educational programs that are already working.

09 Feb: Sacco Measure To Discourage E-Zpass Theft Through Committee

TRENTON – The Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Nicholas J. Sacco that would discourage the theft of E-ZPass responders by making that theft a crime of the fourth degree.

“E-ZPass has proven to be a great time-saver for many New Jersey drivers, but the small size of the responders make them a popular target for thieves,” said Senator Sacco, D-Bergen and Hudson and Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Those drivers who use E-ZPass for their tolls shouldn’t be at more risk for theft than people who pay cash. This bill seeks to discourage criminals from targeting these devices and the drivers who use them.”

09 Feb: Sacco Pledges To Redouble Efforts In Expanding Dna Database

NORTH BERGEN – Senator Nicholas J. Sacco, the State’s leading proponent of DNA fingerprinting of convicted criminals, vowed today to move forward with legislation this session that would increase the effectiveness of New Jersey’s DNA database.

“DNA fingerprinting has proven to be an invaluable tool for New Jersey’s law enforcement community,” said Senator Sacco, D-Bergen and Hudson. “The database now has about 130,000 samples which can help in quickly identifying suspects, convicting the guilty and exonerating the innocent. This technology has made our streets safer and our criminal justice system fairer.”

06 Feb: Codey Bill Continues Push For Stronger Ban On Use Of Hand-Held Electronic Devices By Motorists

TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey is continuing his push in the new legislative session for a stronger statewide ban on the use of hand-held electronic devices by motorists in an effort to crack down on dangerous driving habits. Bill S-1099, which Sen. Codey re-introduced two weeks ago, was passed out of the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veteran’s Affairs Committee by a vote of 3 to 0 today. The committee agreed to one amendment – rather than going into effect immediately, the ban would go into effect on the first day of the fourth month after the law is signed in order to allow more time for public education.

“Cell phones have become a sign of the times in today’s fast-paced world. To most of us they represent convenience,” said Sen. Codey. “But there’s a time and a place for everything. Drivers already have enough distractions. When you’re driving down the Turnpike at 65 mph, adding a cell phone to the mix is not only inappropriate, it’s downright dangerous.”

06 Feb: Sarlo/Girgenti Measure To Establish Penalties For ‘Organized Shoplifting’ Clears Senate Law, Public Safety & Veterans Affairs Committee

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Paul A. Sarlo and John A. Girgenti that would expand current shoplifting laws by establishing penalties for “organized retail theft enterprises,” received unanimous approval today from the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee.

“These theft rings are responsible for taking $30 billion worth of merchandise nationwide,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “As it stands now, if a person is caught shoplifting, he or she is the only one that is able to be prosecuted. This measure would also allow law enforcement to prosecute the ringleaders, and enable police to bring down entire operations, not just one or two people.”

06 Feb: Turner Measure To Improve School Nutrition Passes Senate Panel

TRENTON – The Senate Education Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would enact new nutritional standards for food sold in public schools, limiting the availability of high-calorie beverages and foods high in sugar or fat to students during school hours.

“Obesity is a health problem reaching epidemic proportions in America,” said Senator Turner, D Mercer. “With two thirds of Americans being overweight or obese, we need to better promote healthy eating habits, and there is no better time to begin then while we are young.”

06 Feb: Madden/Sweeney Measure Would Require School Bus Drivers To Check For Students After Finishing Their Routes

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Steve Sweeney that would require school bus drivers to visually inspect their buses for students after completing each transportation route was unanimously approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

“When parents put their children on the school bus in the morning, they are entrusting drivers with their most precious possessions,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “Parents deserve to know that they are leaving their children in the hands of capable adults – adults who will do everything they can to make sure that the students they transport arrive at school and back home safely.”

02 Feb: Rice Bill Looks To Expand Voting Umdnj Members

TRENTON – Senator Ronald L. Rice today said voting members of the board of trustees at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey should have “absolutely no employment ties or official links” to the beleaguered State facility or any of its hospital affiliates.

“Membership on the board should be made up solely by those concerned with providing quality health care and teaching services to residents of Newark and other parts of our State,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex, and a longtime advocate for reforming the UMDNJ board of trustees.

31 Jan: Codey Statement On The Passing Of Coretta Scott King

TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey issued the following statement today on the passing of Coretta Scott King, widow of the late civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire King family and their friends. Like her late husband, Mrs. King, had a lasting impact on the civil rights movement. During a month when we honor her husband’s legacy, we should also pause to honor her life and the impact it had on countless people suffering at the hands of injustice.”