TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic, released the following message today regarding Governor Jon S. Corzine’s address to the State Legislature and the beginning of the special session on property tax reform:
“Governor Corzine delivered a clear message this morning that the key to providing property tax relief must focus on reforming the system rather than just throwing more money at the problem.
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Paul A. Sarlo and John A. Girgenti that would create the crime of “leader of an organized retail theft enterprise,” and impose prison time on persons found guilty of leading or participating in organized theft rings received unanimous approval today from the Assembly.
“Today’s unanimous approval of this bill is taking us one step closer to ridding New Jersey of these organized theft rings,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “When these groups collaborate and steal thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from stores, consumers are left to pick up the slack by paying higher prices for the items they need. This bill will target everyone involved in these theft rings and send a clear message that we will not allow these rings to rob our local businesses or our honest taxpayers of their hard-earned dollars.”
TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, a Senate sponsor of the bill to restrict the use of tanning salons by teenagers, today said its enactment will help fight skin cancer for generations to come.
“Like smoking in earlier generations, young people didn’t really know the cancer-causing dangers of over-exposure to ultraviolet rays until fairly recently,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “With the medical evidence now convincing, we need this legislation to back up our warnings to young people who sometimes believe they are immune to danger.”
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Paul A. Sarlo and John A. Girgenti that would create the crime of “leader of an organized retail theft enterprise,” and impose prison time on persons found guilty of leading or participating in organized theft rings received unanimous approval today from the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
“This legislation would help apprehend members of these shoplifting rings on every level, from the low men on the totem pole to the ringleaders,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “Groups like these force store owners to raise prices, leaving the rest of us to have to pay more and make up for the lost profits. Tougher penalties are needed to send a clear message to these shoplifting organizations that the State is standing behind store owners and honest consumers, and we will not allow these theft rings to continue – if they are caught, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Joseph V. Doria and Paul A. Sarlo which would provide veterans’ widows with a property tax exemption when the veteran’s disability declaration is granted after death, was approved today by Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
“Our veterans have given so much for our freedom, and we need to express our gratitude for their efforts to them and their families by easing their property tax burden,” said Senator Doria, D-Hudson. “This bill is our way of proving to veterans and their families that we appreciate their service and recognize the financial burden that disabled vets and their families can go through.”
TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo today pledged to hold the State to a commitment he generated at a Senate budget hearing to offer managed care support services on a statewide basis to an estimated 50,000 eligible Medicaid recipients who are aged, blind or disabled.
“I’m glad the Department (of Human Services) agreed to go statewide with the managed care option, but now I want to make sure the followup is carried out,” said Senator Sarlo, a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee.
TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo today asked New Jersey Higher Education officials to explain why increases in administrators and faculty at State colleges far exceed the rise in student enrollment for a four-year period that ended last year.
“Despite claims of belt tightening at the State colleges, I find it very troubling that so many more faculty and administrators were added while student enrollments lagged,” said Senator Sarlo, the lead inquisitor for the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee’s examination of the higher education portion of Governor Corzine’s proposed spending plan.
TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic, expressed concerns at today’s Senate Budget hearing with Human Services Commissioner Kevin Ryan on the proposed new Department of Children and Families about the overall costs reaching over $70 million as well as the progress being made in implementing NJ Spirit, the State’s new child welfare case tracking database.
“New Jersey’s current case tracking program is old and inefficient. The significant investment that the State is making in upgrading that system will be well worth every penny provided it gets up and running and works to reform New Jersey’s child welfare system.
PARAMUS – Senator Paul A. Sarlo today said he will oppose the $430 million hospital tax currently proposed in the State budget because it would “devastate” many suburban hospitals and jeopardize the economic stability of health care facilities in Bergen County.
“We can’t solve our charity care problem on the backs of hospitals who serve our working residents who have health insurance,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “I can’t support a tax targeted at facilities that service paying customers.”
TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic, released the following message today regarding Governor Jon S. Corzine’s proposed State budget:
“Governor Corzine delivered a stark message this afternoon. As a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, I realize that the road to balancing the budget will be a rough one, but I also feel that we should truly review the proposed budget before making conclusions on temporary revenue-raisers.