TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, Chairman of the Legislative Oversight Committee today said he is inviting officials from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to detail its plans to improve safety at Teterboro Airport which experienced its third airplane accident of the year on Tuesday.
Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic, said the hearing would be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 20th, in the State House Annex.
TRENTON – Two bills, sponsored by Senators Joseph V. Doria and Paul A. Sarlo which would encourage private business to provide military veterans with a paid holiday on Veterans’ Day and provide veterans’ widows with the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption when the veteran’s disability declaration is granted after death were approved by two key Senate panels today.
“Our fighting men and women give so much to the causes of liberty and freedom, and we should give a little back,” said Senator Doria, D-Hudson. “These two bills are token thank yous from the State of New Jersey to the men and women who protect us from our enemies abroad, and I fully expect to receive bipartisan support for both measures when they come before the full Senate for a vote.”
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Joseph Coniglio and Paul A. Sarlo that would work to increase pedestrian safety at dangerous crosswalks and intersections received final legislative approval today in the Assembly.
“As congestion and traffic become ever increasing nuisances to the people of New Jersey, we need to take every step possible to encourage people to walk more and use their cars less,” said Senator Coniglio, D-Bergen. “We are working hard to make sure that crosswalks and intersections are as safe as possible for pedestrians, so that New Jersey residents will be more likely to walk to the grocery store, their child’s school or a neighbor’s house.”
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Paul A. Sarlo and Joseph M. Kyrillos that would establish the New Jersey Hall of Fame in Bergen County’s Meadowlands Complex to celebrate New Jerseyans who have made notable contributions to society was approved today in the Senate.
“So much attention is given to New Jerseyans who are crooks and portray our state in a negative light. I see the Hall of Fame as a great opportunity to recognize the New Jerseyans who are rich in arts, culture and athletics, education and numerous other areas, which is evident by noting some of the famous people who were born here,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “The Hall of Fame would serve as a tribute to those New Jerseyans who have accomplished so much by making a positive impact around the world, and who continue to make us proud here in the Garden State.”
TRENTON – A measure by Senators Paul A. Sarlo and Joseph Coniglio to prohibit the use of fax machines to transmit unsolicited advertisements received Senate approval today.
“Today we continue our fight to eliminate the nuisance of unwanted advertisements and solicitations,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen. “With the Do Not Call registry we empowered the public to free themselves of telemarketers, and now we are one step closer to having our fax machines off limits as well. We are committed to staying one step ahead of spammers.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators John A. Girgenti and Paul A Sarlo which would require county colleges to award credits to firefighters for completion of certain courses in county fire academies, was approved today in the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee.
“Firefighters are the ones who run into the burning building when every one else is running out,” said Senator Girgenti, Chairman of the Committee. “This bill would promote the importance of education for both future firefighters who will be able to be more prepared for the academy, and current flame fighters who can work towards a degree on the job.”
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Paul A. Sarlo that would require children who wear prescription eyeglasses while participating in sports activities to wear protective eyewear was approved today by the Senate Education Committee.
“This is an issue of protection for the State’s young athletes,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen and Passaic. “40% of all eye injuries occur during sports/recreation activities. By requiring them to wear protective eyewear, we could be protecting them from serious sight-threatening injury.”
TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, D-Bergen & Passaic today voiced his support for the State Department of Human Services’ “Real Life Choices” program during a Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing with Human Services Commissioner James Davy:
“I think it’s a good thing that the proposed FY 2006 budget includes $9.5 million to help the State’s developmentally disabled. The ‘Real Life Choices’ program allows disabled residents to live at home with their families, and provides financial assistance for individualized needs to allow the families to provide their loved one with the care they need. This is the first time that budget funds have been earmarked for this program, and I think that it’s good that the State is stepping up to aid families who opt to take care of their developmentally disabled family members instead of institutionalizing them.”
TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, D-Bergen and Passaic issued the following statement today following the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing with Secretary of Agriculture Charles Kuperus:
“The State’s Soil Conservation program is beneficial because it sets standards and coordinates pollution control efforts to help conserve New Jersey’s natural resources. The funding for this program has been cut for the FY 2006 budget, and the State must find ways to ensure that the necessary monies are available to help keep the program in operation. One way that the State could help save money would be to standardize the soil conservation districts on a statewide level. We must make sure that we don’t let bureaucratic issues stand in the way of preserving the State’s natural resources.”
WOOD RIDGE – Senator Paul A. Sarlo today sought federal sanctions to be imposed on pilots who willfully stray from their designated flight paths and risk mid-air collisions with other jets over the densely populated region of New Jersey near Teterboro Airport.
“It would be appropriate, in my opinion, to revoke flying privileges at Teterboro for pilots, who through their own fault, stray from their designated flight paths,” Senator Sarlo said in a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.