TETERBORO – Senators Joseph C. Coniglio and Paul A. Sarlo said today’s runway crash of a corporate jet at Teterboro Airport shows the need to build a “crash wall” to protect nearby drivers and warehouse workers at one of the busiest airports in the country.
“As horrible as today’s accident was – it could have been a whole lot worse,” said Senator Sarlo. “We want to see what the investigators find out, but it’s obvious that a fence and a snowdrift can’t stop a missile loaded with jet fuel.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Paul A. Sarlo which would require greater regulation of electronic pharmacies to ensure patient safety and consumer protection was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee by a vote of 4-0.
“Currently, unscrupulous Internet vendors are taking advantage of the high cost of prescription drugs and preying on seniors and others on fixed incomes who may be tempted by E-Mail offers that are just too good to be true,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “Through increased state regulation and licensure, we’ll be able to separate the responsible e-pharmacies from the con artists just looking to make a quick buck.”
TRENTON – Members of the Senate Environment, State Government, Commerce and Transportation Committees will meet on Monday.
The Senate State Government Committee will consider two pieces of legislation aimed at reducing waste and fraud in state government. Bill S-2194, sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher, will implement suggestions made by the State Commission of Investigation to revamp the State’s contracting process. Bill S-2195, sponsored by Senator Bernard Kenny, will codify Governor Codey’s Executive Order establishing the Office of the Inspector General.
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would appropriate $6 million to the central New Jersey affiliate of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) to provide for comprehensive care and research was approved by the General Assembly today by a vote of 71-6, receiving final legislative approval.
“With this supplemental appropriation, New Jersey could realize complete regional coverage for cancer care and research, putting the most advanced cancer treatment techniques and skilled specialists at New Jerseyans’ fingertips,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. “By supporting the efforts of CINJ through State funding, we are ensuring that all of New Jersey’s residents have access to high-quality cancer care and treatment without having to travel burdensome distances to see the best doctors.”
WOOD-RIDGE – Senator Paul A. Sarlo today praised Trish Barteck for her efforts in discouraging the “sordid abuse of the Internet to commit horrific crimes” by those who think they can hide with impunity behind fake names in chat rooms.
“Thanks to the courage of Trish Barteck, we now have a New Jersey law against sexual predators who abuse the Internet,” said Senator Sarlo, also the Mayor of this Bergen County community. “Because Trish Barteck was determined to help others avoid what she went through, people everywhere are safer today in New Jersey.”
PARAMUS – Senator Paul A. Sarlo today said the “Model Mall” homeland security proposal, designed by the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is critically important to Bergen County because it is a national leader in mall-generated revenue.
“The malls of Bergen County rank behind only New York City and Los Angeles as generators of retail revenue,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “NJIT will effectively put Bergen County at the national forefront of mall security. I’m proud to have helped to make NJIT the New Jersey Homeland Security Technology Systems Center.”
TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo today praised Governor Codey’s references to a “new vision” for the Meadowlands and to the school security proposals in his State of the State Address to the Legislature.
“I am confident that Governor Codey’s reference to a ‘new vision for the Meadowlands’ is a clear signal that the people and businesses of the entire Meadowlands region will finally realize the economic benefits they’ve been hoping for all these years,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic.
TRENTON – The Senate will convene Monday to deal with multiple issues of increasing safety for New Jersey residents in a post 9-11 world.
Democratic Senators Nicholas P. Scutari, Fred Madden, Paul Sarlo, Barbara Buono and John Girgenti all will be advancing their bills to structure the responsibilities of government agencies – at all levels – to respond effectively during possible emergencies.
TRENTON – The Senate today gave final legislative approval to a bill, sponsored by Senator Paul A. Sarlo, to make it a crime to lure someone over the Internet into committing a crime. It passed without opposition in the Senate.
“When a sick mind can use technology to endanger a young mother playing with her children in their front yard, we need a strong response,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic.
TRENTON – The full Senate and two of its committees are set to convene on Monday to consider several timely issues including a bill that would make the use of the Internet to lure an individual a third-degree crime.
Senators Paul Sarlo and John Adler introduced bill S-1429 after reports of a woman in Wood-Ridge being menaced by a stranger who parked his van near her home, leered at her, and frightened her into calling the police. The stranger had allegedly intended to commit a sexual assault against her after being enticed into coming to her home by a message he thought she had posted in an Internet chat room, but was, in fact, posted by an individual posing as the woman.