Ronald L. Rice

TRENTON – Senator Ronald L. Rice today introduced a measure that would require voting machine systems to notify voters if they attempt to leave the polling machine without their ballot being cast.

“The public’s confidence in the election process has been shaken since the controversy in Florida during the 2000 presidential election and voting mishaps throughout the United States,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “It is important that we find more foolproof alternatives to our voting system so that we can uphold the sanctity of the democratic process.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice, which would allow for the establishment of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), received final legislative approval today.

“The health care system in New Jersey is changing rapidly, but not necessarily for the best,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “A lot of the cost is being shifted to some of our neediest citizens, and we need to fight the federal regulations that back New Jersey’s residents into a corner.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice which would allow individuals engaged in military service for more than 90 days to cancel leases of personal property without penalty was approved by the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.

“With no foreseeable end to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must realize that our servicemen and women are going to be called on to serve long tours of duty in the Middle East,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “Many have entered into “rent-to-own” contracts for household goods such as furniture, appliances and computers. This bill helps them get out of these contracts for items they can’t use while serving the United States abroad.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice, which would require Abbott districts to develop an after school program and submit it to voters for funding consent, was approved by the Senate Education Committee today.

“Closing the gap between lower-class and middle-class children requires both better schools and more equal chances for students to achieve,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “While we must continue to improve learning outcomes in the classroom, we must also reach out to our children after class. After school programs can reduce the barriers to achievement, and make a difference in the lives of New Jersey’s children and their families.”

TRENTON – Senator Ronald L. Rice today introduced a measure to help protect New Jersey’s children by expanding the provisions of the 1995 child-protection window guard law to require landlords to inspect window guards at least twice a year, and to direct the Department of Community Affairs to establish window safety training for tenants.

“Just three months ago, five-year old Zahir Atkins fell 15 stories to his death from a Newark apartment that had window guards,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex, who Chairs the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, and also sits on the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens panel. “Something is terribly wrong if children are still falling from windows equipped with guards.”

TRENTON – Senator Ronald L. Rice released the following statement today during the Joint Committee on the Public Schools hearing on School Construction concerning the need to quickly approve his bill that would provide $3 billion to complete the projects put on hold.

“We have a responsibility to adequately meet the needs of our growing public schools, because failure means our children and residents will suffer.