Sandra Cunningham

04 May: Van Drew-Cunningham Wheelchair Ramp Bill Advances

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) and Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham (D-Hudson) that would help homeowners expedite the construction of wheelchair ramps was approved 5-0 today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

The bill (S-2401) would require a construction official to issue a permit within three business days of receiving an application for the installation of a wheelchair ramp on residential real property.

Senators Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex, and Sandra Cunningham, D-Hudson, speak about legislation on the floor of the Senate

04 May: Rice / Cunningham Bill To Require Sda To Report On Minority And Women Participation In Contract-Awarding Approved

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice and Sandra Bolden Cunningham to require the New Jersey Schools Development Authority to compile information on building contracts awarded to minority and women contractors was approved by the Senate Education Committee today.

“With billions of taxpayer dollars going to school construction programs throughout New Jersey, it is important that women and minority-owned businesses get a fair share of the contracts awarded in this State,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “Each year we work hard to help businesses run by minorities and women to bid and win contracts on various State projects. Unfortunately, we need more oversight to ensure that an equitable amount of projects are given to these groups. By requiring the SDA to provide this information we will gain a better understanding of how they award contracts and if more needs to be done to help minorities and women bid on projects.”

Senator Sandra Cunningham listens to testimony during the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing.

16 Mar: Cunningham-Ruiz Transit Hub Bill Approved By Senate

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham (D-Hudson) and Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) that would expand eligibility for the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit and make other changes to the program was approved 37-0 today by the Senate.

By expanding eligibility requirements, the bill would make Secaucus eligible for the credit. The program was created to attract investment in areas surrounding transit hubs, leading to more jobs and encouraging the use of mass transit.

23 Feb: With No Republican Support, Bill Limiting Handgun Purchases Falls Short

TRENTON – A bill aimed at stemming gun violence in New Jersey by limiting buyers to one handgun purchase per month fell short of passage in the state Senate today when Republicans failed to offer a single vote in support.

Sponsored by Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham (D-Hudson) and Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) the bill (A-339/S-1774) fell just one vote short of passage. Senator Cunningham asked that the bill be held over with the vote total standing at 20-18, with two not voting. A bill requires 21 votes for passage in the Senate.

Senator Cunningham listens to advice from colleague Senator Sacco

26 Jan: Cunningham-Girgenti ‘Silver Alert’ Bill Advances

TRENTON – A bill that would establish a statewide system for quickly sending out to the public information on a missing person believed to be suffering from dementia or some other cognitive impairment was approved 5-0 today by the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Sponsored by Senator John Girgenti, D-Passaic, the chairman of the committee, and Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, the committee substitute for their bill (S-1844) would be a voluntary, cooperative effort between state and local law enforcement agencies and the media, similar to the existing Amber Alert program for missing children.

State Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, D-Hudson, speaks with a staffer before the beginning of the Budget Committee meeting on Governor Corzine's toll road plan.

15 Dec: Cunningham/Ruiz Bill To Make Nj Stars More Economically Sustainable Clears Senate

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Teresa Ruiz, which would make changes to the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) and the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II (NJ STARS II) programs, to keep them more economically sustainable for the State of New Jersey, received final legislative approval today by the full Senate, by a vote of 33 to 4.

“This bill is a product of a task force charged with the responsibility of studying the NJ STARS programs, and making recommendations of ways to ensure the programs’ longevity,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson, who was a member of the NJ STARS Task Force. “This bill is definitely not the perfect solution to the problems of funding these scholarships. But it is the first step in the right direction toward amending the NJ STARS programs, and ensuring that they can benefit the best and brightest students from all areas in New Jersey.”

“My main concern for this legislation – and for the STARS programs in general – is that there must be a committed effort to ensure that all of the State’s school districts have equal access to these programs,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, who was a member of the NJ STARS Task Force. “The enactment of this bill would serve as the first of many necessary changes that would transform this well-intended legislation from a good law that helps students, to a real chance at higher education for high-achieving students from all walks of life here in New Jersey.”

Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, listens to testimony at the Senate Budget Committee meeting on Governor Corzine's toll road plan.

15 Dec: Cunningham – Ruiz Bill Looks To Expandsurban Transit Hub Tax Credit

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Teresa Ruiz to expand eligibility for the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Act and provide more incentives for businesses to open near public transportation centers, was approved by the full Senate today.

“The Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit program is an economic incentive designed to encourage smart growth principles and focus on rail and pedestrian modes of transportation rather than automobile travel,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. “The program also serves as a means of job creation and infrastructure development in the State. Under the bill, in order to be considered a transit hub, a property would need to be within a close proximity to a transit station.”

State Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, D-Hudson, speaks with a staffer before the beginning of the Budget Committee meeting on Governor Corzine's toll road plan.

08 Dec: Cunningham/Ruiz Bill Would Make Nj Stars Programs More Economically Sustainable For State

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Teresa Ruiz, which would make changes to the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) and the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II (NJ STARS II), to keep these programs economically sustainable for the State of New Jersey, was approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

“Considering the dire fiscal straits the State is in, these programs must be changed to ensure that they can continue to provide access to higher education for the State’s best and brightest students,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson, who is a member of the NJ STARS Task Force. “I’ve listened to the testimony of students who have benefitted greatly from the NJ STARS programs, even in the short time since they were created. This is a tough, but necessary decision that we’ve had to make, and these revisions to the current law would allow the State to continue to provide these scholarship programs to hard-working New Jersey students.”

Senator Sandra Cunningham listens to testimony during the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing.

08 Dec: Cunningham/Ruiz Bill Would Work To Prevent ‘Straw Purchases’

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Teresa Ruiz, which would prohibit the sale and purchase of more than one hand-gun per person within a 30-day period was approved today by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee by a vote of 3 to 2.

According to the sponsors, the bill is intended to prevent “straw purchasing,” or purchasing a firearm for someone who is not legally allowed to buy one.

The Senators’ bill, S-1774, would ban the sale or purchase of more than one handgun per person within a 30-day period. The bill would focus on straw purchasers and bulk sellers, who obtain multiple gun permits, buy the guns and then sell them on the black market to unlicensed buyers.

“With handgun violence seemingly on the rise all over the nation, it is imperative that we fight to control and reduce the number of guns on the streets,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. “This legislation is not an attempt to prohibit law enforcement officers or licensed gun collectors from exercising their Constitutional right to bear arms. Our goal is to impose severe regulations and significant barriers on criminals and straw gun purchasers, and send a clear message that we will fight to protect the safety of all of New Jersey’s neighborhoods.”

“While upstanding, licensed gun owners and law enforcement officers have every right to have firearms, convicted criminals and minors do not,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union. “This legislation is a step in the right direction toward reclaiming our neighborhoods, and making them safe for children, the elderly, and all who call New Jersey their home.”