Shirley K. Turner

TRENTON – The Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and John A. Girgenti aimed at combating gang violence by working to find more employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

“Jobs for young people tend to be scarce, especially in our urban communities,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and a leading Senate voice for combating street gangs. “Many young recruits turn to gangs as a means of making ‘easy’ money. We need to do more to expand opportunities for young people to earn money, so they don’t turn to a life of crime.”

TRENTON – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would extend income guidelines for the New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to reflect federal EITC levels.

“The expansion of the EITC will provide assistance for hundreds of thousands of families in poverty,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “New Jersey has lagged behind for too long and the Governor and I are committed to pursuing all avenues available to reduce poverty in this state.”

TRENTON – The Assembly Education Committee today approved A-4336, the companion bill to legislation sponsored by Senators Joseph V. Doria and Shirley K. Turner that would eliminate the embattled Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) and replace it with an independent authority within the Department of the Treasury to handle school construction finances.

“There are insurmountable problems with the SCC and we simply need to start over,” said Senator Doria, D-Hudson and Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “School construction projects need to move forward and use lessons we’ve learned will help the New Jersey Schools Development Authority avoid the same mistakes made in the past.”

TRENTON – Senators Joseph V. Doria and Shirley K. Turner introduced legislation last week that would eliminate the embattled Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) and replace it with an independent authority within the Department of the Treasury to handle school construction finances.

“The SCC is broken beyond repair. We need to start anew and use the lessons we’ve learned from past mistakes to make the New Jersey Schools Development Authority the model for school construction programs,” said Senator Doria, D-Hudson and Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee.

TRENTON – Saying that “New Jersey needs to better help protect consumers from scammers preying on the financially vulnerable,” Senator Shirley K. Turner welcomed today’s Senate Commerce Committee approval of her bill to license and regulate “foreclosure consultants.”

“With the collapse of the sub-prime mortgage market, there are plenty of so-called ‘foreclosure consultants’ looking to take advantage of people desperate to keep their homes,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “These hucksters promise their clients a quick fix, but more often than not just help dig a deeper hole.”

TRENTON – The Senate Education Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner which would instruct local school districts and municipalities to work together to develop action plans in case of a school crisis.

“The tragedy at Virginia Tech serves as a somber reminder that we must be ever-vigilant in keeping our schools safe so that our children may learn in a secure environment,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and Chair of the Committee. “Preparation is the key to safety, and it is critical that we have a clear, well-developed crisis plan for every school in New Jersey.”

TRENTON – The Senate Law & Public Affairs and Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and John A. Girgenti aimed at combating gang violence by working to find more employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

“Jobs for young people tend to be scarce, especially in our urban communities,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and a leading Senate voice for combating street gangs. “Many young recruits turn to gangs as a means of making ‘easy’ money. We need to do more to expand opportunities for young people to earn money, so they don’t turn to a life of crime.”