TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, to ban smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities was approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
“It’s time for gamblers to kick the habit or at least to butt out around the blackjack tables,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “Casino workers deserve the same smoke-free environment as everyone else.”
TRENTON – Key Senate Democrats are moving forward to impose a total smoking ban in Atlantic City casinos.
Senator Joseph F. Vitale, Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, today said the bill he is co-prime sponsoring to impose the smoking ban will be posted for consideration by the panel on Monday (Feb. 26th).
TRENTON – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today moved the “The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act” out of committee by a party-line vote. Senator Shirley K. Turner is the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill proposed by Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts.
“As the Legislature has spent more than six months on property tax reform, we have begun to see the critical importance of campaign finance reform for the citizens of New Jersey,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “Far too many special interests watered down the reform efforts. The Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project will reduce the influence of special interest money and help the voters have the loudest voice in Trenton.”
TRENTON – The Senate State Government Committee today approved “The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act” sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner.
“As the Legislature has attempted to hash out the issue of property tax reform, we are learning why this is an issue of paramount concern to the citizens of New Jersey,” said Senator Turner. “New Jersey residents need property tax reform, yet their own representatives cannot agree on any one idea because there are too many interests involved in the decision making.”
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley Turner to permit spouses of armed forces personnel who are forced to relocate outside of the State to collect unemployment benefits was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.
“Regularly moving from one military base to another can be very difficult on the families of those who serve our nation,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “They shouldn’t be forced to lose their financial well-being just to stay together. In my mind, that goes against true American family values.”
TRENTON – Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, made the following remarks today upon hearing the Governor’s State of the State Address:
“It is obvious that property tax reform will be the issue that dominates our work this year. I agree with the Governor that our focus must be on the common good above all else as we move toward true, long-lasting reform.
TRENTON – A proposal by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Ronald L. Rice that would create a new joint committee in the Legislature to monitor the State’s efforts in providing affordable housing to its residents was approved by the full Senate today by a vote of 38-0.
“New Jersey’s widespread affordable housing shortage is now becoming an affordable housing crisis,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “A study released just this week said that half of all Jersey renters can’t afford a basic two-bedroom apartment. That means that we are not doing enough to help over half a million of the most vulnerable New Jerseyans have a clean, safe and affordable home.”
TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner welcomed final legislative approval today of her bill that would enforce sensible school nutrition standards and help New Jersey “win the battle of the bulge among our children.”
The measure, S-1218, would ban the sale or donation of soda, gum and most candy as well as food listing sugar as a first ingredient on school grounds before the end of the school day. It passed the Senate last February by a vote of 33-0 and likewise was approved by a vote of 64-11 in the Assembly today.
TRENTON – The State Senate is set to vote on measures which would require greater accountability from school districts and establish a pilot program to look at the effectiveness of county administrative school districts on Monday.
“We’re looking forward to diving back into property taxes on Monday, voting on several of the special session committee recommendations, and hammering out further agreements on many of the remaining recommendations,” said Senate President Codey, D-Essex.
TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner, a long time opponent of the death penalty and sponsor of the legislation that created the Death Penalty Study Commission, made the following statement today upon reading the Commission’s final report: