Shirley K. Turner

TRENTON – New teachers could begin classroom work even if their teaching certificate is still pending under legislation sponsored by Senator Turner and passed by the Senate Education Committee today.

“The biggest concern when it came to the backlog was that New Jersey would begin turning away a great number of new, highly qualified teachers and discourage college students from pursuing an education degree,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “With projected teacher shortfalls in the future, it is critical that qualified individuals are allowed to begin teaching without having to wait for their teaching certificate application to be processed. This bill gives new teachers and the districts that hire them this necessary leeway.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Joseph Coniglio and Shirley K. Turner that would ban miniaturized motorcycles commonly known as “pocket bikes” or “mini-motos” from New Jersey’s streets and sidewalks move one step closer to law today as it passed the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.

“Even with their involvement in a number of high profile accidents, pocket bikes continue to grow in popularity,” said Senator Congilio, D-Bergen. “Many people think they are just like the Barbie or G.I. Joe Powerwheels our kids used to ask for, but they are not. These devises are fully-functional motorcycles that can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour. They are very hard to see and extremely dangerous for young ones to ride.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would require all voting machines to produce an individual paper record for each vote cast passed the Senate State Government Committee today.

“At the core of American society is the ability of the people to go to the polls each year and have their voices heard,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “There is nothing more important to our system of democracy than the knowledge that each individual vote is counted. Without a paper trail, there are no guarantees that the results reported at the end of the night reflect the votes of the people.”

TRENTON – The Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senate Shirley K. Turner that would raise the mandatory age for wearing a bicycle helmet from under 14 to up to 17 years old.

“Helmets are the single most effective way to reduce the chance of sustaining a serious head or brain injury from an accident,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “It is estimated that bicycle, skateboard and roller skate injuries cost American families over $8 billion each year and that much of that cost comes from head injuries. There is simply no excuse for our youngsters to go out without a helmet on.”

TRENTON – The Senate Education Committee approved legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Ellen Karcher that would enact new nutritional standards for food sold in public schools, limiting the availability of high-calorie beverages and foods high in sugar or fat to students during school hours.

“Far too many school-aged children are dealing with obesity and the health problems it causes,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “School isn’t only about teaching kids the three R’s. It’s also about exposing them to a healthy and responsible behaviors and giving them the knowledge needed to make the right choices as they reach adulthood. The lessons learned now in choosing healthy foods will stay with them a lifetime.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators John H. Adler and Shirley K. Turner to establish the Special Education Review Commission to study special education best practices from around the state received Senate approval today.

“Special education takes up an increasingly large portion of many school districts’ resources. We need to identify those programs and practices that are most effective and efficient,” said Senator Adler, D-Camden. “Our state has over 600 school districts and probably just as many different ways of handling special education. The recommendations of this committee will provide schools with new ideas for meeting the special needs of those with learning and physical disabilities. The goal must be to improve education while reducing the cost to schools.”

TRENTON – As Dr. John Petillo testified about out of control spending and contracting practices at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) during today’s Senate Budget hearings, Senator Shirley K. Turner announced the introduction of a pair of bills that would reduce political patronage by requiring public bidding for professional and technical service contracts by state public colleges and universities and all levels of government.

“The State’s colleges and universities are running wild with spending, throwing away taxpayer dollars at the same time they are raising tuition,” said Senator Tuner, D-Mercer. “There is no reason for UMDNJ to give out $160 million in no bid contracts. It’s simply reprehensible. It is political patronage at its worst and our students seeking an affordable higher education are the ones who really pay the price for it in the end.”