Steve Sweeney

10 Mar: Sweeney Statement On Gov. Corzine’s Budget Message

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem) issued the following statement on Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s budget address today:

“What we all heard from Governor Corzine today was a sobering assessment of the dire state of our economy and a detailed plan for New Jersey to follow to get through this difficult time and emerge stronger in the future. Make no mistake about it – the cuts proposed today will hurt, and that pain will be felt by a lot of people. The Governor is trying to preserve his commitment to property tax relief, health care and education, values all New Jerseyans can support.

Senator Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) and Senate Majority Leader, Stephen Sweeney (D-Salem, Cumberland, Gloucester) at the bill signing for Pension and Benefits Reform

09 Mar: Buono-Sweeney Tax Amnesty Bill Approved By Senate Budget Panel

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today approved a bill to establish a 45-day amnesty period for New Jerseyans to pay delinquent taxes without civil or criminal penalties.

The bill (S-2678) sponsored by Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), the chairwoman of the committee, and Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem) would also relieve the delinquent taxpayer of paying one-half of the interest on the delinquent amount that would have otherwise accrued.

27 Feb: Sweeney Supports Fox Re-Nomination To Bpu

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem) is calling on his colleagues in the Senate Judiciary Committee to support the re-nomination of Jeanne Fox as President of the state Board of Public Utilities.

“Ms. Fox shows the leadership that will be necessary to move New Jersey toward renewable energy and other important energy and utility issues facing our state,” Senator Sweeney said. “Her extensive experience as an outstanding public servant is an asset to the State of New Jersey.”

Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem ) and Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham (D-Hudson)

26 Feb: Sweeney Bill Would Spur Lending By Community Banks

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem) to spur small business lending by New Jersey’s community banks by allowing the state to invest a portion of its cash management funds in certificates of deposit, fixed income securities and other investments was approved today by a Senate committee.

The bill (S-2552) is intended to increase the liquidity of New Jersey community banks so they can make more and cheaper capital available to small businesses, local governments and individual borrowers.

17 Feb: Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney Statement On State Finances

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s announcement on New Jersey’s finances:

“The economic downturn that continues to grip the entire country shows no signs of easing anytime soon. In fact, as the numbers Governor Corzine announced today show, it continues to worsen. State government spending levels will be more than $4 billion lower than what was projected last year when we began putting the current budget together. This is like nothing the state has ever seen.

09 Feb: Sweeney Bill Would Protect Developmentally Disabled

TRENTON � A bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney to protect developmentally disabled beneficiaries by requiring the trustees and guardians designated in a will to post a bond and periodically provide accountings to the court was approved 10-0 today by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The court would determine the amount and conditions of the bond required where a will names developmentally disabled beneficiary, under terms of the bill (S-550). Developmental disabilities would include mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, spina bifida and other neurological impairments.

Senator Ray Lesniak, D-Union, speaks reporters about his plan to look into leasing NJ's toll roads to reduce state debt

02 Feb: Lesniak-Sweeney ‘Vote By Mail Law’ Approved In Senate Committee

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak and Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney which would create a Vote by Mail system to allow more New Jerseyans to take part in the democratic process was approved by the Senate State Government Committee today by a vote of 3-2.

“Throughout the nation, more and more states are adopting Vote by Mail systems to give busy Americans a chance to participate in their democracy,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “In Oregon and Washington, the entire voting process takes place at the mailbox, rather than the ballot box, and California has a Vote by Mail program similar to the one we’re proposing in this legislation. As we work to expand voter participation and give voters an alternative to traditional polling locations on Election Day, Vote by Mail will be a big part of our efforts moving forward.”

02 Feb: Sweeney/Weinberg Measure Would Regulate Insurance Benefits For Officials With Multiple State Positions

TRENTON – A bipartisan measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, and Senators Loretta Weinberg and Jennifer Beck which would require State and local elected officials to select one health insurance plan if they are eligible for benefits from another job as a public official was unanimously approved today by the Senate State Government Committee.

“The basis of this bill is common sense. Taxpayers should not have to shoulder the cost of multiple insurance benefit plans for the same elected officials,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “The bill would help curb unnecessary spending, at a time when we are all having to cut back on unnecessary costs.”

26 Jan: Sweeney Measure To Establish Financial Literacy Pilot Program Advances

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney which would create a three-year pilot program to provide high school students with financial literacy education was unanimously approved by the Senate Education Committee today.

“A major contributing factor in the current national economic crisis is the fact that too many people don’t know the basics of personal finance,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “It’s easy to fall for the traps of the credit card mentality when you don’t understand the terms and conditions of your credit card, or don’t know the importance of balancing your checkbook. This bill would give students the instruction they need in personal finance to become self-sufficient and hopefully avoid the economic pitfalls which have hurt older generations.”

Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, speaks at the bill signing ceremony for his bill, S-786, sponsored with Senate Budget Committee Chair Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, which would create temporary paid family leave for workers in New Jersey.

21 Jan: Sweeney – ’Latest Unemployment Figures Troubling’

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, issued the following statement today regarding the Governor’s announcement of the unemployment numbers’ for December and the need for action in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) fund to avoid a massive tax increase on employers in New Jersey:

“Today’s announcement of a 1 percent increase in the unemployment figures from November to December is certainly troubling news. As we continue to feel the effects in New Jersey of the national economic downturn, we have to be open to doing whatever we can to help put people to work and improve our economic standing.