Steve Sweeney

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney today said that any federal economic stimulus proposal would be incomplete without a portion of the stimulus being directed to New Jersey state colleges and public universities for infrastructure projects within the Garden State. He said he would urge federal representatives to include education infrastructure funds in the final economic stimulus legislation.

“Higher education absolutely deserves its share of the federal economic stimulus proposal,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “Our economic salvation depends heavily on how well New Jersey can attract new businesses, and a highly-skilled, well-educated workforce encourages businesses to set root here. As the details come out regarding the federal stimulus package, I will be working with State leaders to ensure that our colleges get a piece of the investment.”

TRENTON – The Senate today approved a resolution sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney asking voters to ban raids to funds that provide unemployment insurance and other benefits.

The proposed constitutional amendment, SCR-60, would seek voter approval to ban State raids of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, the Temporary Disability Fund and the Paid Family Leave Fund.

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney today said the national financial crisis makes it more important than ever that voters sanction a ban on raids to funds that provide unemployment and other benefits.

His proposed constitutional amendment, SCR-60, which requires voter approval, would ban State raids of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, the Temporary Disability Fund and the Paid Family Leave Fund.

TRENTON – State Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney today released the following statement thanking the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, for bringing a major campaign to the Garden State, designed to warn residents of the dangers and severe penalties of illegal straw purchasing.

The campaign, called “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy,” is a cooperative effort between members of the firearms industry through NSSF, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), designed to deter straw gun purchases, or purchasing a firearm for someone who is not legally allowed to buy one.

“I am thankful for the initiative taken by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to educate residents and others who might seek to bring straw purchased firearms from other areas of the nation into our cities and towns,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “This program can make a real difference in our efforts to make New Jersey a safer state.”

NEW BRUNSWICK – Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney will be presented with the prestigious “Good Guy” award from the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey at its Passion-Power-Progress Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, at the Hyatt Regency.

“I am extremely honored by this award from the Women’s Political Caucus,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland. “I’d like to dedicate it (the award) to my daughter, Lauren, because she’s been my inspiration for whatever good in public life I’ve managed to accomplish.”

EDISON – Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA). The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at The Pines Manor in Edison.

“I am honored to have been chosen to receive this award, from an organization whose members dedicate their time, talent and lives to ensuring the safety of the people of New Jersey,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “The men and women of the New Jersey State PBA pride themselves in ‘helping those who help others,’ and they deserve our respect and thanks for all they do to help keep the people of this state safe.”

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney today said he is gathering support to establish a state-funded, county-wide tax assessment pilot program for Gloucester County to replace the current municipal system.

“It’s clear we’ll save money for taxpayers, increase efficiencies and streamline government services with a county-based assessment system,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland.