Steve Sweeney

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By DMUAdmin Bob Smith News & Releases Steve Sweeney

17 Dec: Sweeney/Smith Measure To Reduce Carbon Emissions Passes Committee

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Stephen M. Sweeney and Bob Smith that would allow New Jersey to participate in the carbon emissions cap-and-trade program of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee today.

“New Jersey has become a national leader in the efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem. “We can’t affect real progress on our own, however. We must join with other states to act collectively to reduce carbon emissions and fight global warming.”

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By DMUAdmin News & Releases Steve Sweeney

13 Dec: Sweeney/Bryant Bill To Better Use School Funds Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Steve Sweeney and Wayne R. Bryant which would allow county special services and vocational school districts to share resources received unanimous final legislative approval today from the full Assembly.

“It’s a well known fact that New Jersey’s high property taxes pose a significant financial burden on many residents throughout the state,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “By allowing districts to consolidate services, we would be helping to save taxpayer dollars, while still working to ensure that schools receive the services they need to successfully educate our children – it’s a win-win situation.”

“By investing in the education of your youth we are also investing in the future of tomorrow’s workforce – we want to ensure that they have every chance to succeed and thrive,” said Senator Bryant, D-Camden and Gloucester. “The goal of this legislation is to provide an exceptional education for all students, while working to ensure that we aren’t straining the pockets of taxpayers in the process.”

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By DMUAdmin News & Releases Steve Sweeney

11 Dec: Sweeney Vows To Seek Accord On Paid Family Leave

TRENTON – Senator Stephen M. Sweeney, sponsor of S-2249, the proposal to authorize paid family leave in New Jersey, today made the following comments about the proposal to enable workers to receive part of their salary while caring for a sick family member or a newborn.

“The issue of paid family leave is very much alive. I’m willing to continue discussions with the Senate President and the Speaker to come to an agreement on getting it passed. I’ve expressed a willingness to compromise. But let me be clear, an exemption for small businesses is not one of the options (for compromise).”

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By DMUAdmin News & Releases Steve Sweeney

06 Dec: Sweeney/Bryant Measure To Help Better Use School Funds Approved By Assembly Committee

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Steve Sweeney and Wayne R. Bryant which would allow county special services and vocational school districts to share resources was approved today by the Assembly Education Committee.

“We’re all well aware of the property tax issues that exist here in New Jersey, and the burdens they cause many residents,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “This legislation would work as a way to save taxpayer dollars, while still working to ensure that our schools receive the resources and services they need to successfully educate our children.”

“In educating our youth, we are in essence, helping to ensure that the workforce of tomorrow has every available chance to succeed and thrive,” said Senator Bryant, D-Camden and Gloucester, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. “It is imperative that we provide the best possible education for our students, but we must also make sure that we aren’t straining taxpayers’ pockets in the process.”

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By DMUAdmin Fred H. Madden Jr News & Releases Steve Sweeney

05 Dec: Senators Sweeney And Madden: Gps Monitoring Report’s Findings Are Encouraging

TRENTON – Senators Steve Sweeney and Fred H. Madden today said that they are encouraged by a State Parole Board assessment of a program which uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to allow local law enforcement to monitor the locations of New Jersey?s 225 most dangerous sexual predators. Parole Board Chairman Peter J. Barnes released the report today, highlighting the Board?s findings, at an event held at the State House.

“The GPS program is about helping to protect New Jersey’s children,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “I’m glad to see that the initial report is encouraging. According to the Parole Board’s report, only one of the 225 sex offenders in this program has been implicated in a new sex crime. My goal now is to make sure that those responsible for implementing the program are able to prevent all of the offenders from figuring out how to elude surveillance. While 1 out of 225 is not a large number, the goal of the program is to prevent all of these predators from re-offending. Today’s report suggests the program has the potential to provide long-term help in preventing the sexual victimization of children.”

“As a father and a grandfather, I fully understand the importance of the safety of our children. As the former Acting Superintendent of State Police, I understand that there are sick people out there, looking to harm our children, and in doing so, increase the potential for lifelong psychological and physical damages,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “Our GPS monitoring act provides an extra layer of protection by giving local law enforcement the authority to monitor the State?s most dangerous sexual predators. According to the report, the GPS tracking helped local Sussex County law enforcement track down an offender who was staying at a home where an infant also lives. The program appears to be working, and I am proud to have been the sponsor of the legislation that created it. By working together, we can all help to keep our children safe from dangerous predators.”

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By DMUAdmin News & Releases Steve Sweeney

29 Nov: Sweeney: Burden Should Be On Schools To Prove Special Education Plans Are Adequate

TRENTON – The Senate Education Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Steve Sweeney that would clarify New Jersey law to put the burden of proof on school districts when disputes arise with parents in the delivery of special education services to children.

“The school district has a distinct advantage over parents in these cases when it comes to expertise and financial resources,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “It should be incumbent upon the district to prove the adequacy of a special needs IEP (individual education plan) when a parent claims that their child is not getting the level of support they need.”

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By DMUAdmin News & Releases Steve Sweeney

19 Nov: Sweeney: AARP Endorsement Shows Public Support For Paid Family Leave Legislation

TRENTON – Senator Steve Sweeney today thanked the leadership of the State American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) for their support of his Paid Family Leave legislation.

“I want to thank the AARP for supporting this very important piece of legislation,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, who chairs the Senate Labor Committee. “When enacted, the bill will allow hard-working men and women throughout the State to take time off to attend to the health-care needs of their family members without the fear of being penalized by their employers.”

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By DMUAdmin Fred H. Madden Jr News & Releases Steve Sweeney

01 Nov: Sweeney/Madden Farmland Preservation Law Enacted In Monroeville

MONROEVILLE – A measure sponsored by Senators Steve Sweeney and Fred H. Madden, which appropriates over $45.2 million from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (GSFPT) for farmland preservation, was ceremonially signed today by Governor Corzine at Schober Orchards.

“New Jersey’s farmers work hard to grow exceptional produce that is not just enjoyed here in New Jersey, but also around the world,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “This program represents an investment in development and preservation for farmland throughout the state.”

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By DMUAdmin News & Releases Shirley K. Turner Steve Sweeney

18 Oct: Sweeney-Turner Bill Allowing Public Entities To Develop Wireless Broadband Infrastructure Is Now Law

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Steve Sweeney and Shirley Turner to authorize local entities to develop wireless broadband infrastructure and contract with private Internet service providers to establish wireless community networks was signed into law today by Governor Jon Corzine.

“With the creation of the World Wide Web came access to a wealth of information that can be available at your fingertips, if you have Internet access. All too often, however, the high cost of Internet service acts as a deterrent, preventing families from accessing the valuable research tool,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “Internet services and home computing are rapidly becoming necessities, not luxuries – especially if we want our students to be able to compete for educational opportunities.”

“In its relatively short existence, the Internet has revolutionized the way we gather information. While access to this information is truly helpful, it is not always affordable,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “Studies have shown that service costs of government-maintained wireless broadband networks are often half of what is paid for private internet access. Because they are able to take advantage of economics of scale, local municipalities are able to negotiate better prices for internet service than individual consumers, which helps keep the prices low for residents.”

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