Girgenti Sponsors Measure To Protect Residents While They Sleep

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice and Shirley K. Turner which would focus State resources on reducing the student dropout rate and helping to make it easier for out-of-school minors to reengage with school was approved by the Senate Education Committee today by a vote of 4-1.

“There’s simply no better foundation for success later in life than a decent education early in life,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “While New Jersey has a mandate, under its State Constitution to provide for a ‘thorough and efficient’ education for all its students, such a mandate does little good for kids who’ve dropped out of school. This bill would direct the State Department of Education to begin looking at the issues that either play into or spin out of a student’s decision to drop out, and to begin making policy recommendations so we can ensure all kids have a chance at a good education.”

“While New Jersey’s overall high school graduation rate is good, we have to do a better job in the communities where the dropout rate far exceeds the Statewide average,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and Hunterdon, and Vice Chair of the Committee. “This is about making sure the next generation of New Jerseyans, regardless of where they live or attend school, have the skills and the education they need to succeed. We cannot stand idly by while some school districts in the State face seriously high dropout rates.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice and Shirley K. Turner which would focus State resources on reducing the student dropout rate and helping to make it easier for out-of-school minors to reengage with school was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 34-1.

“In New Jersey’s urban core, the dropout rate among public school students – particularly minority students – is reaching epidemic proportions,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “Through our State’s Constitution, we have guaranteed that every student, regardless of race, creed or color, receive a ‘thorough and efficient’ education and a chance to succeed in our society. Unless we’re willing to look at the underlying socio-economic factors that contribute to the rising dropout rate, we’re failing to live up to our responsibilities to the Constitution and to the kids in our communities.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice and Shirley K. Turner which would focus State resources on reducing the student dropout rate and helping to make it easier for out-of-school minors to reengage with school was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee earlier this week by a vote of 9-0, with three abstentions.

“In some of our state’s urban communities, the dropout rate is reaching epidemic proportions,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “While the State Constitution guarantees a ‘thorough and efficient’ education for all New Jersey students, such a mandate does little good for students who’ve dropped out of school. Through this legislation, we’re directing the Department of Education to look at the problem, and make policy recommendations to deal with the issues that play into and spin out of a student’s decision to drop out.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator John A. Girgenti, to require mattresses and box springs to meet a 30-minute open-flame resistance test was approved by the full Senate today.

“Mattresses are implicated in thousands of fires each year,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic. “These fires cause millions of dollars in property damage along with numerous injuries and even fatalities. Because mattress fires are the cause of more than twice the number of injuries and deaths than any other type of residential fire, it is important that regulations are put in place immediately to test and raise the flammability standards in order to protect the residents of New Jersey.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, to alert residents of the presence of chemicals that have been applied in the area by commercial pesticide companies through the use of silver flags, was approved by the Senate Environment Committee.

“Pesticide applicators often use a variety of colors and types of flags to mark pesticide applications,” said Senator Scutari, D-Middlesex, Somerset and Union. “This bill would create a uniformed marking system that will clearly differentiate flags being used to mark pesticides from other things like invisible dog fences, underground utility lines, septic tanks, and underground piping.”