TRENTON ? Senator Barbara Buono, Chair of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, released the following statement as the Senate considered S-2009/A-2800, the State?s spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1. It received final approval 23-16.
?This budget makes progress toward rebuilding the public?s trust in their elected representatives.
TRENTON – Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, and a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the approval today of the FY 2009 Budget:
“Today, the Senate approved the FY 2009 Budget, and made a strong statement about the State’s priorities, even in tough economic times.
TRENTON – Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, who chairs the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, released the following statement today, regarding the passage (31-8) of the “Public Employee Pension and Benefits Reform Act of 2008.” The bill is aimed at reforming the State’s pension system.
“I am encouraged today by the passage of this bill. It took a lot of compromise and long hours, but I’m glad that we finally passed this legislation that will help put an end to the abuse of the State’s pension and benefits systems.
TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem released the following statement today, regarding the passage (31-8) of the “Public Employee Pension and Benefits Reform Act of 2008.” The Act is aimed at reforming the State’s pension system:
“Today is a great day for New Jersey’s workers. The passage of these bills shows that protecting the benefits of the State’s workforce is an issue of importance on both sides of the aisle. I’d like to thank the leadership, Senator Barbara Buono, Senators Kean and O’Toole, and my colleagues, both Democrat and Republican, for their help in crafting this legislation.
TRENTON � A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Bob Gordon, which would require wheelchair-bound riders in passenger vehicles be secured using a wheelchair securement device received unanimous final legislative approval today from the full Senate.
�In the event of an accident, an unsecured wheelchair could be thrown forward through a windshield, seriously injuring its occupant, other passengers in that car, and others nearby,� said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. �Requiring that wheelchair-bound passengers be secured would help to prevent these types of accidents and increase safety for everyone who uses New Jersey�s roadways.�
TRENTON – Senator Dana Redd, D-Camden and member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, made the following statement today following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2009 State Budget:
“This budget balances the severe financial limitations our state faces with the vital needs faced by New Jersey residents. It shows great fiscal restraint while providing essential services to the most vulnerable among us.
TRENTON – Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, made the following statement today following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2009 State Budget:
“This budget is perhaps the most austere budget this legislature has passed in years. It is a budget that realizes the tight fiscal times facing the State of New Jersey, but still finds a way to provide crucial services and relief for all New Jersey residents.
TRENTON – The Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner aimed at strengthening and streamlining the ability of the Department of Education to develop and apply the rules governing local schools and holding school districts accountable.
“In recent weeks, New Jersey has seen several cases in which local school districts have failed their students and local taxpayers. Between the ridiculous $740,000 payout promised by Keansburg’s to their retiring Superintendent and the inappropriate use of substitute teachers at Joyce Kilmer Elementary in Trenton this year, it has become clear that we need stronger State oversight of all of New Jersey’s school districts,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer.
TRENTON – Both houses of the New Jersey Legislature approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Raymond Lesniak that would create a fund dedicated to paying down debt and funding capital construction projects.
“We’re focusing here on the long-term financial health of the Garden State,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “New Jersey is severely limited in our ability to invest in needed infrastructure improvements because of our long-term debt. This fund will help us make those investments while paying down more of our debt.”
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would expand opportunities for non-violent offenders to be placed in the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP), a cost-saving alternative to prison, was approved by both the Senate and the Assembly today.
“ISP has proven itself to be a cost-effective alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders over the past 25 years,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and a leading advocate in the Senate for alternatives to prison. “At a time in which we are looking to reduce the cost of government at all levels, we should be looking to programs like ISP to use taxpayer dollars more effectively.”
TRENTON – Senator Dana Redd, D-Camden, made the following statement today in consideration of S-1783/A-500, the bill that would revise the State’s affordable housing laws:
“New Jersey has long had a problem when it comes to providing affordable housing for all of our residents in all of our communities. We’ve gotten to the point that many long-time families with deep roots in the Garden State are looking to leave in hopes of finding a more affordable home.
“Affordable housing critical to the continued growth of our State and our economy. Without reasonably priced housing, we make it infinitely more difficult for New Jersey’s young adults, seniors and working families to afford to stay in our state.
TRENTON – The Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Senator John H. Adler that would provide consumers with the tools needed to protect themselves from deceptive practices used by unscrupulous insurance brokers and financial planners.
“Seniors in New Jersey are continuously targeted by unethical insurance brokers looking to sell unnecessary annuities to retirees,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “This measure takes aim at the latest scam where these individuals use impressive-sounding, but ultimately meaningless titles that give seniors a false sense of expertise.”
TRENTON – The Senate passed a measure sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner aimed at saving the State millions of dollars by offering retirement incentives to certain state workers.
“In order for us to reduce the cost of State government this year, it was critical for us to reduce the size of State government,” said Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer. “These early retirement benefits will save the State millions of dollars as we reduce our workforce by 1,800 employees without having to reply on layoffs. It’s a fair system that recognizes the tough financial times we face.”
TRENTON – The Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Paul A. Sarlo that would require gas stations to clearly indicate both the cash and credit prices for any motor fuels they sell.
“When New Jersey drivers pull up to the pump at a gas station, they expect to pay the amount that is posted on the road sign,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “They shouldn’t have to play a guessing game as to whether or not they will be charged an extra 10 or 12 cents because they’re using a credit card. Gas stations need to be up front with what they are charging drivers.”
TRENTON – Senator Fred Madden, D-Gloucester & Camden, today released the following statement concerning bipartisan legislation he introduced to require lawmakers to disclose income from public sources.
“The purpose of this bill is to require legislators to disclose all their sources of public money.