TRENTON _ Senator Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s panel hearing on the affect of the FY 2009 Budget on the State Department of Health and Senior Services:
“Today, we heard that New Jersey’s hospital system is in a state of crisis. Hospital closures threaten to undermine how the State provides access to health care for our citizens, and a combination of the national economic downturn and the increasing cost of health care in New Jersey and globally has put a severe strain on our health care dollars.
TRENTON – Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s hearing on the FY 2009 Budget for the State Department of Health & Senior Services:
“With the recent closure of Greenville Hospital in Jersey City, I have been extremely concerned that the community’s uninsured residents would be put in jeopardy, unable to access necessary medical care. During this morning’s Budget Committee hearing I was relieved to learn from Commissioner Howard that the charity care funding allotted to Greenville Hospital will stay in the community to offset the increased costs that will be borne by other hospitals in the city.
TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and author of new legislation aimed at combating predatory lending in New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding today’s hearing on the FY 2009 Budget of the State Department of Banking and Insurance:
“While education is most often the great equalizer in our society, when it comes to the subprime mortgage crisis, it’s simply not enough. While information is critical in making sure that families don’t fall for subprime ARMs (adjustable rate mortgages) in the future, for those families already facing foreclosures, more direct action is desperately needed.
TRENTON – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on Governor Corzine’s proposed FY 2009 budget, from the Departments of Health and Senior Services (10 AM), Banking and Insurance (2 PM), and Labor and Workforce Development (3 PM) on Wednesday, April 9, in Committee Room 4 of the State House Annex.
TRENTON – Citing a recent report by the State Auditor which detailed how some high-wage earners were able to take advantage of the health care benefits offered to uninsured low- and middle-income families, Senator Barbara Buono today announced the introduction of a measure to ensure greater safeguards and income verification for New Jersey FamilyCare and Medicaid.
“We need to make sure that only those applicants who qualify for FamilyCare are enrolled in the program,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “Nearly 1.25 million people in New Jersey are uninsured, including 240,000 children. With a finite amount of State dollars dedicated to provide subsidized health insurance programs, strict oversight and transparency are essential.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Loretta Weinberg which would reorganize the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing and provide a permanent funding source was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 34-0.
“New Jersey is facing the effects of a protracted nursing shortage, and quality, well-trained nursing professionals are at a premium,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “The Collaborating Center for Nursing has served as a clearing house for best practices in nursing, helping to keep our healthcare professionals ahead of trends in technology and changes in medical care policy. We must provide the resources so that the Center can continue its mission of equipping nurses for the challenges they face in the 21st Century.”
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Barbara Buono which would provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children received final legislative approval today from the full Senate by a vote of 21 to 15.
“I know this type of leave time is necessary, because I’ve been there myself,” said Majority Leader Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, in reference to the birth of his 14 year-old daughter, Lauren, who remained in intensive care for 75 days after she was born. “In my case, I had an understanding employer, but I can’t say the same for all of New Jersey’s workers. This bill would signify a new day for the State’s workforce, in that, the needs of families will be put before the needs of business owners. Parenting is the most important job that many of us will ever undertake, and this legislation would allow New Jersey to remain in the forefront of providing necessary benefits to its hard-working residents.”
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator John A. Girgenti, Chairman of the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, to prohibit convicted sexual predators from working at youth organizations was unanimously approved by the full Senate today.
“In recent years too many children have fallen victim to the harmful attacks of sexual predators,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic. “Megan’s Law has helped make New Jersey residents feel safer by knowing where sex offenders live, but we must do more to ensure that we protect our children in every way possible. There is no reason for a sex offender to be near children, and this measure will make sexual predators think twice before trying to surround themselves with minors.”
TRENTON – Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex and lead questioner in today’s Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing on the education portion of the FY09 Budget, made the following statement today following the hearing:
“It would be shortsighted for us to focus solely on funding issues facing the State right now and ignore those issues our schools will begin to deal with in future years.
TRENTON – The State Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew that would allow local authorities to impound abandoned ships, boats and other watercraft.
“Since there is no current law against abandoning vessels in public waters or on public lands, we see many owners abandoning their boats when they no longer want them,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic. “Abandoned and sunken vessels are a growing problem for our coastal communities. These boats are not just an eyesore but cause pollution to the surrounding area and pose navigational hazards.”
TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today unveiled a blueprint to revolutionize the way the New Jersey Lottery is run in order to maximize revenue potential to help address the state’s fiscal needs. Codey’s proposal calls for harnessing new technologies in emerging markets and tapping into an entirely new consumer base that will expand the lottery’s focus beyond traditional low and moderate income customers.
“If done right, I think this can provide a substantial added revenue source for the state,” said Codey. “There are marketing avenues out there today that did not even exist when New Jersey created the lottery. Like any company that’s looking to expand their market potential, we need to start thinking outside the box and finding new and innovative ways to expand our distribution channels,” added Sen. Codey.
TRENTON – By a vote of 36 to 0, the state Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey that would give New Jersey one of the most comprehensive anti-steroid programs in the nation, combining testing, education, instructional training and advertising for students from elementary school on up through high school.
“When a kid grows up idolizing a professional athlete and then finds out that person broke this record or that one because he was using steroids his whole career, well what’s to stop that kid from wanting to use the drugs too?” said Sen. Codey (D-Essex). “We need to get to our kids early and show them that these drugs are not without consequences.”
TRENTON – The full Senate will convene on Monday, April 7 at 12:30 PM, to vote on final legislative approval of S-786, legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, and Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, which would provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children.
Monday’s vote will mark the second time the Senate considers this legislation. In March, the Senate approved the measure by a vote of 22 to 16. The Assembly amended the bill at the request of the State Attorney General, to protect small business owners. The Assembly amendments also increase penalties for Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and paid family leave fraud.
TRENTON – On Monday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will hold hearings concerning the FY 2009 Budget and how it impacts the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Department of Education (DOE).
“Municipal and school aid account for a vast majority of the property tax relief paid out by State Government each year,” said Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the budget panel. “Even in the tough economic times we currently face in this State, we need to make the education of our children a priority, and ensure that the cost of local government isn’t unfairly passed off on local property taxpayers. Monday’s hearing will be a chance to scrutinize the State’s spending on some of our most sacred obligations, and seek greater efficiencies from government operations.”
TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney today said the depleted condition of the Unemployment Insurance Fund demonstrates the need for his bipartisan proposal, SCR-60, to seek voter approval to permanently ban raids on employer and worker generated State funds which have been skimmed over the years during budget crises.
“I support Governor Corzine’s proposal to replenish the UI Fund now and avoid a tax increase, but I think people would welcome a long-term ban on future raids that is backed up by the State Constitution,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland.