CHERRY HILL – Senator John Adler will be joined by Governor Jon S. Corzine and Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez tomorrow as they call on all of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation to vote to override President Bush’s veto of the SCHIP Reauthorization Act.
The three will discuss the impact to New Jersey’s FamilyCare program if the override vote fails at 11:30 a.m. in front of the office of Dr. Flo Rosen at 600 Rt. 70 West in Cherry Hill.
DUMONT – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the Committee’s hearing on the federal State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and President Bush’s recent veto of legislation reauthorizing federal funding for uninsured children:
“Today, members from both sides of the political aisle came together and said in one clear, bipartisan voice that the federal SCHIP program, which helps New Jersey meet its obligation to uninsured children, must be reauthorized and coverage of uninsured kids must be expanded.
“President Bush’s abandonment of uninsured, working poor families is absolutely unconscionable, and it’s up to Congress to override the presidential veto and stand up for the uninsured.
DUMONT – Senator Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, a member of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Committee’s hearing today on Congressional efforts to override President Bush’s veto on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides federal matching funds to State efforts to provide health care coverage for the uninsured:
“Thanks to the President’s veto of legislation to reauthorize the SCHIP program, New Jersey is on the verge of a potential health care crisis, which can only be alleviated through Congressional action.
DUMONT – Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, the Vice Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s hearing on Congressional efforts to override President Bush’s veto on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a program which provides federal funds to State efforts to offer health care access to the uninsured:
“NJ FamilyCare, which relies heavily on federal funds to accomplish its mission of providing health care access to the uninsured, is in jeopardy due to the federal Administration’s failure to recognize the importance of SCHIP. We need Congress to take a stand for the uninsured, and reverse the President’s veto, in order to continue quality care for those in greatest need.
DUMONT – The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and the Assembly Human Services Committee will hold a joint hearing on Monday at 9:30 a.m. to receive testimony from invited speakers concerning the impact on New Jersey if Congress fails to override President Bush’s veto to limit the expansion of SCHIP–the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
The meeting will be held at Dumont Borough Hall at 50 Washington Avenue in Dumont.
TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner joined Governor Jon Corzine today as he signed two of her bills that would reform the Disadvantaged Youth Employment Opportunities Council and differentiate driver’s license suspensions due to parking tickets from those caused by moving violations.
The bill first signed bill, S-2010, will require the Disadvantaged Youth Employment Opportunities Council to report directly to the State Employment and Training Center (SETC). It would also add three members to the Council – the Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and two representatives of county vocational-technical schools.
EDISON – Senator Barbara Buono today said the Cleveland school shooting is another tragic example why New Jersey needs to implement her proposed “Safe Schools and Communities Violence Prevention and Response Plan Act,” as a comprehensive, pro-active strategy to avert mayhem in our schools.
“Eight years after the mass murder of the Columbine students, we are faced with yet another school shooting committed by a troubled boy from Cleveland,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “Unless we begin to address the root causes that drive individuals to commit violent acts, no amount of metal detectors, security guards or cameras will prevent such homicidal behavior.”
PATERSON – Senator John A. Girgenti today urged residents to show support for saving Barnert Hospital which could close next month unless a buyer is found to save the facility which has been a staple of health care support on the city’s Eastside for nearly 100 years.
“I’m very concerned about the gaping hole in community health care which would be created if Barnert Hospital closes,” said Senator Girgenti. “And, I am also concerned about the families of the more than 600 dedicated professionals who work at Barnert.”
TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner, a leading legislative advocate for safer communities, today said the Corzine Administration should expand its anti-gang, anti-violence initiatives by using federal homeland security funds to add police street patrols.
“The terror in our communities is coming from violent street gangs, not al-Qaida,” said Senator Turner. “We should be helping towns cope with violence by putting more police on the streets.”
TRENTON –Statement submitted on behalf of Senator Barbara Buono at the first public meeting today of the Heritage Tourism Task Force. Senator Buono sponsored the law which created the task force.
“Tourism in New Jersey is multi-billion dollar industry. Generating more than $37 billion in spending last year alone, and creating nearly 500,000 jobs, the tourism industry stimulates a wide array of economic sectors. Historic preservation has widely acknowledged cultural and aesthetic benefits, but less known and appreciated are preservation’s significant economic effects. Heritage Tourism can help to build a sense of community and enhance economic development through added employment, economic activity, and tax revenue.
WOODBRIDGE – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement regarding President Bush’s veto today of bipartisan federal legislation which would dedicate $35 billion to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) over the next five years:
“President Bush’s threatened veto of billions of dollars in necessary health care resources for uninsured children has now become a reality. Once again, this Administration has shown where its priorities lie in terms of denying health care access for uninsured low- and middle-income families, and authorizing tax breaks for the wealthy.
EDISON – Senator Buono today announced to expand her ethics reform efforts by introducing legislation that would create a comprehensive, searchable internet database cataloguing all State grants and contracts entered into or awarded by a State department, agency, or commission.
“Combined with my legislation to expand the duties of the Office of the State, this legislation to provide the public with open access to all State grants and contracts will begin to ease mounting concerns about government corruptions,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex.
FREEHOLD – In an effort to protect the rights of airline passengers, State Senator Ellen Karcher introduced legislation creating an Office of the Airline Consumer Advocate, and establishing a consumer bill of rights for airline passengers.
“As home to one of the busiest airports in the nation, we need to ensure that all airline passengers, whether traveling first class or coach, are treated with respect and decency when delays occur,” said Senator Karcher (D-Monmouth and Mercer). “With the high price of airplane tickets, it’s absolutely unacceptable that many passengers find themselves sitting on a runway tarmac for hours without basic services. This bill will make sure travelers are compensated justly for such inconveniences.”
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that requires new residents to register their vehicles with the Motor Vehicles Commission (MVC) within 60 days of becoming a New Jersey resident was signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.
“Many new residents think that it’s no big deal to keep their old, out-of-state license plates on their car long after they’ve moved to New Jersey,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “But the truth is that by requiring New Jersey residents to register their vehicles in state, we are helping the police to keep the streets safe by providing an invaluable tool in tracking down vehicles involved in hit and run accidents.”
TRENTON – 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) , to be used for farmland preservation has been signed into law by Governor Jon Corzine.
“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 appropriation will help cover the cost of development and preservation for farmland throughout the state.”