Legislation sponsored by State Senator Ellen Karcher requiring physicians to disclose to patients money and gifts accepted from pharmaceutical companies would complement the Attorney General’s Advisory Task Force on Physician Compensation. The bill, S-2660, is currently in the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
“Pharmaceutical companies who attempt to influence physicians with lavish gifts are essentially participating in a form of pay-to-play,” said Karcher. “We need to ensure patients receive top quality and unbiased care from their physicians.”
TRENTON – Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Ronald L. Rice released the following statement following today’s hearing to address the rising number of foreclosures due to changes in the sub prime mortgage market.
“Homeownership provides societal benefits by reducing crime and combating the problems of blighted neighborhoods. Unfortunately the increase in homeownership was fueled by a rise in ‘non-traditional’ mortgages. Large numbers of these loans that started with low teasers rates are spiking and too many residents are losing their homes to foreclosures, and when the interest rates go up, the financial pain inflicted on these working families will be substantial.
CHERRY HILL – Legislation sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice, Joseph V. Doria and Wayne R. Bryant to allow for a smooth transition of all community college credits to a 4-year college or university became law today at Camden County Community College.
“The decision to attend a two or four year school of higher education is many times based on affordability,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “Most students can’t afford to retake classes when they transfer to a school’s 4-year program. This new seamless transfer system will encourage students to continue their educational goals without fear of losing credits for their hard work.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which will ensure adequate parking for handicapped drivers by clarifying that penalties for illegally parking in handicapped parking spots are still in place, whether penalties are posted or not, was signed by Governor Corzine on Monday.
“Handicapped parking is a matter of convenience and safety for disabled individuals who need to perform day-to-day chores, like grocery shopping and doctor’s visits,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. “I think in today’s culture, the handicapped parking sign is almost universally understood, and, whether penalties are posted or not, drivers should understand that they cannot abuse handicapped parking. This new law clarifies that penalties will be imposed whenever a driver illegally uses handicapped parking.”
TRENTON – A bill package sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner, designed to increase and improve available resources for families and individuals living with Autism was signed into law today by Governor Jon Corzine.
“New Jersey unfortunately has the highest rates of autism in the nation,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “We, as a state, have an obligation to our residents be a national leader when it comes to providing the resources needed to support those with autism and their families and in pursuing new ways to decrease the number of new cases of autism in our state.”
WEST WINDSOR – A bill package sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Joseph Coniglio, designed to increase and improve available resources for families and individuals living with autism, was signed into law today by Governor Jon Corzine. The bills were signed at the Eden Institute, a non-profit organization which provides educational and vocational services to adults and children living with autism.
Autism is a neurological developmental disability that impacts brain development in the areas of communication skills, social interaction and cognitive function. People living with autism often struggle with verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction.
“According to federal statistics, New Jersey has the highest number of autism cases in the nation,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “We are still learning about the autism spectrum disorders, but while we are learning, we must be able to provide much-needed assistance to families living with autism. As the number of residents living with autism increases, we must have the resources in place to provide them with support programs as we work to find ways of decreasing autism rates in New Jersey and around the world.”
WEST WINDSOR –Six autism related bills sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher, a leading advocate for disability awareness issues, were signed into law today.
“A diagnosis of autism or developmental disability presents real challenges for parents and caregivers,” said Karcher. “While the medical community seeks to find answers to the causes of autism and developmental disability, states have an obligation to promote programs which help those living with the disability. These new lifesaving laws will help families deal with the hardships of caring for individuals with autism.”
TRENTON – Senator Raymond Lesniak announced today that New Jersey Department of Transportation has awarded Roselle Borough a $250,000 grant under the Safe Routes to School Program in order implement pedestrian safety improvements in the vicinity of Leonardo V. Moore Middle School and the Harrison Elementary School.
“Student safety doesn’t stop at the school house door,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “We must make sure that every student has a safe route to and from school and that pedestrians and drivers know the rules of the road so that our kids can arrive home at the end of the day safe and sound.”
TRENTON – Senator Nicholas Sacco, the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, today said he was encouraged by preliminary reports concerning recommended service improvements at Motor Vehicle Commission agencies in New Jersey.
“From what I hear – so far, so good,” said Senator Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen. “I just don’t want drivers hit with higher fees down the road to make the reforms a reality.”
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley Turner to permit spouses of armed forces personnel who are forced to relocate outside of the State to collect unemployment benefits was signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.
“The life of a military family is one of sacrifice, as changing orders can force a family to regularly pick up and move to bases in other states and countries,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “These moves can be terribly disruptive to their social and financial well-being and extending unemployment benefits to spouses affected by these moves can bring peace of mind to those who protect our nation.”
EDISON – Citing concerns over individuals with criminal convictions found to be working in school districts, Senator Barbara Buono announced that she will be introducing legislation this fall to ensure that individuals disqualified under state law to work with children are in fact, prevented from being employed by school districts. According to a State Auditor’s review of 21 sampled school districts, six disqualified individuals were found to be working in school districts after being deemed unfit by the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance (OFAC) due to criminal records.
“It is inexcusable that individuals with criminal records slipped through the system and have access to children,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “Additional safeguards need to be implemented immediately before any children are harmed.”
TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler, D-Cherry Hill, today said Assemblymen Mims Hackett Jr. and Alfred E. Steele should resign from office after being arrested on federal corruption charges.
“They (Steele and Hackett) have to make the public interest their first priority,” said Senator Adler, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Restoring public trust in the Legislature requires that they resign now.”
TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler announced today that he will introduce a resolution calling on President Bush to reverse his decision to limit the number of children covered under the State Children’s Health insurance Program (SCHIP) stating, “providing health care coverage for every American child should be a national priority.”
“Kids are rarely aware of income brackets or poverty lines. They don’t know what kind of health insurance their parents have, if any at all. But they know when they are sick, a doctor can help them feel better,” said Senator Adler.
MARLBORO – Adding to her record as the leading ethics reform advocate in the State Senate, four ethics bills sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher were signed into law today. The laws will aide in cracking down on corrupt officials and hold them accountable for their actions. Senate bills S-1318, S-1192, S-3008 and S-1662 are part of an aggressive ethics reform agenda that is turning the page on corruption and abuse in New Jersey.
“My career in public service began here in Marlboro, where I asked the tough questions and worked with the FBI to send corrupt officials to jail,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. “When I arrived in the Statehouse four years ago, I knew the task was going to be daunting but I have fought against corruption, and sponsored 16 ethics reform bills that have been signed into law. Today, we add four more bills to that list – four more ways to end the culture of corruption in New Jersey.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator John H. Adler which would criminalize misusing public resources by private and non-profit entities was signed into law today by Governor Jon Corzine.
“We’ve seen far too many people in and around government try to take advantage of the public trust,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “It upsets me that these people don’t know the difference between right and wrong. Today we let those in the private and non-profit sectors know that corruption will no longer be tolerated.”