TRENTON – Senator Barbara Buono announced today the introduction of a bill that would expand the current definition of “bullying” among school-aged children to include electronic communications, such as instant messaging and text messaging.
“The near anonymous nature of the Internet and cell phones have lent themselves to providing bullies with another means to harass their victims,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “In fact, electronic communications are empowering a whole new wave of bullies as it is much easier to type a message and press ‘send’ than it is to walk up to someone and say the same thing. It may not seem as serious as physical or verbal bullying, but the effects can be even broader and ultimately more harmful.”
WOOD-RIDGE – Senator Paul A. Sarlo today praised Trish Barteck for her efforts in discouraging the “sordid abuse of the Internet to commit horrific crimes” by those who think they can hide with impunity behind fake names in chat rooms.
“Thanks to the courage of Trish Barteck, we now have a New Jersey law against sexual predators who abuse the Internet,” said Senator Sarlo, also the Mayor of this Bergen County community. “Because Trish Barteck was determined to help others avoid what she went through, people everywhere are safer today in New Jersey.”
FREEHOLD – Senator Ellen Karcher will attend the Grand Opening of the Paul M. McGuire Family Health Center on Monday January 17 at Noon.
“We have an insurance crisis in this state that is causing the uninsured to slip through the cracks,” said Senator Karcher, D-Mercer and Monmouth, who serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “All New Jerseyans deserve quality medical care, and I applaud the McGuire Family Health Center for taking the initiative to serve Freehold and the surrounding community.”
PARAMUS – Senator Paul A. Sarlo today said the “Model Mall” homeland security proposal, designed by the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is critically important to Bergen County because it is a national leader in mall-generated revenue.
“The malls of Bergen County rank behind only New York City and Los Angeles as generators of retail revenue,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “NJIT will effectively put Bergen County at the national forefront of mall security. I’m proud to have helped to make NJIT the New Jersey Homeland Security Technology Systems Center.”
LINDENWOLD- Senator Fred H. Madden and Assemblymen Robert J. Smith and David R. Mayer will host a town meeting on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:30 PM at the Lindenwold Borough Hall to announce the $6.7 million that has been appropriated from the Department of Transportation for renovations and repairs to the United States Ave. bridge.
“The United States Ave. bridge has been closed for years, and this funding will help make the necessary repairs to ease traffic in Lindenwold,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “Town hall meetings like this are important because they allow us to interact with our Lindenwold constituents and get their feedback on the issues that matter to them. When we were elected as legislators, we agreed to address the needs of District 4 residents – that is our top priority.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith to provide a supplemental appropriation of $6 million to the central New Jersey affiliate of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) for comprehensive care and research was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee yesterday by a vote of 8-0.
“For too long, our State has battled with the image of New Jersey as a ‘cancer cluster’ State, but we’re making headway in key areas of research and treatment,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. ” We must sustain the State’s investment if we’re going to continue our positive progress in seeking a cure and providing first-rate care for New Jersey’s residents who are diagnosed with cancer.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would crack down on unscrupulous and misleading charitable solicitations was unanimously approved by the Assembly Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee yesterday.
“As New Jersey, and the nation, embark on quite possibly the biggest charitable drive in history to provide much-needed tsunami relief in South Asia, the possibility of unscrupulous individuals taking advantage of the good will of New Jerseyans is at an all-time high,” said Senator Smith. “While a vast majority of charitable groups act with the best of intentions, we have to be ever-vigilant that humanitarian causes aren’t open to exploitation by callous profiteers who would use human suffering as an opportunity to cash in.”
TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today praised the move by President Bush to advance Michael Chertoff as the country’s next Homeland Security Director.
“My family and all of America’s families will be safer with Michael Chertoff as Homeland Security Director,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “I applaud him (Chertoff) for assuming this incredible responsibility.”
TRENTON – Senator Joseph Coniglio, D-Bergen, made the following statement today following Acting Governor Richard Codey’s first State of the State address:
“Governor Codey set forth today a vision of a state that reaches out to those in most need of help and gives them hope that tomorrow brings a better day.
TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer and Senate President Pro Tempore, made the following statement today following Acting Governor Richard Codey’s first State of the State address:
“Governor Codey set forth today a vision of New Jersey that looks to make sure that every New Jerseyan is given the opportunity to lead a healthy, safe and successful life.
TRENTON – Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, made the following statement today following Acting Governor Richard Codey’s first State of the State address:
“Governor Codey today laid out an agenda that not only serves its citizens better but also seeks to regain the public trust.
TRENTON – Senator John A. Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic, issued the following statement regarding Acting Governor Richard J. Codey’s 2005 State of the State address, which called for the President of the Untied States to realize the need for increased funding for homeland security for New Jersey.
“I applaud Acting Governor Codey for calling on our nation’s President to realize that homeland security is not about red states or blue states, but about the entire Unites States because terrors knows no borders.
TRENTON – Senator Stephen M. Sweeney, D-Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem, issued the following statement today, regarding Acting Governor Richard J. Codey’s comments on working to increase the State’s minimum wage in his 2005 State of the State address.
“During today’s address Governor Codey touched on the important subject of the State’s inadequate minimum wage. New Jersey has one of the highest costs of living in the nation, but at $5.15, our minimum wage ranks among the states with the lowest cost of living.
TRENTON – Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Mercer and Monmouth, issued the following statement today, regarding Acting Governor Richard J. Codey’s State of the State address.
“By restoring the Department of the Public Advocate, Acting Governor Codey is taking a great step toward rebuilding New Jersey’s citizens’ trust in our government. The Public Advocate will function as a watch-guard for the people, act as their voice in tackling governmental improprieties should they occur, and ensure that the government is working FOR the people of New Jersey. I am confident that with Acting Governor Codey’s agenda in place, the kind of true ethics reform I have been fighting for during my tenure as Senator will become reality.
TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler today said Acting Governor Codey’s State of the State Address touched on three key issues for New Jersey residents: mental health care, stem cell research and property tax reform.
“If we accomplish Governor Codey’s goals for mental health, stem cell research and property tax reform, New Jersey residents will benefit for years to come,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill.