Scroll Top

Press Room

Karcher Bill To Appropriate Funds For Park Development Approved

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would appropriate $75 million to fund park development and open space acquisition, including $20.5 million for projects that include municipalities within her 12th Legislative District, was approved by the Senate Environment Committee yesterday.

“Going into the Memorial Day weekend, we recognize just how important a healthy State parks and open space system is to our economy,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. “Well-maintained parks and historic sites, and pristine tracts of open space, are the crown jewel of New Jersey, giving us an inseverable link to our past or a direct connection to nature, and fueling the tourism engine that drives New Jersey’s economy. A greater investment in the State’s park system and open space will improve the quality of life for New Jerseyans living within our communities, and will create an even greater draw for tourists to appreciate the historic relevance and natural beauty of the Garden State.”

Baer Bill Would Make New Jersey More Competitive

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Byron M. Baer, which would make New Jersey a more competitive market with neighboring states for accountants by allowing students to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam earlier, was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee today.

“Accountants are beginning to shatter the stereotype that they are only back room numbers crunchers as they begin to shift roles and become more like boardroom strategists,” said Senator Baer, D-Bergen. “More often these days, It is the CPAs who are asked to determine how today’s trend will shape tomorrow’s financial future. An accountant with the proper certification is considered a key asset in any business.”

Smith Statement On Constitutional Amendment For Air Control Funding

TRENTON – Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee and a prime sponsor of a constitutional amendment which would dedicate a portion of the Corporate Business Tax (CBT) to clean air programs in New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding a public hearing held on the amendment today:

“If approved by the Legislature, the voters of New Jersey may have the opportunity to choose their own destiny when it comes to clean air funds as early as this November’s ballot. And given New Jersey’s historically poor air quality and the need for change, the decision should be an easy one to make.

Smith Bill To Apply Recycling Standard Given Committee Hearing

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would require a higher recycling standard for plastic packaging sold in New Jersey to promote recycling and preserve landfill space was given a hearing by the Senate Environment Committee today, with a vote scheduled at a later date.

“New Jersey really needs to push the use of recycled plastics by our State’s manufacturers and retailers to avoid increasing the number of landfills in the State,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. “In the Garden State, where we have the distinction of being the most densely populated state in the nation, we cannot afford to give up more of our precious open space to be transformed into a dump. Increasing our reliance on recycled plastics and promoting recycling over dumping will make for a cleaner, greener tomorrow.”

Turner Bill To Require Paper Trail In Voting Moves Foreward

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would require all voting machines to produce an individual paper record for each vote cast passed the Senate State Government Committee today.

“At the core of American society is the ability of the people to go to the polls each year and have their voices heard,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “There is nothing more important to our system of democracy than the knowledge that each individual vote is counted. Without a paper trail, there are no guarantees that the results reported at the end of the night reflect the votes of the people.”

Bryant’s Election Reform Package Clears State Government Committee

TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senator Wayne R. Bryant designed to reform elections in the State was unanimously approved today by the Senate State Government Committee.

“It’s time we reformed the way officials are elected in New Jersey,” said Senator Bryant, D-Camden and Gloucester. “In the past, many voters have been either confused or just plain uninformed about basic voting information like voter registration, poll locations and absentee ballots. These measures would help educate voters so that they are better able to vote for the candidates they want to represent them.”

Turner/Baer/Vitale Measure To Protect Against Identity Theft Moves Forward

TRENTON – After hearing considerable testimony from consumer advocate groups last week, the Senate Commerce Committee approved bipartisan legislation today sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner, Byron Baer and Joseph Vitale that would require businesses to better maintain the confidentiality of their customers’ personal information and provide consumers with new tools to combat identity theft.

“It is becoming increasingly true that good credit is one of the most valuable things an individual can possess,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “With innumerable credit card and financial transactions conducted over the Internet each day, the potential for identity theft is greater than ever. Today we are equipping consumers with a valuable new set of tools and safeguards that will better help them protect their credit and reduce the threat of identity theft.”

Girgenti Bill To Ground Drunk Pilots Apprved By Committee

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator John A. Girgenti, which would keep those in the air and on the ground safe by modifying the penalties for flying or serving as a crew members on an aircraft while impaired, was approved today by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Senator Girgenti stated that he hopes to reduce the risk of aircraft crashes though legislation that would require violations of a blood alcohol concentration level of .04% be reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Adler Bill To Help Disabled Students Play School Sports

TRENTON – A bill, sponsored by Senator John H. Adler, to help disabled students play interscholastic sports in their public school district, was approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

“Disabled students who otherwise qualify to play school sports should be afforded every opportunity to participate,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “Being placed in a non-public school by parents should not disqualify disabled students from playing school sports.”

Madden/Karcher Measure Would Create The ‘New Jersey Security And Financial Empowerment Act’ For Domestic And Sexual Violence Survivors

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Ellen Karcher that would create the “New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act” to benefit domestic and sexual violence survivors was approved today by the Senate Labor Committee.

“Acts of domestic and sexual violence are intimate attacks that affect every aspect of a victim’s life. Their attackers often prey on a victim’s financial dependence and use it as a means of escaping punishment or committing additional attacks,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “This bill would break the cycle of dependence that is unique to domestic and sexual violence by providing victims with the means for getting out of a violent situation without losing their job altogether.”

Vitale Bill To Increase Penalties On Trespassers With Firearms Approved

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would enhance the penalties for trespassing on private or posted property if the trespasser has a firearm in his or her possession was approved by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee today by a vote of 4-0.

“When a hunter enters private property while wielding a firearm, the potential for a tragic outcome cannot be ignored,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “New Jersey provides designated areas for hunting, and most hunters can recognize which areas are out of bounds. However, for those one or two cases when a hunter strays beyond the acceptable boundaries and into someone’s backyard, both the homeowner’s safety and the safety of the hunter are now in jeopardy, and we need to have strong penalties to deter hunters from going too far.”

Karcher Resolution Urging Update Of Alcoholism Treatment Funds Advances In Committee

TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would urge the Commissioner of Human Services to ensure that allotments that counties get for alcohol education, rehabilitation and enforcement reflect current needs was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 6-0.

“New Jersey’s plan to fund county alcohol treatment and education programs is woefully out of date, and we need an overhaul to ensure that State dollars are going where they are needed most,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, the Vice Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “The estimates we’re using right now to calculate how we fund each counties’ programs date back to the 1970’s, and it’s impossible to believe that trends in alcohol abuse haven’t shifted in thirty years. We need to look at the current data to make sure that counties are getting their fair share.”

Karcher Bill Requiring Reporting Of Hyperbilirubinemia Approved

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would add severe hyperbilirubinemia, a leading cause of neonatal jaundice, to the list of conditions reported to the birth defects registry under the Department of Health and Senior Services was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 6-0.

“Neonatal jaundice caused by hyperbilirubinemia isn’t necessarily uncommon, but severe cases, if left untreated, can have drastic impact on a child’s developmental health and well-being,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, the Vice Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “New Jersey needs to monitor trends in this disease to gain a better understanding about the factors which may increase or decrease a child’s chances of being affected. Through surveys and epidemiological research on birth defects, we may hopefully be able to put expectant mothers on the right path to avoid disability for their children.”

Senate Wagering Panel Approves Buono Measure To Combat Gambling Addiction

TRENTON – The Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that would require school health courses to include lessons on compulsive gambling as part of the curriculum.

“With the explosion of internet gambling sites, it has never been easier for children to begin gambling and develop an addiction,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex and Chair of the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. “Our health classes need to teach students about the potential for one to become addicted to gambling and explain how it can be just as harmful as other addictions. It’s a problem that millions of Americans face and we can help our kids recognize the warning signs before it gets out of hand.”

Bike Helmet Age Would Be Raised Under Turner Bill

TRENTON – The Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senate Shirley K. Turner that would raise the mandatory age for wearing a bicycle helmet from under 14 to up to 17 years old.

“Helmets are the single most effective way to reduce the chance of sustaining a serious head or brain injury from an accident,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “It is estimated that bicycle, skateboard and roller skate injuries cost American families over $8 billion each year and that much of that cost comes from head injuries. There is simply no excuse for our youngsters to go out without a helmet on.”