TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Ronald L. Rice which would appropriate $5 million for the AIDS Drug Distribution Program (ADDP) was unanimously approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
“HIV/AIDS has become this century’s bubonic plague, and without education, treatment and support from the State, it will continue to consume too many too soon,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. “We have to step in, and provide relief to those who are suffering from the disease, and a means to contain the disease, or we will continue to see a rise in the AIDS epidemic.”
TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr., to restore a pedestrian passageway that will provide public access to the open space on the New Jersey side of Ellis Island.
“Ellis Island is so rich in the immigration history of America that it should be experienced first hand,” said Senator Kenny, D-Hudson. “This walkway will enable our citizens to see the historic hospital structures and the open courtyards where our ancestors first encountered America.”
TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr. to provide 50 percent reductions in sewer and water fees charged to new connections for units built by public housing authorities and non-profit organizations building affordable housing projects.
“The Supreme Court has made it clear that municipalities have an affirmative obligation to provide the infrastructure needed to make affordable housing realistically possible,” said Senator Kenny, D-Hudson.
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice, which would provide State Green Acres funding for open space acquisition and park development in urban and densely populated areas in Essex County, was approved by the full Senate today.
“To preserve the quality of life for those living in New Jersey, we need to preserve the our open spaces, and help develop our parks and urban centers,” said Senator Rice. “Densely populated areas such as Newark are being developed rapidly and the need to preserve open space is pressing. If we want to preserve our resources and maintain a comfortable standard of living we need to commit to protecting our parks and opens paces.”
TRENTON – Legislation co-sponsored by Senators Robert W. Singer and Ronald L. Rice which would require dental hygienists to complete 20 hours of continuing education requirements as a condition of biennial license renewal, was approved by the full Senate today.
“Dental care is sometimes overlooked and too many New Jersey residents are not taking the time to get regular check ups,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “It’s no surprise that a lack of regular visits to the dentist will lead to other health problems, but by exercising good dental hygiene citizens can greatly improve their quality of life.
Dental hygienists are so important because they are the first line of defense for keeping us well.”
WEST PATERSON BOROUGH – A measure sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill that would appropriate $250,000 in low-interest loans to help restore and further develop Morris Canal Park has been unanimously approved by the Senate.
“The funding that is being allocated for West Paterson will help restore existing and create new projects to beautify the area surrounding Morris Canal Park,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic.
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher that would regulate campaign contributions made to state committees, political action committees, and state and county political organizations was approved today by the Assembly State Government Committee.
“Establishing a set of guidelines to regulate campaign and political contributions will help to maintain honesty and integrity within the state’s political system,” said Senator Karcher, D-Mercer and Monmouth. “As elected officials, we represent the interests of the citizens in New Jersey, and they should feel confident that we are working to progress measures that represent their needs and interests.”
TRENTON – A bill by Senator Barbara Buono that would provide grants for non-gaming development in Atlantic City passed the Senate today.
“Atlantic City is one of the jewels of the Jersey Shore – it is home not only to some of the best gaming in the country, but also has one of the best beaches on the Atlantic Coast,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex and Chair of the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historical Preservation Committee. “The State is now in a position where it can add to the list of attractions and make Atlantic City a world-class location for dining and shopping through the promotion of new retail entertainment districts.”
TRENTON – Senator Barbara Buono welcomed final legislative approval today of one of three measures aimed at cracking down on individuals repeatedly found guilt of drunk driving.
“Repeat drunk drivers are obviously not getting the message – reckless behavior can get someone killed and must be stopped,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “Today we are passing the final part of a package of legislation that makes sure that drunk drivers learn that getting behind the wheel while under the influence can have dire consequences. Hopefully, we can reduce the number of needless accidents and fatalities.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would appropriate $6 million to the central New Jersey affiliate of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) to provide for comprehensive care and research was approved unanimously by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.
“Recently, New Jersey was named a ‘cancer-control’ state by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and that’s in no small part due to the work being done at CINJ,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. “For too long, New Jersey has had the dubious distinction of being known as a ‘cancer corridor’ due to the abnormally high rate of cancer occurrences in the State, but CINJ and other groups are making strides in changing that image. On the State level, we should do as much as we can to support their efforts.”
TRENTON – The full Senate and two of its committees are set to convene on Monday to consider several timely issues including a bill that would make the use of the Internet to lure an individual a third-degree crime.
Senators Paul Sarlo and John Adler introduced bill S-1429 after reports of a woman in Wood-Ridge being menaced by a stranger who parked his van near her home, leered at her, and frightened her into calling the police. The stranger had allegedly intended to commit a sexual assault against her after being enticed into coming to her home by a message he thought she had posted in an Internet chat room, but was, in fact, posted by an individual posing as the woman.
NEWARK – Senator Joseph F. Vitale will attend a candlelight vigil this Saturday night in Newark in support of clergy sex abuse victims, and legislation he sponsored to remove a charitable organization’s immunity from lawsuits when they act negligently and put children at risk for sexual molestation.
“This vigil is a grassroots call for justice in New Jersey,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “For too long, irresponsible charitable organizations have hid behind the shield of charitable immunity while the organizations’ policies have continually put kids in harm’s way, exposing them to dangerous sexual predators because the charity opted not to do what’s right. I am proud to stand with those seeking justice and demand a better standard in the Garden State.”
TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and John A. Girgenti that would create the “Sex Crime Victim Treatment Fund,” to help provide counseling for victims was approved today by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 300,000 forcible rapes occur every year,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “There is no dollar amount that can possibly compensate victims for the trauma inflicted on them, but this Fund would allow them to receive counseling and other services to help them lead healthier and happier lives.”
NEWARK – Senator Ronald L. Rice is drafting legislation which would revise the criteria for admission into the Broadway House for Continuing Care, in Newark to include special needs patients with HIV/AIDS diseases.
Senator Rice is working on changing through new legislation, the standards that nurses use when determining if special nursing care is necessary. The 28th district Senator became aware of the problem when a man with full-blown AIDS, active TB and several other chronic diseases entered a hospital and was not going to be sent to Broadway House, the only nursing state affiliated care facility to deal specifically with AIDS victims in New Jersey.
TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler today suggested heavy hitters at fast-food restaurants should forget about calling their lawyers after succumbing to their next Big Mac attacks.
“If you consume too much fast food, head to the gym, a running route or a tennis court – but not to Superior Court,” said Senator Adler, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.