Rice/ Doria Bill To Help Community College Students Have A Smooth Transfer To A 4-Year School

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Jim Whelan that would strengthen a proven anti-poverty measure and put money back into the pockets of New Jersey’s working poor was approved today by the full Senate.

“As the state fights to implement policies to pull New Jersey out of the recession, it is imperative that we consider the needs of our working poor. Often left forgotten, men and women across the state who are working hard to support their children and families are finding it nearly impossible to make ends meet,” said Senator Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “The Earned Income Tax Credit has been a lifeline for these families, supplying them with additional funds to help pay for food and rent, to gain more training and education and to improve their family’s lot in life. The Governor’s cuts to these programs were cruel. Now we must do the right thing to restore this funding for hardworking families across the state.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Jim Whelan that would strengthen a proven anti-poverty measure and put money back into the pockets of New Jersey’s working poor was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit is a lifeline to help make ends meet for those who are scraping to get by,” said Senator Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “With the failed economic policies of the Christie administration that have caused the middle class to shrink and more people to be pushed into poverty, it is even more essential that we provide New Jersey’s working poor with extra tax relief to ensure the can continue to provide for their children and families. Reducing the benefit during a recession was simply cruel for those who are struggling to make ends meet. It is time that we do the right thing and restore the funding.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice to allow for a smooth transition of all community college credits to a 4-year college or university was approved by the Senate Education Committee today.

“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. It’s important that college advisors help students understand the importance of selecting general education classes that will easily transfer to any of our States 4-year colleges.”

TRENTON � Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer, Hunterdon) issued the following statement today to urge residents that they should check their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal and state income tax credit for working poor families. Senator Turner is the sponsor of S1141, which would restore the state�s Earned Income Credit program from 20 to 25 percent of the federal credit. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), 20 percent of eligible workers do not claim the EITC, leaving millions of dollars unclaimed that should be returned to taxpayers to use to stimulate New Jersey�s economy:

�With families struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, we need to ensure that our residents are receiving every penny that they�re entitled to receive back from Washington and Trenton and into their pockets. Many families need the extra money to help them to catch up on their bills or to pay the skyrocketing cost of gas for commuting back and forth to work. The EITC is a lifeline for helping working families in their financial struggle to make ends meet.�

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Jim Whelan that would strengthen a proven anti-poverty measure and put money back into the pockets of New Jersey’s working poor was approved today by the General Assembly, receiving final legislative approval. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.

“When the Governor reduced the Earned Income Tax Credit, our working poor families lost income that helps to sustain their severely strained household budgets,” said Senator Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “Working poor families use these funds to buy basic necessities for themselves and their children, and every dollar they receive from the credit is pumped back into our economy. Restoring the funding makes good economic sense, giving a hand up where it’s needed and providing a financial boost for our local economy.”

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.”

Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon), sponsor of S2535 to restore the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 25 percent of the federal credit amount, issued the following statement today regarding Governor Christie’s conditional veto of the bill:

“The Governor’s conditional veto of S2535 is not only disappointing, it is absolutely shameful. Governor Christie cut the EITC to 20 percent of the federal credit amount three years ago, hurting New Jersey’s struggling working families who live in poverty. These families rely on every cent they earn to keep their children fed and a roof over their heads.”