Rice Measure Hopes To Explain The ‘Truth In Renting’

TRENTON – legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice to help tenants understand their right in easy to understand “Truth in Renting” booklets was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee today.

“The ‘Truth in Renting’ handbook is an important tool for informing tenants of their rights,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “It’s important that all renters understand their rights so that they can ensure that their landlords treat them properly and fairly. The manual also reminds landlords of their legal duties in renting apartments or homes. Informed tenants and landlords are more likely to resolve problems directly, without going to court.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer) and Bob Gordon (D-Bergen) that would help promote cost-savings between local governments by holding the line on the annual fees charged for shared service agreements was approved today by the full Senate.

“While we want to encourage local governments to share services, we do not want any of them put at a disadvantage by having to pay excessive annual fee increases to a local unit they are now dependent on for a specific service,” said Senator Turner. “That can lead to either an increase in taxes for their residents, or to a termination of the sharing agreement. We do not wish to see either of those happening. Hopefully, this bill will increase the reliability of shared service agreements and provide more incentives for local officials to consider this measure as a way to streamline costs.”

“Everyone agrees that shared services is a way to reduce the tax burden on New Jersey residents, yet often too many obstacles are in place to prevent towns from taking these kinds of measures,” said Senator Gordon. “Placing a cap on annual fee increases is just one measure we can take to get more local governments thinking about merging and consolidating services.”

TRENTON – The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today approved a bill sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would help promote cost-savings between local governments by holding the line on the annual fees charged for shared service agreements.

“Absent any contract specifications, the local unit providing the service might be in a position to demand excessive annual fee increases from a dependent unit,” said Senator Turner (D-Mercer). “For the local government that is dependent on another government for services, much is at stake. If it is forced to terminate an agreement and resume providing the service itself, the costs could be great. Hopefully, this bill will increase the reliability of shared service agreements and provide more incentives for local officials to consider this measure as a way to streamline costs.”