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Smith: Study Climate Change’s Impact On New Jersey

Bob Smith News & Releases

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith to study the impact of global warming on New Jersey’s water supply, tourism industry and agricultural products was approved today by the Senate Environment Committee and sent to the full Senate for a floor vote.

“New Jersey has to adjust to the climate change over the years because it will have an impact on our natural resources, our recreational activities and our need for energy sources,” said Senator Smith, the Chairman of the Senate environment panel.

Under the Smith bill, S-559, a 13-member Commission on Global Climate Change would submit a report to the Governor, the Legislature and the Department of Environmental Protection after 18 months with an assessment of global warming’s long-range impact and an action response plan for New Jersey.

“The more we find out about global warming and its effects on our economy and way of life, the better off we will be,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex.

The panel would have as members four gubernatorial appointees with training and expertise in global climate change, the President of the Board of Public Utilities, the DEP, the Community Affairs and the Health and Senior Services commissioners, the Chair of the Clean Air Council, two environmentalists, a farmer and a member of the industrial community.

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Sweeney Statement On Amendents To Eminent Domain Legislation

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, today released the following statement on his efforts along with Senator Ronald L. Rice to protect property owners from abuse of the power of eminent domain by government.

The measure, SCS-559/757, is a collaborative effort of Senator Sweeney and Senator Rice, D-Essex and is the result of a merger of their two separate bills. It would incorporate into law recent court decisions that toughen standards that govern the ability of towns and cities to take private property. It enhances notice requirements for property owners and renters subject to eminent domain, while increasing transparency. The compromise measure greatly increases financial assistance provided to displaced tenants and businesses. And, it would “sunset” the authority for a municipality or redevelopment agency to exercise eminent domain after five years unless the municipality acts to extend this authority.

15 Jun 2009
Rice’s Statement On Amendments To Eminent Domain Measure

TRENTON – Senator Ronald L. Rice, the Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, released the following statement today on the agreement to merge his eminent domain legislation with Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney’s bill.

The measure, SCS-559/757, would tighten the use of eminent domain, would address concerns about the definition of property in need of redevelopment, would require fair compensation if eminent domain is the only option, and would maintain transparency during the process.

“For years I have been meeting with and listening to homeowners, the business community, non-profit organizations, representatives of local governments, environmentalists, and so many others to hear their side of the eminent domain argument. After much debate and compromise I feel that we have a fair and equitable bill to address the need to redevelop and the right of owners to keep their properties.”