Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Murphy’s proposals to address the threats of lead contamination:
“I welcome the Governor’s proposals as a recognition of the need for a plan of action to combat the threats to the health and safety of New Jersey’s residents posed by lead contamination. Whether the dangers are from the water we consume, the paint in our homes or the soil in our communities, there is an urgency to this crisis that has called for an immediate, far-reaching and sustained response.
“We will give all of the proposals that need legislative approval serious consideration and work with the Assembly and the administration to get them done.
“Many of these proposals mirror ideas offered by legislators or follow through on legislative initiatives, including more frequent testing for contamination, a more complete inventory of the results, and greater transparency and accountability for the public. We welcome the support of these initiatives and look forward to seeing them done.
“We must recognize the extent of the challenges we face in removing lead contamination from our water, soil and paint, and understand that protecting everyone, especially children, from exposure requires a long-term commitment. There is need for immediate actions but there is also a need for sustained solutions. We will continue to make this a priority in the Legislature.”