S1609

25 Jun: Lesniak-Whelan Higher Education Restructuring Bill Approved In Senate

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Jim Whelan which would ensure accountability and transparency at public universities and State colleges was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 36-0.

“Our State colleges and public universities are among the best in the entire country, but a lack of cost controls and general accountability has made higher education more and more unaffordable in the Garden State. By establishing greater State oversight of public college spending, and requiring thorough and complete spending audits at each of these institutions, we will be better able to maintain our world-class higher education system and keep tuition rates reasonable,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union.

22 Jun: Lesniak Higher Education Restructuring Bill Approved By Budget Panel

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak which would ensure accountability and transparency at public universities and State colleges was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today by a vote of 14-0, with one abstention.

“While our schools remain among the top-ranked colleges and universities in the entire nation, we need to do more to ensure that higher education is affordable in the Garden State. By increasing transparency and accountability of college spending and re-establishing a central, cabinet-level voice for colleges, we can continue to provide world-class education and keep tuition costs from escalating,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union.

09 Feb: Lesniak Statement On Committee Approval Of Higher Education Restructuring, Financing And Fiscal Management Measure

TRENTON – Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, the prime sponsor of legislation would provide for improved structure, financing and fiscal management of higher education in New Jersey, issued the following statement today after the Senate Education Committee unanimously approved the bill:

“Today, the Senate Education Committee struck a chord for better colleges and improved accountability in the Garden State. This bill takes a comprehensive approach to ensuring better fiscal management, ensuring a greater voice for colleges in State government, and allowing for public-private partnerships to move our schools into the 21st Century.

09 Feb: Whelan Statement On Higher Education Restructuring Bill Approved In Senate Education Committee

TRENTON – Senator Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, and a sponsor of legislation to provide for the improved structure, financing and fiscal management of higher education in New Jersey, issued the following statement today on the bill’s unanimous approval in the Senate Education Committee:

“While today’s bill approval is a great step forward in giving our State colleges the tools they need to educate young minds, it would be an understatement to say I’m disappointed with the Assembly amendments regulating public-private partnerships.

15 Jan: Lesniak Testimony On Higher Education Restructuring, Financing And Fiscal Management Bill To Assembly Higher Ed Committee

TRENTON – Senator Raymond J. Lesniak today issued the following testimony to the Assembly Higher Education Committee on A-3245, sponsored by Committee Chairman, Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan, to provide for better structuring, financing and fiscal management of higher education in the Garden State. Senator Lesniak sponsored the identical bill, S-1609, in the State Senate:

“I first introduced legislation to strengthen oversight of our state institutions of higher education in 2007. Although my efforts to draft this legislation began prior to the release of the SCI report, which outlined the many deficiencies in good governance practices of our institutions of higher learning, my bill addressed many criticisms outlined in the report. The legislation you are considering today, sponsored by Assemblyman Diegnan, is identical to legislation I have sponsored, which I hope will soon be heard by the Senate Education Committee.

12 May: Karcher Bill Designating Specialty Acute Care Children’s Hospitals For Monmouth And Ocean Counties Approved In Senate

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would designate Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center as the State’s specialty acute care children’s hospitals for Monmouth and Ocean counties was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 38-0.

“Both of these health care institutions have distinguished themselves above and beyond, with expert child care services offered to the residents of the Jersey Shore,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. “With the added designation as a specialty acute care children’s hospital, Jersey Shore Medical and Monmouth Medical can now provide comprehensive children’s health care, and administer to every facet of children’s health. By recognizing Jersey Shore Medical and Monmouth Medical, we are putting the best in child health care right in the backyards of Monmouth and Ocean County residents.”