TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Senators Sandra B. Cunningham, Raymond Lesniak and Teresa Ruiz that would prohibit employers from inquiring…
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TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Senators Sandra B. Cunningham, Raymond Lesniak and Teresa Ruiz that would prohibit employers from inquiring…
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan which would prohibit the use or sale of reflective glass beads – used primarily in roadway markings – which contain a high level of inorganic arsenic was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee earlier this week by a vote of 3-0.
“When the glass bead manufacturing companies in question cut corners and shortcut safety standards, New Jersey’s road crews and environmental quality pay the price,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “Inorganic arsenic is a known human carcinogen, and poses a significant health risk, not only to the transportation construction workers who are handling these materials, but also to the soil and groundwater quality when pollutants contaminate the surrounding area. This bill ensures that road construction projects abide by basic safety standards for our dedicated workforce as well as for the environment.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph V. Doria which would repeal last year’s air toxics surcharge in order to create a more equitable regulatory environment for New Jersey businesses was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee by a vote of 12-0.
“While the environment must be of the utmost concern to all residents of New Jersey, including corporate residents, the air toxics surcharge has been widely regarded as unfair and overly harsh on manufacturers in the State,” said Senator Doria, D-Hudson. “Our State’s Department of Environmental Protection has even supported repealing the surcharge, due to the fact that it isn’t an effective environmental safeguard, but rather a budget revenue raiser. Even though we’re in yet another tight budgetary cycle, we must exercise fairness with our State’s business partners, and repealing the air toxics surcharge would accomplish just that.”