S2618

Senators Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex, and Sandra Cunningham, D-Hudson, speak about legislation on the floor of the Senate

08 Dec: Rice-Cunningham Bill To Lay Out Responsible Contractor Requirements For Weatherization Program Advances

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice and Sandra Bolden Cunningham which would codify responsible contractor requirements to ensure against waste and abuse in the State’s Weatherization Assistance Program for homeowners was approved today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

“New Jersey’s weatherization assistance program is a win-win, allowing low-income homeowners an opportunity to make their homes energy and heat-efficient while giving low-income individuals in distressed communities – oftentimes minorities – an opportunity to learn a new trade and earn a living,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “However, while New Jersey has lived up to the first goal of the weatherization program, we haven’t done enough in the job training and employment aspects of the program. This bill would make sure that we get back on track when it comes to the intent of the weatherization program, which is to help people prepare for cold weather and to put New Jersey residents back to work.”