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Senators Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, and Linda R. Greenstein, D-Middlesex, Mercer, stand with domestic violence advocate Ashlee Newman after a press conference in the Statehouse today.  Ashlee’s cousin, Heather Newman of Old Bridge, was brutally murdered by her estranged husband in December, 2011.   The press conference brought awareness to three bills pending in the Senate, S-148, S-331 and S-1301, that would work to protect domestic violence victims from continued abuse and harm from their abusers.

13 Sep: Legislators And Domestic Violence Prevention Advocates Call For Adoption Of Measures To Modernize Domestic Violence Laws

TRENTON – A group of legislators and domestic violence prevention advocates met at the State House today to call attention to a package of bills currently pending before the Legislature that would enact much needed updates to the state’s domestic violence laws.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be coming in October, but domestic violence is an issue New Jersey residents face every single day,” said Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex. “We’re renewing the fight for stronger anti-domestic violence laws now so that as we turn the page to October, New Jersey can move toward becoming a safer place for the victims of domestic violence.”

12 Mar: Codey Applauds Bank Of America’s Decision To Eliminate Overdraft Fees

TRENTON – Senator Richard J. Codey today applauded Bank of America for putting consumers first by deciding to eliminate overdraft fees on debit card purchases, one of a number of debit practices he is currently fighting to expose under pending legislation.

“This move is long overdue, but certainly welcome,” said Sen. Codey (D-Essex). “Credit card companies have been declining purchases for years if a customer is over their limit. Banks know full well whether a customer has enough money in their account to cover a purchase, yet they let these transactions go through because they see it as a way of making more money, often times at the expense of cash-strapped consumers.”

According to reports this week, Bank of America, the state’s largest bank, said it will start informing customers that they have insufficient funds to cover a particular purchase, rather than allowing the transaction to go through and tacking on a steep $35 overdraft charge. Sen. Codey has been railing against the practice since last year after reports surfaced about the enormous profits the debit card industry has been reaping through exorbitant, and often times hidden, fees.

“Every penny counts, particularly in difficult economic times like these,” added Sen. Codey. “Eliminating overdraft fees is the right thing to do, especially when it comes to these so-called ‘too-big-to-fail’ banks who have accepted billions of their customers’ hard-earned tax dollars to avoid collapse. Tacking on overdraft fees essentially amounts to robbing them when they’re coming and going.”