TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to Acting Governor Codey’s State of the State address today:
“Governor Codey has offered a number of proposals in his State of the State which will move New Jersey in the right direction.
“Loan forgiveness will direct high-quality workers into the social services, and ensure that we have a highly trained and educated workforce to look after those society often ignores. Increased stem cell funding will foster an industry and put New Jersey in a good position to be at the forefront in the race for cures to diseases we had previously written off as incurable.
“Governor Codey also pushed for measures to revive New Jersey’s faith in its government. For too long, we’ve let images of corruption and deceit define government for the people of the Garden State. Governor Codey’s proposed reforms of the system will go a long way towards changing the public’s perception.
“I would particularly like to applaud Governor Codey on the calls to reestablish the Office of the Public Advocate. As the prime legislative sponsor of a bill to bring back the Office, I think the Public Advocate will serve as the embodiment of conscience in government, demanding a higher standard of service to the people.
“Governor Codey has given us a blueprint to follow this year, to make government more responsive to the will of the people. I look forward to working with him to advance an agenda that will benefit all New Jerseyans in the long- and short-term.”