Thursday's Assembly Session
By Mel Fabrikant Thursday, March 05, 2009, 07:02 PM EST
TEEN DRIVER SAFETY, MORE STEPS TO COMBAT GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS HIGHLIGHT ASSEMBLY’S THURSDAY SESSION
Bills Also Aim to Revamp Casino Regulations, Promote Geriatric Care, Send Troops to College, Save Money by Replacing Specialty License Plates with Decals.
Bills to improve teen driver safety and more steps to help New Jersey combat the global economic crisis top the Assembly’s Thursday voting session, with measures to promote geriatric care, revamp casino regulations and save money by replacing specialty license plates with decals also on tap.
The legislative package (A-3067-A3068-S2314/A3069-S16/A3070) sponsored by Assembly members Anthony Chiappone (D-Hudson), John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) and Pamela R. Lampitt (D-Camden) to improve teen driver safety would implement the top recommendations of the state’s Teen Driver Study Commission.
“We need to give newly minted drivers the tools they need to become safe, responsible motorists,” Chiappone said. “Encouraging safe driving practices, enhancing penalties for bad driving and increasing the amount of time required behind the wheel will go a long way toward that goal.”
The Assembly will continue its focus on the global economic crisis by considering more bills to help New Jersey residents and businesses emerge strong from the worldwide financial meltdown. Thursday’s bills would:
· Implement mid-year cuts to the state budget. The bill (A-3650) is sponsored by Assemblymen Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden) and Gary Schaer (D-Passaic).
· Make a new housing assistance and recovery program effective immediately. The bill (A-3711) is sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) and Assemblymen Jack Conners and Herb Conaway (both D-Burlington/Camden).
· Promote energy efficiency through the installation of solar energy panels in new homes. The bill (A-1558) is sponsored by Assemblywomen Linda R. Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer) Watson Coleman and Lampitt.
· Promote alternative energy by permitting wind and solar facilities in industrial zones. The bill (A-2550) is sponsored by Lampitt, Greenstein, Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset), Connie Wagner (D-Bergen), Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) and Nellie Pou (D-Passaic).
· Authorize the Board of Public Utilities to use certain funding to provide grants for energy efficiency projects and programs promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. The bill (A-2507) is sponsored by Chivukula.
· Help businesses handle overpayments to public utilities. The bill (A-678) is sponsored by Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer (D-Essex) and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer).
The legislation to amend the state budget would implement Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s plan to offset state revenue shortfalls that stem from the global crisis.
“These are difficult times, but these cuts are across the board and the pain is being shared,” Greenwald said. “No one is being asked to cover the entire burden, and I think that’s sending the right message, not just for the year we’re in but for the upcoming year.”
Also to be considered is legislation Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Matt Milam sponsored to streamline casino laws and relieve Atlantic City’s resorts from unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Burzichelli (D-Gloucester) and Milam (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland) said the changes would help Atlantic City’s casinos weather the recession while allowing them to maintain their competitive edge as more gaming establishments open in neighboring states.
“The deepening national recession and the pall it is casting over Atlantic City makes it all the more important we give casino management the tools they need to run their businesses more efficiently,” said Burzichelli, chairman of the Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee. “Time the casinos lose due to bureaucratic red tape is time they won’t get back to ensure their businesses remain healthy and that jobs remain filled.”
“Atlantic City is facing a double-whammy of recession and increased competition,” said Milam, the panel’s vice-chairman. “We need to lift some of the weight the layers of regulation have placed on the shoulders of Atlantic City so the casinos can not only survive in this economy but emerge in a stronger position.”
Also on tap is legislation Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland) and Milam sponsored to help expand health care for the elderly.
The bill (A-866) would expand a state program that provides medical-student loan forgiveness to doctors and dentists who work in underserved areas to include physicians who specialize in geriatrics.
“With a shortage of geriatric practitioners expected to worsen as Baby Boomers move into their senior years, it’s increasingly important to include doctors who care for our senior citizens in this valuable incentive program,” Albano said. “Our seniors deserve the best possible care, and that includes making doctors available to specialize in their treatment.”
Legislation (A-3713) sponsored by Assemblyman John Wisniewski would save taxpayer dollars by creating a new license plate decal system that would replace specialty license plates. Motor vehicle officials have said each specialty plate costs $88,000 to manufacture, then thousands more to advertise and promote.
“This new system would be a simple and cost effective way to allow service and community organizations to continue to promote their cause, while also easing the costly burden for the state to produce these plates,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex). “Let’s get the state out of the specialty license plate business and save taxpayers money.”
The Assembly will also consider legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. (D-Middlesex), Peter J. Barnes III (D-Middlesex), Ruben J. Ramos Jr. (D-Hudson) and Conners to help veterans make the transition from the battlefield to the college classroom.
“Our veterans deserve the best, and that includes access to higher education,” Diegnan said. “This plan would make that transition easier and is the right thing to do for those who have sacrificed their time and energy to defend our nation.”
On the Net:
www.assemblydems.com
www.youtube.com/user/njassemblydems
New Jersey Assembly Democrats on Facebook
Bills Also Aim to Revamp Casino Regulations, Promote Geriatric Care, Send Troops to College, Save Money by Replacing Specialty License Plates with Decals.
Bills to improve teen driver safety and more steps to help New Jersey combat the global economic crisis top the Assembly’s Thursday voting session, with measures to promote geriatric care, revamp casino regulations and save money by replacing specialty license plates with decals also on tap.
The legislative package (A-3067-A3068-S2314/A3069-S16/A3070) sponsored by Assembly members Anthony Chiappone (D-Hudson), John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) and Pamela R. Lampitt (D-Camden) to improve teen driver safety would implement the top recommendations of the state’s Teen Driver Study Commission.
“We need to give newly minted drivers the tools they need to become safe, responsible motorists,” Chiappone said. “Encouraging safe driving practices, enhancing penalties for bad driving and increasing the amount of time required behind the wheel will go a long way toward that goal.”
The Assembly will continue its focus on the global economic crisis by considering more bills to help New Jersey residents and businesses emerge strong from the worldwide financial meltdown. Thursday’s bills would:
· Implement mid-year cuts to the state budget. The bill (A-3650) is sponsored by Assemblymen Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden) and Gary Schaer (D-Passaic).
· Make a new housing assistance and recovery program effective immediately. The bill (A-3711) is sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) and Assemblymen Jack Conners and Herb Conaway (both D-Burlington/Camden).
· Promote energy efficiency through the installation of solar energy panels in new homes. The bill (A-1558) is sponsored by Assemblywomen Linda R. Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer) Watson Coleman and Lampitt.
· Promote alternative energy by permitting wind and solar facilities in industrial zones. The bill (A-2550) is sponsored by Lampitt, Greenstein, Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset), Connie Wagner (D-Bergen), Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) and Nellie Pou (D-Passaic).
· Authorize the Board of Public Utilities to use certain funding to provide grants for energy efficiency projects and programs promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. The bill (A-2507) is sponsored by Chivukula.
· Help businesses handle overpayments to public utilities. The bill (A-678) is sponsored by Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer (D-Essex) and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer).
The legislation to amend the state budget would implement Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s plan to offset state revenue shortfalls that stem from the global crisis.
“These are difficult times, but these cuts are across the board and the pain is being shared,” Greenwald said. “No one is being asked to cover the entire burden, and I think that’s sending the right message, not just for the year we’re in but for the upcoming year.”
Also to be considered is legislation Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Matt Milam sponsored to streamline casino laws and relieve Atlantic City’s resorts from unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Burzichelli (D-Gloucester) and Milam (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland) said the changes would help Atlantic City’s casinos weather the recession while allowing them to maintain their competitive edge as more gaming establishments open in neighboring states.
“The deepening national recession and the pall it is casting over Atlantic City makes it all the more important we give casino management the tools they need to run their businesses more efficiently,” said Burzichelli, chairman of the Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee. “Time the casinos lose due to bureaucratic red tape is time they won’t get back to ensure their businesses remain healthy and that jobs remain filled.”
“Atlantic City is facing a double-whammy of recession and increased competition,” said Milam, the panel’s vice-chairman. “We need to lift some of the weight the layers of regulation have placed on the shoulders of Atlantic City so the casinos can not only survive in this economy but emerge in a stronger position.”
Also on tap is legislation Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland) and Milam sponsored to help expand health care for the elderly.
The bill (A-866) would expand a state program that provides medical-student loan forgiveness to doctors and dentists who work in underserved areas to include physicians who specialize in geriatrics.
“With a shortage of geriatric practitioners expected to worsen as Baby Boomers move into their senior years, it’s increasingly important to include doctors who care for our senior citizens in this valuable incentive program,” Albano said. “Our seniors deserve the best possible care, and that includes making doctors available to specialize in their treatment.”
Legislation (A-3713) sponsored by Assemblyman John Wisniewski would save taxpayer dollars by creating a new license plate decal system that would replace specialty license plates. Motor vehicle officials have said each specialty plate costs $88,000 to manufacture, then thousands more to advertise and promote.
“This new system would be a simple and cost effective way to allow service and community organizations to continue to promote their cause, while also easing the costly burden for the state to produce these plates,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex). “Let’s get the state out of the specialty license plate business and save taxpayers money.”
The Assembly will also consider legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. (D-Middlesex), Peter J. Barnes III (D-Middlesex), Ruben J. Ramos Jr. (D-Hudson) and Conners to help veterans make the transition from the battlefield to the college classroom.
“Our veterans deserve the best, and that includes access to higher education,” Diegnan said. “This plan would make that transition easier and is the right thing to do for those who have sacrificed their time and energy to defend our nation.”
On the Net:
www.assemblydems.com
www.youtube.com/user/njassemblydems
New Jersey Assembly Democrats on Facebook
