Top Story - 5/14/2012
Sweeney Legislation To Further Contain Ever - Increasing Property Taxes Clears Committee
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney that would help insulate property taxpayers from efforts by local officials to make end runs around the state's 2 percent cap cleared the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee today.
“For some services, the term ‘user fee’ is just a clever way to avoid actually calling it what it is: property tax. Property taxes are high enough without local officials trying to come up with clever and new ways to raise them even more. The cap was put in place because New Jerseyans have had it with ever increasing property taxes. It shouldn’t be seen as simply something to get around,” said Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem).
Ruiz/Cunningham Bill Granting American-Born NJ Students Equal Access To College, Regardless Of Parents’ Immigration Status Advances
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate Education Chair M. Teresa Ruiz and Senate Higher Education Chair Sandra Bolden Cunningham to ensure that New Jersey students born in the United States are provided equal access to college, regardless of their parents’ immigration status, was approved today by a Senate committee.
The Higher Education Citizenship Equality Act would reverse a discriminatory state policy that prevents New Jersey students – who are born in the country and, therefore, are U.S. citizens – from accessing financial aid offered under state tuition assistance programs if their parents are undocumented immigrants. The measure (S-1760) would also provide that New Jersey students born in the United States are eligible for in-state tuition rates, provided they have resided in the state for at least 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment and that their parents submit certain income tax documentation to the institution.
“The practice of denying students state aid based on their parents’ immigration status is discriminatory and unjust,” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex). “It unfairly prevents U.S. citizens from accessing the educational opportunities they are entitled to and that their classmates are being provided. Moreover, this policy is contrary to our goal of ensuring that all students have the tools they need to attain educational success. It is unacceptable and should be corrected.”
Sweeney Legislation To Save Taxpayer Dollars By Weeding Out Fraud Clears Committee
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney that would save taxpayer dollars by weeding out fraud in the pension disability fund system cleared the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee today.
“Every cent of taxpayers’ money should be held accountable. That’s just common sense. And with hard working people in this state paying 20 percent more in property taxes in the last two years, they should not be forced to pay a nickel more because of any kind of government waste and fraud,” said Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem).
Madden/Lesniak Legislation Making It Easier To Prosecute Those Recklessly Driving While Using Cell Phone Clears Committee
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Fred Madden (D – Gloucester, Camden) and Raymond J. Lesniak (D – Union) that would provide prosecutors with an added tool for obtaining a conviction of vehicular homicide or assault by automobile against a person who is illegally using a cell phone while driving has cleared the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
“There is no question that improperly using a cell phone causes distractions for those out on the road. Sometimes those distractions can have tragic results. That is why it is important that we send a message that such behavior must cease. This is about saving people’s lives,” said Madden.
Sweeney, Weinberg To Host Town Hall Meeting In Bergen County To Discuss Middle Class Property Tax Relief Plan
TRENTON – Continuing Democrats’ effort to bring real property tax relief to middle class New Jersey, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg will host a town hall meeting this Thursday, May 10, at the Ethical Culture Society Building, located at 687 Larch Avenue in Teaneck, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Earlier this year, Democrats unveiled a proposal that would reduce by 10 percent the property tax burden of New Jerseyans earning less than $250,000 a year. Renters would receive $200 a year after full phase in of the plan.
Codey/Turner Call On Governor To Appoint Members To Underage Drinking Task Force
TRENTON – Senators Richard J. Codey (D - Essex, Morris) and Shirley K. Turner (D – Mercer, Hunterdon) today called on Governor Christie to nominate members to the state’s Task Force on Underage Drinking in Higher Education. Since its creation in January, 2010, the task force has yet to have a single member appointed to it.
“Every year we hear more stories about underage drinking that end in tragedy. We have lost students from NJIT, Rider, TCNJ, Rutgers, and now it appears that alcohol may have played a role most recently with a Montclair resident. This has to end. It is time to do something. These kinds of stories are what led us to pass legislation creating the task force in the first place. Unfortunately, whether it is because of oversight or some other reason, no members have been appointed. I ask Governor Christie to rectify this as soon as possible,” said Codey.
