WISNIEWSKI: MOODY'S 'CREDIT NEGATIVE' VIEW OF 2 PERCENT CAP OMINOUS PORTENT FOR NJ TOWNS
Municipalities Up for Bond Rating Review could be Negatively Impacted by CapAssemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) issued the following statement Wednesday after it was reported that Westfield, a Union County municipality with a median household income of $146,110 -- more than twice the national average -- had its debt rating reduced by Moody's Investors Service:"Moody's downgrading of Westfield's bond rating should sound a warning klaxon for every other town in the state. "Any projected property tax savings towns were expecting under the 2 percent cap will be offset by higher interest rates and borrowing costs from reduced bond ratings..." For More 
SPENCER, CAPUTO, QUIJANO, RODRIGUEZ LOOK TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN
Bill Would Require Background Checks for School VolunteersWith the new school year starting, legislation Assembly members L. Grace Spencer, Ralph Caputo, Annette Quijano and Caridad Rodriguez are sponsoring would require background checks for school volunteers."This is common sense," said Spencer (D-Essex). "If we protect our children by providing background checks for paid staff, we should provide the same protections for volunteers. Schools do a great job of protecting our children, but we know predators try to work themselves into situations involving children, so this extra protection is the smart approach." For More
GREENSTEIN/DeANGELO UNVEIL SEVEN-BILL BUSINESS EXPANSION AND JOBS PLAN
Central Jersey Lawmakers Announce Legislative Initiative to Provide Grants and Tax Credits to Small Businesses, Attract Consumers to Local Business DistrictsAt an afternoon State House press conference, Assembly Members Linda R. Greenstein (D-Plainsboro) and Wayne P. DeAngelo (D-Hamilton) today unveiled their seven-bill Business Expansion and Jobs Plan aimed at helping small businesses weather the current economic climate. The plan seeks to provide financial incentives for small businesses, improve local business districts, and increase accessibility of information for expanding small businesses."We need to get New Jerseyans back to work and that means supporting small business owners who are on the front lines in creating jobs," said Greenstein. "A key component of the plan revises the Invest NJ program to better reflect the financial investment in a new employee by business owners. Even though the program was frozen this year, it is critical to get this program fine-tuned and up and running again to support job growth." For More
ASSEMBLY DEMS HAIL APPROVAL OF FUNDS TO DELIVER CLEANER, SAFER DRINKING WATER
Package of Bills Signed Today Will Fund Environmental Infrastructure Projects Throughout StateA package of bills sponsored by a group of Assembly Democrats was signed into law today, paving the way for the state to invest up to $818 million to fund projects that will provide cleaner, safer drinking water to communities throughout the state.The lead sponsors of the laws - Assemblymen Paul D. Moriarty and Gordon M. Johnson - also said the funding will help bolster the state's environmental infrastructure over the long-term. The laws were also sponsored by democratic Assembly members Connie Wagner, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Frederick Scalera, Matthew Milam, Nelson Albano and Linda Greenstein. For More
RAMOS, ALBANO PUSHING MEASURE TO PROTECT NJ JOBS FROM OUTSOURCING
In light of the country's continued economic woes, Assemblymen Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. and Nelson Albano are pushing legislation to protect jobs at home and discourage the "outsourcing" of American jobs to other countries.The bill - A998 - would prohibit business entities from being eligible to perform any state contract or receive any state grant if the business eliminates jobs performed by its employees in the United States and assigns those functions to workers in a foreign nation. For More
QUIJANO: PORT AUTHORITY PROMISE OF BAYONNE BRIDGE FIX WELCOME NEWS FOR NJ ECONOMY
Assemblywoman Annette Quijano on Tuesday lauded an agreement by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to provide $1 billion in funding to either raise or rebuild the Bayonne Bridge to address its low clearance, allowing Ports Newark and Elizabeth to remain competitive shipping destinations.Quijano (D-Union), who was a prime sponsor of legislation -- enacted earlier this year -- urging swift action to resolve this problem, issued the following statement: "The Port Authority's agreement Thursday to secure funding to address the issue of the Bayonne Bridge's clearance is welcome news to New Jersey's shipping industry and our overall economy..." For More
SPEAKER OLIVER ON RACE TO THE TOP HEARING: 'IF I DON'T GET THE COOPERATION THAT I'M SEEKING, I AM PREPARED TO UTILIZE THE SUBPOENA POWER THAT THE LEGISLATURE POSSESSES.'
Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver was interviewed Monday morning on WOR 710 AM's The John Gambling Show on the topic of New Jersey's failed Race to the Top application.Discussing the application error that cost the state $400 million, the Speaker said if she did not receive the cooperation and answers about how this happened from the Christie administration that she would be "prepared to utilize the supoena power that the Legislature possesses." Click here to listen to the WOR interview podcast. For More
**MEDIA ADVISORY**
Central Jersey Lawmakers to Announce Legislative Initiative to Provide Assistance to New Jersey Small Businesses, Help Spur Job CreationCentral Jersey Assembly Members Linda R. Greenstein (D-Plainsboro) and Wayne P. DeAngelo (D-Hamilton) will hold a Tuesday afternoon State House press conference to unveil their seven-bill Business Expansion and Jobs Plan aimed at helping small businesses weather the current economic climate. Components of the plan would offer grants and tax incentives; attract consumers to local business districts; and cut bureaucratic red-tape that can deter small businesses from growing in New Jersey.The bills were derived from ideas and concepts from the 14th District Small Business Roundtable Greenstein and DeAngelo created one year ago to work with local business leaders to find ways that the state can support businesses like theirs. During the past year, the assembly members have considered numerous ideas brought to them by local business leaders and sought to draft the legislative package. For More
LAMPITT, DIEGNAN & COUGHLIN PUSH CAMPUS SECURITY BILL
Measure Would Create Uniform System for Comprehensive Campus Security ReviewsWith students returning to colleges and universities throughout New Jersey, Assembly Democrats Pamela R. Lampitt, Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. and Craig J. Coughlin are pushing legislation to ensure that colleges and universities have plans in place to address on-campus emergencies such as violent attacks or disease pandemics."We cannot allow ourselves to be lulled into thinking that our college campuses are sheltered islands of safety in a sometimes violent world," said Lampitt (D-Camden), who chairs the Assembly higher education committee. "Comprehensive reviews will ensure the safety of students and faculty is always a top priority. We should never be in a situation where a review is needed because an outdated plan compounded a tragic situation." For More
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Greenwald on Christie Veto of NJ Homebuyer Tax Credit (A-1678)Greenwald on Christie Veto of NJ Homebuyer Tax Credit (A-1678) from NJ Assembly Democratic Office on Vimeo. For all previous Assembly Majority videos, please click here. 
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