SPENCER & COUTINHO: LIGHT PENALTY FOR AIRPORT SECURITY BREACH HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR STRICTER LAW
Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer and Assemblyman Albert Coutinho on Tuesday said the light penalty given to the man who shut down the main terminal at Newark Airport Liberty International for six hours over New Year’s weekend again highlights the need for a stricter state law. Spencer and Coutinho (both D-Essex) have introduced legislation (A-2288) that would make it a crime to enter restricted airport areas.“Mr. Jiang was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and a $658 fine, but his goodbye kiss cost taxpayers and commuters thousands of dollars,” Spencer said. “Clearly our law needs updating, Lovesick is fine, but it cannot involve jeopardizing the lives of thousands of people and violating the security regulations…" For More 
RILEY BILL TO PROTECT ELDERLY FROM FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION ADVANCING TOWARD LAW
Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Celeste Riley to make it a specific crime to financially exploit the elderly is advancing toward law. The bill (A-330) targets those who compel or induce an elderly person to deliver property to them or another person through fraud, false promise, extortion or intimidation."The unfortunate reality is that some people out there are looking to prey on the elderly and steal their life's work and savings," said Riley (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). "This is a common sense step that sends a strong message that those who would exploit the elderly will be held accountable..." For More
CHIVUKULA: CHRISTIE’S PLANNED CUTS TO N.J.’S CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM NEED TO BE CAREFULLY REVIEWED
Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset/Middlesex) had the following published on www.newjerseynewsroom.com:"The Christie administration and the New Jersey Legislature need to review carefully the impact of Gov. Christie's planned cuts to the state's clean energy program and retail margin fund… The governor's plan could takes us backward when we should be charging ahead and seizing the economic growth and new job creation that will come with the emerging green energy industry. The clean energy program helps us implement our goals to fight climate change and develop solar, biomass and geothermal technology. Slashing these programs would have an adverse affect on the economy and impede the progress we have made towards a responsible energy future." For More
*** REMINDER *** ASSEMBLY TOURISM & ARTS PANEL TO HIT THE ROAD TO HEAR ABOUT IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM AND ARTS TO N.J.
Committee to meet Wednesday at Paper Mill PlayhouseAssembly Tourism and Arts Chairman Matthew W. Milam on Monday announced the committee will take to the road to hear testimony on the importance and benefits of tourism, the arts and arts education to New Jersey.The hearing will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 10 at the Paper Mill Playhouse at 22 Brookdale Drive in Millburn. "Tourism and arts go hand-in-hand, and both of these industries, each vital to our economic well-being, are facing tough times, so we'll work to make sure they're positioned to succeed" said Milam (D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May). "From ensuring shore communities remain tourist destinations to ensuring our arts community throughout New Jersey remains first class, we have a lot of work to do. This is hearing is the start of getting that job done..." For More
FUENTES INTRODUCES BILL TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE TOOLS TO COMBAT DRUG CRIME
Legislation introduced by Assemblyman Angel Fuentes aims to give law enforcement more tools to effectively combat drug crime."It is too easy for individuals being charged with a crime, particularly crimes related to drugs and drug violence, to return to the same places and people that facilitate this behavior," said Fuentes (D-Camden/Gloucester). "If we want to stop a drug dealer from harming our community, we cannot just work to take away their product. We also want to take away the street corner, the school yard and the store front where they push their poison on our children and our vulnerable..." For More
ALBANO & MILAM BILL TO ENSURE FREE RECREATIONAL SALTWATER FISHING IN NEW JERSEY ADVANCES
Legislation Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam sponsored to ensure free recreational saltwater fishing continues in New Jersey was released Monday by an Assembly committee.The bill (A-823) answers a federal law that authorized the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect a fee beginning in 2011 to cover costs associated with a new saltwater angler registry. "The idea that fisherman should have to pay to use the open ocean is absurd," Milam said. "This has always been free in New Jersey and should remain that way forever..." For More
ALBANO & MILAM BILL PROMOTING PRODUCTS MADE WITH 'JERSEY FRESH' INGREDIENTS APPROVED BY COMMITTEE
Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam to promote foods prepared with "Jersey Fresh" ingredients was released Monday by an Assembly panel.The bill (A-2305) would designate baked goods and other food products prepared with "Jersey Fresh" produce as "Made With Jersey Fresh." "Farmers are New Jersey's heritage and lifeblood, but they also need our support, especially in these difficult economic times," said Albano, chairman of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee that released the bill. "This simple step would encourage and support not only the manufacture of home-grown products but would give consumers an opportunity to buy goods that use locally grown fruits and vegetables..." For More
CONNERS BILL CREATING NEW JERSEY HONOR GUARD RIBBON RELEASED FROM ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
Bill Would Create Service Ribbon for Guard Members Who Carry Out Service Missions for Deceased VeteransLegislation sponsored by Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee chair Jack Conners (D-Burlington/Camden) to create a New Jersey Honor Guard Ribbon for the New Jersey National Guard was released Monday by Conners' committee."The men and women in uniform who stand guard over those who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country are deserving of recognition," said Conners, a former Army Reservist and Army National Guard member. "This ribbon would be a small nod to the invaluable service they provide to the families, friends and communities of 'Those Who Served.'" For More
MORIARTY: ‘BUDGETS INVOLVE CHOOSING PRIORITIES'
Assemblyman Paul Moriarty had the following published in The Times of Trenton:"Budgets are about choices.... But since budgets are about choices, we must be careful about making the right choices. Some cuts are harsher than others, and among those are Gov. Chris Christie's cuts to the New Jersey After 3 program. "It's an especially harsh cut considering how the governor has no problem hiring someone from New York and paying him $60,000 to post on his behalf on Twitter and Facebook. That's work interns can do for free, but at least we now know the governor's priorities. Apparently, there is a fiscal crisis for everyone but himself..." For More
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Video from The Star-Ledger…
In this video from The Star-Ledger, Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer (D-Essex) discusses her legislation (A-2288) that would increase the penalties for tresspassing in restricted areas in New Jersey airports. The Assemblywoman's comments came after Haisong Jiang -- the man found guilty of trespassing in a restricted space in Newark International Airport over the New Year's Day weekend -- publicly apologized for his actions. Assembly Democrats on Budget Committee Pension Reform HearingAssembly Democrats on Budget Committee Pension Reform Hearing from NJ Assembly Democratic Office on Vimeo. For all previous Assembly Majority videos, please click here.   SUPPORT FOR ASSEMBLYMAN BURZICHELLI SEEKING SCI INVESTIGATION INTO NJSIAA Unless you are a high-school athlete, a coach, a school official or the parent of an athlete, you probably don't know much about the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. You probably don't know, for example, that the NJSIAA is a private organization funded by dues paid by the state's schools. You probably don't know that even though the organization is funded with public dollars, the public has virtually no say in how it runs high-school sports. The group is so unaccountable that when Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-Salem, wanted to stop the NJSIAA from charging as much as $8 for tickets to state playoffs (regular-season prices are $2 to $3), the only way to do it was to pass a law prohibiting public schools from joining any organization that requires increased ticket prices for attendance at playoff games, unless the commissioner of education deems it necessary… To read The Press of Atlantic City editorial… SUPPORT FOR SEN. MADDEN/ASSEMBLYMAN EGAN PLAN FOR UI FUND COMPROMISE Hefty tax increase on all New Jersey businesses that's coming in July must be lowered. Last month, we called for Gov. Chris Christie and state legislators to seek compromise on the governor's plans to significantly reduce a huge tax increase coming in July for all businesses in the state by cutting unemployment benefits to those who've lost their jobs. So we're glad that state Sen. Fred Madden, D-Gloucester, and Assemblyman Joseph Egan, D-Somerset, have already moved toward finding a compromise that balances the needs of the unemployed with the needs of businesses… To read the Courier-Post editorial…
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