(TRENTON) – Assembly Law and Public Safety Chairman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen) released the following statement Tuesday on the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation report into the criminal intrusion of the solid waste and recycling industries:
“It’s troubling, to say the least, that New Jersey’s commercial solid waste industry remains open to abuse and manipulation by criminal elements. The state’s economy, public health and taxpayers remain at risk unless this problem is tackled once and for all.
“While we had some progress fighting this scourge, the SCI report shows we have more work to do. I applaud the SCI for a thorough report and for proposing sound recommendations to combat this problem.
“We cannot allow these loopholes to stand. I am going to look into introducing legislation based on the SCI report that would among other things:
· Enhance licensing requirements;
· Improve background checks for employees involved in the garbage industry and to require them for those working in the recycling industry;
· See if additional money could be put toward enforcement and consolidating oversight under the Attorney General’s Office; and
· Create a centralized list of criminals barred from doing business in New Jersey.
“These reasonable recommendations could go a long way toward ensuring proper oversight and protecting businesses, public health and taxpayers. Anything we can do to ensure the industry is above-board is the right thing to do and common sense.”