Jim Griffin

CONIGLIO BILL TO BRING EQUITY TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS APPROVED IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON - The Senate Labor Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Joseph Coniglio which would end penalties for temporary workers who refuse to accept a new assignment upon the completion of an old assignment.

"Right now, we have two standards when it comes to determining unemployment eligibility based on whether you are a full-time worker or a temporary worker," said Senator Coniglio, D-Bergen. "Not only is this fundamentally unfair, but also forces temporary workers from moving from one assignment to another with little hope of being able to seek full-time employment."

BUONO MEASURE TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ON THE DANGERS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADDICTION PASSES COMMITTEE

TRENTON - The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono to create "Jason's Law," which would establish a statewide prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse public awareness campaign.

"There is a widespread misconception that prescription and over-the-counter drugs are inherently safe," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. "But these substances can be just as addictive as street drugs and the possibilities of an overdose are just as great."

KENNY: GOVERNOR'S BUDGET FOCUSED ON PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

TRENTON - Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr. today welcomed the Governor's Budget Address as "the first step towards a budget that provides an unprecedented amount of property tax relief for New Jersey families."

"The Governor's message today was loud and clear - our homeowners are desperate for property tax relief and this year we are going to provide that relief," said Senator Kenny, D-Hudson and Chair of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

CLEAN ELECTIONS MEASURE PASSES SENATE BUDGET PANEL

TRENTON - The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today moved the "The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act" out of committee by a party-line vote. Senator Shirley K. Turner is the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill proposed by Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts.

"As the Legislature has spent more than six months on property tax reform, we have begun to see the critical importance of campaign finance reform for the citizens of New Jersey," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "Far too many special interests watered down the reform efforts. The Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project will reduce the influence of special interest money and help the voters have the loudest voice in Trenton."

**PREVIEW** PROPERTY TAX CREDITS, FIVE COMMITTEES ON MONDAY'S SENATE AGENDA

TRENTON - The Senate will take up key components of the Property Tax special session recommendations, including legislation that will commit $2 billion in property tax credits for 95% of New Jersey homeowners, when it meets on Monday.

Senate President Codey said the session should lead to historic levels of property tax relief for New Jersey residents.

"This plan will provide significant and sustainable, long-term relief for taxpayers," said Senator Codey, D-Essex. "I am confident there will be strong bipartisan support for our efforts to help seniors, working families and tenants receive more relief than ever before in State history."

KENNY: PROPERTY TAX RELIEF CLEARLY CONSTITUTIONAL

TRENTON - Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr. today dismissed Republican efforts to block tax relief for senior citizens, the disabled and homeowners who need the credits to be provided by the legislative reform initiative.

"The Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for playing partisan games with our tax relief proposal.

"It's clearly constitutional under Article VIII, Section I, Paragraph 5.

"We were very conscious of the Uniformity Clause throughout our hearings during the summer and this reform initiative clearly dwells within its boundaries.

TURNER CLEAN ELECTIONS MEASURE THROUGH COMMITTEE

TRENTON - The Senate State Government Committee today approved "The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act" sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner.

"As the Legislature has attempted to hash out the issue of property tax reform, we are learning why this is an issue of paramount concern to the citizens of New Jersey," said Senator Turner. "New Jersey residents need property tax reform, yet their own representatives cannot agree on any one idea because there are too many interests involved in the decision making."

SENATE BUDGET PANEL APPROVES UNEMPLOYMENT PROTECTION FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley Turner to permit spouses of armed forces personnel who are forced to relocate outside of the State to collect unemployment benefits was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

"Regularly moving from one military base to another can be very difficult on the families of those who serve our nation," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "They shouldn't be forced to lose their financial well-being just to stay together. In my mind, that goes against true American family values."

ADLER: GUILTY MAYOR SHOULD LOSE PENSION

TRENTON - Senator John H. Adler, D-Cherry Hill, made the following statement today following today's announcement that former Keyport Mayor John Merla pled guilty to a single public corruption charge:

"John Merla is getting off easy. A couple of years in jail and a fine pale in comparison to the damage he has done to the public trust.

BUONO CALLS UPON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO KEEP TITLE IX INTACT

TRENTON - The State Senate today approved a resolution sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that urges the US Department of Education to refrain from weakening federal Title IX statutes.

"Title IX has been critical in ensuring that women have access to athletics programs at American colleges and universities for the past 35 years," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. "The US Department of Education's decision to weaken these protections opens the door for some schools to reinstitutionalize discrimination in sports."