Jim Manion

BUONO BILL TO ENSURE SALES TAX REVENUES GO TO TAX RELIEF

TRENTON - Senator Barbara Buono today introduced legislation that would enable voters to ensure that a projected $665 million in new sales tax revenue gets used solely for property tax relief.

“I just believe this legislation will help taxpayers get the relief they deserve,� said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex, and a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

KENNY URGES SENATE REPUBLICANS TO RALLY THEIR OWN LOCALS

TRENTON - Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr. today said Senate Republicans should "rally their own local municipalities" to adopt pay-to-play ordinances instead of pushing for a statewide mandate on the issue.

"With all due respect to Senator (Leonard) Lance (the Senate Minority Leader), there's almost 50 municipalities in his district (23) and only one or two, if that, have adopted local pay-to-play ordinances," said Senator Kenny. "That's hardly a groundswell."

BUONO-VITALE BILL ADVANCES TO INSURE MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTION SERVICES

TRENTON - Insurance coverage for alcohol addiction and mental health treatment would be greatly enhanced under a bill approved today by the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee.

“It’s only right that mental health problems and alcohol and drug addictions be covered in the same manner as other diseases,� said Senator Joseph F. Vitale, a prime sponsor of the bill, S-807.

SENATOR BRYANT SUGGESTS KEAN LACKS CREDIBILITY ON BUDGET

TRENTON - Senator Wayne R. Bryant, Chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, made the following comment after Senator Thomas H. Kean Jr., a former member of the panel, condemned the Corzine Administration's budget proposal in the context of his U.S. Senate campaign.

"Maybe Senator Kean wants to re-join our committee so he could roll up his sleeves and help us work on the budget over the next three months. That would be the responsible approach to problem solving.

"I don't put much credibility in his statements on the budget when he=s not willing to serve on the committee."

SARLO FAVORS NEW STRUCTURE FOR UMDNJ

TRENTON - Senator Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic, today said he favored a major restructuring of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey because he believes the combined teaching hospital and medical school complex has grown too large to be effective.

"Now that the scandals are being dealt with effectively, it's time to focus on ensuring excellence in the teaching standards for the students and in the treatment of patients served by UMDNJ," said Senator Sarlo, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.