Massachusetts

ASSEMBLY PASSES CARABALLO BILL TO PERMIT
STATE-RECOGNIZED CIVIL UNIONS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES
Measure Would Meet State Supreme Court's Mandate
Requiring Equal Protection for Same-Sex Unions

(TRENTON) -- Legislation Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Wilfredo Caraballo sponsored to permit committed same-sex couples to enter into civil unions that grant them the same rights and benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples was passed today by the General Assembly.

POU: NEEDLE EXCHANGE MEASURE MUST ADVANCE
Assemblywoman Makes World AIDS Day Vow
To Remove Last-in-Nation Status for New Jersey on Syringe Access Issue

(TRENTON) -- Using World AIDS Day to emphasize the need to change New Jersey's dubious status as the nation's laggard on syringe access policies, Assembly Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nellie Pou today said legislation authorizing a pilot needle exchange program in the state will be a priority consideration for her panel on Monday.

CONNERS SEEKS CONTRACT MORATORIUM FOR FIRMS CITED IN 'BIG DIG' NEGLIGENCE CASE
Assemblyman Wants Contract Ban & Safety Assessments
For Bechtel, Parsons Brinckerhoff

(TRENTON) -- Assemblyman Jack Conners today said the state should take a hard line regarding the awarding of new contracts and the execution of current contracts involving any of the 12 construction and engineering firms accused of negligence in the problem-plagued "Big Dig" highway tunnel construction project in Boston.

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE RELEASES LANDMARK
WOODEN-BAT-ONLY YOUTH BASEBALL BILL
Measure Spurred by Injuries to Pitchers Hit by Line Drives Off Metal Bats;
Would Return 'Crack of the Bat' to New Jersey Ball Fields

(TRENTON) -- An Assembly committee today released legislation Assemblymen Patrick Diegnan, Joseph Egan, Fred Scalera, and Brian Stack sponsored to return youth and high school baseball leagues to wooden-bat-only status, removing from the dugout the expensive high-tech metal bats that have been blamed for serious injuries to amateur ballplayers across the nation.

DONOVAN, DEMOCRATS WRONG
WHEN THEY DISAGREE WITH CALIGUIRE’S PLAN
TO CUT COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Massachusetts Proved It Can Be Done

It is time for a property tax revolution and it should start tomorrow in Bergen County.

WHEN IT COMES TO CUTTING TAXES
DONOVAN STANDS WITH DEMOCRATS & MEDIA
Candidate Who Raised Spending 58% Says
Smaller County Government Is Not Possible

In five years she increased spending in her department 58 percent. She increased salaries by nearly a million dollars since 1996. She has no idea how to cut spending because, like the Democrats, she has never done it,� said Caliguire

TRENTON - Senator Barbara Buono, sponsor of S-2913, which would place a public question on the November 2006 ballot asking the public to approve $350 million in bonds to support stem cell research grants, made the following remarks today on the floor of the Senate:

"Today we have the opportunity to create a legacy for New Jersey of hope and compassion for those who we serve who suffer from some of humanity's most debilitating and painful diseases.

ADLER SMOKING BAN ADVANCES IN SENATE

TRENTON - The Senate today approved a bill, sponsored by Senator John H. Adler, to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and in all indoor places except casino gaming floors.