Andrews Captures Support of Majority of Newark Council

Newark Leader Says New Jersey Needs New Leadership and Energy in Senate
Calls Andrews a Passionate and Effective Advocate of Urban Issues

RICE BILL TO ENSURE GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY IN LOCAL CONTRACTS APPROVED

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice which would require that local contracts must be approved by a majority of the full membership of the municipal council, as opposed to a majority of council members present, was unanimously approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today.

“Government must be accountable to the people – all the people – when dealing with the people’s money,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “In my opinion, any interpretation of existing law which violates this basic spirit of government accountability is wrong. New Jersey’s taxpayers need to have the assurances of their local leaders that government is operating by the rules, and not using legal semantics to pass fly-by-night contracts which aren’t in the public’s interest.”

Lautenberg, Menendez Announce $1.2 Million to Clean Up Sites in Newark, Jersey City and Camden

RICE TO RECONVENE GANGLAND SECURITY TASK FORCE

TRENTON - In response to escalating gang violence in Newark, where four children were shot, execution-style, last week, Senator Ronald L. Rice announced today that he would be reconvening the Gangland Security Task Force, to provide necessary intelligence to deal with New Jersey's growing gang problem.

SARLO BILL ADVANCES TO HELP PORT AUTHORITY EASE AIR TRAFFIC

TRENTON - The Senate today approved (36-0) a bill sponsored by Senator Paul A. Sarlo to help the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey purchase Stewart Airport in Newburgh, N.Y.

“This bill will help ease the air traffic congestion over the entire metropolitan region,� said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Passaic and Essex.

WOLFE: LATEST AUDITS IN ABBOTT DISTRICTS HIGHLIGHT IMPEDIMENTS TO SCHOOL FUNDING EQUITY

WOLFE HAD URGED PROPERTY TAX COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO WASTEFUL SPENDING IN ABBOTT DISTRICTS

ABBOTT SPENDING OUT OF CONTROL
School Aid Frozen While Democrats Permit $1,795 Jukebox Purchase

Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) reacted with dismay to media reports that four Abbott school districts spent monies with little in-house oversight and controls according to audits released by the Department of Education.

CHIVUKULA/GREENSTEIN/LAMPITT BILL EXPANDING INNOVATION ZONES PASSES ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) - Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Upendra Chivukula, Linda Greenstein, and Pamela R. Lampitt to codify the state's innovation zone program and expand the boundaries of a zone intended to promote technological growth near universities and hospitals in New Jersey cleared the General Assembly today.