Salem

YOUTUBE WEB SITE AGREES TO FISHER'S REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF HUFFING VIDEOS
Lawmaker Cited Postings of Inhalant Use at Popular Web Site
As Invitation to Children to Get High on Chemical Vapors

(BRIDGETON) -- Acting on a recommendation brought to their attention by Assemblyman Douglas Fisher, the operators of the wildly popular Web site YouTube have agreed to remove video depicting inhalant abuse by young people.

SENATE APPROVES SWEENEY MEASURE TO INCREASE PERMIT COSTS AND PENALTIES UNDER 'EXPLOSIVES ACT'

TRENTON - The Senate today approved by a vote of 36 to 1, a measure sponsored by Senator Steve Sweeney, which would increase the cost of permits for manufacturing, selling, transporting or using explosives under the "Explosives Act."

"The 'Explosives Act' wasn't aimed at targeting people who use fireworks during Independence Day parties or other celebrations, but instead it was meant to help stop would-be terrorists from using explosives to carry out their destructive plans," said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. "This measure upgrades permit costs and penalties under the 'Act' to send a clear message that we are serious about stopping terrorism, and what we will do everything possible to keep explosives out of the hands of criminals and other people who plan to use them to do harm."

SENATE APPROVES SWEENEY MEASURE REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS AT CHEMICAL AND INDUSTRIAL PLANTS

TRENTON - The Senate today unanimously approved a measure sponsored by Senator Steve Sweeney which would require independent contractors who currently work at or are being considered for employment at a chemical plant or industrial site in New Jersey to submit to a background check.

"The world events since September 11 have shown that we can never be too careful or take too many precautions when working to secure buildings and facilities from terroristic activities," said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. "We cannot afford to compromise the health and safety of our residents by giving unauthorized people access to possibly dangerous facilities. If qualified contractors want to work at these sites, they must show that they can be trusted."

SENATE APPROVES MADDEN/SWEENEY 'KIDDIE KOLLEGE' BILL

TRENTON - The Senate today approved a measure (38-1) sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Steve Sweeney that would require the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to adopt regulations establishing evaluation and assessment procedures for determining the safety of childcare centers and schools.

"The traces of mercury found at the Kiddie Kollege site put the children, parents and teachers who frequented the center in danger, which is totally unacceptable," said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. " Mercury exposure can be extremely harmful to young children because it can impair mental, physical and emotional development. We must begin to consider the effects that chemical waste can have on sites catering to our youth because brain development occurs so rapidly in younger children. This bill is not about pointing fingers or even determining who was at fault, but instead we must focus on energies on making sure that statutes are put in place to help prevent future situations like this one."

"As a parent, my number one commitment is to help protect the safety and well-being of my children," said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. "The fact that the children who attended the Kiddie Kollege daycare center were exposed to mercury is an indication that somewhere down the line, someone dropped the ball. This legislation is absolutely necessary to help make sure that the land on and around daycare centers and other facilities that cater to children are free from harmful chemicals."

SENATOR SWEENEY REACTS TO SWEARING-IN OF LABOR COMMISSIONER SOCOLOW

TRENTON –- Senate Labor Committee Chairman Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, released the following statement today regarding the swearing-in of Department of Labor Commissioner David Socolow:

"Today’s swearing-in of Commissioner Socolow is a win for the labor community in New Jersey and another in a long line of qualified labor commissioners who will carry the ball forward.

SWEENEY BILL REQUIRING PETS TO BE PART OF EMERGENCY PLANS RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senator Stephen M. Sweeney to expand State and local emergency operations plans to include pets during a major disaster or emergency was approved by the full Senate today by a vote of 40 to 0.

"Recent tragedies like hurricanes Katrina and Rita remind us that emergency preparedness is important for all members of our households, including our pets," said Senator Sweeney, D-Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem. "Thousand of household pets were separated from their owners in last year's storms, but it doesn't have to be that way.

GREGG SAYS LEGISLATION REQUIRING COUNTIES TO ESTABLISH ELECTION OFFICIALS AN ADDED FINANCIAL BURDEN TO TAXPAYERS AND A DEMOCRATIC PLOY

Assemblyman Guy Gregg said today that legislation to establish the offices of superintendent and deputy superintendent of elections in all New Jersey counties is not only an unnecessary additional financial burden for taxpayers, but an attempt by Democrats to infiltrate Republican territories and tighten its grip on Democratic strongholds.

SWEENEY, BURZICHELLI AND FISHER BILL TO PREVENT GROUND CONTAMINATION CLEARS SENATE COMMITTEE

TRENTON - A measure sponsored by Senator Steve Sweeney and Assemblymen John J. Burzichelli and Douglass H. Fisher that would fund the removal and replacement of petroleum underground storage containers with above ground tanks, thereby helping to prevent soil and groundwater contamination was unanimously approved today by the Senate Environment Committee.

"This bill is designed to allow homeowners and business owners to take preventative measures to help stop ground contamination before it begins," said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Environment panel. "For the most part, these tanks are not regulated by the State, and for that reason, the only way to know which ones are leaking is to dig them up. The State should not wait until these tanks start leaking - leaving an even larger, more dangerous and more expensive situation on its hands. Immediate action is necessary to help protect the health and safety of the people of New Jersey."

SWEENEY: STATEWIDE REGIONALIZATION OF SERVICES IS LONG OVERDUE

TRENTON - Senator Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, today released the following statement in support of Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, Jr.'s proposal that local school districts and governments consolidate to share services:

"We've demonstrated in Gloucester County that there are large savings in consolidating resources. Statistics have shown that we save $1 million annually from the merger of our special services and vocational school districts. While we continue to search for savings while providing quality service, it only makes sense to consolidate resources. It is working in Gloucester County and it can work on a Statewide basis to reduce service costs that contribute to rising property taxes in our communities."