TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem released the following statement today, regarding the passage (31-8) of the “Public Employee Pension and Benefits Reform Act of 2008.” The Act is aimed at reforming the State’s pension system:

            “Today is a great day for New Jersey’s workers. The passage of these bills shows that protecting the benefits of the State’s workforce is an issue of importance on both sides of the aisle. I’d like to thank the leadership, Senator Barbara Buono, Senators Kean and O’Toole, and my colleagues, both Democrat and Republican, for their help in crafting this legislation.

SENATE APPROVES SWEENEY-SARLO BILL TO LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT TAX PAYMENTS

TRENTON – The Senate today approved a measure by a 39-0 vote to significantly reduce required payments by employers into the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund if its reserves reach sufficient levels to trigger payment reductions of up to 50 percent.

The Senate approved the bill, S-562, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney and Senator Paul A. Sarlo, and sent it to the Assembly for consideration.

“We’re saying if the UI Fund hits a reserve ratio of 5 percent, the employer contributions should be reduced by 25 percent,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland. “Then, if the reserve ratio rises to 7.5 percent, the employer payments should drop by 50 percent.”

SMITH-SWEENEY BILL TO EXEMPT ENERGY SAVINGS FROM PROPERTY TAX ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Environment Committee Chair Bob Smith and Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney which would allow taxpayers to apply for a property tax exemption for energy cost saving measures was unanimously approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today.

“New Jersey has a strong track record of promoting and incentivizing green technology,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “This bill is another step in that direction, offering tax breaks for property owners seeking to minimize their carbon footprint and reliance on natural resources. We need to continue to encourage environmental conscience and ensure that environmentally-sound improvements aren’t cost-prohibitive for property owners.”

TRENTON – Landmark legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Barbara Buono, which will make New Jersey the second state in the nation (after California) to provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members or newborn or newly adopted children was signed into law today, at a ceremony at the State House. 

            “The signing of this bill ushers in a new day for New Jersey’s workforce, in that it gives hard-working parents and caregivers the time they need to take care of the family members who rely on them the most,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem.  “By now, you all know of my strong conviction for this legislation, because I was in a similar situation when my 14 year-old daughter, Lauren was born.  My employer was understanding, and allowed me to take the time I needed.  Had my employment situation been different, I could have had a difficult time balancing spending the 75 days at the hospital with my newborn daughter, or going to work to provide for my wife and young son.  This new law is aimed at helping workers whose employers won’t allow them to take this necessary leave time.”

SWEENEY, OROHO: HAVE EVERY COMMUNITY THAT BENEFITS CONTRIBUTE TO STATE POLICE BUDGET

Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-3) and Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, made this statement after hearing testimony before the committee about the governor’s proposal to charge residents of 89 municipalities extra fees for the cost of State Police protection:

SWEENEY - ROBERTS’ PROPERTY TAX CREDIT PLAN DESERVES FULL PUBLIC DEBATE

Senate Majority Leader Blasts Republicans for ‘Short-Sighted Partisanship’

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Senate Republican attacks on Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts’ plan to move from a property tax rebate check to a credit on the State income tax: