LESNIAK STATEMENT ON SPORTS WAGERING REGULATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT

Says Finish Line is Near for Legal Sports Wagering in New Jersey

TRENTON – Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, the lead sponsor of measures to legalize sports wagering in the Garden State and the person behind the State’s legal challenge to the federal sports wagering ban, issued the following statement today regarding the Christie Administration’s announcement of regulations to govern sports wagering in New Jersey:

“The move today by the Christie Administration represents one of the final steps in our long journey towards the repeal of an unfair, and ultimately, unconstitutional ban on sports wagering which gives four states a monopoly on the market to the detriment of New Jerseyans and the rest of the country.

Senator Diane Allen (R- Burlington) welcomed today’s announcement by the Christie Administration that an additional Superior Court seat will be added in Burlington County to help relieve a longstanding docket backlog.

“The Burlington Vicinage of the Superior Court has for a long time had a caseload that warranted the addition of judges to the bench,” said Allen. “I am pleased that Governor Christie has taken action to help relieve this burden by moving a discretionary seat into the county. An extra judge will help ensure not only that justice is done for the people of Burlington County, but that it is done swiftly.”

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Assemblywoman Tucker Praises Assembly Participation in “Jeans for Troops” Fundraising Drive during May 24 Voting Session

(TRENTON) - Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Chairwoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex) thanked the Assembly members and staffers who helped make the "Jeans for Troops" Fundraising Drive, benefitting New Jersey veterans, during today's voting session a success.

"I was proud to see so many of my colleagues showing their support for this important cause," said Tucker (D-Essex). "Transitioning to civilian life can prove overwhelming for many of our veterans. Today, we hopefully helped make their transition a bit smoother."

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Americans for Prosperity Announces Effort to Defeat Nomination of Mayor Bruce Harris to State Supreme Court 

State’s Leading Pro-Taxpayer Group to Launch Radio Spot, Phone Drive Pressuring Senate Judiciary Members to Reject Harris Nomination 

BOGOTA, NJ – Americans for Prosperity, the state’s leading free-market, grassroots organization will launch a statewide effort to defeat the nomination of Chatham Borough Mayor Bruce Harris to the state Supreme Court. Mr. Harris’ nomination is scheduled to be heard next Thursday, May 31, by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

District 37 Lawmakers Praise Englewood World Languages Program

Elementary Immersion World Languages Program Receives Recognition from State Department of Education, Will Serve as Statewide Model for Best Practices

TEANECK – Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Assembly Majority Conference Leader Gordon Johnson and Assemblywoman Valerie Vanieri Huttle today praised the Englewood Public Schools district, which was honored last week by the State Department of Education as one of four school districts statewide recognized as a model for world languages education.

“The ‘Immersion World Languages’ program at Englewood’s elementary schools represents an innovative approach to teaching our younger children not just to speak in a foreign language, but to think in a foreign language,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Teaneck.  “It capitalizes on younger children’s ability to pick up foreign languages more easily than older children, and produces students who are fluent in reading and speaking a foreign language.  This program has been a true success story in Englewood, and I’m happy to see the State recognizing the potential of this program as a Statewide model for language education.”

“We’re proud of the Englewood school system for developing a top-tier world languages program, and we’re thrilled that the State has recognized the success of this program,” said Assemblywoman Vanieri Huttle, D-Englewood.  “In an increasingly global world economy, the ability to communicate in multiple languages will give our students a leg up.  I hope that other districts in the State take a page out of Englewood’s book and develop similar programs.”

“The success of the Englewood ‘Immersion World Languages’ program is as much a testament to the dedicated teachers as it is to the innovative nature of the program,” said Assemblyman Johnson, D-Englewood.  “Programs like these cannot succeed without a group of committed teachers, willing to take the time and energy to implement what is, essentially, an experiment in language learning.  On behalf of the community, the State, and the other school districts that will reap the rewards of Englewood’s success, I want to thank the teachers that are part of the ‘Immersion World Languages’ program.”

Statement from Assemblywoman Jimenez on the Arrest of West New York Mayor Felix Roque

(TRENTON) - Assemblywoman Angelica M. Jimenez (D-Bergen/Hudson) issued the following statement Thursday concerning news reports about the arrest of West New York Mayor Felix Roque and his son by the FBI on computer hacking charges:

"As a resident and legislative representative of West New York, I was disappointed to read the news about Mayor Roque's arrest this morning. Any time a public official betrays the public trust, it diminishes the office they were elected to and does a disservice to the residents they represent.

"While we wait for more details to emerge from the U.S. Attorney's Office about this case, I ask the residents of West New York to not allow this to detract from our momentum, and instead focus on the good work that takes place in our town on a daily basis."

LESNIAK: GOVERNOR SHOULD SUPPORT INTERNET WAGERING AND SPORTS BETTING TO SUPPORT ATLANTIC CITY AND OUR RACETRACKS

Says Recent Federal Bust Shows How Organized Crime is Using Online Wagering, Sports Betting Bans to Fund Illegal Activity

TRENTON – Following a report in The Star Ledger Tuesday that 13 individuals with connections to organized crime were arrested and charged in a scheme to use an overseas sports betting website to run an illegal online gambling operation, Senator Raymond J. Lesniak today reiterated his position that the Governor should support legalizing Internet wagering and removing the federal ban on sports wagering to direct funds from these activities to legitimate businesses within New Jersey.

“Under the current laws, organized crime has a virtual monopoly on sports book, and they’re using offshore Internet operators to bring their business into the 21st Century,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union, and sponsor of bills to mainstream Internet wagering and sports wagering. “This case represents everything that’s wrong about our current policy regarding Internet wagering and sports wagering. The Governor should support legislation to legitimize Internet gaming, and support the legal challenge to the federal ban on sports betting, in order to give our casinos access to new revenue streams and drag currently illegal gaming practices into the light of government regulation.”

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Budget Chair Prieto on Gov. Christie's Fictional 'Jersey Comeback'

(TRENTON) - Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) issued a multimedia package Wednesday in which he suggested Gov. Christie stop touting a non-existent "comeback" and focus on the reality of providing real relief to the working class and the poor.

Today, the one-million-member New Jersey State AFL-CIO joined with its local affiliates and community allies from the statewide grassroots coalition Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. to kickoff an unprecedented statewide voter registration effort in New Jersey that will register union and community members to vote and ensure that working families speak with one united voice at the ballot box.