Albert Coutinho

ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

(TRENTON) - Landmark legislation that takes a broad approach to jumpstarting local economic development projects and creating new jobs by maximizing New Jersey's federal stimulus investments and promoting growth and development efforts vital to repositioning the state for long-term prosperity was signed into law today by Gov. Jon Corzine.

McKEON / CHIVUKULA / COUTINHO / GREENSTEIN PROMOTE CLEAN ENERGY

Measure To Deem Wind, Solar as ‘Inherently Beneficial’ Gets Final Legislative OK

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblymen John McKeon, Upendra Chivukula, Albert Coutinho and Linda Greenstein sponsored to promote alternative energy systems by deeming the technology as “inherently beneficial” when considered by local planning and zoning boards has received final legislative approval.

JOHNSON / DeANGELO / EVANS / CONAWAY / COUTINHO LOOK TO MAKE TO PROMOTE FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS

Bill creating check-off for food pantry donations gets final legislative approval

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Gordon Johnson, Wayne DeAngelo, Elease Evans, Albert Coutinho and Herb Conaway to address recent shortages and closings at food pantries has received final legislative approval.

The legislation would establish the “Community Food Pantry Fund” in the Department of the Treasury and allow taxpayers to voluntarily donate a portion of their income tax refund to it.

The bill passed the Assembly in October and the Senate in June.

“The global economic meltdown means hunger isn’t being limited to the poor,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “New Jersey is a generous state, and we can and should make it easier to spread that generosity and do whatever we can to ensure no one in this state goes to bed hungry.”

ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILL PASSES ASSEMBLY
Would Place Moratorium on Nonresidential Development Fee,
Expand Transit Hub Tax Credit, Fuel Redevelopment,
Allow Colleges to Partner with Private Firms To Build Infrastructure

(TRENTON) - The General Assembly today passed landmark legislation that would take a broad approach to jumpstarting local economic development projects and creating new jobs by maximizing New Jersey's federal stimulus investments and promoting growth and development efforts vital to repositioning the state for long-term prosperity.

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON PASSAGE OF THE FY 2010 BUDGET

(TRENTON) - The Democratic members of the Assembly Budget Committee today issued a multimedia package on the Assembly passage of New Jersey's annual appropriations act for fiscal year 2010.

The $28.9 billion fiscal year 2010 budget (A-4100) is about $4 billion less than last year - representing the largest spending cut in state history - and would:

• Provide property tax rebates to households earning less than $75,000 per year;
• Retain the property tax deduction for households earning up to $250,000 per year;
• Devote more than half of state spending to property tax relief;
• Cap tuition increases at 3 percent and increase direct college student assistance by about 10 percent; and
• Increase school aid by $270 million.

COUTINHO: BUDGET LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Essex) released the following statement  today:

"There is no escaping the fact that we now live in a global economy, and this economic crisis is different than anything we've experienced, but through it all New Jersey remains better positioned than most states and is poised to thrive when the economy rebounds."

SWEEPING STATE ECONOMIC STIMULUS MEASURE CLEARS ASSEMBLY BUDGET PANEL

Would Place Moratorium on Nonresidential Development Fee, Expand Transit Hub Tax Credit, Fuel Redevelopment, Allow Colleges to Partner with Private Firms To Build Infrastructure

(TRENTON) – Landmark legislation that would maximize New Jersey’s federal stimulus investments, promote economic growth and development efforts vital to pulling the state out from the current recession and positioning it for long-term prosperity was released today by the Assembly Budget Committee and sent to the full Assembly for a floor vote.

SCHAER/LAMPITT/COUTINHO BILL TO TEACH KIDS
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY HEADS TO GOVERNOR'S DESK
Legislation Would Create Pilot Program To Educate High Schoolers

(TRENTON) - The Senate today passed legislation Assembly members Gary S. Schaer, Pamela R. Lampitt, and Albert Coutinho sponsored to initiate a pilot program to educate high school students on personal finance management so they can avoid irresponsible spending habits that lead to excessive personal debt and bankruptcy, sending the measure to Gov. Jon Corzine's desk for his signature into law.

SWEEPING STATE ECONOMIC STIMULUS MEASURE
CLEARS ASSEMBLY BUDGET PANEL
Would Place Moratorium on Nonresidential Development Fee,
Expand Transit Hub Tax Credit, Fuel Redevelopment,
Allow Colleges to Partner with Private Firms To Build Infrastructure

(TRENTON) - Landmark legislation that would maximize New Jersey's federal stimulus investments, promote economic growth and development efforts vital to pulling the state out from the current recession and positioning it for long-term prosperity was released today by the Assembly Budget Committee and sent to the full Assembly for a floor vote.

SWEEPING STATE ECONOMIC STIMULUS MEASURE
CLEARS ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
Would Place Moratorium on Nonresidential Development Fee,
Expand Transit Hub Tax Credit, Fuel Redevelopment,
Allow Colleges to Partner with Private Firms To Build Infrastructure

(TRENTON) - Landmark legislation that would maximize New Jersey's federal stimulus investments, promote economic growth and development efforts vital to pulling the state out from the current recession and positioning it for long-term prosperity was released today by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.