WISNIEWSKI/GIBLIN/COUTIHNO/STENDER BILL INCREASING FUNDS FOR SENIOR TRANSPORT ADVANCES

Increase Would Help Programs Absorb 2008’s Record High Gasoline Prices, Ensure Continued Service

The General Assembly today passed legislation  John Wisniewski, Thomas Giblin, Albert Coutinho and Linda Stender sponsored to increase funding for senior transportation programs.

The measure (A-2046) would increase the annual appropriation for "The Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Program" from 7.5 percent to 8.5 percent of the revenue deposited in the Casino Revenue Fund.

"The state has thousands of senior citizens on fixed incomes and limited mobility who absolutely rely on state-funded transportation programs to survive," said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex). "To offset the costs incurred from last summer's record high fuel prices and to prevent curtailing of essential senior services during the ongoing recession, we must increase the amount of funding these programs receive."

COUTINHO & SPENCER BILL TO MAKE IT EASIER TO FIND AVAILABLE HOMELESS SHELTER BEDS CLEARS FULL ASSEMBLY

Legislation Assemblyman Albert Coutinho and Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer sponsored to help full homeless shelters better ascertain whether beds are available nearby today passed the full Assembly.

The bill (A-3849) would require the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to allow homeless shelter operators and others who place persons in homeless shelters to have access to real-time information about the occupancy status of shelter beds, as collected by the Homeless Management Information System.

"Amid this difficult economy, with money tight everywhere even as social needs worsen, we need a way to better determine the availability of shelter beds," said Coutinho (D-Essex).  "This will allow operators of homeless shelters that are currently full to ascertain whether there are available beds in nearby shelters so they can direct individuals in need of emergency shelter to locations that can accommodate them."

CHIVUKULA/COUTINHO BILL PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY, CREATION OF CO-GEN PLANTS & JOBS ADVANCES IN THE SENATE

Legislation Assemblymen Upendra Chivukula and Albert Coutinho are sponsoring legislation to promote residential use of thermal energy and the creation of new cogeneration facilities across New Jersey is advancing in the Senate.

Chivukula and Coutinho said the legislation would promote the use of thermal energy which can provide more than one use, the creation of new co-generation facilities which would support new jobs which would boost the State's economy.

The measure (A-3339) would expand access to thermal energy from an on-site co-generation facility to more New Jersey consumers.

"This measure would enable more consumers to purchase thermal energy, which would in turn promote energy efficiency and further New Jersey's commitment to protecting our environment and acting more responsibly and efficiently," said Chivukula (D-Middlesex).  "This measure would also promote the construction of new co-gen plants, the creation of new jobs and boost our state's economy."

CHIVUKULA & COUTINHO BILL PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CREATING NEW JOBS CLEARS ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblymen Upendra Chivukula and Albert Coutinho are sponsoring to promote the use of thermal energy by expanding access to more consumers and spurring the creation of new co-generation facilities across New Jersey has been approved by the Assembly.

Chivukula and Coutinho said promoting thermal energy and new co-generation facilities would support new job creation and boost the state’s economy.

The measure (A-3339/A- 3439) would expand access to thermal energy to more New Jersey consumers by revising the definition of "on-site generation facility" under the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act from 1999.

“This measure would enable more consumers to purchase thermal energy, which would in turn promote energy efficiency and further New Jersey’s commitment to protecting our environment and acting more responsibly and efficiently,” said Chivukula (D-Middlesex). “This measure would also promote the construction of new co-gen plants, the creation of new jobs and boost our state’s economy.”

LAMPITT/DeANGELO/COUTINHO BILLS TO GREEN NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS & STATE OFFICES CLEARS ASSEMBLY PANEL

Legislation Assembly members Pamela Lampitt, Wayne P. DeAngelo and Albert Coutinho sponsored to further promote the state’s efforts to conserve energy and improve efficiency in state buildings and public schools today was released by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.

The lawmakers crafted measures (A-3082 and A-3596) as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency, conservation and increase environmental sustainability.

Last year, New Jersey was at the helm of national efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by requiring a portion of all energy to come from renewable resources, it became the third state in the nation to enact the law preceding federal efforts to cut greenhouse gases.

COUTINHO NAMED TO ASSEMBLY BUDGET PANEL

Assemblyman Gives State's Largest  City a Voice in Budget, Fiscal Issues

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Albert Coutinho was today named to the Assembly Budget Committee, providing the City of Newark with a voice on the powerful fiscal panel.

ASSEMBLY CLEARS PACKAGE OF BILLS TO IMPROVE HOSPITAL EFFICIENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY

Measures Would Help To Stabilize Financial Health of State's Hospitals

(TRENTON) - The Assembly today passed two measures that are part of a multi-bill legislative package aimed at stabilizing the long-term financial health of the state's hospital industry to stave-off future hospital closings.

COMPREHENSIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING REFORM PLAN CLEARS ASSEMBLY

Bill Would Implement Most Comprehensive Reform
Of State's Affordable Housing Laws in Over Two Decades

(TRENTON) - The Assembly today passed landmark legislation to reform the state's affordable housing program by implementing more equitable housing practices and increasing affordable housing availability across the state.

COMPREHENSIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING REFORM PLAN CLEARS ASSEMBLY PANEL

Bill Would Implement Most Comprehensive Reform of State's Affordable Housing Laws in Over Two Decades

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee today released landmark legislation to reform the state's affordable housing program by implementing more equitable housing practices and increasing affordable housing availability across the state.