Bernard Kenny

KENNY - 'BUDGET AGREEMENT REACHED'

Senate Majority Leader Says Proposed Budget Will Restore Fiscal Sanity in New Jersey

TRENTON - Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny, Jr., D - Hudson, issued the following statement regarding a budget agreement reached today for the FY 2007 Budget:

"Over the next day and a half, New Jersey's Legislature will finally vote on a budget that will restore fiscal sanity and economic stability to the Garden State.

KENNY MOVES TO SAVE ST. MARY HOSPITAL

TRENTON - The Senate today approved a bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr., to help save the financially troubled St. Mary Hospital in Hoboken by having it taken over by a new city hospital authority.

"St. Mary's is vital to the people of Hoboken, but it also serves families in Union City, West New York, Weehawken and North Bergen," said Senator Kenny, D-Hudson. "If we can transfer ownership and infuse the hospital with a new management team, St. Mary's stands a very good chance of thriving again as a full service facility."

O'TOOLE-MALONE GLAD ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS AGREE WITH REPUBLICANS ON OPPOSING SALES TAX HIKE

ATTENTION SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON CUTTING SPENDING

KENNY PARK FUNDING AMENDMENT APPROVED IN SENATE COMMITTEES

Proposal Would Raise Funds for Parks Without Raising Taxes

TRENTON - A resolution sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny which would allow voters to dedicate existing corporate business tax revenues to park maintenance and upkeep was approved by two key Senate panels today.

The bill, SCR-105, was unanimously approved by the Senate Environment Committee in the morning, and received Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approval by a vote of 11-0 in the afternoon.

"With this bill, we're able to dedicate the necessary funds to keep our parks and recreation areas in New Jersey beautiful without hiking taxes on already-burdened taxpayers in the State," said Senator Kenny, D-Hudson. "It's a revenue-neutral attempt to preserve and maintain a key component in our State's tourism economy, and provide a connection to nature that many in urban New Jersey might not otherwise have."

KENNY: 'DEDICATED PARKS FUNDING WILL BENEFIT URBAN AREAS'

TRENTON - Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny, Jr., the Senate's lead sponsor on SCR-105, a measure to dedicate a portion of the State's Corporate Business Tax (CBT) to State and local park maintenance, issued the following statement today regarding Assembly consideration of his measure. The resolution was unanimously approved by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee:

"A thriving park infrastructure is key to the quality of life in many of our urban communities. Through today's Assembly action, we've taken the first steps to ensuring that they will be appreciated for years to come.

There is increased specualtion among some Hudson County Democratic leaders that Senate Majority Leader Bernard Kenny will not seek re-election to his 33rd district Senate seat in 2007. But one key Democrats says that Kenny will seek re-election as the Hudson County Democratic Chairman this June, and remains committed to helping Robert Menendez win the U.S. Senate seat in November.

Had Governor Jon Corzine appointed Richard Codey to the U.S. Senate instead of Menendez, many Trenton insiders expected Kenny to assume the powerful Senate Presidency. But with Codey back in the Legislature, Kenny, who battled prostate cancer last year, may not want to wait around for Codey to retire.

If Kenny does leave the Senate, look for Assemblyman/Union City Mayor Brian Stack to move up to the Senate, and for Hoboken Councilman Chris Campos to go to the Assembly. The other Assemblyman from the 33rd district is Albio Sires. It is almost certain that Sires will leave the Legislature in November, since Joseph Vas is not contesting the Special Election for the remaining two months of Menendez's term, and his expected replacement is West New York Commissioner Sal Vega.

A Kenny retirement would also spark a spirited contest for Majority Leader.

KENNY ON CORZINE FISCAL REPORT - LET'S TALK IT OVER

TRENTON - Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr. today said the transition budget report made to Governor Corzine before he took office can be a starting point for opening a bipartisan dialogue on options for solving long-term fiscal problems.

"Everyone in the Legislature knows we face an extremely difficult fiscal road ahead of us. These recommendations include options which would be subject to lengthy public discussions.

KENNY: CORZINE SETS RIGHT TONE FOR GETTING THINGS DONE

TRENTON - Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr. today said Governor Corzine is well positioned to generate bipartisan support for his reform initiatives in the face of significant fiscal problems.

"His call to be held accountable is a good sign that he will lead by example. He seems to appreciate that governing requires politicians to deal with the problems in people's lives without jargon. I liked the fact that he didn't slap himself on the back with congratulatory cliches.

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senators Bernard F. Kenny Jr. and Joseph V. Doria Jr., both D-Hudson, to financially support the New Jersey Medevac Helicopter Program and to train new State troopers, received final legislative approval today in the Senate by a vote of 35 to 5.

"The Medevac helicopter program provides a necessary service, and helps save the lives of New Jersey motorists by getting them to the hospitals fast," said Senator Kenny, Senate Majority Leader. "The State's Medevac program has been supported by a $1 vehicle registration fee since 1992. Unfortunately, more funding is needed to cover these services and also expand the program to include training for State troopers."

Hudson County Democrats Endorse Albio Sires for Congress Assembly Speaker and West New York Mayor Best Choice to Succeed Menendez in the House

(Jersey City) – Senator Bernard F. Kenny, the Chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, today endorsed Assembly Speaker and West New York Mayor Albio Sires for the U.S. House of Representatives. Kenny noted that Sires' long record of public service in Hudson County and across New Jersey makes him the best choice to succeed Congressman Robert Menendez in the 13th Congressional District once Menendez is elevated to the U.S. Senate in January.