WEINBERG-GORDON BILL DETAILING RULES FOR HORIZON CONVERSION ADVANCES IN COMMITTEE

Measure Would Require Health Impact 'Fairness Analysis,' Additional Public Participation

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Bob Gordon which would amend State statute regarding the process for Horizon’s conversion from a not-for-profit health care insurance provider to a domestic stock insurer was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee today by a vote of 3-0, with two abstentions.

“As the largest health insurer in the State of New Jersey, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield is responsible for providing access to care for millions of State residents,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen, and Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “Any conversion of Horizon from a non-profit to for-profit status could have drastic and far-reaching consequences on the availability and accessibility of care in New Jersey. We must tread very carefully in allowing Horizon to convert to for-profit status, and we must ensure that New Jersey’s Horizon subscribers are not put in jeopardy to benefit the bottom line of a health care corporation.”

RUIZ-GORDON BILL TO AUTHORIZE ENERGY COST SAVINGS INVESTMENT BY BPU SIGNED INTO LAW

PISCATAWAY – A bill sponsored by Senators Teresa Ruiz and Bob Gordon which authorizes the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to invest in energy cost savings programs for industrial and commercial energy consumers was signed into law today by Governor Corzine at a public bill signing ceremony at the Busch Cogeneration Facility at Rutgers University’s Busch campus.

“Clean, renewable energy and co-generation grants make New Jersey much more attractive to business investors and represent the future in environmentally-friendly energy production,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, and a member of the Senate Economic Growth Committee. “Particularly as we work to encourage businesses to locate to the Garden State, these programs will reduce our carbon footprint and lower energy costs for consumers across the board. I applaud the Governor for working with us to promote energy alternatives and for making New Jersey a national leader in low-impact energy production which will revitalize our economy and preserve our natural resources for future generations.”

GORDON-WEINBERG BILL TO FIGHT BED SORES IN NURSING HOMES ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Bob Gordon and Loretta Weinberg which would require nursing homes in the State of New Jersey to use pressure redistribution mattresses to reduce the incidence of bed sores among nursing home residents was approved by the Assembly today by a vote of 78-0.

TRENTON – A group of measures sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Bob Gordon, which would help to promote relations between New Jersey and Israel, received final legislative approval today by the full Senate.

            One measure, S-2240, would codify Executive Order 49 to permanently establish the New Jersey-Israel Commission.

            “This measure would work to reinforce the relationship New Jersey has forged with Israel through trade and cultural exchanges, as we give its people our most sincere congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen.

TRENTON – A group of measures sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Bob Gordon, which would help to promote relations between New Jersey and Israel was approved today by the Senate State Government Committee.

            One measure, S-2240, would codify Executive Order 49 to permanently establish the New Jersey-Israel Commission.

            “The trade and cultural exchanges that we have with Israel are reason enough for us to celebrate its 60 anniversary; however, to those of us who practice Judaism, these 60 years have had even more meaning,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen, who serves as Vice Chair of the Senate State Government panel.    “As our greatest ally in the middle east, we are delighted that the Legislature offers these congratulations to our ‘Sister State.’”

            “Twenty years ago, New Jersey and Israel entered into an agreement to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel,” said Senator Gordon, D-Bergen.  “By codifying the Commission, we would be protecting the current agreement covering exchange programs we have with Israel, while also congratulating our ‘Sister State’ on reaching this new milestone.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Bergen County Senators Loretta Weinberg and  Bob Gordon which requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to establish an autism awareness training course and curriculum for first responders like emergency medical technicians (EMTs), firefighters and police officers, has been signed into law by Governor Jon Corzine.

            “In an emergency situation, every second counts, and the knowledge that a person suffers from autism can mean the difference between life and death,” said Senator Weinberg.  “The signs of autism are not always easily recognizable, so knowledge of it and related disorders will help first responders know how best to deal with and treat those living with the disease.”

            “Training courses like the ones called for in this legislation are absolutely necessary to help protect people with special needs, and the first responders who may come to their rescue in an emergency situation,” said Senator Gordon.  “While I am confident that our law enforcement officers and first responders work hard to treat all people with respect, this is an issue of fairness.  I would hate to hear of a person living with autism being physically harmed because of their inability to comprehend instructions they’ve been given.”

DENVER -- State Sen. Bob Gordon (D-Fair Lawn) said he can’t comment on the timing of the FBI’s raid on Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joe Ferriero’s law offices just last week, but after emerging from watching Sen. Bob Menendez speaking at this morning’s delegate breakfast, he couldn’t help but draw a parallel.

“We just listened to Bob Menendez and I was reminded of the U.S. Attorney’s office filing subpoenas and investigating him a matter of weeks before his election,” he said.

Ferriero is in town for the convention, but it’s hard to find him. He’s been laying low, appearing at few public events, although he did show up at the delegation’s downtown party last night.

Gordon actually owes his ascendance from the Assembly to the Senate in part to both U.S. Attorney Chris Christie and Ferriero. If Christie hadn’t investigated former State Sen. Joe Coniglio, which ultimately resulted in an indictment, Coniglio wouldn’t have been pressured to resign his seat. And it was Ferriero whose endorsement virtually assured that Gordon would replace Coniglio.

HOSPITAL GOVERNANCE MEASURES ARE NOW LAW

New Laws Part of Rationalization in Health Care Resources Recommendations

TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by members of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee which address hospital governance in an attempt to keep hospitals competitive in New Jersey was signed into law today by Governor Jon Corzine.

The first bill in the package, S-1794, requires each general hospital in New Jersey to annually conduct a public meeting for the community it serves. The meetings will focus on the delivery of care to the community, and give local residents a chance to form a dialogue with hospitals’ executives to discuss how better to serve the community.

“Our local hospitals serve as safe havens for the residents who live nearby, and they play a vital role in the communities they serve,” said Senator Redd, D-Camden and Gloucester, who is a prime sponsor of S-1794. “Hospitals can only continue to provide this necessary care if they are in tune with the needs of residents, so it is imperative that the lines of communication are open between hospital administration and the public.”

GORDON BILL TO FUND PARK OPERATIONS SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Gordon which will provide for a one-time diversion of funds from the State’s “Shore Protection Fund” to pay for park operations in New Jersey was signed into law today by Governor Corzine.

“New Jersey’s parks represent valuable natural resources and recreational opportunities to be shared by all the people of the State,” said Senator Gordon, D-Bergen, and a member of the Senate Environment Committee. “Particularly in a year in which gas prices are exceeding $4 a gallon, New Jersey’s citizens depend on world-class recreational facilities closer to home. Through this law, we’ve guaranteed that when New Jerseyans go to visit one of the State’s pristine parks this year, they won’t be greeted by padlocks and ‘No Trespassing’ signs.”

GORDON BILL TO FUND PARK OPERATIONS RECEIVES FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Gordon which would provide for a one-time diversion of funds from the State’s “Shore Protection Fund” to pay for park operations in New Jersey was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 22-17, receiving final legislative approval.

“Earlier this year, when Governor Corzine proposed slashing park funding as part of a tough, no-frills State budget, the people of New Jersey rightfully demanded restorations,” said Senator Gordon, D-Bergen, and a member of the Senate Environment Committee. “Particularly in a year when gasoline prices are through the roof and families are seeking recreational opportunities closer to home, deep cuts in park services and operations would have been devastating. Through this measure, we’re giving parks a one-year delay in any cuts while we seek new funding sources in the next fiscal year.”