SMITH - WATER TAX NECESSARY TO GUARANTEE OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION FUNDS

TRENTON – Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee and a sponsor of legislation to constitutionally dedicate water tax revenues to fund open space and farmland preservation, issued the following statement regarding the Committee’s hearing on his measure today:

“Today’s hearing was the first step in ensuring permanent funding for vital open space and farmland preservation projects in the State of New Jersey. We heard important testimony regarding historic preservation which we will consider and hopefully vote on the bill on May 19.

SMITH-SWEENEY BILL TO EXEMPT ENERGY SAVINGS FROM PROPERTY TAX ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Environment Committee Chair Bob Smith and Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney which would allow taxpayers to apply for a property tax exemption for energy cost saving measures was unanimously approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today.

“New Jersey has a strong track record of promoting and incentivizing green technology,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “This bill is another step in that direction, offering tax breaks for property owners seeking to minimize their carbon footprint and reliance on natural resources. We need to continue to encourage environmental conscience and ensure that environmentally-sound improvements aren’t cost-prohibitive for property owners.”

SMITH - DEP SITE REMEDIATION REFORM PLAN A GOOD START FOR DISCUSSION

TRENTON – After a joint hearing of the Legislative environmental panels in the Statehouse today, Senator Bob Smith, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee, said that site remediation reform would be a priority for his Committee, and that we must revolutionize the way site remediation and environmental cleanup is done in New Jersey.

MEDIA ADVISORY - JOINT ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO REVIEW DEP SITE REMEDIATION REFORM PLAN

TRENTON – The Senate Environment Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee will hold a joint hearing on Tuesday April 15 to review the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) plan to reform the process the State follows for site remediation and cleanup.

SMITH - ENVIRONMENTAL PANEL HEARING OFFERS SOLID DIRECTION FOR STATE

TRENTON – Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s Committee hearing regarding ongoing State environmental projects and the direction that New Jersey’s environmental policies should take this year:

“I think we had a very productive dialogue today regarding where we are with the implementation of the State’s environmental priorities, and where we should be going in the coming year.

SMITH RECYCLING PACKAGE SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A pair of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which will guarantee funding for municipal recycling programs and create a statewide electronics recycling initiative were signed into law by Governor Corzine over the weekend.

SMITH RECYCLING PACKAGE APPROVED IN SENATE

TRENTON – A pair of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would guarantee funding for municipal recycling programs and create a statewide electronics recycling initiative were approved by the Senate today.

SMITH BILL TO GIVE LOCAL VOICE IN APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN JUDGES APPROVED

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would propose a constitutional amendment to change the way certain municipal court judges are appointed was approved today by the Senate by a vote of 29-3, receiving final legislative approval.

SMITH BILL TO ESTABLISH SICK LEAVE BANKS FOR SCHOOLS SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which will permit the creation of sick leave banks for school employees was signed into law today by Governor Corzine.

SMITH BILL TO ESTABLISH SICK LEAVE BANKS FOR SCHOOLS APPROVED

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would permit the creation of sick leave banks for school employees was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 38-0, receiving final legislative approval.