SMITH RECYCLING PACKAGE APPROVED BY BUDGET COMMITTEE

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 Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

SMITH BILL TO ALLOW HOMEOWNERS TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS IN HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATIONS RECEIVES FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would limit homeowners' associations from regulating the placement of solar panels on home roofs was approved today by the Senate by a vote of 37-0, receiving final legislative approval.

Legislators with more than $200,000 Cash-On-Hand

Richard Codey $894,561
Paul Sarlo $569,597
Bob Smith $488,709
Steve Sweeney $452,702
Shirley Turner $444,225
Joe Roberts $404,805
John Girgenti $275,171
Louis Greenwald $260,148
Joe Kyrillos $258,889
Joe Egan $257,951
Nicholas Asselta $255,256
Gerlad Cardinale $242,245
Steve Oroho $213,667

Source: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission

SMITH CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION MEASURE SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would establish a municipal consolidation commission to recommend mergers and shared services in order to cut the cost of government in New Jersey was signed into law today by Governor Corzine.

SMITH PACKAGE TO PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVANCES IN ASSEMBLY

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would promote renewable energy systems in New Jersey homes was unanimously approved today by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.

SMITH CONSOLIDATION AND SHARED SERVICES BILLS APPROVED BY SENATE

Legislation Would Increase Oversight on Local School Budgets, Establish Enhanced 9-1-1 System

TRENTON - Two measures sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would promote shared services in New Jersey schools and develop an enhanced 9-1-1 public safety answering system, among other reforms to cut the cost of government in New Jersey, were approved today by the Senate.

"With the passage of these bills today, we're one step closer to more efficient government in New Jersey," said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Service, the legislative panel that recommended the reforms. "New Jersey's taxpayers pay the price for overlapping services, unending bureaucracy, and inefficiency and waste in the system. Through these bills, we can streamline services, and put downward pressure on property taxes in the Garden State."

**PREVIEW** PROPERTY TAX CREDITS, FIVE COMMITTEES ON MONDAY'S SENATE AGENDA

TRENTON - The Senate will take up key components of the Property Tax special session recommendations, including legislation that will commit $2 billion in property tax credits for 95% of New Jersey homeowners, when it meets on Monday.

Senate President Codey said the session should lead to historic levels of property tax relief for New Jersey residents.

"This plan will provide significant and sustainable, long-term relief for taxpayers," said Senator Codey, D-Essex. "I am confident there will be strong bipartisan support for our efforts to help seniors, working families and tenants receive more relief than ever before in State history."

SMITH BILL TO ENHANCE STATE'S RECYCLING EFFORT OF PLASTIC CONTAINERS ADVANCES IN ASSEMBLY

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would require a higher recycling standard for plastic packaging sold in New Jersey to promote recycling, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease our dependence on foreign oil was approved today by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee today by a vote of 4-2, with one abstention.

"Global warming is a proven scientific phenomenon, aggravated by our increased dependence on the production of petroleum products, like plastics," said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. "Without a greater emphasis on the re-use and recycling of plastics, we will continue feeding into the global warming problem in New Jersey."

SMITH CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION MEASURE APPROVED BY SENATE

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would establish a municipal consolidation commission to recommend mergers and shared services in order to cut the cost of government in New Jersey was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 35 -2.

"In New Jersey, we have more government than we can afford, and tiny fiefdoms serving minimal people only drive up our property taxes higher and higher," said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the co-chair of a panel to review regionalization and shared services during the Legislature's Special Session. "We need a panel of planning experts, who will be able to light the path towards cost savings from shared services and municipal consolidation. This bill will ensure that New Jersey adapts to the changing needs of our people, and operates at the highest level of efficiency."

SMITH - 'CONSOLIDATION PROPOSALS A GOOD FIRST STEP TOWARDS REFORM'

TRENTON - Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services, issued the following statement today on the approval of three measures that originated with the Consolidation Committee's recommendations:

"The bills approved today by the full Legislature are an important first step towards sustainable property tax reform. The measures, which have bipartisan sponsorship from myself, Senator Ellen Karcher and Senator Joe Kyrillos, are the result of months of hearings and will play an important part in streamlining government in the State of New Jersey.