Bob Smith

SMITH CALLS FOR TURKEY TO RESPECT ALL HUMAN AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS

TRENTON - A Senate Joint Resolution sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, to urge the Government of Turkey to stop racial and religious discrimination, and immediately recognize the religious authority of the Eastern Orthodox Church, was approved by the Senate State Government Committee today.

Senator Smith explained that in Istanbul the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Ecumenical Patriarch is the highest authority of the Church and leads the world's estimated 250 million Orthodox Christians, Senator Smith added.

"Turkey is discriminating against the non-Muslim religious minorities by interfering with the training of clergy and the choosing of religious leaders," said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex & Somerset. "The Ecumenical Patriarch deserves proper international recognition, leadership succession and the right to train its clergy. Turkey must understand the importance of respecting both the human rights and the property rights of everyone including of the Ecumenical Patriarchate."

SMITH: STUDY CLIMATE CHANGE'S IMPACT ON NEW JERSEY

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith to study the impact of global warming on New Jersey's water supply, tourism industry and agricultural products was approved today by the Senate Environment Committee and sent to the full Senate for a floor vote.

"New Jersey has to adjust to the climate change over the years because it will have an impact on our natural resources, our recreational activities and our need for energy sources," said Senator Smith, the Chairman of the Senate environment panel.

SMITH - INVESTMENT IN WATER SUPPLY NECESSARY TO PROTECT RESOURCES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

TRENTON - Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the panel's hearing over water supply issues and the need to fund infrastructure improvements to protect against the next drought:

"Today's hearing was extraordinarily helpful in framing the need to protect and preserve our State's water supply. All the facts point to one irrefutable truth -- unless we invest in the water infrastructure and efforts to conserve our water supply, New Jersey is in some very serious trouble.

**PREVIEW**

SMITH - ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON WATER QUALITY

Panel Will Focus on Drought Preparation, Toxic Water Quality in Dover Township

TRENTON - Senator Bob Smith, Chair of the Senate Environment Committee, will convene the panel to discuss water quality issues and drought preparation efforts tomorrow at 10:00 A.M. in Committee Room 10 in the Statehouse Annex.

"Water is our most precious resource, but pollution, suburban sprawl and failure to prepare for water shortages jeopardize the supply for everyone, from residential users to industrial users," said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. "We need to look at factors affecting our water quality, and put in place the sort of infrastructure needed to help us make it through any drought without draconian water use restrictions. We want to be able to be able to enjoy a cool glass of water on a hot summer day, not turn on the spigot to find nothing there."

SMITH BILL TO ENHANCE PLASTIC RECYCLING IN NEW JERSEY ADVANCES

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 Senate Environment Committee by a vote of 3-0, with two abstentions.

"New Jersey is the most densely populated State in the nation, and every inch of unspoiled land is precious," said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. "We cannot give up acres and acres of open space to landfills, and we need to conserve the resources we have available. By promoting recycling, we can preserve our valuable natural resources and encourage environmentally-safe practices from our business partners in the Garden State."

SMITH BILL ESTABLISHING SICK LEAVE BANKS FOR TEACHERS ADVANCES

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would permit the creation of sick leave banks for school employees was approved today by the Senate today by a vote of 35-0.

"Sick leave banks give employees the flexibility they need should they fall seriously ill and need extra time to recuperate," said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. "They give teachers and other school staff a chance to prepare for the unexpected, and to have a safety net for worst case scenarios. Sick leave banks put the focus on the employee's health, not the health of their bank account, when they're dealing with a long-term illness or injury."

SMITH BILL ESTABLISHING SICK LEAVE BANKS FOR TEACHERS ADVANCES

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would permit the creation of sick leave banks for school employees was approved today by the Senate Education Committee by a vote of 4-0.

"A sick leave bank is a great idea to help employees prepare for the unexpected," said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. "Often, when an employee falls seriously ill or becomes seriously injured and needs to take extended time-off to recover, the normal amount of sick leave allotted to each employee isn't enough. Through this bill, they will have extended leave, voluntarily donated by their coworkers, at their disposal to focus on their health, not the health of their wallets."

DEMOCRATS ON JUDICIARY PANEL BACK FARBER FOR AG

TRENTON - Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee today supported the nomination of Zulima Farber to be the next State Attorney General. The committee vote was 8-2 and the full Senate is expected to consider the nomination on Jan. 30th.

Senator John H. Adler, the Committee Chairman, said he was confident that Ms. Farber's term as the State's top law enforcement officer would be marked by "excellence, intelligence and compassion.

SMITH: HIGHLANDS PROGRESS PROMISING
Environment Committee Chair Says Goal of Preserving Water Source "Within Reach"

Senator Bob Smith, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee and the architect of legislation designed to preserve the Highlands region in order to protect the clean drinking water supply for half of the state, issued the following statement today regarding a hearing of the Environment Committee on the progress of the Highlands law.