Codey

Full Senate Approves Bill That Would Ease Restrictions on Endowment Funds Hit By Investment Woes

            TRENTON – The full Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey and Senator Teresa Ruiz that would give charitable organizations more discretion to spend and invest endowment funds that have been hit hard by the lagging economy.

            Currently, the governing body of a charitable endowment fund is restricted from spending the principal of the endowment.  Instead, the governing body can only spend any appreciation of the principal that exceeds the “historic dollar value” of the fund at the time of contribution. 

Bill Aims to Limit Tax Hikes at Local Level In Light of Deflated Revenues

           TRENTON – The full Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) that would give local governments a temporary cushion to help avert a tax hike during the current economic crisis. 

          “Since this bill was first introduced in December, revenue estimates have become even more grim,” said Sen. Codey.  “This bill will help provide immediate assistance to towns and counties faced with the sudden devastating loss of revenue.  Our ultimate goal is to help protect the taxpayer by providing local governments with an additional option to help avoid massive tax hikes.”

             TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today released the following statement on Governor Jon Corzine’s proposed FY 2010 State Budget:

             “Governor Corzine did today, what millions of households across the country are doing during this economic crisis, scrubbing their budgets to find cost-saving measures.  Just like in my house, where I always have to remind my kids to turn the lights off, government needs to do that and a lot more.

SENATE PANEL APPROVES CODEY BILL TO CLOSE GAP IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Bill Would Help Get Treatment for Those Most Overlooked and in Need

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) that would create an Involuntary Outpatient Commitment (IOC) program in the State of New Jersey was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“This bill will create an entirely new mechanism to get much-needed help to the portion of our population that often gets overlooked,” said Codey. “Our goal is to minimize time in the hospital and keep patients in the least restrictive environment that will help foster their recovery.”

Now, as New Jersey debates how to deal with a historic financial crisis, is not the time to delay passage of the Transparency in Government Act, says Senator Joseph Pennacchio.

SENATE APPROVES CODEY RESOLUTION PROMOTING AWARENESS OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

Studies Show Abuse on the Rise Among Students

            TRENTON – The full Senate today approved a resolution sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) that would designate February 1 - 5, 2010, as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week” in New Jersey.

            “For a variety of reasons, teen dating violence is all too often overlooked,” said Sen. Codey.  “Sometimes as parents, we fail to realize how quickly our kids grow up, so we might not even think to look for the warning signs.  At the same token, kids are often embarrassed to report dating violence for fear of being ridiculed or stigmatized.” 

CODEY APPOINTS FORMER SENATOR MARTIN TO FOUR-YEAR TERM AS SCI COMMISSIONER

            TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today announced the appointment of former Republican Senator Robert J. Martin, Esq. to a four-year term on the State Commission of Investigation (SCI).

CODEY BILL WOULD HELP NEW JERSEY ADDRESS ONGOING BLOOD SHORTAGE

Bill Gets Green Light from Senate Health Panel Paving Way for 16-Year Olds to Donate 

             TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) that would help increase the availability of potential blood donors was approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.  Bill S-2513 would lower the legal age to donate blood to 16 with parental consent. 

CODEY, TURNER BILL CREATING TASKFORCE TO CURB UNDERAGE DRINKING CLEARS FIRST HURDLE

            TRENTON – The Senate Education Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey and Senate Education Chairwoman Shirley Turner that would create a taskforce to examine best practices to curb the growing problem of underage and binge drinking on college and university campuses. 

CODEY INTRODUCES SENATE RESOLUTION URGING NCAA TO ADOPT ‘ROONEY RULE’ Senate President Seeks Diversity in College Football Leadership Ranks 

            TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey has introduced a resolution in the State Senate urging the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) to adopt the collegiate equivalent of the NFL’s “Rooney Rule” to help balance the inequalities that exist in the hiring of minorities as head football coaches.