Douglas Fisher

Harrison Township Mayor Phil Rhudy, who ran against State Senator Stephen Sweeney in 2003 and against Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Douglas Fisher in 2005, lost his bid for re-election to the Harrison Township Committee. Rhudy finished third in the Republican primary, losing by 22 votes. State Republicans had provided Rhudy with strong financial support in his two legislative bids.

ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS BILL FOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR USE OF SOLAR ENERGY
Measure Will Create Tax Relief for Buildings Using Alternative Energy

BILL AIMED AT PREVENTING TERRORIST INFILTRATION OF VITAL INDUSTRIES CLEARS COMMITTEE
Burzichelli/Fisher/Cohen Bill Would Require Background Checks For Contracted Employees Hired At Laboratories, Critical Facilities

(TRENTON) -- An Assembly panel today released legislation Assemblymen John J. Burzichelli, Douglas H. Fisher and Neil M. Cohen sponsored to require independent contractors to submit their employees to background checks before being hired at chemical plants and research facilities.

New Jersey's daily newspapers have declined to endorse seventeen incumbents seeking re-election to the State Assembly: the Press of Atlantic City is backing former Atlantic City Mayor James Whelan in his race against Republican Kirk Conover in the second district; the Courier-Post is supporting GOP challengers in the third, fourth and sixth districts over Democrats John Burzichelli, Douglas Fisher, David Mayer and Louis Greenwald -- the Gloucester County Times endorsed Burzichelli but not Fisher or Mayer; the Courier Post also endorsed Democratic challengers in the eighth district over GOP incumbents Francis Bodine and Larry Chatzidakis; and the Asbury Park Press picked Republicans Jennifer Beck and Declan O'Scanlon over Democrats Michael Panter and Robert Morgan, who won their seats in 2003 largely as a result of the newspaper's battle for ethics reform. The Courier-News is urging the election of a Republican in the 18th district against incumbent Peter Barnes, the election of a Republican in the 22nd district against incumbent Linda Stender, and the election of a Democrat in the 23rd district against incumbent Michael Doherty. The Record said that Assemblyman Fred Scalera did not deserve re-election, instead endorsing a Republican challenger and a Democratic newcomer for the two 36th district seats, and endorsed a challenger in the 39th district against longtime GOP incumbent John Rooney. The Home News Tribune wants Democrat Joseph Egan out.

The Courier-Post refused to endorse the re-election of Democrats Joseph Roberts and Nilsa Cruz-Perez, strongly chastising Camden County Republicans for their failure to recruit candidates against them. In the 35th district, The Record gave at best a lukewarm endorsement for Democratic incumbents Alfred Steele and Nellie Pou. Of these districts, only Conover, Panter and Morgan face serious challengers next week.

FOR RELEASE: CONTACT:
October 31, 2005 Assemblyman Fisher
(856) 455-1011
Senator Sweeney Assemblyman Burzichelli
(856) 455-1011 (856) 251-9801

TOUGHER OIL SPILL FINES BECOME LAW
Fisher/Burzichelli/Sweeney Measure Imposes Stiffer Penalties
For Shipping Companies That Spill Hazardous Substances into New Jersey Waters

(BRIDGETON) -- A new environmental protection law championed by Assemblymen Douglas H. Fisher and John J. Burzichelli and Senator Stephen M. Sweeney (all D-Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem) will increase financial penalties by a whopping 800 percent for oil transport and shipping companies that are culpable for spills harming New Jersey waterways.