Elease Evans

Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany)

UPDATED 

TRENTON – It looked like bedlam, but closer inspection revealed a perfect fault line.

The governor’s speech ended and that great mass of lawmakers spilled into the aisles and into the well of the chamber amid a crowd of reporters who heard them to a man or to a woman either applaud (if they were Democrats) or denounce (if they were Republicans) the 2010 budget speech.

“I think he did an admirable job,” said Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Newark). “We’re still going to be lower than the highest tax rate in New York. Only those that are making over $500,000 a year are getting a tax increase.”

“A three-quarters of one percent tax increase,” put in Assemblyman Thomas Giblin (D-Montclair).

“We’re trying to spread the pain as much as possible in the midst of a global recession,” said Continuo. “But we are dedicated to preserving programs for the underserved.” 

NEW JERSEY CLOSER TO BECOMING 11TH STATE WITH 'SILVER ALERT' SYSTEM FOR MISSING ELDERLY

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Appropriations Committee today released legislation sponsored by six Assembly Democrats to make New Jersey the 11th state with a "Silver Alert" system to notify the public about missing elderly people.

ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Annual Celebration Commemorates Significant Contributions of Groups, Individuals

(TRENTON) - Assembly Democrats today issued a multimedia package commemorating the chamber's annual celebration of Black History Month - a time to reflect and remember the individuals and groups that have contributed to the betterment or advancement of African Americans in the state and the nation.

CHIAPPONE/RAMOS/EVANS BILL CREATING NJ COLON CANCER EDUCATION FUND ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Anthony Chiappone, Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. and Elease Evans to establish the "New Jersey Colon Cancer Education Fund" has been released by an Assembly panel.

The legislation (A-2519) would allow taxpayers to voluntary contribute to the fund through a check-off on state corporate and personal income tax returns.

JOHNSON/DeANGELO/EVANS/CONAWAY/COUTINHO BILL CREATING CHECK-OFF FOR FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS CONTINUES ADVANCING

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Gordon Johnson, Wayne DeAngelo, Elease Evans, Albert Coutinho and Herb Conaway to address recent shortages and closings at food pantries continues to advance.

The legislation would establish the “Community Food Pantry Fund” in the Department of the Treasury and allow taxpayers to voluntarily donate a portion of their income tax refund to it..

The bill passed the Assembly in October. It was recently released by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

“The global economic crisis is hitting our state hard and may get worse,” DeAngelo (D-Mercer) said. “People who never thought they would ever visit a food pantry are now relying on them to put food on the table for their families. These are tough times, and anything we can do to make it easier for people to help those less fortunate is a good thing.”  

ASSEMBLY PANEL TO HOLD MONDAY HEARING ON COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE

(TRENTON) – The Assembly Human Services committee will meet Monday afternoon to hear from invited speakers regarding the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, which was recently criticized by the Office of the State Comptroller.

The committee is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m.. Monday, Jan. 26, in Committee Room 15, Fourth Floor, State House Annex, West State Street, Trenton.

Following the hearing, the committee will consider legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Sheila Oliver, Connie Wagner and Elease Evans that responds to the audit by the state comptroller that found numerous problems within the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction.

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS WEIGH PRISON REHAB REFORM AT SPECIAL HEARING IN PATERSON

(PATERSON) – Assembly Democrats released the following statements Wednesday at a special hearing focusing on improving education and training to help those released from prison avoid returning to crime.

The Second Chance hearing was the fourth convened by Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman.

Watson Coleman (D-Mercer):

“This is a complex problem that we must solve for the good of all New Jersey taxpayers. We cannot expect to end the pervasive cycle of arrest, incarceration, release and re-incarceration if prison conditions don’t promote rehabilitation. This insidious cycle has a terrible impact on our economy, our families and our communities and prison conditions must encourage reintegration into society.”

-- REMINDER FOR WEDNESDAY --

FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL TO TESTIFY AT PRISON REHAB REFORM HEARING IN PATERSON

(TRENTON) – Former U.S. Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach is expected to testify Wednesday when Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman convenes another Second Chance hearing on improving education and training to help those released from prison avoid returning to crime.

BILL STREAMLINING SALES TAX BREAK
FOR UEZ-BASED SMALL BUSINESSES NOW LAW

(TRENTON) - Legislation making it easier for businesses in New Jersey's 34 urban enterprise zones (UEZ) to purchase goods and services for their businesses sales-tax-free was signed into law today by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

WISNIEWSKI/GREENSTEIN/DEANGELO/EVANS BILL TO GIVE TOWNS CONTROL OVER LOCAL TRAFFIC DECISIONS SIGNED INTO LAW

Measure Allows Towns to Move Forward without State DOT Approval

(TRENTON) –Gov. Jon S. Corzine has signed into law legislation sponsored by Assembly members John S. Wisniewski, Linda R. Greenstein, Wayne P. DeAngelo and Elease Evans to allow municipalities to control local traffic patterns by installing new traffic signs without approval from the state Department of Transportation (DOT).

“Local officials should have the ability to make traffic management decisions on local roadways,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.