SWEENEY BLASTS CHRISTIE FOR REFUSING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RELIEF FOR UNEMPLOYED NEW JERSEYANS

(WOODBURY) -- Today, State Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) blasted Right Wing Conservative Republican Chris Christie for joining with fellow Right-Wing governors Sarah Palin and Mark Sanford in opposing billions of dollars from President Obama’s economic recovery plan, including over $200 million in extended unemployment benefits.

VAN DREW-MADDEN BILL TO PERMIT VETS’ ORGANIZATIONS TO GIVE UNCLAIMED VETS’ CREMAINS PROPER BURIAL SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Jeff Van Drew and Fred Madden to permit funeral directors to release the unclaimed cremains of a deceased veteran to a certified veterans’ organization for proper burial was signed into law today by the Governor. The sponsors noted that this law will allow the remains of veterans which have sat unclaimed to receive a send-off fitting of the veterans’ service to their country.

State Sen. Frederick Madden (D-Washington Twp.) will be the new Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee.

Senate President Dick Codey (D-West Orange) has tapped state Sen. Fred Madden (D-Washington Township) to chair the Labor Committee.

State Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham (D-Jersey City) has been named vice-chair.

The chairmanship opened up after former Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) was named to replace state Sen. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) as chair of the judiciary committee. Adler was elected last month to the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Fred Madden is a natural fit to helm the Senate Labor Committee,” said Codey in a statement. “Clearly he has the experience, having already served as Vice Chair. He also has a demonstrated commitment to laws that protect workers’ rights and foster job growth, the bedrock of a healthy workforce.”

PATERSON – On a mid October morning, state Sen. Paul Sarlo’s (D-Bergen) wife found him unconscious in the couple’s bed, suffering the effects of a pulmonary viral infection in conjunction with a sever acid reflux condition.

Early reports out of the hospital weren’t good.

Over a month later, Sarlo says he has made a full recovery as he prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee to succeed U.S. Rep.-elect Jon Adler (D-Camden).

“My recent episode puts a lot of things in perspective,” said the 40-year old Sarlo. “What I learned is the need for balance. I am in great shape and truly honored to be able to serve as chairman of such a prestigious committee and to play a vital role in our Constitutional duty to vet and examine all executive and judicial branch appointments.”

MADDEN BILL TO RETURN SECURITY DEPOSITS FOR RESIDENTS IN ASSISTED LIVING APPROVED IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden which would ensure that assisted living facility residents receive a refund of their security deposits if they move from a facility was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“A security deposit needs to be treated as just that – a deposit, to be returned when a resident is moving from an assisted living facility,” said Senator Madden, D-Gloucester and Camden. “Residents in assisted living in New Jersey pay enough for monthly rental and service charges, in addition to the already-high costs of living in the Garden State. When moving from a facility, they should have the ability to recoup their security deposit and any interest that their deposit may have collected.”

MADDEN-REDD RESOLUTION ADVANCES TO PROMOTE LYME DISEASE AWARENESS

TRENTON – The Senate today gave final approval to a resolution, AJR-64/SJR-32, sponsored in the Senate by Senators Fred Madden and Dana Redd, to designate May as “Lyme Disease Awareness Month” in New Jersey.

“Our goal is to encourage prompt detection of Lyme Disease infection so those afflicted get treated and avoid exposure later on to serious neurological disorders,” said Senator Madden, D-Gloucester and Camden.

State Sen. Ray Lesniak was the kingmaker in the race for Senate Majority LeaderThe surging south got a seat at the table today, with third district state Sen. Stephen Sweeney chosen as majority leader after a hard fought, emotional battle with state Sen. Paul Sarlo.

Although the decision-making process was closed and the official decision was unanimous, sources say that Sweeney had the support of 14 of the 23 member caucus. Backing Sweeney were the expected south Jersey contingent -- Jeff Van Drew, Jim Whelan, Fred Madden, Dana Redd and John Adler. But he also had support from Senators from the rest of the state -- Brian Stack, Sandra Bolden Cunningham, Barbara Buono, Nicholas Scutari, Bob Smith, Ray Lesniak, Joe Vitale and Loretta Weinberg.

MADDEN BILL TO REQUIRE HEALTH INSURERS TO COVER AMBULANCE SERVICES IS NOW LAW 

            TRENTON –  A measure sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden which would require health insurance companies to directly pay ambulance costs in a timely manner, regardless of whether or not the ambulance company is under contract with the insurance company was signed into law today by Governor Jon  Corzine.

            “Often times, the medical care that patients receive on the way to the hospital can play a big part in how well they do once they are able to been seen by a doctor,” said  Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester, who is a member of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.  “This legislation will help make sure that the main focus of ambulance service providers is in delivering the care that patients so desperately need.”