Gordon Johnson

WEINBERG, BARNES AND JOHNSON FIGHT TO EXPEDITE COMPENSATION AWARDS FOR VICTIMS

NEWARK - Senator Loretta Weinberg and Assemblymen Peter J. Barnes and Gordon M. Johnson today held a news conference at the Robert Treat Center to discuss identical bills they are sponsoring to help provide better service for victims of crime here in New Jersey, while saving nearly one million dollars per year in taxpayer dollars by fully revamping the State's Victims of Crime Compensation Board (VCCB).

"When the board was founded it was designed to use monetary penalties that were imposed on criminals to help compensate their victims for their pain and suffering," said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. " Since then, its original mission has been clouded by a wave of patronage appointees who do not take their positions seriously. With this legislation, our goal is to tighten up the agency and make sure that the people in leadership roles are actually on the job, doing what they are paid to do, and not taking off weeks at a time, leaving victims to suffer without compensation for even longer periods of time."

VAN DREW/JOHNSON/EGAN PLANT CLOSING BILL CLEARS ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
Measure Would Create Safeguards Against Mass Layoffs

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Labor Committee today released amended legislation Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew, Gordon M. Johnson, and Joseph Egan sponsored to combat "take-the-money-and-run" plant closings by major corporate employers in New Jersey.

WEINBERG, JOHNSON AND VAINIERI HUTTLE INTRODUCE BILL TO EXPAND HOMEOWNER RIGHTS IN TAX REVALUATIONS

TRENTON - Senator Loretta Weinberg and Assemblymembers Gordon Johnson and Valerie Vainieri Huttle introduced bills in their respective houses today that would provide homeowners who have undergone a property revaluation, like the residents of Bergenfield did, an additional 90 days to file an appeal after the revaluation.

"As the residents of Bergenfield can attest, it is very difficult for homeowners to fully assess the impact a revaluation of their property may have on their property tax bill," said Senator Weinberg. "Both the manner by which new property values are assessed and how those new values impact the owner’s tax burden are confusing to all but the best trained experts, and New Jersey residents deserve a longer time cushion in determining whether they have been unduly harmed by the revaluation."

ASSEMBLY EDUCATION PANEL RELEASES GANG VIOLENCE PREVENTION BILL
Measure Would Require Offering Gang Violence Prevention Instruction For Elementary School Students

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Education Committee today released legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Peter J. Barnes, Patrick J. Diegnan, and Gordon M. Johnson that would require boards of education to provide elementary school students with instruction about the dangers of street gangs and the rising threat of gang violence.

GOVERNOR SIGNS GUSCIORA/ROBERTS/STEELE BILL HALTING EXECUTIONS
Measure Creates Study Commission To Examine Policy on Death Penalty