KARCHER - 'EARLY ELECTION PUTS NEW JERSEY PRIMARY CENTER-STAGE'

TRENTON - Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, issued the following statement today after the Assembly State Government Committee unanimously approved her bill, sponsored with Senate President Richard J. Codey, to move New Jersey's presidential primary to the first week of February:

"I applaud the Assembly's action today to make New Jersey relevant in national politics. For too long, the residents of the Garden State have been disenfranchised by a late primary, making their votes meaningless in the political process, as the party nominees for president are often already decided before the voting booths even open in our home State.

KARCHER TOUTS ETHICS REFORMS AS 'STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION'

TRENTON - Senator Karcher applauded the Senate approval today of a number of measures designed to increase transparency and ethical controls in State government, including her own bill to ban political contributions from public agencies.

"The Senate made a bold statement today about our commitment to stronger protections against corruption and abuse in our own house," said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, a leading ethics advocate in the Legislature. "Allegations or political favoritism and influence peddling taint the process, and taint the hard work that we do every day to serve the public interest. I'm happy that the Senate has taken these steps towards more ethical government, and I look forward to working towards a higher standard."

SENATOR DORIA RESPONSE TO FY 2008 BUDGET ADDRESS

TRENTON - Senator Joseph V. Doria, D-Hudson, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Governor Corzine's FY 2008 Budget Address:

"Governor Corzine's proposed budget is good news for those New Jerseyans who are struggling to meet the high cost of living in the Garden State.

KARCHER BILL TO AMEND BENEFITS TO PUBLIC OFFICEHOLDERS APPROVED

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would make various amendments to the pensions and benefits of those holding public office in New Jersey was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 25-7.

"For too long in New Jersey, people have treated public office like a gold mine, with perks and benefits well above what someone could get in the private sector," said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. "When I was elected to the State Senate, I was elected to serve the people of the 12th Legislative District, not to enrich myself on the perks of office. It's time we get real on the benefits we offer to those who serve in public office."

VITALE - STATE MUST DO MORE TO ENSURE SAFETY OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND HOMELESS SHELTERS

TRENTON - State Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement today regarding his panel's joint hearing with the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee on the state of transitional housing and homeless shelters in New Jersey:

"In New Jersey's urban centers, homelessness and rampant poverty have overcome the meager support system that's in place to protect our economically disadvantaged. While our State benefits from a network of committed advocates and grassroots support, we need to invest more in ensuring that even the poorest among us has a warm place to sleep, and safe shelter over their heads.

DORIA PUSHES GANG LEGISLATION TO STEM TIDE OF VIOLENCE IN JERSEY CITY

JERSEY CITY - State Senator Joseph V. Doria is pushing for swift Senate action on a package of bills intended to curb escalating gang violence in New Jersey's urban areas, including Jersey City in his district.

"Gangs are running rampant on the streets of Jersey City and other urban centers in New Jersey, and kids are forced to either enter gang life, or face the consequences," said Senator Doria, D-Bayonne. "While I think we've been successful in putting a focus on this problem, we need to do more to discourage gang violence, and give kids a positive alternative."

KARCHER BILL CLARIFYING HANDICAPPED PARKING PENALTIES ADVANCES IN ASSEMBLY

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would clarify that the penalties for illegally parking in a handicapped parking spot are active even when those penalties are not posted on a handicapped parking sign was unanimously approved today by the Assembly Transportation Committee.

"In today's world, nearly every driver can easily identify a handicapped parking sign, whether the penalties are posted or not," said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. "We make those parking spots available as a matter of convenience and safety to our disabled drivers. To ignore the law, simply because penalties are not posted, is a mockery of the spirit of handicapped parking."

LESNIAK PROPOSES BANNING SMOKING IN CARS WITH KIDS

TRENTON - Senator Raymond J. Lesniak today announced efforts to prohibit smoking while in a car with a minor, in an attempt to protect kids from second-hand smoke in enclosed areas.

"Many parents who are smokers have the presence of mind to not expose their children to the dangerous toxins associated with second-hand smoke," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. "We know for a fact that second-hand smoke contributes to heart disease, respiratory illness, and cancer, and responsible parents should try to limit their kids' exposure, even if they themselves aren't ready to quit. It seems like common sense that parents should avoid lighting up when they've got their kids in the car, and this law will stand to enforce that common sense."

KARCHER BILL TO PROTECT AGAINST GENDER IDENTITY DISCRIMINATION RECEIVES FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would prohibit discrimination against transgender individuals under New Jersey's "Law Against Discrimination," was approved by both houses of the Legislature today, receiving final legislative approval.

The measure was approved by the Senate by a vote of 32-3, and was approved by the General Assembly by a vote of 69-5, with 6 abstentions.

"Historically, as we've developed a greater understanding of our shared bonds of humanity, concepts like marginalization and discrimination have been vanquished in favor of tolerance and acceptance," said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. "Transgender individuals deserve the same rights and privileges that we extend to all of our citizens, and this bill goes a long way to ensure that their rights will be protected from the prejudices of an ignorant few."

KARCHER BILL TO PROTECT AGAINST GENDER IDENTITY DISCRIMINATION RECEIVES LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would prohibit discrimination against transgender individuals under New Jersey's "Law Against Discrimination," was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 31-5.

"In today's society, intolerance and cruelty towards a people simply because they don't fit the homogenized definition of 'normal,' have no place, and cannot be tacitly accepted by omission in our laws," said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. "We cannot turn our backs on the plight of transgender individuals who face hatred, ignorance and discrimination because of their expressed gender identity. We must extend the same protections afforded under the current 'Law Against Discrimination' to transgender people that we afford based on a racial, ethnic, gender or religious basis."