VAN DREW ‘PHARMACY QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ERROR PREVENTION ACT’ APPROVED IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew which would establish an error prevention program among New Jersey’s pharmacies was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“Pharmacists are only human, and mistakes can happen when filling a patient’s prescription,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May and Cumberland. “However, those mistakes can have serious consequences if a patient ends up taking the wrong medication. This bill would help pharmacies avoid medical errors which could jeopardize the health and safety of their customers, and would make health care in New Jersey much safer.”

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VAN DREW, ALBANO AND MILAM: NEW REPORT SHOWS NEED TO REVAMP DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION SERVICES

Comptroller’s Findings Call into Question Spending by Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

(1st Legislative District) –Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam today said they would explore introducing legislation to revamp the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse after the state comptroller found the agency hands out grants without proper review.

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VAN DREW RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO ACT ON HOMELESS VETS APPROVED

TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew which would urge Congress to enact legislation to set aside housing choice vouchers for homeless veterans was unanimously approved by the Senate today, receiving final legislative approval.

“It is shameful that the brave men and women who have risked their lives in the name of freedom and have fallen on hard economic times cannot find the housing help they need,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May and Cumberland. “Congress must act immediately to correct this egregious wrong and ensure that homeless veterans around the country get the support and assistance they need to get back on their feet. This is about doing right by those who’ve sacrificed so much to keep America safe.”

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TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono, Jeff Van Drew and Shirley K. Turner, which would establish the “Invest in New Jersey Business Grant Program Act,” as an incentive program to encourage businesses to make capital investments and hire and retain new workers received final legislative approval today from the full Senate by a vote of 33 to 7.

            “With the economic stability of the nation struggling, now is the time for us to invest in home-grown, New Jersey businesses,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “By providing these incentives for the State’s businesses, we’re promoting growth and creating a welcoming environment for businesses to thrive now, and well into the future.”

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VAN DREW URGES HORIZON AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA TO COME TO AGREEMENT

Legislators, Health Care Professionals, Patient’s Families Say Specialized Care for New Jersey’s Sickest Children Hangs in Balance

TRENTON – At a news conference in the Statehouse today, Senator Jeff Van Drew was joined by health care professionals, representatives of the Medical Society of New Jersey, and patients’ families to urge Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to enter into good-faith negotiations with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to allow thousands of the State’s sickest kids to continue to receive top-notch specialized pediatric health care.

“Many families in South Jersey have relied on Children’s Hospital through the years to provide the sort of specialized pediatric care for which they have built a world-wide reputation,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May and Cumberland. “However, Horizon’s decision to end their relationship with CHOP means that such world-class care will be inaccessible for thousands who subscribe to the State’s largest health insurer after March 11 – the cut-off date under the existing contract. Horizon needs to come to the negotiating table in good faith and ensure that New Jersey families continue to have access to the health care resources of the world’s best pediatric hospital.”

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Some pundits are wondering whether Democratic State Sen. Jefferson Van Drew made the wrong decision by decling to challenge U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo this year.  LoBiondowas re-elected to his eigth term in the House with 59%, his weakest showing since his unsuccessful 1992 campaign against Bill Hughes.  But LoBiondo didn't need to burn through his warchest in a race with a relatively unknown, underfinanced Democrat, Cape May City Councilman David Kurkowski; a race against Van Drew would have been exponentially more expensive, and LoBiondo would have been more engaged.

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One Democratic legislator from South Jersey, who asked that his name be withheld to keep him out of trouble, says that State Senator Jefferson Van Drew "screwed up" when he passed up a chance to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo this year.  "Look at the new Democratic voters in the district.  Look at the political environment... (Barack) Obama, the economy, George W. Bush, Iraq, (Sarah) Palin," the legislator told PolitickerNJ.com.  "Democrats are doing well in traditionally Republican areas and Frank is a Bush ally.  This was the best year to pick up the District 2 House seat and Van Drew was the best candidate." Read More >

VAN DREW/ALBANO/MILAM CALL RULING OF STATE POLICE RURAL PATROLS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE 'A VICTORY'

Council on Local Mandates' Decision Will Save Property Taxpayers Millions

(TRENTON) - First District Legislators Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam (all D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May) today hailed a decision of the State of New Jersey Council on Local Mandates declaring language in the fiscal year 2009 state budget to be an unfunded mandate 'a victory for property taxpayers.'

The language in question would have required the 89 municipalities that rely on rural State Police patrols to pay for the service, which carries a price tag of $12.6 million dollars.  The council, in a verbal statement, ruled that "line 8 on page 158 of the Annual Appropriations Act to line 17 on page 159, inclusive, constitutes an unfunded mandate and is null and void."

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VAN DREW, ALBANO AND MILAM URGE CORZINE AND REGULATORS TO PURSUE NJ BUSINESSES FOR WIND FARMS

Proposal for Small Wind Farm – 8 Turbines – Within NJ Waters Could Make State First in Nation to Harvest Off-Shore Wind Energy

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – First District Legislators, Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam, today applauded Governor Corzine’s calls for triple the energy output to be produced by offshore wind farms by the year 2020, and urged State regulators to consider wind farm proposals from local businesses as part of the State’s renewable energy solution.

“Governor Corzine’s plans for the role of off-shore wind energy in New Jersey are going to have nation-wide and world-wide implications,” said Senator Van Drew. “If this is done the right way, it could be a great economic opportunity for South Jersey, and New Jersey will be the first-in-the-world to harvest significant amounts of energy from off-shore wind farms. However, to make these plans – and the Governor’s energy goals – a reality, we’re going to have to reach a critical mass, and open this up to other bidders.”

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VAN DREW BILL HALTING DEP ACCESS RULES TO MARINAS SIGNED INTO LAW

Measure Would Create Moratorium on Broad New Access Rules Deemed Too Drastic by Marina Owners

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew which will delay implementation of new Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rules to give the public broad access to private marina facilities in New Jersey was signed into law yesterday by Governor Corzine.

“The public has a right to access their waterways, but private marinas are an important part of the shore’s tourism economy,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May and Cumberland. “Each marina is not created the same, and owners need time to develop plans which address the unique issues surrounding access at their facility, including public safety, site operation, and geographic location. A delay in the implementation of DEP’s public access rules is simply a matter of fairness to people who’ve invested a lot of time and capital in the Jersey Shore.”

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