SENATOR WHELAN AND PRESIDENT SAATKAMP INTRODUCE THE STOCKTON INSTITUTE FOR GAMING MANAGEMENT (SIGMA) GAMING IMPACT “DASHBOARD”

(NORTHFIELD) -- Senator Jim Whelan joined President Herman Saatkamp and representatives from The Stockton Institute for Gaming Management (SIGMA) to introduce the SIGMA “Gaming Impact Dashboard” today at the Carnegie Library Center.

The “Dashboard” will provide key measures on how the Atlantic City gaming industry’s downturn impacts the lives of individuals and families throughout the State of New Jersey. Some of these measures include employment, charities, and programs to aid seniors and the disabled throughout the State. A copy of the “Dashboard” is attached.

“Tens of thousands of individuals’ livelihoods are dependent on the casino industry,” said Whelan. “It is vital that we fully understand its far reaching impact and take the right set of actions to lessen the impact.”

State Sen. Jim Wehlan (D-Atlantic)

As he prepares to join the ranks of other Democrats lining up to reelect Gov. Jon Corzine next year, state Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) highlights the governor’s efforts to rein in state spending, combined with  the Democratic Party’s preparedness to create public works projects to deflect the impact of hard economic times.  

“I think unfortunately the reality of what New Jersey was experiencing has now gone to the entire economy,” said Whelan. “This state was overspending for 15 years, using a credit card mentality in its approach to the budget, and I think Gov. Corzine started moving things in the right direction. He has restored fiscal sanity to our state.   

“This administration and we as a party have made a statement that we’re not just going to tax our way out of this problem,” he added.     

“…In addition to a business stimulus package to create a bigger pie, we need New Deal-style public works projects. A guy told me the other day, ‘that’s not really what ended the Depression, it was WWII.’ Okay, but if you do projects that are essential now, it’s a good opportunity because with the economy dead, the contractors are willing to work for a little less and you can get better deals with labor.”

GENETIC COUNSELING REGULATION APPROVED IN STATE SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale, Jim Whelan, Shirley K. Turner and Nia H. Gill which would create a system of licensure and accountability for genetic counselors in the State of New Jersey was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 38-0.

“The future of medicine – particularly in the area of designer drugs, personalized medicine and custom-made health plans – is going to depend on genetic counseling,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “With this bill, we would put into place a regulatory structure to provide needed oversight and accountability for these health care professionals who can do so much to expand the effectiveness and affordability of health care moving forward. This bill is about making sure New Jersey has the foresight needed to meet the health care challenges of tomorrow, and ensure accountability and standards in the burgeoning genetic counseling field.”

SCUTARI-WHELAN ‘NEW JERSEY COMPASSIONATE USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT’ APPROVED IN SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Nicholas P. Scutari and Jim Whelan to create an avenue of legality for medical marijuana for those suffering from chronic and terminal diseases was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 6-1, with 2 abstentions.

“It is the definition of basic human decency that we do whatever we can to ease the pain and suffering of people living with severe chronic and terminal diseases,” said Senator Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset. “When all other avenues of currently-approved pain relief have been exhausted, we need to give doctors the freedom to prescribe medical marijuana to give their patients a measure of comfort and dignity in the face of their debilitating diseases. This bill is about the most humane, compassionate option for those State residents who have nowhere else to turn in managing their illnesses.”

Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small on his way to Wednesday evening's council meeting in City Hall.

ATLANTIC CITY – Local basketball and baseball star turned 2nd Ward City Councilman Marty Small wants to be mayor of Atlantic City, and says he intends to win the Democratic nomination next year.

“I’m running,” Small told PolitickerNJ.com on his way to Wednesday evening’s council meeting in City Hall on Bacharach Blvd. 

Atlantic County insiders say Small has a good shot. He’s well-known in his hometown and was a vigorous backer of President-elect Barack Obama. 

As the incumbent, Mayor Lorenzo Langford is regarded as the favorite in a mayoral contest. But if Council President William “Speedy” Marsh gets in the race, Small could seize the advantage.

“If Senator Whelan truly believes what he said yesterday and disavows what he said six weeks ago, then he should immediately pledge his support for state legislation to do for New Jersey what County Executive Dennis Levinson and the Republican Freeholder Board has done for Atlantic County"

“The fact is Senator Whelan has mastered the art of negative campaigning. He’s an expert at it.”

WHELAN STATEMENT ON MADD IGNITION INTERLOCK NEWS CONFERENCE

TRENTON – Senator Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, issued the following statement regarding today’s news conference with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in support of his legislation – known as Ricci’s law – which would require first-time drunk drivers to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles:

“In July of 2006, Ricci Branca, a 17-year-old young man from Egg Harbor Township, was doing things that kids do during the summertime – enjoying time off from school and hanging out with his friends. He was a good kid who brought a lot of joy to his friends and family and had his whole life ahead of him.

GENETIC COUNSELING REGULATION ADVANCES IN SENATE COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale, Jim Whelan, Shirley K. Turner and Nia H. Gill which would create a system of licensure and accountability for genetic counselors in the State of New Jersey was unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce Committee today.

“Genetic counseling has become an invaluable medical tool for parents looking to assess the risks of transmitting genetic disorders to their kids, and individual looking for greater understanding of their own health,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “As we move forward with cutting-edge health care – like personalized medicine and custom-made health care plans – genetic counseling is becoming an even bigger part of the future of medicine. Unfortunately, individuals looking for medical guidance have no way of knowing who’s an appropriate genetic counselor and who’s simply using the title without the necessary training and education.”

South Jersey Democrats are actively courting two former Republican legislators to challenge freshmen GOP Assemblyman John Amodeo and Vincent Polistina in the Atlantic County-based second district next year: Paul D'Amato, a former Linwood Mayor who served in the Assembly from 2002 to 2003, and Frank Blee, who retired last year after seven terms in the Assembly. D'Amato left the Legislature after feuding with then-State Sen. Bill Gormley, and switched parties in 2006.  Blee broke with local Republicans in 2007 after losing a special election convention for State Senate to Sonny McCullough and backed Democrat James Whelan in the general election.