ROBERTS: UPDATED BUDGET PICTURE GREAT NEWS FOR NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D-Camden) released the following statement today on updated revenue figures announced by Gov. Jon S. Corzine:

“Today’s announcement is great news in this tough budget year for New Jersey property taxpayers and families.

“We have always said that we would seek to provide as much property tax relief as possible, and these updated figures allow us to honor that commitment to put property taxpayers first....

Fifth District Assembly Candidate Stepfanie Velez-Gentry
calls on Joe Roberts to stand up for New Jersey's taxpayers

Joe Roberts is Jon Corzine's chief enabler.

BELLMAWR – Stepfanie Velez-Gentry, a candidate for Assembly in the Fifth Legislative District, called on Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts to stand up for New Jersey's taxpayers.

"The Governor has submitted a budget that hurts the taxpayers of this state and for Joe Roberts to simply call it 'sobering' is ridiculous," Velez-Gentry said. "Taking away property tax rebates from nearly every New Jerseyan is more than 'sobering,' it's a disgrace."

"Joe Roberts is supposed to be a leader," Velez-Gentry continued. "A real leader would stand up against this budget and call on the Governor not to take away the rebates he promised us he would expand."

"Under Jon Corzine the average property tax bill has gone up in virtually every municipality in our district," Velez-Gentry stated. "What is sobering to me is that Joe Roberts is Jon Corzine's chief enabler."

"It is Jon Corzine's high taxes and out-of-control spending that got us to where we are," Velez-Gentry concluded. "Our district and our State deserve better, they deserve members of the General Assembly who will fight against budgets that hurt regular people and they deserve members of the General Assembly who will exercise fiscal restraint, not enable Jon Corzine to spend their money."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Carl Bergmanson chided Gov. Corzine for not using his political muscle to force passage of the medical marijuana bill and went on to call for the government to stop enforcing laws against use of the substance for any purpose.

The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which passed the state Senate in March, has not been posted for a vote in the Assembly.  It is on the agenda for Thursday's meeting of the Assembly Heath and Senior Services Committee, however.  

SPEAKER ROBERTS STATEMENT ON PASSING OF FORMER ASSEMBLYMAN ERNEST F. SCHUCK

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr.(D-Camden) issued the following statement today on the passing of former Assemblyman Ernest F. Schuck (D-Camden):

“Assemblyman Schuck will be remembered as someone who served so many with honor, commitment and distinction..."

*** MONDAY ADVISORY ***

SPEAKER ROBERTS & RENOWNED AUTISM ADVOCATE BOB WRIGHT TO BACK INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM TREATMENT

Bill Would be Another Step in N.J.’s Campaign Against Nation’s Highest Autism

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. and renowned autism treatment and research advocate Bob Wright will testify Monday before the Assembly Appropriations Committee in support of legislation Roberts is sponsoring to require insurers to cover autism treatments.

The Speaker and Wright will be joined by Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), Assemblywoman Joan Voss (D-Bergen) and Assemblyman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson). Voss and Prieto sponsor the bill with Roberts and Vitale sponsors the Senate version.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Monday in Committee Room 11, Fourth Floor, State House Annex, West State Street, Trenton.

WISNIEWSKI: NEW JERSEY COUNTIES AND TOWNS TO GET ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION TO PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION WORK

Additional Money will Create Jobs, Ease Property Taxes

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski on Thursday announced the state will be providing an additional $50 million next fiscal year to help counties and municipalities pay for transportation improvements that will create jobs and alleviate property taxes.

The additional money for the fiscal year starting July 1 was allocated after discussions between Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D-Camden) and New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Stephen Dilts.

“This additional money will prove vital to residents as local governments battle not only a global recession that has hit hard, but the all-too-common problems of an aging infrastructure and traffic congestion,” said Wisniewski, chairman of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. “This will pay for sorely needed projects, increase access to jobs, spark economic development and boost safety while also easing the financial pressure on local governments and property tax payers.”

ROBERTS: FURLOUGHS PREFERABLE TO LAY OFFS

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (D-Camden) released the following statement on the Civil Service Commission’s actions to set rules for mandatory furloughs:

“The Governor made clear weeks ago that he would seek to take this step, so while today’s action might be called an emergency it is not unexpected.

“The global recession has brought no easy answers, but furloughs are a better option than laying off thousands of workers. Gov. Corzine has made the right choice to keep people employed and give governments the flexibility to save money..."

MCDO Chairman Joe Spicuzzo

In his first conversation with embattled Assemblyman Joe Vas (D-Perth Amboy) since Vas absorbed corruption charges from the state Attorney General’s office nearly two weeks ago, Middlesex County Democratic Organization Chairman Joe Spicuzzo urged the former Perth Amboy mayor to resign his seat as chair of the local Democratic organization.

“I told him it would be better for all concerned if he did resign,” said Spicuzzo, who spoke with Vas this morning. “He told me he’s done nothing wrong and does not intend to give up his chairmanship. So we’ll let the process play out. His term is up in early June. 

“He also defended the party over there in Perth Amboy and challenged recent quotes in the paper that his organization is floundering,” Spicuzzo added.

ROBERTS: GOVERNOR PRESENTS ‘PRUDENT PLAN’ TO STEER NEW JERSEY THROUGH ECONOMIC CRISIS

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (D-Camden) released the following statement after Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s budget address:

“The Governor has presented a prudent plan to steer New Jersey through the global economic crisis and position it to emerge stronger when the economy rebounds.

“New Jersey remains better positioned than most states because of our efforts to cut spending, increase senior citizen property tax relief and help families keep their homes..."

ROBERTS: ASSEMBLY PANELS TO SEEK DETAILS ON HOW NEW JERSEY WILL HANDLE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY

Speaker Announces March 9 and 12 Assembly Committee Hearings on Federal Package

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. today announced Assembly committees will devote their March 9 and March 12 hearings to ensuring oversight and accountability of the money available to the state through the recently enacted federal stimulus package and what the initiative ultimately will mean to New Jersey.

“It’s imperative that New Jersey take advantage of every federal dollar available to it,” said Roberts (D-Camden). “Our future will be shaped by how effectively we spend this money, and President Obama has made it clear that he will hold everyone accountable. Ensuring proper oversight and accountability is our role and we will make sure we do this right.”