Joe Roberts

ROBERTS AND WATSON COLEMAN TO JOIN AARP IN TELE-TOWN HALL MEETING

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D-Camden) and Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) will join with AARP on Tuesday for a live tele-town hall meeting.

CODEY & ROBERTS: LEGISLATURE WILL HONOR GOVERNOR’S FURLOUGH PLAN

(TRENTON) – Senate President Richard J. Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. today agreed to honor Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s call for a two-day furlough of employee salaries in the legislative branch to close the mounting gap in the state FY 2009 budget.

Mayoral candidate/state Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden)

CAMDEN - Ensconsed in the trappings of Democratic Party power, hometown hero state Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden), whose parents were the victims of a double homicide when she was eight years old, today announced her candidacy for mayor with a promise to bring a crime-beleagured city back to waterfront glory. 

"Let's put an end to the petty, counter-productive bickering, no more fighting, ward against ward, black against Hispanic. I'm declaring it today, it is over," said Redd in an atmosphere still energized by President Barack Obama's Jan. 20th swearing-in and his call for national unity.  

The 40-year old Camden native entered the race with the blessing if not official backing of incumbent Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, 82, who stood briefly onstage and appeared to be just bucked up enough to make some “Camden first” comments in the face of party leaders who respectfully acknowledged Faison’s service before firmly throwing whatever heft they have behind rising star Redd. 

"I'm the mayor that made Camden work," an almost defiant-sounding Faison said. "I'm here today because the city is bigger than me. My heart is with Camden. ...I am here to support anyone who will help the City of Camden. That is my statement."

She said she had intended to declare her intentions regarding her political future at a Feb. 23rd press conference, and gently made it known that Redd's presser today pre-empted her own plans somewhat.

Gov. Jon Corzine on today's Chamber of Commerce trip.

NORTHEAST CORRIDOR – The Chamber of Commerce “Walk to Washington” train lurches out of the station and it isn’t even past Newark before some of the old-timers are predicting – with a degree of sadness - that no one’s going to get thrown off the train.

There’s a sense among the Democrats that if they let it all hang out with booze and bad behavior in an economic downturn and gubernatorial election year, they will appear crass and out-of-touch.

The establishment Republicans who are here probably have in their minds a preposition-ending statement issued yesterday by the gubernatorial campaign of Republican frontrunner Chris Christie: "Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie wants to bring real change to Trenton and that comes with ending politics as usual, which this trip has become a symbol of," said spokesman Bill Stepien.

So they too are restrained as the 14-car train clears the South Ward and this rolling world of business and politics collides in happy but measured ceremony with the gubernatorial election and the economy hovering at the edges of every close-quarters conversation as the train heads for Washington, D.C.

ASSEMBLY LEADER SEEKS DETAILS ON HOW FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY CAN HELP BUILDERS CREATE HOUSING & SPARK ECONOMIC GROWTH

Asks DCA Commissioner for Report on How NJ Will Handle Federal Aid

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. today sent a letter to Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph V. Doria Jr. asking how New Jersey would use money expected in new federal stimulus legislation to boost builders by helping them create affordable housing.

“This is a unique chance that cannot be missed to fulfill our obligations to provide decent housing to our residents, create jobs and help builders weather these difficult financial times, all without spending state money,” Roberts wrote.

STATEMENT OF ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBERTS ON INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today issued the following statement today on the inauguration of Barack Obama as the nation’s 44th president:

“This is a thrilling and historic day that re-energizes our hope in the American dream.

“President Obama’s inauguration is an inspiring and powerful moment that shows the phrase ‘all men are created equal’ isn’t just words on a document, but a living example of the opportunities America can offer..."

ROBERTS/CONAWAY BILL REQUIRING INSURERS COVER HEARING AIDS FOR CHILDREN SIGNED INTO LAW

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. and Assemblyman Herb Conaway, M.D. sponsored to require health insurance plans provide coverage for hearing aids for children 15-years-old and younger was signed into law today by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey.

Nearly 10 percent of New Jersey’s public school children have either a hearing problem or hearing loss. Many insurance providers cover the cost of annual hearing tests, but few cover purchasing hearing aids – even when the device is deemed medically necessary.

“The treatment of hearing loss in children with hearing aids is not a luxury,” said Roberts (D-Camden).

OLS BLASTS MISUSE OF ITS OWN OPINION; SAYS $2 BILLION FIGURE ‘MISCHARACTERIZED’

Speaker Again Calls for Responsible Housing Debate

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. today again called on those debating New Jersey’s housing crisis to do so responsibly after a new nonpartisan analysis conceded a previous study didn’t account for the many ways municipalities can provide affordable housing.

In fact, the analysis by the Office of Legislative Services emphasized how state law clearly explains that no municipality shall be required to raise or spend taxpayer money to provide low- and moderate-income housing.

TOP ASSEMBLY LEADERS: GIVE TOWNS MORE TIME TO SUBMIT HOUSING PLANS

Cite changing regulations, slumping economy, environmental concerns

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. and Assembly Housing and Local Government Chairman Jerry Green today sent a letter to the state Council on Affordable Housing asking it to give municipalities more time to submit housing plans.

COAH has given municipalities until Dec. 31 to submit their plans.

Roberts and Green, who is also Assembly speaker pro tempore, asked it to extend that deadline by at least 90 days.