Joe Roberts

ROBERTS HAILS RULING DISMISSING SCHOOL CHIEFS LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW SPENDING RESTRICTIONS

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. today praised a federal judge’s decision dismissing a lawsuit by school administrators against new rules designed to combat wasteful school spending.

“These regulations always intended to achieve a perfectly reasonable public interest – more accountability in public school administration and relief for our property taxpayers. I’m pleased the judge understood that and found the public interest outweighed worries by school administrators about their income..."

ROBERTS AND PRIETO ASK STATE HEALTH CHIEF WHETHER BREAKTHROUGH CAN HELP N.J. DETECT AUTISM EARLIER

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. and Assemblyman Vincent Prieto today sent a letter to the state health commissioner asking whether a new breakthrough could help New Jersey diagnose and treat autism earlier.

BILL CARUSO NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASSEMBLY MAJORITY OFFICE

Speaker Names Veteran Congressional Staffer to Replace Departing Bill Castner

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today announced Bill Castner will leave his post as executive director of the Assembly Majority Office in January and will be succeeded by Bill Caruso, U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews’ longtime chief of staff.

Caruso will become the office’s eighth executive director. Castner is joining one of New Jersey’s premier law firms, Gibbons P.C., as a Director.

ROBERTS CONVENES ROUNDTABLE TO DEVISE PLAN TO SPUR NJ ECONOMY THROUGH ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today convened a roundtable of business leaders, state officials, environmentalists and legislators who will spend several weeks devising plans to make New Jersey a leader in alternative energy production.

Roberts (D-Camden) said the group hopes to develop a plan by year’s end to create jobs and spur economic growth in the state by investing in alternative energy.

Rev. Dale Glading, with his wife and son, is mulling a challenge to Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts in 2009

Dale Glading insists he’s not a glutton for punishment. But after getting crushed by Rob Andrews in ultra-Democratic 1st Congressional District last week, he’s thinking about making another run for office in a similarly Democratic district.

Glading, who runs a prison ministry and lives in Barrington, said that he may run against Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden) and incumbent Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden) in the 5th Legislative District.

“I would never say never. I told my wife going in, or she told me rather, that it was one and done. But she’s expressed some interest in it,” said Glading. “At this point it’s up to God and my wife in that order.”

ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL INCREASING FUNDS AVAILABLE TO TOWNS TO START SHARING SERVICES

Bill Would Allow SHARE Funds to Pay for More Start-Up Costs

(TRENTON) – The General Assembly has passed legislation to give towns greater ability to pay for entering into shared service agreements that can save property taxpayers money.

The bill is sponsored by Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., Assemblymen Frederick Scalera (D-Essex) and Herb Conaway (D-Burlington) and Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Passaic).

ROBERTS: ASSEMBLY STANDS READY TO QUICKLY ADVANCE PLANS TO HELP NEW JERSEY STAY STRONG

(TRENTON) -- Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today commended Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s speech detailing how the state can emerge stronger from the global economic crisis and said the Assembly is already ready to swiftly approve initiatives.

Roberts released the following statement:

“The governor has presented a sweeping, first-rate plan that adds momentum to our efforts to boost small businesses, promote jobs, prevent foreclosures and ensure the poor and elderly can keep their homes warm this winter. “This has been a trying time, but I’m pleased the Assembly’s ongoing focus means we’re already positioned to swiftly help hard-working New Jerseyans and the small businesses that employ them get their hands around this challenge and emerge stronger.”

ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY PANELS ADVANCE SWEEPING PACKAGE TO HELP NEW JERSEYANS AND SMALL BUSINESSES WEATHER NATIONAL ECONOMIC CRISIS

Bills Aimed at Growing Jobs, Helping Homeowners, Protecting Middle-Class New Jerseyans Approved in Unique Committee Sessions Aimed at Financial Meltdown.

19 Bills Advance.

(TRENTON) – Assembly panels meeting today in unprecedented committee sessions approved a wide-ranging bill package to help hard-working New Jerseyans and the small businesses that employ them emerge strong from the national economic crisis.

The 19 bills advanced today would:

• Promote new jobs and retain existing ones by revamping small business taxes and enhancing grants and incentives for small businesses.

• Prevent home foreclosures and protect homeowners from unscrupulous lenders.

• Help pay winter fuel bills.

• Bring new consumer protections against securities fraud.

• Bring savings and new jobs through alternative energy.

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS COMMENT ON TODAY’S EFFORT TO HELP NEW JERSEY WORKERS AND BUSINESSES AMID FINANCIAL MELTDOWN

Legislators convened unprecedented joint hearings on housing, oversight, jobs and social worries as Assembly continued economic emphasis to help middle class and small businesses.

(TRENTON) – Assembly Democrats released the following statements today as Assembly committees held unprecedented hearings on how to ensure New Jersey workers and businesses emerge strong from the national economic crisis:

Asked to comment on the Property Tax Assistance and Community Development grants program, which a budget staffer today testified gave key legislators sole discretion of millions of dollars in grants during fiscal years 2005 and 2006, Assembly Majority spokesman Derek Roseman gave the following response:

“We’re not aware of the specifics of today’s testimony, but in recent years we’ve implemented new rules and regulations that open up the budget process more than ever before and let the public see every requested budget change and exactly who is proposing it.”