BURZICHELLI & CRYAN ON LAWSUIT AGAINST NJ’S EFFORT TO ELIMINATE NON-OPERATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS

(TRENTON) – Assembly Education Chairman Joseph Cryan and Assemblyman John Burzichelli on Wednesday criticized Rocky Hill and Millstone for filing a lawsuit against a new law to eliminate non-operating school districts.

The law (A-4141) gives county superintendents authority to merge a non-operating district with the district in which it participates in a sending-receiving relationship.

“The lawsuit by Rocky Hill and Millstone is not only disappointing, it is inexplicable,” said Cryan (D-Union). “The public has long called for reform and less government, and eliminating non-operating school districts and merging them into existing ones was a positive step by Gov. Corzine and Democrats toward school district consolidation..."

George Norcross, the leader of the South Jersey Democratic Organization, whose brother Donald has the organization's backing to run for the 5th District Assembly seat that Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden) will vacate at the end of this year, called Roberts's retirement a "sad day" for New Jersey.   

"He's the finest legislator in my lifetime to serve in the South New Jersey delegation," said the political boss who along with Roberts, U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) and others built the party machine.

"Speaker Roberts's governmental legacy has to do with laws he's proposed and enacted augmenting services for those unable to provide them for themselves," Norcross said of his longtime friend. "On the political side, he led a South Jersey delegation from two assemblymen and a senator in the 5th District to 18 members strong. Most of those districts were occupied by Republicans and were Republican-leaning districts. Joe helped devise the blueprint for how Democrats capture suburban districts and helped elect Adler, Madden, Sweeney, and Van Drew."

Norcross's brother will have the party backing for Roberts's seat, and will attempt to occupy a place most Democrats say the 22-year veteran Roberts served with distinction.

MORIARTY & BURZICHELLI CONTINUE TO SEEK JOB PROTECTIONS FOR EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERS

(TRENTON) – Assemblymen Paul Moriarty and John Burzichelli continue to seek job protections for volunteer emergency responders.

“These volunteers selflessly sacrifice their time and risk their safety to protect our communities and families,” said Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden). “The least we can do is provide them protections when it comes to their livelihoods. This is the moral and decent thing to do.”

SWEENEY-BURZICHELLI-RILEY BILL TO ESTABLISH PILOT COUNTY-WIDE TAX ASSESSMENT PROGRAM IN GLOUCESTER SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, Assembly Deputy Speaker John Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley which will create a pilot program in Gloucester County to merge municipal property tax assessors into a countywide office was signed into law yesterday by Governor Corzine.

“New Jersey’s property taxes are too high, and the root of the problem is bloated, inefficient government,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Thorofare. “We can find better ways to provide the same level of services in a more cost-effective manner through shared services and regionalization. In Gloucester County, we’ve already saved millions for county taxpayers through service sharing, and a countywide tax assessment pilot is the next step.”

BURZICHELLI ON GOP COMMITTEE MEETING

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester) today released the following statement after today’s Assembly Republican committee discussion:

BURZICHELLI & RILEY BILLS TO PRESERVE FARMLAND, OPEN SPACE & HISTORIC SITES SIGNED INTO LAW

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley to preserve farmland, open space and historic sites throughout the 3rd Legislative District has been signed into law.

“This is our heritage, and preserving farmland, open space and historic sites will benefit our families and children for decades to come,” said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester). “Farming, parks, recreation and historic sites and the jobs and tourism they produce are the foundation for a strong economy and a way of life.”

“This money will help preserve pristine land in our counties and municipalities, provide a boost to our local tourism and historic site economies and preserve sites that are so important to our heritage,” said Riley (D-Cumberland). “It’s not only a smart long-term decision, but a decision that will provide immediate benefits, too.”

SWEENEY BLASTS CHRISTIE FOR REFUSING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RELIEF FOR UNEMPLOYED NEW JERSEYANS

(WOODBURY) -- Today, State Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) blasted Right Wing Conservative Republican Chris Christie for joining with fellow Right-Wing governors Sarah Palin and Mark Sanford in opposing billions of dollars from President Obama’s economic recovery plan, including over $200 million in extended unemployment benefits.

BURZICHELLI & RILEY BILLS TO PRESERVE FARMLAND, OPEN SPACE & HISTORIC SITES GETS FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley to preserve farmland, open space and historic sites throughout the 3rd Legislative District has received final legislative approval.

“This is our heritage, and preserving farmland, open space and historic sites will benefit our families and children for decades to come,” said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester). “Farming, parks, recreation and historic sites and the jobs and tourism they produce are the foundation for a strong economy and a way of life.”

“This money will help preserve pristine land in our counties and municipalities, provide a boost to our local tourism and historic site economies and preserve sites that are so important to our heritage,” said Riley (D-Cumberland). “It’s not only a smart long-term decision, but a decision that will provide immediate benefits, too.”

BURZICHELLI & RILEY: NJDOT OFFICIALS TO REVIEW ROUTE 49 SAFETY; OFFER IMPROVEMENT PLAN BY MONTH’S END

(BRIDGETON) – Assembly Deputy Speaker John Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley today announced state transportation officials will review the curve on Route 49 at Cohansey Road in Hopewell Township and offer recommendations for improvements by month’s end.

Republican State Assembly candidate Lee Lucas told neighbors "if you want to act like niggers, go back to Paulsboro," according to a 2006 Greenwich Township police report detailing a neighbor dispute.

"Yeah, I said that," a police officer says Lucas told him.  "It's my freedom of speech. I can say what I want while I'm on my property."

Newly-elected Gloucester County GOP Chairman Bill Fey and Assembly Majority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany) have called on Lucas to drop out of the race amidst other allegations of racially insensitive remarks.  Don't expect Lucas to leave the race anytime soon. 

Sources say that Lucas was not invited to attend an event in Gloucester County on Monday that will feature GOP gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie and Republican National Chairman Michael Steele.  Steele, who is African American, will likely be asked if he supports Lucas, the winner of the June 2 Republican primary.

Police were called when Lucas was shouting at three neighbors he accused of cutting down a tree at his Gibbstown home.