John Wisniewski

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.”

CHIAPPONE / WISNIEWSKI / LAMPITT / BARNES / McKEON PACKAGE TO IMPROVE TEEN DRIVER SAFETY NOW LAW

(TRENTON) – Measures sponsored by Assembly members Anthony Chiappone, John S. Wisniewski, Pamela R. Lampitt, Peter J. Barnes III and John F. McKeon to improve teen driver safety in New Jersey was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

The bills implement top recommendations of the state’s Teen Driver Study Commission.

ASSEMBLYMAN WISNIEWSKI LAUNCHES FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Fire Injury, Death Statistics among Children Prove Need for Education Overhaul in NJ

(SAYREVILLE) - Following a March 30 roundtable discussion with education and fire safety experts, Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski today again stressed the need for improvements in the way New Jersey educates students about the dangers associated with fire.

"Every year, hundreds of young lives are lost in residential fires, mainly because the children do not know how to act in a fire emergency," said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the New Jersey Fire Safety Commission.  "We need to improve on how we teach our children about fire safety so that the first thing they think of in a blaze isn't 'Stop, Drop and Roll.'"

Chairman Joe Spicuzzo congratulates his Distrct 19 ticket: Aassemblyman John Wisniewski, left, and South Amboy Mayor John T. O'Leary

EDISON – One Perth Amboy mayor received homage, a second stands accused of state corruption charges and stayed away, and a third was in the house tonight here at the Pines Manor at the Middlesex County Democratic Organization’s convention. 

“He’s disappeared,” Chairman Joe Spicuzzo said of former Perth Amboy Mayor Joe Vas, indicted last week on bid-rigging and theft charges. “I’ve tried calling him but haven’t heard from him. He must be with his lawyer.” 

Ousted as mayor last year by Wilda Diaz, Vas had originally intended to pursue his assembly seat again at a special March 25th convention, but backed down after absorbing the state charges last Wednesday.

ASSEMBLY OK’S DeANGELO/SCHAER/WISNIEWSKI/McKEON BILL TO REFORM LENDING ACTIVITIES

Bill Would Revise Mortgage & Consumer Loan Practices

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by sponsored by Assemblymen Wayne P. DeAngelo (DMercer/ Middlesex), Gary S. Schaer (D-Passaic), John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) and John F. McKeon (D-Essex) to reform mortgage and consumer loan lending activities was approved 79-0 Monday by the Assembly.

“The ongoing mortgage foreclosure crisis has showed our oversight laws desperately need reform,” DeAngelo said. “The current system isn’t working and change is needed. This bill will strengthen our ability to ensure mortgage lenders are accountable and help keep people in their homes.”

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

ASSEMBLY DEMS COMMENTARY ON SECOND COMMITTEE REVIEW OF OVERSIGHT FOR NJ PORTION OF FEDERAL STIMULUS

(TRENTON) – Chairs of seven Assembly committees today issued a multimedia package on the Assembly’s efforts to ensure legislative oversight and accountability of the money made available to New Jersey from the recently enacted federal stimulus package.

The committee hearings were the second of two days largely devoted to discussing the impact of the federal stimulus on the state. Assembly committees heard from a variety of state commissioners and department heads on their efforts to obtain and oversee distribution of federal stimulus dollars.

TRENTON – Key Assembly Democrats this week said they would like to expunge at least two of the more controversial elements of Gov. Jon Corzine’s budget proposal: the one-year property tax deduction on income taxes and the request for property tax rebate freezes for non-senior homeowners making over $75,000 and reexamine alternatives.

“I’m not certain the property tax deduction will be in the budget when it’s done,” said Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville). “We have to try to embrace these things as temporary measures, but my own personal suggestion on how we get through this is we may have to borrow money to get the state through its current economic crisis.

“I know it’s near heresy to say that, and in normal times that’s true, but now we ought to at least seriously consider borrowing. Against the pension fund? Sure, at least examine it. There are a variety of vehicles we have.”   

State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge) today called on his indicted district-mate, Assemblyman Joseph Vas (D-Perth Amboy), to resign.

“In light of the variety and extent of the charges, Assemblyman Vas should resign his seat immediately so the people and voters of the 19th Legislative District can have their government serve them in a way that’s unencumbered by these charges,” Vitale told PolitickerNJ.com in a phone interview.

Vas was charged with 11 corruption counts today related to his time mayor of Perth Amboy.  He was defeated in an upset last year by current mayor Wilda Diaz.  

Vas is already facing a primary challenge for his assembly seat from South Amboy Mayor Jack O’Leary.  Middlesex County Democrats will award the party line to two assembly candidates at a convention this month.

Assemblyman Joe Vas’s (D-Perth Amboy) indictment today on state corruption charges sparked the 19th District to action, as the county chairmen from both parties responded less than two weeks in front of their respective conventions.

Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Joe Spicuzzo said he wants to talk to Vas, charged with stealing funds from the City of Perth Amboy while he was mayor, before proceeding with his party’s convention scheduled for March 25 at the Forge.

“It depends on what Joe wants to do,” said Spicuzzo. “I’m sure he’s thinking about not running. I’m going to talk to him first thing tomorrow morning and we’ll see where he stands.”

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS COMMENTARY ON 2009 BUDGET ADDRESS

(TRENTON) - Assembly Democrats today issued a multimedia package on their reactions to Governor Jon S. Corzine's 2009 Budget Address.

The multimedia package consists of a video press release of legislative commentary, audio of same and a transcript of statements by the lawmakers.