GREENWALD: GREENBOOK CLOSURE SHOWS NEED FOR COMMUNITY OPTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Says from Clinical, Fiscal and Moral Standpoint, Community Options a ‘No-Brainer’

(VOORHEES)—Assemblyman Lou Greenwald on Wednesday said the emergency closure of the state-run Greenbrook Developmental Center due to flooding and storm damage once again highlighted the pressing need for community-based alternatives for developmentally disabled individuals and their families.

“Thankfully, Greenbrook was evacuated efficiently and safely,” said Greenwald (D-Camden).. “But this closure is just the latest demonstration of why our state needs more community options for people with developmental disabilities. Spending state dollars to repair costly, outdated facilities when we know we can save money and produce better care outcomes in the community is the wrong move.”

GREENWALD: CHRISTIE PLAN DOES NOTHING TO COMBAT N.J. ADDICTION TO PROPERTY TAXES

(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) released the following statement Tuesday after Gov. Chris Christie’s budget address:

“When Gov. Christie promised to fix New Jersey and said it was overtaxed, most New Jerseyans probably didn’t realize he would be increasing property taxes, cutting school funding, eliminating property tax rebate relief for 2010 and taxing hospitals.

“Promising not to raise taxes, then proposing a budget that will bring property tax increases and other new taxes, does nothing more than burden the middle-class and expose the poor already struggling to make ends meet..."

GREENWALD RELEASES ASSEMBLY BUDGET PANEL’S PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE

Urges Residents to Come with Ideas for Change During Tough Budget Year

(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis D. Greenwald on Wednesday announced residents will have three opportunities to address the Assembly Budget Committee as it examines Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010 state budget.

“Public hearings are among the most important sessions this committee holds each year, and this year they may prove even more important,” said Greenwald (D-Camden). “The state budget directly effects every New Jerseyan, and the input and ideas we receive from residents is vital. Their thoughts and ideas are especially welcome in what will be a difficult budget year.”

GREENWALD & CONNERS LOOK TO HIGHLIGHT HIGHER EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS

(TRENTON) – Assemblymen Lou Greenwald and Jack Conners are looking to highlight the higher educational benefits available to veterans.

Their bill (A-1677) requires a public institution of higher education to include a link on its Web site to access information on educational benefits available to veterans. The link must be placed in a prominent location on the Web site.

“After completing their military service, many veterans want to further their education by attending college,” said Greenwald (D-Camden). “But to ensure veterans are aware of the educational options and benefits offered to them, it’s imperative that information is easily accessible through a link on every public institution of higher education’s Web site.”

“We know nothing is more valuable than a quality education, and that’s especially the case for our veterans,” said Conners (D-Burlington/Camden), the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman. “Making sure our veterans have easy access to information on the benefits that can help them transition from the battlefield into the classroom is the right thing to do.”

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC STATEMENTS ON MONDAY BUDGET HEARING

(TRENTON) – Democratic lawmakers on the Assembly Budget Committee released the following statements Monday after the panel convened a hearing with acting Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff:

*** MONDAY ADVISORY ***

ASSEMBLY BUDGET PANEL TO MEET WITH ACTING TREASURER

(TRENTON) – The Assembly Budget Committee will hold a special hearing Monday with acting Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff to discuss the current fiscal year’s budget shortfall.

Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) said he hopes the public hearing will be a first step toward a cooperative effort by Gov. Chris Christie’s administration and the Legislature to develop alternatives.

“We will continue cutting spending, but we need alternatives to Gov. Christie’s plan to increase property taxes on and threaten the health care of New Jersey’s hard-working middle-class and poor,” Greenwald said.

GREENWALD CALLS ON ACTING TREASURER TO EXPLAIN CUTS TO ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) released the following statement after Wednesday’s Assembly Budget Committee meeting:

“The concerns we heard today indicate New Jerseyans are uneasy about the direction of Gov. Christie’s cuts and what they mean for New Jersey’s future.

“We should be considering other cuts that won’t increase property taxes and lead to more hospital closings and uninsured residents and cuts in services to the developmentally disabled, blind, deaf and hungry. Those outcomes were certainly not the change New Jerseyans were hoping would arrive.

“As Assembly Republican Budget Officer Joe Malone said on Dec. 22, taking school aid ‘from only those districts operating with a surplus is tantamount to punishing those who have planned and budgeted efficiently’ and, ‘We can no longer rely on dipping into the taxpayers’ pockets to balance the books'...

GREENWALD STATEMENT AT WEDNESDAY ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARING

(TRENTON) – Remarks, as prepared, of Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) at the start of Wednesday’s Assembly Budget Committee hearing:

“Good morning and welcome everyone to today’s Assembly Budget Committee hearing. Before we start hearing from you, the public, I would just like to take a few minutes to discuss how we will be moving ahead to solve this fiscal year’s budget shortfall.

“I was pleased this morning to hear Gov. Christie acknowledge what we’ve been saying all along -- that he does in fact require legislative approval to resolve the budget shortfall..."

ASSEMBLY BUDGET PANEL TO MEET WEDNESDAY ON CHRISTIE’S BUDGET PLAN

(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald on Friday announced the Assembly Budget Committee will meet on Wednesday to hear testimony on Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to close the current fiscal year’s budget shortfall.

Christie’s plan includes cutting aid for schools, hospitals, colleges, public transit and job creation and was done through executive order with neither public analysis nor debate.

Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex) on Thursday directed the committee to meet so it can begin analyzing Christie’s plan and “give it the transparency that it so far has lacked and the public deserves.”

“Gov. Christie’s ill-advised plan steers New Jerseyans toward property tax increases, potential hospital closures and the possibility of higher tuition and transit fares that are no different than tax hikes,” said Greenwald (D-Camden). “It also kills job creation. On top of all that, Gov. Christie kept his plan secret and executed it without any public discussion. This is undemocratic and an affront to residents and businesses alike.”

GREENWALD: CHRISTIE ‘PASSING ON OUR PROBLEMS TO OUR PROPERTY TAXPAYERS’

(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden) released the following statement on Thursday on Gov. Chris Christie’s speech:

"Now that we're past this televised speech, Gov. Christie has finally given us a plan to solve this problem, but unfortunately it’s one that could very well shake the confidence of our residents, businesses and investors..."