Matt Milam

*** THURSDAY’S ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES ***

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES TO WEIGH FAIR DEBT COLLECTION, MEDICAL ERRORS, EXPANDING TRANSIT HUB TAX CREDIT

Panels Will Also Consider Regulating Bank Cards, N.J. College Savings Program

(TRENTON) – Assembly committees Thursday will consider legislation to combat harassing debt collection practices, require the state to publicly report hospital medical errors and expand a tax credit program designed to lure development to urban transit hubs.

Legislation (A-2493) sponsored by Assemblymen John J. Burzichelli, Matthew W. Milam and Wayne P. DeAngelo to combat harassing consumer debt collection practices will be considered by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.

SENATE PANEL CLEARS ALBANO/MILAM BILL PROMOTING BEST PRACTICES IN TEACHING STUDENTS WITH READING DISABILITIES

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam sponsored to promote best practices for teaching students with reading disabilities and difficulties with language skills was released Monday by a Senate panel.

“Having the ability to read is vital to succeeding in school and getting a good job,” said Albano. “We need to redouble our efforts to ensure that every child is able to read and to overcome difficulties that can lessen their future prospects for success.”

GREENWALD, BURZICHELLI, ALBANO & MILAM:
POLL SHOWS NEW JERSEY SHOULD TAKE SPORTS GAMING BET

(TRENTON) - Four Assembly Democratic lawmakers who have long advocated for legalizing sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos today said a new Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll released this morning strengthens the argument that New Jersey should seek to overturn a federal ban and allow resort gamblers to bet on pro-sporting events.

ALBANO & MILAM: SUPERFUND MONEY KEY TO MAKING VINELAND & REGION SAFER

(VINELAND) – Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam on Thursday hailed the Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to use federal stimulus funding to speed the cleanup of contamination from the long-toxic Vineland Chemical Company site.

“This site has long plagued not only Vineland, but the entire region and our precious natural resources,” Milam said. “We’ve advocated for a faster cleanup and are pleased to see it’s now going to happen. This site has been on the EPA’s national priorities list since 1984, so this is long overdue and will cut two years off the Blackwater Branch cleanup. That’s good news for the health and welfare of the entire region.”

FIRST DISTRICT LEGISLATORS LAUD AGREEMENT TO KEEP KEY HEALTH SYSTEM PART OF NJ INSURER’S NETWORK

(FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT) – Sen. Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam today lauded the agreement between Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the University of Pennsylvania Health System to keep the health system part of the insurer’s hospital network.

About 40,000 Penn Medicine patients are covered by Horizon. Penn Health includes the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, satellite facilities, nursing programs and provider networks.

ALBANO & MILAM VISIT NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS

Legislators Travel to Oklahoma to Honor Soldiers Prior to Deployment in Iraq

(TRENTON) – Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam today are visiting New Jersey National Guard troops stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. as the soldiers get ready to deploy to Iraq.

Albano and Milam are part of a contingent of federal and state officials who traveled to meet with about 250 soldiers from the 150th Assault Helicopter Battalion.

BURZICHELLI/MILAM BILL EASING CASINO RULES,
CUTTING RED TAPE BECOMES LAW
Measure Streamlines Casino Laws, Enacts Business-Friendly Measures
To Help Resorts Maintain Edge in Competitive Marketplace

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Matt Milam sponsored to streamline casino laws and relieve Atlantic City's resorts from unnecessary regulatory burdens was signed into law today by Gov. Jon Corzine.

DeANGELO / MILAM / ALBANO ’RIGHT TO FILE’ CONSUMER-PROTECTION LEGISLATION APPROVED BY ASSEMBLY

Measure Would Invalidate Any Consumer Contract That Requires Consumers to Give Up Their Right To File A Complaint

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Wayne P. DeAngelo, Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam to safeguard consumers by invalidating any contract that requires the customer to waive their right to file a complaint has been approved by the Assembly.

The bill (A-2465) would nullify any contract that contains language negating the ability of a consumer to contact either law enforcement or state, county or municipal authorities to file consumer complaint.

“When companies are using contract clauses that force consumers to waive their right to file a complaint, something must be done,” said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “Preventing a customer from filing a complaint undermines New Jersey’s long standing tradition of consumer protection. Without such protection, the ability monitor a business’ compliance with existing law is severely compromised.”

BURZICHELLI/MILAM/ALBANO BILL SIGNED INTO LAW;
ALLOWS CASINO EMPLOYEES TO SERVE ON A.C. COUNCIL

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen John Burzichelli, Matt Milam and Nelson Albano sponsored to allow casino employees to run for seats on the Atlantic City Council was signed into law Saturday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

ALBANO & MILAM BACK BID TO COMBAT FEDERAL LAW BLOCKING PRO SPORTS WAGERING IN ATLANTIC CITY

(1st Legislative District) – Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam today endorsed a federal lawsuit filed by Sen. Raymond Lesniak and three of the state’s horse racing associations seeking to invalidate a federal law that blocks pro sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos.

Albano and Milam sponsor legislation (A-1909) that would let New Jersey voters decide in a November election whether Atlantic City’s casinos should be able to accept in-person wagers on professional sports. The bill passed the Assembly 58-17-1 in February 2008.