ALBANO/MILAM BILL TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE FOR THE ELDERLY ADVANCED BY ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland) sponsored to help expand health care for the elderly was released today by an Assembly panel.

The bill would revise the state’s Primary Care Physician and Dentist Loan Redemption Program, which provides student loan redemptions of up to $120,000 to eligible physicians and dentists who work in underserved areas.

Under the bill (A-866), the practice of geriatrics – the field of medicine focused on caring for the elderly – would be included.

“The shortage of geriatric practitioners is expected to worsen as Baby Boomers move into their senior years, so it’s important those who care for our senior citizens be explicitly included in the group of individuals eligible for this valuable incentive program,” Albano said. "Our seniors deserve the best possible care, and that includes making doctors available to specialize in their treatment."

ALBANO/MILAM LEGISLATION CRACKING DOWN ON REPEAT DRUNK DRIVERS ADVANCED BY ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE

Bill Would Eliminate Downgrading for Offenses More Than 10 years Apart

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam to toughen penalties on repeat drunk drivers was released today by an Assembly panel.

The measure (A-3630) would eliminate the downgrading of driving while intoxicated offenses that occur more than 10 years after a previous conviction.

“The idea that a drunken driver can get off easier simply because it’s been 10 years since their previous conviction is inexplicable,” said Albano, whose son was killed in 2001 by a repeat drunk driver. “The passing of time doesn’t make the behavior any more acceptable, nor does it pose any less of a risk to society. Repeat offenders must be dealt with harshly, not given a break.”

CONNERS/ALBANO/MILAM BILL DESIGNED TO SAVE SCHOOLS
MONEY ON FOOD SERVICES CLEARS COMMITTEE
Measure Would Exempt Purchases from State Sales Tax

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Jack Conners, Nelson Albano and Matt Milam sponsored to allow school districts to save taxpayer money in purchasing student food services was released today by an Assembly panel.

ASSEMBLY OK’S 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 approved 76-2 today by the Assembly.

“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.”

Attorney Michael Donohue announced today that he’s trying again for an assembly seat in the 1st District, which is expected to be one of the major legislative battlegrounds this year.  

Donohue ran unsuccessfully with Norris Clark in 2007 against Democrats Nelson Albano (D- Vineland) and Matt Milam (D-Vineland).  He came within 2,000 votes of Milam in this traditionally Republican district– a sweep that many observers attributed to the coattails of state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), the most conservative Democrat in the state Senate. 

“Ronald Reagan said nearly three decades ago that government is not the solution to our problems, government IS the problem,” said Donohue, a Cape May County resident, in a statement.   “What we are faced with now is the need for the radical restructuring of state government in order to have some hope for prosperity in New Jersey in the future.   If companies that have been in existence for a hundred years realize that only through eliminating divisions and downsizing can they survive, then our state government better wake up to the same reality immediately.”

“As the Press of Atlantic City aptly stated, if Milam or one of his constituents ‘stubbed a toe on a sidewalk while wearing flip-flops, the next day [he’d] be sponsoring a bill rewriting the specifications for concrete sidewalks and mandating that flip-flops sold in New Jersey come with toe protection.’

ASSEMBLY PANEL ADVANCES BILL TO CREATE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR GOLD STAR PARENTS

Measure Would Authorize Plate for Parents of Those Killed on Active Duty

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Jack Conners, Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam that would create a special license plate for the parents of soldiers killed on active duty was released today by an Assembly committee.

The bill (A-2725) authorizes a special Gold Star Parent license plate for the parents of servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives while on active duty for the United States. Stepparents and foster parents could also be among those eligible.

The design would include a gold star and the words “Gold Star Parent.”

“Nothing we can do can help parents overcome the loss of a child, but at the very least we can do this to honor those who lost a child on active duty,” said Conners (D-Burlington/Camden), chairman of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee that released the bill.

FIRST DISTRICT LEGISLATORS APPLAUD AGREEMENT BETWEEN HORIZON AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA

FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT – Noting that the agreement would allow thousands of South Jersey families access to world-class healthcare, Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam today applauded Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for finding middle-ground to keep the hospital in-network for Horizon subscribers.

“For the South Jersey families who have come to know and depend on the top-notch service they receive at Children’s Hospital and affiliated practices, this is a huge victory,” said Senator Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic. “Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s leading pediatric research facilities, and in South Jersey, we’re lucky to have such expertise right in our own backyards. Considering that Horizon is the region’s number one insurer – representing 56%of Atlantic County, 34% of Cape May County, and 34% of Cumberland County – any drop in coverage would have been particularly devastating to South Jersey residents. I’m glad to see both parties stepping up to continue their relationship to benefit the families we represent.”

VAN DREW, ALBANO, MILAM EYING BEACH FOULING CASE

(1st Legislative District) – Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam today said they will closely monitor the case of the dentist charged with dumping medical waste off Cape May County waters.

ASSEMBLY PANEL ADVANCES BILL TO PROTECT SMALL CHILDREN FROM TIP-OVER ACCIDENTS

Measure Is Named After Two Young Girls Killed When Large Televisions Tipped

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano, Matthew W. Milam and Ruben J. Ramos Jr. to protect small children from tip-over accidents involving furniture and televisions was released today by an Assembly committee.

The bill is named Chloe and Samantha’s Law after two young girls who were killed when large televisions tipped onto them.

“Each year thousands of people, primarily young children, are injured or even killed because of large furniture or televisions tipping over onto them,” said Albano (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland). “This is smart and sensible legislation that would protect our young children from tragic accidents.”