Nelson Albano

ALBANO NAMED CHAIRMAN OF ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Nelson T. Albano today was named the new chairman of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Albano, of Vineland, replaces Douglas H. Fisher, who resigned from the Assembly to become the state’s Secretary of Agriculture. Albano has been the committee’s vice chairman.

Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. cited Albano’s strong advocacy for the agricultural community in naming him committee chairman.

He also noted Albano’s lifelong ties to Cumberland County, which is known as New Jersey’s “Garden Spot” and ranks number one in the state for vegetable, melon, potato, greenhouse, floriculture and sod production.

“Assemblyman Albano’s vast knowledge of the issues important to farmers and his consistently strong advocacy for New Jersey’s agricultural community make him a clear choice to guide this committee,” said Roberts (D-Camden). “Nelson has quickly earned a reputation as one of the hardest-working and smartest legislators. He’s already a proven leader and will undoubtedly serve New Jersey and its farmers well in this new role.”

ALBANO/MILAM BILL TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE FOR THE ELDERLY PASSES ASSEMBLY

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

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO HONOR THREE ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS

March 13 Ceremony Slated for Ellis Island

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson, Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam will be honored by the National Park Service during a March 13 ceremony on Ellis Island.

The three lawmakers sponsored a law (A-210/S-1493) giving the United States Park Police more authority at check points and bridges leading to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Assemblyman Douglas Fisher (D-Bridgeton) will resign at the end of this week to become the new Secretary of Agriculture.  Democratic leaders have picked Bridgeton Council President Celeste Riley to take his place, and she can take office after she is formally elected at a special election convention, which can be scheduled 7-35 days after Fisher’s official resignation. 

Democratic sources expect Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden) to pick Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-Vineland) to replace Fisher as Chairman of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

ALBANO/MILAM/WAGNER ‘MADE IN THE USA’ FLAG BILL ADVANCES IN SENATE

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members Nelson Albano, Connie Wagner and Matt Milam sponsored to require any United States or New Jersey state flag purchased with state funds be manufactured in the United States has been advanced by a Senate panel.

The bill passed the Assembly 78-0 in November. It was released Thursday by the Senate State Government Committee.

“It makes absolutely no sense to allow even one dime of the public’s money to be spent on an American flag made anywhere but in America,” said Albano (D-Cumberland /Atlantic/Cape May). “It is bad enough that our state and nation’s manufacturing bases have largely evaporated as jobs were shipped elsewhere. Buying the most-recognized symbol of our nation from overseas just adds insult to injury.”

Vineland businessman Sam Fiocchi said today will seek the Republican nomination for State Assembly in the first district, which is expected to be one of the most competitive legislative races of the year.

"It's just the state of affairs in New Jersey. I've been a small businessman," said Fiocchi, a Vineland resident who heads up a family run irrigation company.  "It's difficult to operate in this business environment, and I'm a Republican. I always felt if you want to make change, you have to step up and do something about it."

Three Republicans have submitted letters of intent to party leaders of the three counties that make up the southernmost legislative district in New Jersey.  They'll compete for two spots on the county lines to take on incumbent Democrats Nelson Albano (D-Vineland) and Matt Milam (D-Vineland).

The district is politically competitive, and both parties view Albano and Milam as vulnerable, especially without the benefit of State Sen. Jefferson Van Drew (D-Dennis) at the top of the ticket.

Michael Donohue, an attorney from Cape May County who came close to winning an assembly seat in 2007, is running and is expected to have no problem securing the party nod.  The real competition will likely be between Fiocchi and Upper Township Committeeman Frank Conrad.

DEANGELO/MILAM/ALBANO ’RIGHT TO FILE’ CONSUMER-PROTECTION LEGISLATION ADVANCES

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 was recently released by an Assembly panel.

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, government’s ability monitor a business’ compliance with existing law is severely compromised.”

ALBANO & MILAM: VOTERS SHOULD DECIDE TOWN MERGERS, NOT TRENTON

Oppose bill that would force small towns - including possibly Cape May Point - to merge within 10 years.

(1st LEGISLAIVE DISTRICT) – Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam today said they would back efforts to oppose proposed legislation that would force many small New Jersey towns - including possibly Cape May Point - to merge within 10 years.

The bill (A-3690) would force all so-called doughnut municipalties - those surrounded by a single community - to consolide with their neighboring community within 10 years.

"The last thing we need is Trenton dictating how we govern our local communities from 105 miles away," Milam said. "State government surely hasn't done a stellar job of managing itself, so what makes anyone think they know how best to govern Cape May Point? If anything, we've learned larger isn't always better, and decisions like this should always - in every circumstance - be made by voters after careful study."

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.”