Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Donald Norcross was endorsed for State Assembly by the Courier-Post.

The Courier-Post today endorsed South Jersey AFL-CIO President Donald Norcross for State Assembly in the fifth district, saying that Norcross is well versed on state issues and "would be able to hit the ground running in Trenton" even though he'll be a freshman. 

The Courier-Post also endorsed Norcross' running mate, Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes.  The two are seeking to replace Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden) and Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden).  Neither are seeking re-election.

But the Gloucester County Times declined to back Norcross, instead supporting Fuentes and Republican Stepfanie Velez-Gentry, who has attracted national attention because she owns a company that sells sex toys to women

Norcross, the Camden County Democratic Co-Chairman and the brother of Democratic leader George Norcross, set a record this month for the single biggest fundraising event for a first-time candidate: he raised a reported $350,000. 

"Norcross has been a union leader, yet he understands that things cannot be the same for future government workers as they have been and are for current ones in terms of pay and benefits. He sees that Trenton can't afford to keep handing out fat pensions and loads of other expensive benefits and remain solvent," the editorial said.  "While Norcross and Fuentes likely won't be as independent from party-line politics as we'd like, in this race, they're clearly the best choices."

Norcross, according to the Courier-Post, would not deny that he'll quickly move up to the Senate after State Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden) wins her race for Mayor of Camden.

McKEON / COUTINHO / JOHNSON / CRUZ-PEREZ BILL TO PROMOTE INVOLVEMENT ON LOCAL BOARDS NOW LAW

Law Gives Towns Leeway to Set Strict Attendance Policies, Makes it Easier for Interested Residents to Put Names Up for Consideration

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members John McKeon, Al Coutinho, Gordon Johnson and Nilsa Cruz-Perez sponsored to ensure members of local authorities live up to their responsibilities and to also make it easier for residents to put their names forward for appointments has been signed by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

“Civic participation is the cornerstone of our society, yet many qualified residents find it hard to put their names forward to serve their communities,” said McKeon (D-Essex). “We are making it easier for residents who truly have both the desire and time to serve on the various boards and authorities that are a vital part of every municipality.”

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS PRAISE RELEASE OF LANDMARK HOSPITAL SAFETY REPORT

Commend Governor for Posting 1st Report with Hospital-Specific Error Data

(TRENTON) – Assembly members Paul Moriarty, Linda Greenstein, Herb Conaway, Lou Greenwald and Nilsa Cruz-Perez today praised a new state report that for the first time details hospital-by-hospital medical errors. They urged New Jerseyans to use the report when making health care decisions.

Assemblywoman Caridad Rodriguez (D-West New York), who served as Albio Sires' executive assistant when he was the Mayor of West New York, and as his office manager when he won election to Congress, is in line to chair the Assembly Human Services Committee.  The current chair, Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange) appears to have the votes to become the next Assembly Speaker.  Rodriguez, who is now the panel's vice chair, endorsed Oliver for the post yesterday.

GUSCIORA / CRUZ-PEREZ / MORIARTY / RILEY BILL TARGET SIMULATED GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS

(TRENTON) – Assembly members Reed Gusciora, Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Paul Moriarty and Celeste Riley are sponsoring legislation to make it illegal for businesses to advertise using a simulated government document.

The bill (A-3931) would make using such documents – whether through the mail or the Internet – a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act.

“Marketing companies that use these simulated forms are preying on the vulnerability of the average citizen during a global recession,” said Gusciora (D-Mercer). “This is not just unconscionable, but should be illegal. Many New Jerseyans who thought they were getting help from the government are instead being faced with the harsh reality that they were duped.”

WATSON COLEMAN / CRUZ-PEREZ / JASEY / EVANS / GUSCIORA & POU BILL ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS SIGNED INTO LAW

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by six Assembly Democrats to give counties the ability to establish grant programs to address homelessness was signed into law today by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

The law (A-3101) is sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) and Assembly members Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden), Mila Jasey (D-Essex), Elease Evans (D-Passaic), Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) and Nellie Pou (D-Passaic).

“The number of homeless, in New Jersey – especially women and children – is unacceptably high and may go even higher as more families face the very real and scary prospect of losing their homes to foreclosure,” Watson Coleman said. “State and local governments must work together to provide more funding and better services to provide access to affordable housing and ensure families have another option to living in a shelter or on the street.”

WISNIEWSKI & CRUZ-PEREZ BILL CREATING VETERANS’ ORAL HISTORY FOUNDATION NOW LAW

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski and Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez to establish a Veterans’ Oral History Foundation is now law. The bill (A-1707) was signed Sunday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

The foundation will be devoted to sponsoring activities and raising money for the support and promotion of a veterans’ oral history program

“This will keep the memories and stories of New Jersey’s veterans alive for generations to come,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex). “Each generation has a different history to tell, and who better for to hear it from than the people that created that very history. The foundation will ensure the heroic efforts of veterans will never be forgotten.”

WATSON COLEMAN / CRUZ-PEREZ / JASEY / EVANS / GUSCIORA / POU BILL ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS CLOSER TO BECOMING LAW

(TRENTON) – Legislation to give counties the ability to establish grant programs to address homelessness is closer to becoming law. The bill (A-3101) is sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) and Assembly members Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden), Mila Jasey (D-Essex), Elease Evans (D-Passaic), Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) and Nellie Pou (D-Passaic).

“The number of homeless, in New Jersey – especially women and children – is unacceptably high and may go even higher as more families face the very real and scary prospect of losing their homes to foreclosure,” Watson Coleman said. “State and local governments must work together to provide more funding and better services to provide access to affordable housing and ensure families have another option to living in a shelter or on the street.”

VAINIERI HUTTLE / WAGNER / CRUZ-PEREZ / VOSS BILL TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SCRUTINY OF HEALTH INSURER CONVERSIONS APPROVED BY ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Connie Wagner, Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Joan Voss to require increased public participation and independent analysis when a health insurer moves to convert to a for-profit company was approved 52-23-2 today by the Assembly.

The bill (A-3729) proposes more public hearings and a study by an outside consultant examining the health impact of any proposed conversion. The hearings and independent analysis would be required before the state grants approval for the conversion.

The bill comes as the state’s largest insurer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, seeks to convert into a for-profit company.

“This bill simply ensures sufficient public participation and that every issue has been carefully reviewed before a decision is reached on a conversion application,” Vainieri Huttle said. “We need extra caution when moving forward on issues that could, among other things, increase premium costs and influence the health care of so many New Jerseyans.”