LESNIAK INTRODUCES RESOLUTION CALLING ON CONGRESS TO MAKE CHANGES TO FEDERAL LAW TO ENSURE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Increased Federal Investment in Affordable Housing Will Mean New Homes, Jobs in the Garden State

TRENTON – Noting a national obligation to ensure affordable housing opportunities for all people, Senator Raymond J. Lesniak today introduced a New Jersey State Senate concurrent resolution calling on Congress to make changes to federal affordable housing laws to guarantee access to affordable housing for more of New Jersey’s residents, encourage building new homes and create jobs in New Jersey.

“Right now, federal affordable housing programs are not sufficient to meet the need for new homes in the State of New Jersey and around the nation,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “We’re in the midst of a national economic crisis, in which the value of our hard-earned dollars is down, and the cost of living is through the roof. We need federal programs that identify the needs of the people of this country, and provide adequate support to states seeking to act in good faith to ensure housing opportunities for all their residents.”

LESNIAK-VAN DREW RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO REPEAL BAN ON SPORTS BETTING ADVANCES IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Jeff Van Drew which would urge Congress to lift the federal ban on sports wagering was unanimously approved by the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee today.

“At a time when New Jersey is working to overcome chronic revenue shortfalls and the effects of a national economic recession, we need to identify new revenue sources,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “Increased tax revenue generated by sports wagering could be used to fund a wide variety of worthy programs which might otherwise have to be eliminated given the State’s bleak budgetary picture. Giving states the authority to conduct legal sports wagering would be a good complement to any economic stimulus packages being considered by our leaders in Washington.”

LEADERS ADDRESS SCHOOL CLOSURES, SUPPORT UEZ JOBS SCHOLARSHIP ACT

ELIZABETH – Today, Senator Raymond Lesniak and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan joined religious and minority leaders to address the closure of two parochial schools in Elizabeth and to support the UEZ Jobs Scholarship Act, legislation that would provide tax credits equal to the value of scholarships donated by corporations for low-income students in Urban Enterprise Zones. The legislation aims to empower parents to choose the best educational environment for their children and to allow students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to attend schools outside of their school district.

Senator Raymond Lesniak stated, “In the past 10 years, 100 Catholic schools have closed. This week, that trend hit our community with the announcement that both St. Anthony’s and Sacred Heart schools will close. We need immediate action to ensure that students in our community continue to have the opportunity to attend a private school of their choosing.

SENATOR LESNIAK TO DISCUSS ECONOMIC SURVIVAL OF NEW JERSEY

NEWARK -- Senator Raymond Lesniak will deliver the following remarks at the Smart Growth Coalition’s membership meeting tonight in Newark.

“Proposals currently moving through the legislature represent nothing less than the future of the State of New Jersey. If revisions to the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit, the Revenue Allocation District and Affordable Housing bills do not pass, we will see the words of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘My Hometown’ come true: These jobs are going boys and they ain't comin’ back.

Unlike Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan, Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik doesn’t want Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) obligations scrapped.

But like a lot of other mayors who found it hard to generate a party mood at the League of Municipalities conference in the face of a deadline at the end of this month to submit finished plans in concert with the new rules, the mayor does want lawmakers to review COAH – and at the very least make some exceptions.

Specifically, Hornik wants Gov. Jon Corzine and the Legislature to consider amending the new regs so years-long, painstaking work Marlboro officials undertook to transfer some of the Monmouth County town’s affordable housing stock to Trenton won’t be rendered invalid.  

SENATOR LESNIAK COMMENTS ON RAD LEGISLATION

TRENTON – Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, the Chairman of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, made the following remarks today concerning his legislation to modify the “Revenue Allocation District Financing Act,” to encourage greater private investment in New Jersey’s communities. The legislation was approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee today by a vote of 4-0, with one abstention:

“The legislation we are considering today represents nothing less than the future of the State of New Jersey. If it does not pass, we will see the words of Bruce Springsteen’s “My Hometown” come true: These jobs are going boys and they ain't commin’ back.

SENATOR LESNIAK ON FIXING NEW JERSEY’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM

UNION – Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, and Chairman of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, issued the following statement today on the direction of affordable housing regulations in New Jersey:

“COAH has failed to address the affordable housing needs of New Jersey during a growing economy and booming housing market. Under the current economic downturn, its approach will not only fail to spur low income housing development, it will stifle moderate income housing development and dampen New Jersey's chances for an economic rebound. Our unemployment rate will continue to increase causing more pain for our residents.

State Sen. Barbara Buono wants to stay focused on state budget issues

At least three State Senators want to succeed U.S. Rep.-elect John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) as chairman of the power Judiciary Committee, a decision that will be made by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex). 

Sources say state Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden), Sen. Nia Gill (D-Montclair), and Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), want to succeed Adler, while two other senators with legal cred say they’re satisfied with their present chairmanships and don’t want to make a play for judiciary chair.

“It would be an interesting chairmanship,” admitted state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen). “But I can’t imagine a more challenging chairmanship than the budget committee, and right now with the economy what it is, I would like to stay focused.”

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth), who already serves on the judiciary committee, said he’s likewise not budging from his current chairmanship of economic development.

LESNIAK-RUIZ RESOLUTION CELEBRATING HISPANIC AND LATINO HERITAGE MONTH APPROVED IN STATE SENATE

TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Teresa Ruiz which recognizes September 15 through October 15 of each year as Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in New Jersey was unanimously approved by the Senate today, receiving final legislative approval.

“New Jerseyans of Hispanic and Latino heritage have given our State and the nation at large so much, and have enriched the American tapestry,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “It’s only fitting that we designate a month in which to officially recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in New Jersey. This resolution would ensure that each year, we take the proper time to respect and appreciate the cultural contributions of our State’s large Hispanic- and Latino-American population.”

The struggle of the late political consultant Tom Blakely’s widow to secure payment from the life insurance policy her husband signed just days before he died may lead to legislation in New Jersey. 

Last month, four state Senators wrote a letter to TransAmerica Life Insurance Corp. CEO Patrick S. Baird inviting him or a representative of the company to meet with them over legislation they plan to propose next month that would change the way life insurance companies operate in New Jersey.

TransAmerica has been assailed by prominent New Jersey Republicans ever since it challenged the validity of Blakely’s second policy with the company.  Blakely was a co-founder of Jamestown Associates, a top Republican consulting firm, and died in March after collapsing during a 5K race in Bordentown.