Ray Lesniak

LESNIAK ON DEATH PENALTY: 'NOW WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RIGHT THE WRONG'

TRENTON - Senator Raymond J. Lesniak made the following statement before the New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission today:

"In 1982, I voted to reinstate the death penalty in New Jersey. I was wrong. Thank God, no one has been executed to date. And thank God, no innocent person was executed. As the saying goes, 'There but for the grace of God....'

SENATOR LESNIAK TO TESTIFY BEFORE DEATH PENALTY COMMISSION TOMORROW

TRENTON - Senator Raymond J. Lesniak will testify before the New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission tomorrow, arguing that the costs of the death penalty far outweigh its benefits.

"Studies have proven that the financial costs of the death penalty far exceed the costs of incarcerating someone for life," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. "But there are less tangible costs that go beyond money - costs to the American ideals of justice and equality. The Study Commission provides the State with an opportunity to fully examine these costs."

One of the state's most powerful political insiders, Raymond Lesniak, will "absolutely" seek re-election to a ninth term in the State Senate next year. On Election Night 2003, Lesniak had said that he would not run again, but told PoliticsNJ.com one day later that he was probably kidding. Lesniak represents the solidly Democratic 20th district in Union County.

TWO SENATE DEMOCRATS CALL FOR UMDNJ MERGER ACTION

TRENTON - Two Senate Democrats, Raymond J. Lesniak and Joseph F. Vitale, today called for the creation of a joint Task Force to recommend the best way to restructure the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with Rutgers University by the end of this year.

"Herb Stern is trying to breathe life into a corpse," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union, about the federal monitor, former U.S. District Court Judge Herbert J. Stern, who has been overseeing the State's scandal-plagued medical university. "UMDNJ needs to be totally restructured now if it is going to emerge as a nationally prominent research and teaching facility. Worrying about who is going to be its next president is really just tinkering."

LESNIAK-DORIA AMENDMENT TO ENSURE TRANSIT FUNDING

TRENTON - The Senate today approved a proposed constitutional amendment, sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Joseph V. Doria, that would seek voter approval to change the dedication of the motor fuels tax from 9 cents to 10.5 cents per gallon to be used solely for transportation projects throughout New Jersey.

"New Jersey voters are being asked to back a dedication of existing gasoline tax revenues so an additional $78 million in pay-as-you-go funding will be available every year for needed improvements to roads, bridges and bus and rail transit operations," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union.

"Our commitment now to transportation projects will help fight potential gridlock problems for our children and grandchildren," said Senator Doria, D-Hudson. "It makes sense to provide a stable source of funding for the necessities of transportation flow and repairs."

**PREVIEW**

SENATE TO VOTE ON CABLE COMPETITION, GAS TAX DEDICATION MONDAY

TRENTON - On Monday, the Senate is scheduled to vote on legislation which would promote cable competition, dedicate a greater portion of gas tax revenues to transportation improvement projects, and require pharmacists to fill prescriptions without regard to their own personal moral or religious beliefs.

The voting session will begin at 2 P.M. in the Senate chambers. Prior to the session, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will meet to consider bills, including legislation to crack down on fraud and abuse within the State's Medicaid health care system, and create a prescription drug registry program in New Jersey to help seniors and others find the best price for their prescription.

SENATE APPROVES LESNIAK BILL TO IMPROVE UTILITIES SAFETY

TRENTON - The Senate today gave final approval a bill sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak to authorize electric or gas utility companies to improve safety in neighborhoods where abandoned buildings still have functioning hookups which are often rigged dangerously by thieves.

"Illegal hookups to gas or electric utility outlets in abandoned buildings can easily lead to explosions which create life-threatening situations for families living nearby," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. "Utilities need the authority to enter abandoned buildings in a timely manner so nearby residents or businesses are kept from harm's way."

LESNIAK BILL ADVANCES TO FIGHT GYPSY MOTHS

TRENTON - The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak to appropriate $750,000 in federal funds to help fight gypsy moths in New Jersey.

"The damage inflicted by gypsy moths on our woodlands could be extensive unless we take advantage of all available resources," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. "These federal funds will represent local and statewide tax relief for our residents in New Jersey."

LESNIAK: PULL THE PLUG ON ABANDONED UTILITIES

TRENTON - A Senate committee today approved a bill sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak to authorize electric or gas utility companies to discontinue service and remove their equipment from abandoned buildings.

"This bill will improve safety for families living near abandoned buildings whose running utility meters could lead to explosive situations," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. "Lives are in jeopardy when attempts are made to steal electricity or to connect gas lines illegally from abandoned buildings."

LESNIAK: STATE MONITOR NEEDED FOR ELIZABETH SCHOOL BOARD

TRENTON - Senator Raymond J. Lesniak today called for the appointment of a State monitor to oversee the financial practices as well as the ethics of the Elizabeth Board of Education.

In a statement to the Assembly Budget Committee, meeting today in Collingswood to gather information on education issues, Senator Lesniak noted that the Elizabeth school board was required to invoke a "doctrine of necessity" so it could vote on a collective bargaining agreement despite ethics conflicts by members.