PREVIEW - SENATE TO VOTE ON ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILLS MONDAY

TRENTON – The New Jersey State Senate is scheduled to meet on Monday to give final legislative approval to a package of economic stimulus bills intended to blunt some of the fiscal trauma the State faces as a result of the current economic crisis gripping the nation.

“Whether it’s struggling families or struggling businesses, these bills provide a broad range of assistance to help temper the blow of the continuing financial crisis,” said Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex. “We can’t expect to solve a global crisis at the State level, but what we can do is find smart ways to direct our limited resources to those who need it most – the families fighting to get by on a daily basis, those clinging to their homes by a thread, and the businesses trying to survive and provide much needed jobs to our residents.”

DeCROCE TO CORZINE: JUST ASK YOUR CHIEF OF STAFF ABOUT THE SLUSH FUND REPORT

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce says he finds Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s cavalier response to his request to produce the review of a $128 million slush fund that he directed his state treasurer to undertake in 2006 “incredulous and insulting to the taxpayers.”

DeCroce’s reaction was in response by Corzine contained in a published report by Gannett New Jersey that he didn’t know if such a document existed. “Reviews don't have to be committed to paper,” the governor was quoted as saying.

A letter dated March 31, 2006 from Assistant Attorney General Nancy Kaplen on behalf of then-Attorney General Zulima Farber stated that “Governor Corzine has directed Treasurer (Bradley) Abelow to review how the Property Tax Assistance and Community Development Block Grants program has been implemented and that, while this review is under way, no further action will be taken regarding distribution of grants under this Program.”

“If Corzine doesn’t know if a report exists or can’t recall what the review determined, then why doesn’t he just turn around and ask Abelow, who is still his chief of staff,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “I bet he knows.”

CODEY JOINS ITALIAN-AMERICAN LEADERS IN CONDEMNING NBC GOLF ANALYST’S DEFAMATORY REMARKS

TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey, in response to a protest received from UNICO National, the Italian-American service organization, today condemned the offensive and belittling remarks made against U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate by NBC Sports golf analyst Johnny Miller and called on NBC to take responsibility for the derogatory comments by firing, suspending or sanctioning Miller.

“Let’s face it, if the situation had been reversed and the comments had been directed towards Tiger Woods, the public outrage would have been deafening and NBC would have taken appropriate action in a flash,” said Codey (D-Essex). “Why then, is it okay to offer up such derisive comments against someone of Italian descent? This was perhaps one of the greatest moments of Mediate’s life and it was overshadowed by someone’s ignorance. Those two professionals gave us such a great show, it’s unfortunate that it was marred by Miller’s ignorant and distracting comments.”

CODEY STATEMENT ON RICKETTS BEING NAMED TO LEAD DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex, issued the following statement regarding Governor Corzine’s announcement today that he has nominated Kimberly Ricketts to lead the Department of Children and Families as its new Commissioner:

“When Kim served as the Executive Director of the Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health, I witnessed firsthand her dedication to do the right thing for New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents. That dedication will serve her well as she leads the Department of Children and Families in continuing to implement reforms to keep the State’s most vulnerable kids safe.

CODEY BILLS TO CRACK DOWN ON INTERNET SEXUAL PREDATORS SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – Two bills sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex which will crack down on Internet predators and increase safety precautions on the World Wide Web were signed into law over the weekend by Governor Corzine.

MEDIA ADVISORY - SENATE TO HOLD REORGANIZATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

TRENTON - On Tuesday, January 8th, the 213th New Jersey State Senate will meet in the Assembly Chambers to take the oath of office and begin the new legislative session.

CODEY AND SWEENEY ELECTED TO LEAD SENATE

TRENTON – Members of the Senate Democratic Majority today unanimously re-elected Senate President Richard J. Codey to lead the Senate when the new legislative session begins in January.

BURZICHELLI: CODEY SUPPORT OF PENNY DEDICATION KEY TO SUSTAINABILITY OF PROPERTY TAX CUT

(PAULSBORO) - Assemblyman John Burzichelli - who initiated the idea of a constitutionally guaranteed property tax cut while co-chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Constitutional Reform last year - today applauded Senate President Codey's announced support for legislation to permanently dedicate a full penny share of last year's sales tax increase to property tax relief.

ROBERTS PRAISES CODEY SUPPORT FOR PERMANENT PROPERY TAX CUTS

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., today praised Senate President Richard J. Codey for supporting a proposed state constitutional amendment that would permanently dedicate a full penny share of the annual sales tax collections to ensure the permanency of the record-setting property tax cut signed into law earlier this year.