Ronald Rice

Unlike his Pingry classmate, Ronald Rice Jr. is keeping the Junior suffix in his campaign for City Councilman in Newark's West Ward. The Newark election this May might feature two Rice's on the ballot -- his father, State Senator Ronald Rice, is raising money to run for Mayor -- perhaps as Sharpe James' annointed successor. Rice Jr. has already committed to backing another candidate, Cory Booker; he will run on Booker's slate, as he did in 2002, when his father endorsed James. Rice and GOP U.S. Senate candidate Thomas Kean both graduated from the prestigious prep school in 1986; at the time, Kean's father was Governor and Rice's father was the West Ward Councilman (the death of Senator John Caufield in August 1986 paved the way for him to go to the Senate ten weeks later.) And for those who believe in technical correctness: Ronald L. Rice is the father of Ronald C. Rice -- so while Kean has dropped the Jr. suffix, Rice has basically picked it up.

TURNER/RICE BILL TO ASSIST WITH HOME OWNERSHIP PASSES COMMITTEE

TRENTON - The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner and Ronald L. Rice that would create a program in the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) that would help those eligible under the Federal Section 8 housing program to purchase a home in New Jersey.

"New Jersey has made great strides in the fight to provide more affordable housing to low income families and seniors, even as the Federal government looks to cut programs," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "Most of our efforts so far have focused on providing rent assistance and we’re looking to go even further, making home ownership an option to many who would not be able to do it without the help of their community."

State Senator Ronald Rice is reportedly considering a bid for Newark City Councilman-At-Large, a campaign that could pit him against his son, Ronald Rice, Jr., who is running for the City Council on a slate headed by mayoral candidate Cory Booker. These days, Rice is aligned with Sharpe James, whom he opposed when he gave up his West Ward Council seat to run for Mayor in 1998.

Kean, Rice, Pennacchio, Munoz: Public Policy Regarding Needle Exchange Programs Must Be the Responsibility of the Legislature
Legislators Withdraw Suit Noting Expiration of McGreevey Executive Order

Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr., Senator Ronald L. Rice, Assemblyman Dr. Joseph Pennacchio, and Assemblyman Dr. Eric Munoz today announced that they had withdrawn their lawsuit challenging the former governor’s right to circumvent the legislative process noting that Governor McGreevey’s 2004 Executive Order instituting a pilot syringe access program in New Jersey had become “null and void� on December 31, 2005.

RICE SUPPORTS RENOMINATION OF SUSAN BASS LEVIN TO COMMUNITY AFFAIRS POST

Key Senator Says Commissioner Improved Life in Urban New Jersey

TRENTON - Senator Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex, the Chair of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs committee, issued a statement today in praise of Governor Corzine's decision to reappoint Susan Bass Levin to her post as the Commissioner of Community Affairs:

"Governor Corzine's choice to lead the DCA (Department of Community Affairs) is a positive note for New Jersey's residents living in urban communities. In her tenure as Commissioner, Susan has exhibited the necessary commitment and drive to improve life in New Jersey's cities.

SENATOR RICE VOWS TO MAKE CHILD-PROTECTION WINDOW GUARDS
HIS TOP PRIORITY

TRENTON - Senator Ronald L. Rice today introduced a measure to help protect New Jersey's children by expanding the provisions of the 1995 child-protection window guard law to require landlords to inspect window guards at least twice a year, and to direct the Department of Community Affairs to establish window safety training for tenants.

CODEY AND TURNER ELECTED TO LEAD SENATE

TRENTON - The Senate Democratic Majority Caucus today unanimously voted to re-elect Senate President and Acting Governor Richard J. Codey and Senate President Pro-Tem Shirley K. Turner to lead the Senate for the new two-year legislative session beginning in January.

"I am deeply honored by this expression of support from my colleagues and I look forward to a continued record of accomplishment for the people of New Jersey," said the Senate President and Governor.