TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Teresa Ruiz which would provide for an annual cost-of-living increase in the amount of funding allocated by the State for the Lifeline benefit program, which provides utility assistance for qualified senior citizens and disabled residents was unanimously approved today by the Senate.

            “You don’t have to be an economist to know that New Jerseyans are overburdened with excessively high energy costs,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson.  “The residents who qualify for Lifeline benefits, members of the State’s low-income senior citizen, and disabled populations live on fixed incomes, and too often must choose between paying their energy bills and buying other necessities like food and medication. This legislation would provide some of the State’s neediest residents with an annual boost to their Lifeline benefits that is in keeping with inflation.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham which would allow certain Business Employment Incentive Program (BEIP) grants to be taken as tax credits against their Corporation Business Tax (CBT) liability was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

            The BEIP program is administered through the State Economic Development Authority, and the incentives offered through the program are designed to help attract new business, thereby creating new jobs for State residents.

            “By giving companies a choice of how they receive their BEIP grants, they will be able to decide for themselves how to best utilize the funding,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson, who sits on the Senate Budget Panel.  “Often taxes put such a significant financial strain on businesses – especially small businesses, and this bill would allow them to choose method that works best for them.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Shirley K. Turner, which would urge the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to expand its eligibility level for the awarding of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from 175 percent to 225 of the federal poverty level, was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

            The LIHEAP program provides grant allowances to low-income residents who use oil heat. In October of this year, the federal government announced the release of $5.1 billion in LIHEAP dollars. Of the federal allocation, New Jersey stands to receive $185 million for energy assistance. Of the $185 million, an increase of $68.5 million was appropriated this year to help cover the cost of the program’s expansion.

            “By increasing access to LIHEAP, about 50,000 more families will be able to heat their homes in the cold winter months, without having to go without other necessities like food or medication,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson.  “We aren’t asking for anything more than the State to do its part to allow some of our least fortunate residents to heat their homes.  I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

            “The approval of this legislation would send a clear message to the federal government that we in New Jersey are serious about the needs of our hard-working, low income residents,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer.  “Many of these men and women work long hours, only to come up short at the end of the month, after paying for rent and other necessities.  This bill is a step in the right direction toward easing the burden on this often overworked, and underpaid segment of New Jersey’s population.”

STACK-CUNNINGHAM MEASURE TO CREATE PROPERTY TAX GRACE PERIOD FOR FIXED-INCOME SENIORS APPROVED IN SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Brian P. Stack and Sandra Bolden Cunningham which would establish a 21-day grace period for property tax installment payments for seniors on fixed incomes was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 37-0.

“Even in strong economic times, seniors on fixed incomes have a hard time meeting the State’s high cost of living, especially soaring property taxes,” said Senator Stack, D-Hudson. “This measure is intended to give our senior homeowners a little flexibility in budgeting their limited incomes to pay their health care expenses, energy bills and all the other cost drivers associated with living in the Garden State. Seniors shouldn’t have to face financial penalties – in addition to the other costs of living in New Jersey – for being a few days late in paying their property taxes.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Nicholas J. Sacco and Sandra Bolden Cunningham which would require bus and rail lines to provide 45 days notice of the discontinuation of certain routes, to local and county governments was unanimously approved today by the full Senate.

            “Residents throughout the state rely on public transportation, and plan their days around train and bus routes,” said Senator Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen.  “Commuters deserve to receive advanced notice of route cancellations, so that they can make other arrangements to ensure that they make it work on time.”

CUNNINGHAM-RICE BILL TO ENSURE NOTIFICATION OF HOSPITAL CLOSURES TO LOCAL LEADERS ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Ronald L. Rice which would require the Department of Health and Senior Services to provide written notification to local leaders when a hospital in their municipality files with the department to close was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“Recently, with the closing of Greenville Hospital in Jersey City, I’ve seen firsthand that time is of the essence when it comes to mobilizing the community to fight for a health care facility,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. “Local leaders need to be given every chance to work to keep a hospital open if it serves a major need in the community, or prepare local residents for life after closure. This bill gives elected leaders ample warning to work with their constituents for a health care solution that meets the needs of the neighborhood.”

Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone

Two freshman legislators from Hudson County endorsed Rob Andrews for U.S. Senate today, bucking Hudson County Democratic Chairman/Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s decision to back Lautenberg.

CUNNINGHAM STATEMENT ON GREENVILLE HOSPITAL CLOSURE

TRENTON – State Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, issued the following statement after receiving a letter from Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard indicating that she would allow Liberty Health Systems to close Greenville Hospital in Jersey City due to financial hardship:

CUNNINGHAM STATEMENT ON THE FIRST MEETING OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

TRENTON – After the first meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Schools for this Legislative Session, State Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, a member of the panel, issued the following statement:

“Educating our young is one of the most sacred and important obligations of government. We must ensure future generations have the tools and training needed to be successful in today’s world, and a good education is the foundation for future success.

NEW BRUNSWICK – Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, today released the following statement highlighting her concern about proposed cuts to health care and education funding within Governor Corzine’s proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget.  Senator Cunningham and other members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee heard testimony today from representatives of municipalities, interest groups and organizations at a hearing held at Rutgers’ New Brunswick campus.

            “First and foremost, I’m concerned about many of the proposed cuts within this budget. I understand the necessity of freeing up funds to help improve New Jersey’s fiscal standing, but it is imperative that we look at the people who will be affected by the reductions in aid.