Senator Paul Sarlo

TRENTON – Sen. Paul A. Sarlo (D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today thanked the committee for its work in reviewing scores of nominees that have been presented by the Corzine administration to fill judicial vacancies and openings on various government boards and agencies.

“Just a few weeks ago, there were 38 vacancies on the Superior Court bench,” Sen. Sarlo said. “Thanks to the hard work of judiciary committee members from both sides of the aisle, the endless behind-the-scenes work by committee staff and the thorough preparation by the candidates themselves, we will have whittled that number down to 17 after the nominees, who have since been confirmed by the full Senate, are sworn in.”

The Senate voted 22-14 today to amend a bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) that would permit developers to convert age-restricted units to non-age-restricted units as long as they set aside a portion of them for affordable housing.

By voting to concur with recommendations made by Gov. Jon S. Corzine in his conditional veto message, the Senate agreed to the Governor’s changes and amended the bill, which is now in position for a vote by the Senate. If approved, it will then have to be approved by the Assembly before being sent to the Governor for his signature.

An amended version of a bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) that would permit developers to convert age-restricted units to non-age-restricted units as long as they set aside a portion of them for affordable housing was approved 22-14 today by the full Senate.

Under the terms of the bill (S-2577), for a developer to be eligible for conversion they would have to set aside a percentage of the units in the development, not to exceed 20 percent, for the provision of affordable housing. The changes were contained in a conditional veto by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) that would permit developers to convert age-restricted units to non-age-restricted units as long as they set aside a portion of them for affordable housing was approved 21-14 today by the full Senate.

Under the terms of the bill (S-2577), for a developer to be eligible for conversion they would have to set aside a percentage of the units in the development, not to exceed 20 percent, for the provision of affordable housing.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Paul Sarlo which would establish a toll-free, 24-hour hotline to respond to calls from fire and EMS personnel dealing with psychological or emotional distress was unanimously approved today by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

            “Occupational stress is hazardous for anyone, but when it comes to people in occupations like firefighting and emergency services, too much stress could prove to be life-threatening, not just to themselves, but also to the people they serve,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester, a former State Trooper.   “By calling upon former fire and EMS professionals to staff the hotline, stressed first-responders would have an opportunity to talk out their problems with people who really understand the pressures they are experiencing.” 
            “According to a report issued by the University of Washington’s School of Public Health, roughly 20% of EMS workers experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “Day in and day out our first-responders are called upon to save the lives of members of the public; we have to make sure that we look out for their health and well-being, too.”

 TRENTON – Senator Bob Smith announced today that he will chair a joint meeting of the Senate Environment Committee and Senate Legislative Oversight Committee on Monday, March 17, 2008 to receive testimony from Inspector General Mary Jane Cooper concerning her report on the failures involved in the EnCap golf and housing project.

TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, Vice Chair of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, today said the Corzine Administration needs to “spotlight the specific inner workings” of the public benefits corporation that would oversee State toll roads under the proposed fiscal restructuring and debt reduction plan.

“I’d like to hear how the stockholders and board of directors of the PBC get selected,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “I’d like to know, too, about the potential compensation for the executive director.”

Kyrillos Pressing for Arts Center Hearing

Hearing A First Step To Reclaiming The Center For All Residents  

Senator Joseph Kyrillos, R-Monmouth/Middlesex, today expressed confidence that the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee will start the process of rectifying the problems at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. He expects the committee will hold a hearing, which will include representatives from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Live Nation, State Police, Monmouth County community groups and local government that will result in a program of action to prevent a repeat of the past summer’s underage drinking and criminal incidents.

Vainieri Huttle/Schaer/Johnson Bill Curbing Sale of Unsafe Children's Products Becomes Law

Measure Would Require DYFS to Inspect Child Care Facilities for Faulty Products

 (TRENTON) - Governor Corzine has signed into law legislation Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Assemblymen Gary Schaer and Gordon Johnson sponsored to crack down on the sale of unsafe or recalled children's products.

The measure (S-265/A-2554) was sponsored in the Senate by Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) and Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck).

TRENTON – The Senate Law & Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee added their support today to two bills sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono and Paul Sarlo that would increase minimum jail time for those caught driving while their license is suspended for drunk driving and allow judges to treat DWI convictions more than 10 years apart as second offenses.