Senator Shirley K. Turner

TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner today said she is drafting legislation to ban criminals at psychiatric centers from voting.

            “We need to close the loophole that allows serious sex offenders or even murderers to cast votes,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “Voting is a sacred privilege for those who uphold the laws of this State and country – not something for serious criminals.”

TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner welcomed news today that Governor Jon S. Corzine signed bill her S-1457, which provides $3.9 billion in funds for school construction projects across the State.

            “We need to keep moving forward in revitalizing the aging school infrastructure in many of our urban centers,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and Chair of the Senate Education Committee.  “No child should have to go to school in a building that is crumbling or is overcrowded to a point that it threatens their health and safety and distracts them from learning.  We will use these funds efficiently and effectively to build schools that will make kids excited about going to school.”

            Under the measure, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) is authorized to borrow up to an additional $3.9 billion under the terms of the “Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act.”  The funds will be used by the Schools Development Authority (SDA) to finance the construction of schools across the State.

            Senator Turner added, “We are not writing the SDA a blank check this time around.  The Legislature will remain engaged and vigilant as these schools are built .  We cannot afford to squander another opportunity to provide our kids with the schools they deserve.”

            “These funds will meet a critical need for countless New Jersey students who are forced to learn in ancient and often crumbling school buildings,” explained Senator Turner.  “It’s our duty to make sure that not a single penny is wasted as we strive to provide a safe and modern educational environment for all students.”

            Senator Turner noted that the SDA announced 53 school construction projects Tuesday in the former Abbott districts.  The list includes three new schools in Trenton that will receive more than $246 million.

            “The mismanagement of the $8.6 billion originally allocated to school construction led to these three schools being put on hold.  We are now coming through on the commitment we made to Trenton residents years ago to provide schools that will prepare Trenton students to thrive in the 21st century economy,” Senator Turner said.

            Accord to the SDA financing plan, the three news schools that will be built in Trenton include Trenton Central High School, the Roebling School and a new Early Childhood Center.

TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, released the following statement today regarding this afternoon’s Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing with Acting Commissioner Eileen Crummy of the State Department of Children and Families:

TRENTON – The Senate gave final legislative approval today to legislation sponsored by Senators John H. Adler and Shirley K. Turner that would make changes to the State’s Drug Court program to allow more drug offenders to seek treatment for addiction.

TRENTON – Witness tampering or intimidation would carry a stiffer penalty under a measure sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Shirley K. Turner approved today by the Senate.

TURNER ANTI-GANG VIOLENCE MEASURE PASSES SENATE

TRENTON –  Senator Shirley K. Turner, prime sponsor of S-171, the legislation that would replace the death penalty in New Jersey with life in prison without parole, made the follow statement today after the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved the bill:

TRENTON –  Governor Jon Corzine signed legislation last night sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that will require businesses receiving development subsidies from the State to submit information that will allow the State to hold the subsidy recipients accountable for promises of job creation.

            TRENTON –  Senator Shirley K. Turner today urged the City of Trenton to request that State troopers begin patrolling the streets of the capital city to combat gang violence while additional city police officers are hired, trained and assigned to duty.

TRENTON - Senator Shirley K. Turner, the Associate Director of Career Services at Rider University, made the following comments today concerning the sudden death of David Rebovich, the Managing Director of Rider's Institute for New Jersey Politics: