PANEL OK'S SCHAER/MILAM BILL TO PROTECT SENIORS FROM BOGUS FINANCIAL ADVISOR 'ENDORSEMENTS'

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Gary Schaer and Matt Milam sponsored to prohibit financial advisors from using misleading information to make it appear they have special certifications for advising senior citizens and retirees was released yesterday by the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

MEDIA ADVISORY - SENATOR VITALE TO MEET WITH UNION COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS GROUP TOMORROW

MOUNTAINSIDE – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, the Chairman of the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee is scheduled to address the annual conference of the Senior Citizens Council of Union County tomorrow, May 7, 2009 to discuss health care issues in the Garden State.

Senator Vitale will speak to the conference attendees during the lunch break, which begins at 12:15. The conference is being held this year at L’Affaire Fine Catering reception hall, 1099 Route 22 East in Mountainside, New Jersey. The event is expected to draw more than 300 seniors from around Union County.

ASSEMBLY BILL TO BOOST PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED SIGNED INTO LAW

Measure Increases Income Limits for Property Tax Relief Program

(CLIFFSIDE PARK) – Gov. Jon S. Corzine today signed into law an Assembly bill to help more senior citizens and disabled residents receive property tax relief.

The bill (A-3460) raises the income eligibility limits for senior citizen and disabled homeowners to apply for the Senior Freeze property tax relief program, increasing household income limits from $55,000 to $80,000 over the next three years.

The law is sponsored by Assembly members Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester), Joan Voss (D-Bergen), Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex), Sandi Love (D-Camden/Gloucester), Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) and Patrick J. Diegnan (D-Middlesex).

“Making it easier for senior citizens and disabled homeowners to take advantage of this property tax relief will help ensure the global economic crisis doesn’t force residents on fixed incomes out of their homes,” Moriarty said.

ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS PLAN TO MAKE NJ ELEVENTH STATE WITH ‘SILVER ALERT’ SYSTEM FOR MISSING ELDERLY

(TRENTON) -- A plan to make New Jersey the eleventh state with a “Silver Alert” system to notify the public about missing elderly people was released Monday by an Assembly committee.

The plan is based on the “Amber Alert” system used by state police to locate missing children. The measure is sponsored by Assembly members Sandi Love, Wayne DeAngelo, Caridad ‘Cary’ Rodriquez, Paul Moriarty, and Pamela R. Lampitt.

VITALE BILL TO PROTECT SENIORS FROM RENT INCREASES ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would remove an exemption in local rent control to protect senior tenants was approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today by a vote of 3-2.

“Rent control is a valuable tool to keep New Jersey affordable for those who rent their homes,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “However, under existing State law, many newly constructed apartments fall into an exemption from local rent control rules, and can raise rental rates with little concern for the tenants. This is particularly difficult on seniors on fixed incomes, who struggle every day to balance their expenses and meet New Jersey’s high-cost of living.”

SENATOR KARCHER LEGISLATION IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SENIORS IS SIGNED INTO LAW

TINTON FALLS – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth and Mercer) that requires that a member of a continuing care retirement community be a member of the facility’s governing body and take part in discussions of certain subjects with residents’ representatives was signed into law today at a ceremony at Seabrook Village retirement community.