Shirley Turner

TURNER MEASURE TO CURB TELEMARKETER DECEPTION MOVES FORWARD

TRENTON - The Senate Commerce Committee passed legislation today sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would prohibit telemarketers from using technology to disguise their identity.

"When we passed the original ‘Do Not Call' legislation, we made it illegal for telemarketers to deceive residents by blocking their number from caller ID boxes," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "Since that time, the telemarketing industry has developed caller ID spoofing equipment that allows them to circumvent the law. This practice violates the spirit of the law and now it will violate the letter of the law."

TURNER / MADDEN BILL TO ALLOW INCOME TAXPAYERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA RESEARCH ADVANCES

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Fred H. Madden which would allow New Jersey residents to voluntarily contribute to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society when filing their State income tax returns was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 7-0.

"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides a number of services to patients living with the cancer and their families, and is dedicated to finding a cure," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "They're a strictly voluntary health organization that does so much to help the people of New Jersey. Now, the people will have a chance to give back, by filling out a voluntary contribution section on their annual gross income tax form."

TURNER MEASURE WOULD DESIGNATE MARCH AS 'GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS MONTH'

A measure sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would designate the month of March as "Gifted and Talented Students Month" each year, was approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

"Our school districts must be able to academically challenge all students, regardless of their level of education," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer, who Chairs the Senate Education Panel. "New Jersey's students consistently have some of the highest SAT scores in the nation. We also have a high number of students enrolled in advanced placement courses. Our school districts must be able to academically challenge all students, to allow them to compete for admittance to the nation's top universities and gain the necessary education to allow them to compete in tomorrow's workforce."

TURNER INTRODUCES BILL TO CRACK DOWN ON BOUNTY HUNTERS

TRENTON - Senator Shirley K. Turner introduced a bill today which would place greater restrictions on bounty hunters, following a botched raid this past Monday in Trenton that leaves the effectiveness and legality of the profession in question.

"Bounty hunters say they stand for justice, bringing in fugitives who have skipped on bail, but we have to be careful that they are not employing many of the same tactics used by the fugitives they capture," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "Monday's case shows that, too often, bounty hunters use barely legal, if not patently illegal, methods to bring in their targets. We need a strong regulatory system to ensure that they do not overstep the law, using justice as a smokescreen for unsafe and reckless activities."

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.

TURNER OFFERS TOUGHEST CRACKDOWN YET ON GAS GOUGERS

Senator Shirley K. Turner has proposed the toughest crackdown yet on gasoline price gougers by fining repeat offenders up to $5,000 for each subsequent offense.