Stephen Sweeney

SWEENEY BILL REQUIRING PETS TO BE PART OF EMERGENCY PLANS RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senator Stephen M. Sweeney to expand State and local emergency operations plans to include pets during a major disaster or emergency was approved by the full Senate today by a vote of 40 to 0.

"Recent tragedies like hurricanes Katrina and Rita remind us that emergency preparedness is important for all members of our households, including our pets," said Senator Sweeney, D-Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem. "Thousand of household pets were separated from their owners in last year's storms, but it doesn't have to be that way.

BURZICHELLI/GORDON EMINENT DOMAIN REFORM BILL
PASSES ASSEMBLY
Measure Would Set Stricter Parameters for Use of Eminent Domain;
Senator Sweeney Introduces Bill In Senate

O'TOOLE SET TO SIGN-ON AS CO-SPONSOR OF BILLS DESIGNED TO CURB EXCESSIVE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

SENDS LETTER TO GREEN AND MORIARTY OFFERING ASSISTANCE

CODEY STATEMENT ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO STATE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

TRENTON -- Senate President Richard J. Codey today released the following statement in response to changes in state employee compensation proposed by Senator Stephen Sweeney and Assemblymen Jerry Green and Paul Moriarty:

SENATE LABOR PANEL APPROVES MINIMUM HEALTH CARE BENEFITS RATE

TRENTON - The Senate Labor Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Senators Stephen Sweeney, Joseph Vitale, and Joseph Coniglio that would set a minimum health benefits rate for businesses with more than 1,000 employees in New Jersey.

"New Jersey can no longer afford to provide health care for individuals whose employers refuse to provide even a minimum amount of health benefits," said Senator Sweeney, D Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem and chair of the Committee. "Over half of New Jersey's one million uninsured individuals either work or have a family member who works, yet are not provided with health benefits. It's time for large employers to meet their responsibilities and provide health care benefits."

SWEENEY BILL TO GIVE PRE-NOTIFICATION OF PLANT CLOSING AND LAYOFFS

Bill Would Give Employees Time and Resources to Plan for Job Loss

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Stephen M. Sweeney which would require certain larger companies to give pre-notification of certain plant closings and mass layoffs was unanimously approved today by the Senate Labor Committee.

"When an employer resorts to cost-saving measures like plant closings and mass layoffs, they're saying the bottom line is more important than the livelihood of their workers," said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, the Chair of the Senate Labor Committee. "Unfortunately, though, layoffs are part of the reality of the business world. However, with his bill, we're ensuring that New Jersey's employers provide fair warning, rather than blindsiding their employees, many of whom may not be ready to change course in their careers at the drop of a hat."

FOR RELEASE: CONTACT:
October 31, 2005 Assemblyman Fisher
(856) 455-1011
Senator Sweeney Assemblyman Burzichelli
(856) 455-1011 (856) 251-9801

TOUGHER OIL SPILL FINES BECOME LAW
Fisher/Burzichelli/Sweeney Measure Imposes Stiffer Penalties
For Shipping Companies That Spill Hazardous Substances into New Jersey Waters

(BRIDGETON) -- A new environmental protection law championed by Assemblymen Douglas H. Fisher and John J. Burzichelli and Senator Stephen M. Sweeney (all D-Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem) will increase financial penalties by a whopping 800 percent for oil transport and shipping companies that are culpable for spills harming New Jersey waterways.