Trenton

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2007
Contact Rich Levesque – 609-267-3432

Conners and Conaway Vote Against Much Needed Ethics Reform

Donnelly Urges Assemblymen to Disclose What They Are Trying To Hide From Federal Authorities

CONIGLIO BILL TO BRING EQUITY TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS APPROVED IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON - The Senate Labor Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Joseph Coniglio which would end penalties for temporary workers who refuse to accept a new assignment upon the completion of an old assignment.

"Right now, we have two standards when it comes to determining unemployment eligibility based on whether you are a full-time worker or a temporary worker," said Senator Coniglio, D-Bergen. "Not only is this fundamentally unfair, but also forces temporary workers from moving from one assignment to another with little hope of being able to seek full-time employment."

WHELAN: MOVES TO OUTLAW DANGEROUS HENNA TATTOOS
Temporary with Toxic Inks Tattoos May Cause Scarring, Permanent Injuries

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Jim Whelan today announced the introduction of legislation that would make it unlawful for body art studios to apply "henna" tattoos containing para-phelylendiamine (PPD), a chemical that can cause scarring and other disfiguring skin injuries.

BILL PROHIBITING DONATION OF LEFTOVER CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO CANDIDATE-RUN CHARITY ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Jack Conners, Dr. Herbert C. Conaway, Jr., and John F. McKeon sponsored to prohibit the distribution of election campaign funds to any charitable organization in which a candidate or an immediate family member is directly involved was released by an Assembly committee today.

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ADVANCES PANTER/SCHAER MEASURE IMPROVING BUDGET TRANSPARENCY
Bill Would Require Lobbyists to Report Involvement On Annual, Supplemental Appropriations Acts

(TRENTON) - The Assembly State Government Committee today released legislation Assemblymen Mike Panter and Gary S. Schaer sponsored to improve the transparency of New Jersey's budget process.

MEASURE BANNING LEGISLATIVE ACCEPTANCE OF LOBBYIST GIFTS ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Jim Whelan, Nelson T. Albano and John F. McKeon sponsored to prohibit legislators and legislative staff from accepting any item of any value from lobbyists and governmental affairs agents was released from the Assembly State Government Committee today by a vote of 5 to 0.

KARCHER BILL TO ENSURE SENIOR REPRESENTATION IN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would require the inclusion of a senior resident of a continuing care retirement community on the facility's local governing board was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee by a vote of 9-0. "Seniors' rights to representative government do not end at the retirement home door," said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, the Vice Chair of the health panel. "However, in the cases of residential care facilities, boards of directors often operate with quasi-governmental powers, establishing rules and regulations for the seniors who live there. The residents of these facilities should have a voice in the decision-making process, and be afforded the same right to representation as guaranteed by our nation's Constitution."

TURNER BILL ADVANCES TO BAN SMOKING IN CASINOS

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, to ban smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities was approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

"It's time for gamblers to kick the habit or at least to butt out around the blackjack tables," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "Casino workers deserve the same smoke-free environment as everyone else."

ASSEMBLY PANEL APPROVES ROBERTS BILL GIVING NJ VOTERS EARLY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

(TRENTON) - The Assembly State Government Committee today released legislation sponsored by Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., that would move New Jersey's presidential primary election date to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February.

CODEY STATEMENT ON ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE'S APPROVAL OF NEW PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DATE

TRENTON -- Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today released the following statement on the Assembly State Government Committee's approval of bill A4010/S2193, which would move New Jersey's presidential primary election up to the first Tuesday in February:

"I'd like to thank Speaker Roberts for sponsoring this bill and the committee for their overwhelming approval. It's time we stopped being the Rodney Dangerfield of presidential primaries and sent a clear message to candidates: Welcome to New Jersey.

For too long New Jersey voters have been bystanders during this critical phase of the electoral process. Now, with one of the most crucial elections in generations approaching, our voters will finally get the chance to play a major role in shaping our country’s future."

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jennifer Sciortino
NJ Senate Majority Office
(P) 609-292-5215