Trenton

DORIA BILL TO ESTABLISH PILOT EYE EXAM FOR SECOND GRADERS ADVANCES

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph V. Doria which would establish a pilot eye exam program for second grade students in New Jersey was approved by the Senate Education Committee today by a vote of 4-0.

"Undiagnosed vision problems are a major impediment for children to achieve their educational potential," said Senator Doria, D-Hudson, Vice Chair of the Education Committee. "Too often, kids don't speak up about any vision problems they may be experiencing, and they start falling behind in their studies because they can't see the blackboard. By giving parents an idea of their children's eye care needs, we can hopefully equip our State's students to do the best they can in their studies."

KARCHER - 'EARLY ELECTION PUTS NEW JERSEY PRIMARY CENTER-STAGE'

TRENTON - Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, issued the following statement today after the Assembly State Government Committee unanimously approved her bill, sponsored with Senate President Richard J. Codey, to move New Jersey's presidential primary to the first week of February:

"I applaud the Assembly's action today to make New Jersey relevant in national politics. For too long, the residents of the Garden State have been disenfranchised by a late primary, making their votes meaningless in the political process, as the party nominees for president are often already decided before the voting booths even open in our home State.

ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS OLIVER/GREENSTEIN MEASURE
UPDATING STATE'S WRONGFUL DEATH LAW
Assemblywomen Say Reforms to Help Victims' Families 'Long Overdue'

(TRENTON) -- Legislation Assemblywomen Sheila Y. Oliver and Linda Greenstein are sponsoring to broaden New Jersey's wrongful death law to give surviving relatives greater ability to seek damages following the loss of a loved one was released today by an Assembly committee.

Cryan Applauds Primary Move

Trenton - Assemblyman Joe Cryan, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic Party, issued the following statement on Monday in support of the legislation that would move New Jersey's Presidential primary election to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February:

SCHAER RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION BILL RELEASED BY COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Labor committee today released legislation Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer (D-Passaic/Bergen/Essex) sponsored that would make it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee for practicing his or her personal religious beliefs.

VITALE - 'FEDS SHOULD WORK AS PARTNERS IN MENTAL HEALTH PARITY'

TRENTON - Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the Congressional field hearing, held in Trenton, on mental health and addiction parity for health insurers:

"I commend Congressmen Frank Pallone, the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, and Patrick Kennedy for coming to Trenton today to discuss the need for health insurers to cover mental health and substance abuse under the same terms and conditions they use to provide coverage for other diseases.

GUSCIORA/GREENSTEIN BILL ENHANCING PENALTIES
FOR ASSAULT ON DISABLED CLEARS COMMITTEE
'Joey’s Law' Crafted in Response to Vicious Attack
On Mentally Challenged Trenton Man

(TRENTON) -- The Assembly Judiciary Committee today released legislation Assemblyman Reed Gusciora and Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein sponsored to stiffen the punishment against individuals convicted of assault against a disabled victim.

EGAN/VAN DREW/SCALERA PREVAILING WAGE LEGISLATION RELEASED BY COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Labor committee today released legislation Assemblymen Joseph Egan, Jeff Van Drew and Fred Scalera sponsored to prohibit debarred contractor from using a new business to circumvent prevailing wage requirements.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Bullet points miss the mark
Asbury Park Press, Editorial, February 23, 2007

Gov. Corzine outlined a $33 billion budget Thursday that will provide Democratic legislators with some badly needed bullet points for the glossy mailings and TV campaign ads in their re-election campaigns this fall.

Among the boasts we can count on hearing: Democrats passed the first budget in six years with no new taxes or tax increases. Democrats passed a budget that provided the largest increase in direct property tax relief in state history. Democrats passed a budget that provided the first real increase in state aid to every school district in the state in years. Democrats passed a budget that provided an increase in municipal aid for the first time in three years.

Unfortunately for taxpayers, the Democrats' opponents will have far more bullet points relating to the budget to use against them in November, when all 120 seats in the Legislature are up for grabs.

Among them: The Democrats approved a budget that increased overall state spending 7.2 percent - three times the rate of inflation. The year before, Corzine's first as governor, state spending increased 9 percent. During the six years since Trenton has been under Democratic control, the state budget has increased 48 percent. During the six years Trenton has been under Democratic control, state debt has doubled.

Other bullet points we hope to hear: Most of the $2.1 billion property tax credit program was funded by recycled tax dollars - money that came from an increase in the sales tax and the elimination of the old rebate program. The state's structural deficit is expected to be worse next year than it is this year. The "fair contract" negotiated with the state unions will yield an estimated $40 million in savings next year - an amount equal to .001 percent of the state budget.

Corzine spoke Thursday about the need for the Legislature to address long-term fiscal troubles, about New Jersey having the third-highest level of debt in the nation and about the burgeoning increases in unfunded liabilities for government workers' pensions and health care.

Bullet point: We know. We've been hearing about it for five years, including from Corzine last year. Too bad for taxpayers that no one - including Corzine - has done what is needed to provide meaningful, long-term relief.

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For more information, contact:
Assembly Republican Press Office / 609-292-5339

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gregory Andres
February 23, 2007 973-909-4490

CASHA FOR ASSEMBLY WELCOMES MORE SUPPORTERS

(MONTVILLE, NJ) - 26th District Assembly candidate Larry Casha is proud to welcome the following supporters to his campaign, which brings the total of current and former Republican elected officials and community leaders to over 100.

"The momentum continues to build, and it demonstrates our shared desire to reform state government and send a proven fiscal conservative to Trenton. They, like many of the taxpayers they represent, feel that strong pension benefit reform, spending and tax cuts and eliminating corruption at all levels of government are issues that must be addressed now. I am honored to have them on my team."

New Jersey Federation of Republican Women Area Director Elaine Obenhuber
Morris County Freeholder Director Margaret Nordstrom
Morris County Republican Committee Vice Chair Jane Tiger
Chatham Borough Mayor Richard Plambeck
Chatham Borough County Committeewoman Margaret Coresello
Lincoln Park County Committeeman Larry Obenhuber
Montville Deputy Mayor Deborah Nielson
Pequannock Mayor Jay Vanderhoff
Pequannock Councilman Edward Engelbart
Pine Brook Fire Commissioner President Anthony Speciale, Sr.
Former Morris County Young Republican Chairwoman Candice Soprano
Former Denville Mayor Carol Spencer
Former Florham Park Councilman Sam McNulty
Former Kinnelon Council President Gloria Carelli
Former Montville Committeeman Tom Mazzaccaro
Former West Milford Board of Education Member Kenneth Freedman

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www.CashaforAssembly.org
Paid for by Casha for Assembly, Richard Clawson Treasurer