Trenton

STUDY URGES NJ TO RESTRUCTURE COLLEGE SYSTEM
Year-round schooling, online learning recommended

(TRENTON) - New Jersey needs to restructure its state college and university system to reduce costs and make public higher education affordable, according to a study released today by the Hall Institute of Public Policy - New Jersey.

WATSON COLEMAN: NEW SCI REPORT UNDERSCORES NEED FOR TOUGHER LAWS TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE BY STREET GANGS

(TRENTON) - Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman, who championed passage of a 17-bill anti-gang package in the Assembly last year, today welcomed the State Commission of Investigation's (SCI) new report on firearms use by street gangs and the need for stronger laws to control access to firearms and handgun ammunition.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

N.J.'s pork barrel It will be quite the court scene: on one side, formidable prosecutors from the U.S. district attorney's office and on the other, lawyers representing the state's Office of Legislative Services (OLS)... All of this is happening, as New Jersey taxpayers know all to well, at a time when property, sales and income taxes are choking residents while the Legislature cries poor. How in the world could lawmakers approve such projects as assistance to local private youth clubs or municipal park improvements at a time when a one-cent sales tax was enacted to help dig out the state from its systemic financial mess? That, fortunately, is what Mr. Christie would like to know, too... Assembly Republicans, the minority in the Legislature, have called for the release of all the records requested by federal investigators. Further, they have called on the Legislative Services Commission to call an emergency public meeting to investigate the matter. As the minority, they may be whistling in the wind, but there just may be enough majority Democrats who are fed up with the annual added pork to shed light on a practice that both the Republicans and the Democrats have abused over the years.
- A look inside, Editorial
The Times of Trenton, February 14, 2007

New Jersey's citizens should be all for ripping the lid off any government communications that lead to the acquisition and distribution of public funds especially any communications that reveal any deals between legislators and recipients of state funds. It is not their money, not their office, not their government. It is ours. And if they (Wayne Bryant or anyone else) are misusing it or abusing it, we have a right to know, and to punish anyone guilty of selling our government for their own profit.
- Exit doesn't end Bryant pollution, Editorial
Gloucester County Times, February 14, 2007

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

MCKEON APPLAUDS CORZINE'S ACTIONS TO COMBAT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

(TRENTON) -- Assemblyman John F. McKeon, chair of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee, today issued the following statement applauding Governor Jon S. Corzine's signing of an Executive Order that calls for a sweeping reduction of greenhouse gas emissions:

February 13, 2007
Senator Robert Singer (R-30)

Contact: Michelle Peal
(732) 901-0702

Singer: Lack of School Funding Proposal Is Another Promise Broken

Senator Robert Singer, (R-30), issued the following statement about the failure of the Governor and the Legislature to develop a new plan to fund public schools in New Jersey.

Governor Corzine and the Trenton politicians have failed New Jersey tax payers again. After promising that school funding was a top priority, we are now being told a new school funding plan will not be available in time for this year’s state budget proposal.

This news is not surprising because most of the ideas that came out of the special session were either watered down or ignored, but the lack of a new plan to fund public schools is disappointing because inadequate school funding is the number one reason why property taxes are up 40 percent.

During the past five years most school districts have been short changed by about $2.2 billion. More than half of the $10 billion spent on education went to 31 Abbott school districts. What was left was distributed to the remaining 584 districts, and the state has not increased aid to most schools in five years. That is why rural and suburban schools have been forced to rely more on property taxes that are now increasing 7 percent annually.

It is easy to talk about property tax relief, but much more difficult to bring about real reform. If the Governor and the Legislature do not develop a new school funding plan, we will not see real and lasting property tax reform.

I and my colleagues in District 30 are leading a statewide petition drive asking the Governor to fully fund public education in the state. Anything else is just nibbling around the edges.

KEAN: LEGISLATURE SHOULD NOT OBSTRUCT U.S. ATTORNEY INVESTIGATION
Calls for Full Disclosure By Legislative Services Commission

Senator Thomas H. Kean (R-Essex/Morris/Union/Somerset) issued the following statement:

COHEN: CORZINE ADMINISTRATION TAKING RIGHT ROAD ON INSPECTIONS CONTRACT RENEWAL
Assemblyman Says Mistakes of Original Parsons Deal Must Not Be Repeated

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Neil M. Cohen today commended the transparency of the Corzine administration's efforts as they seek to renew the state Motor Vehicle Commission's (MVC) auto inspections contract.

CODEY/KARCHER ETHICS REFORM PACKAGE MOVES FORWARD IN SENATE

TRENTON - The Senate State Government Committee today approved five bills that are part of a comprehensive ethics reform package introduced by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) last month. Co-sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth, Mercer), the bipartisan measures are aimed at restoring the public's confidence in government and creating greater transparency and efficiency.

"We cannot realistically expect to stem the rising tide of property taxes without reining in spending and abuses," said Sen. Codey. "This is not a Democratic principle or a Republican principle. It's a simple truth - one that is recognized on both sides of the aisle and has already received bipartisan support from my colleagues.

KARCHER BILL TO PROHIBIT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PUBLIC ENTITIES ADVANCES

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would prohibit any State or local public agencies from making campaign contributions using public dollars was unanimously approved by the Senate State Government Committee today.

"We need to ensure that public dollars go towards public interests, not private campaign accounts," said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, a leading ethics advocate in the State Senate. "The idea that government agencies feel they need to influence lawmakers with campaign donations to receive favorable treatment is ridiculous. The public budgets of governmental organizations are not intended to subsidize the political process."

CLEAN ELECTIONS MEASURE PASSES SENATE BUDGET PANEL

TRENTON - The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today moved the "The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act" out of committee by a party-line vote. Senator Shirley K. Turner is the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill proposed by Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts.

"As the Legislature has spent more than six months on property tax reform, we have begun to see the critical importance of campaign finance reform for the citizens of New Jersey," said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. "Far too many special interests watered down the reform efforts. The Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project will reduce the influence of special interest money and help the voters have the loudest voice in Trenton."