Upendra Chivukula

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden) has removed indicted Assemblyman Joseph Vas (D-Perth Amboy) as Chairman of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.  Four other Democrats serve on the panel, but two of them are not really contenders: Upendra Chivukula (D-Franklin) is unlikely to give up the chairmanship of the Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, and Sandra Love (D-Gloucester Township) is a freshman who is not seeking re-election.  That means Roberts will likely choose between Pamela Lampitt (D-Cherry Hill), a two-term legislator who represents a neighboring Camden County district, and Albert Coutinho (D-Newark), the panel Vice Chairman who was elected in 2007 after serving briefly in 1997.

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS COMMENTARY ON COMMITTEE REVIEW OF OVERSIGHT FOR NJ PORTION OF FEDERAL STIMULUS

(TRENTON) - Chairs of six Assembly committees today issued a multimedia package on the Assembly's efforts to ensure legislative oversight and accountability of the money made available to New Jersey from the recently enacted federal stimulus package.

The committee hearings were the first of two days largely devoted to discussing the impact of the federal stimulus on the state.  Assembly committees heard from a variety of state commissioners and department heads on their efforts to obtain and oversee distribution of federal stimulus dollars.

LAMPITT/CHIVUKULA/WAGNER/VAINIERI HUTTLE/POU/GREENSTEIN BILL TO PERMIT WIND AND SOLAR FACILITIES IN INDUSTRIAL ZONE ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Pamela R. Lampitt, Upendra Chivukula, Connie Wagner, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Nellie Pou and Linda R. Greenstein to permit wind and solar facilities in industrial zones was approved by the Senate.

The bill passed the Assembly 60-15 in October, and an amended version was approved 36-3 by the Senate on Monday. It now returns to the Assembly for final legislative approval.

CHIVUKULA: DISTRICT OFFICE HELPING RESIDENTS WITH UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE

Office Now Helping Residents Apply for NJ SHARES Money

(FRANKLIN) -- Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula today announced residents who have fallen behind on utility bills because of a financial crisis can now visit his district office to apply for help.

Chivukula said those needing the assistance can visit his office and receive help applying for NJ SHARES assistance. The program provides grants to pay utility bills.

“Many residents have made good faith efforts to keep afloat with their utility payments, yet for many it has just become too much during these last trying months,” said Chivukula (D-Somerset). “No family should have to suffer serious economic hardship and lose their heat and electricity on top of it when the NJ SHARES program exists to provide much needed relief to those who need it most.”

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

ASSEMBLY PANEL TO DISCUSS DIGITAL TELEVISION SWITCHOVER

(TRENTON) – The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee will meet Monday to discuss the analog to digital television switchover.

Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset), the committee chairman, has invited Emmitt Carlton of the Federal Communications Commission to testify.

"This is important issue for many consumers, broadcasters, wireless companies and public safety agencies," Chivukula said. "It's also proving to be a changing situation. We just want to find out the latest information to help New Jerseyans understand what's going on with this switchover."

ASSEMBLY BILLS TO UPDATE, IMPROVE NEW JERSEY’S CORPORATE BUSINESS RULES NOW LAW

Measures Are Among Nearly 40 advanced by Assembly to Further Enhance Efforts to Ensure N.J. Emerges Strong from Economic Crisis

(TRENTON) – Assembly bills to simplify New Jersey’s corporate governance statutes and further enhance efforts to ensure New Jersey emerges strong from the global economic crisis are now law.

The measures were signed Tuesday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

They’re sponsored by Assembly members Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., Joseph Vas, Albert Coutinho, Wayne DeAngelo, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Upendra Chivukula and Pamela R. Lampitt. 

“For New Jersey to be competitive as a home for industry in the global marketplace, we need laws that will allow them to operate in real time, using 21st century technology,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex), who crafted the bill package.

BILL TO PROMOTE SOLAR, WIND AND BIOMASS ENERGY GENERATION IN NEW JERSEY ADVANCES

Measure Would Allow Solar, Wind, Biomass Energy Facilities and Equipment on Farms

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Upendra Chivukula, Connie Wagner, Douglas H. Fisher and John F. McKeon to promote solar, biomass and wind energy generation on New Jersey farms was released today by an Assembly committee.

The bill (A-2859) would allow a person who owns preserved farmland to build, install and operate solar, biomass and wind energy facilities and equipment on the farm, provided it doesn’t interfere with use of the land for farming.

“This is yet another way for New Jersey to promote the production of clean, alternative energy that can boost our economy in this time of crisis,” said Chivukula (D-Somerset).

ASSEMBLY BILL AUTHORIZING GOV'T ENTITIES TO APPLY ENERGY SAVINGS NOW LAW
Act Authorizes Public Entities to Implement Energy Savings Improvement Programs

(TRENTON) -Legislation Assembly members Sheila Oliver, Pamela Lampitt, Upendra Chivukula, Wayne DeAngelo, Joseph Vas and John McKeon sponsored to authorize state, county and municipal governments and school boards to more easily implement energy savings-improvement programs was signed into law today by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

CONAWAY ISSUES MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE ON ENACTMENT OF 'GRACE'S LAW'

New Law Mandates Insurance Companies Provide Coverage for Hearing Aids for Children

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Herb Conaway, M.D. today issued a multimedia package on the enactment of legislation he and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. sponsored to require health insurance plans provide coverage for hearing aids for children 15-years-old and younger.

The bill (A-1571), dubbed "Grace's Law" in honor of Grace Gleba, a New Jersey girl with a severe hearing impairment, was signed into law today by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey in a public ceremony in the Governor's Outer Office.

CHIVUKULA PRAISES WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL AS ‘BEACON OF FREEDOM’

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset) released the following statement on New Jersey’s World War II Memorial:

“It shouldn’t have taken this long, but New Jersey finally did the right thing today by honoring the men and women who fought so bravely to defend freedom more than 60 years ago..."