TRENTON – A bill to expand the number of neighborhoods that could be designated for aid under the “Neighborhood Revitalization State Tax Credit Act” was approved 4-0 yesterday by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

Sponsored by Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic), the bill would name as regional planning entities the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, the Pinelands Commission, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority (or a successor agency), the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono which would make various changes to regulate the solicitation of credit cards on college campuses – including requiring creditors to provide an educational program on the responsible use of credit and prohibiting credit card companies from using promotional gimmicks as an incentive for students to sign up – was signed into law today.

“Credit card debt is a growing problem amongst college students,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex, and Chairwoman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. “We need to be proactive in preparing our college students for the responsibility of personal credit. This new law ensures that students being solicited on campus in New Jersey will have the tools necessary to be better credit consumers.”

PREVIEW - SENATE COMMITTEES TO CONSIDER DUI BILLS, SCHOOL CHOICE MEASURE

Will Also Review Reporting of Abuse Against Vulnerable Adults Bill, and Property Tax Reassessment Streamlining

TRENTON – On Monday, six Senate Committees will meet to discuss issues ranging from strengthening New Jersey’s driving while under the influence (DUI) laws, to school choice, to streamlining the property tax reassessment process in New Jersey, to posting nutritional information of food available in chain restaurants.

TRENTON – Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), prime sponsor of the same-sex marriage bill (S1967), today issued the following statement:

“As the prime sponsor of the Marriage Equality Act, I am urging our current Majority Leader to honor the commitment he made to me to move this important civil rights bill forward. We have the ability in the legislature to talk about this bill and address the economic crisis at the same time. I received commitments from the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as from Majority Leader Sweeney that they would allow this bill to move forward. It will be a disappointment to so many in the grassroots of our party as well as to me personally if this commitment is not honored.”

TRENTON – The Firearms Task Force created in concert with New Jersey’s so-called “one-handgun-a-month” law has issued its first report, which includes recommendations to address concerns of firearms collectors and competitive and recreational firearms users.

The task force is recommending changes that include clarifying the intent of the law with regard to multiple handgun transfers involving retail dealers, identifying a limited number of exemptions to the one handgun limitation and strengthening criminal laws to deter potential “straw purchasers” who fraudulently seek to qualify for an exemption by making false statements in the application process.

PRESIDENT OBAMA CALLS ON NEW JERSEYANS
TO GET BEHIND CORZINE, WEINBERG & DEMOCRATS

President Returns to New Jersey to Headline Rallies
in Camden and Newark

 
(NEWARK) – As New Jersey voters get ready to head to the polls in just two days, President Barack Obama headlined two rallies today where he made impassioned pleas for voters to support Governor Jon S. Corzine, Lieutenant Governor candidate Senator Loretta Weinberg and Democrats across the state.

STATEMENT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT CODEY
ON CHRISTIE’S CONTRADICTIONS

 
(TRENTON) - Senate President Richard J. Codey (D- Essex) released the following statement today:

“Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie finally admitted yesterday in the New York Times what we have already known, his entire campaign has been based on empty promises and failed economic policies.  Christie now says he will not restore property tax rebates, will not roll back the sales tax, will use "one-shot" revenues to close the budget deficit, and will not reduce income taxes.  Christie is learning quickly that it's one thing to make promises as the candidate for governor and another thing to have to explain how you would implement these promises once you are in charge.

“The truth is the only economic policies that Chris Christie is staying true to are the same failed economic policies that George Bush employed that got the country into this mess, and now Christie wants to bring them to New Jersey.”

 #    #    #

STATEMENT FROM SPEAKER ROBERTS
ON CHRISTIE’S CONTRADICTIONS

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D-Camden) issued the following statement today:

"We at least finally know this much about Chris Christie - even his vague promises of treats have been nothing more than tricks, unless you're fortunate enough to be among the super wealthy.
"Christie's mishmashed campaign has shown its true self. This George W. Bush-disciple is in this to give tax breaks to the rich and massive corporations while stripping away benefits and protections for New Jersey's middle class.

DNC CHAIR TIM KAINE JOINS CORZINE, WEINBERG
AND NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

 
(HARRISON) – Joining a wave of high-profile Democrats who have made appearances in the state in recent weeks, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine joined Governor Jon S. Corzine, his running mate Loretta Weinberg and New Jersey Democrats on the campaign trail this evening. Kaine made several stops where he praised the governor’s record fighting on behalf of New Jersey families and encouraged supporters to make every effort to “get out the vote” on Election Day.

CRYAN: NEW Q-POLL PROOF THAT NEW JERSEYANS
WANT CORZINE TO CONTINUE FIGHTING
FOR WHAT MATTERS MOST

(TRENTON) – Democratic State Committee Chairman Joseph Cryan issued the following statement this morning as the latest Quinnipiac University Poll shows Governor Corzine widening his lead over challenger Chris Christie to five points: