Legislation sponsored by the 9th District Delegation to provide financial support in the form of a senior property tax program to certain individuals who have lost a loved one was released today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
The measure, S-1111/S-593/S-880, combines the provisions of three separate legislative proposals to revise certain criteria under the homestead property tax reimbursement program.
Proposal Would Preserve the Freedom of Citizens to Choose Their Health Care
Senator Michael Doherty and Assemblywoman Alison McHose introduced legislation today that would give individuals the right to obtain the health benefits coverage of their choosing.
“Our citizens are rightly concerned that Washington, D.C. bureaucrats will force a government health care program upon them,” Doherty stated. “This amendment, if ratified by the voters of this state, will nullify any law that mandates health coverage within New Jersey’s borders.”
Governor Issues Executive Order to Freeze COAH
Senator Sean Kean and Assembly members Dave Rible and Mary Pat Angelini (all R-11) held a town meeting last night in Wall Township to discuss updates regarding the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) rules. Many residents were in attendance to learn how the rules will mean for their town.
Governor Chris Christie issued an executive order to halt COAH and created an advisory panel to provide recommendations for this policy within 90 days. During the 90 day period, the Council on Affordable Housing cannot take any action to process applications for substantive certification or to take any other actions to implement the COAH third round regulations.
Senator Kevin O’Toole, R-Bergen and Passaic, seeks public hearings that will help Toyota owners ensure their cars are safe and inform the public about what auto executives and state officials are doing to prevent injuries from defects in cars sold to New Jersey residents.
“Toyota owners are becoming alarmed by rising estimates of fatalities caused by defects in this company’s automobiles,” Senator O’Toole said. “Hearings will prevent tragedies and help Toyota owners separate fact from fiction.
Department of the Treasury Seems to Be Implementing State Auditor Recommendations
Senate Republican Budget Officer Anthony Bucco issued the following comments regarding the release of an audit of the Senior Citizens’ and Veterans’ property tax deduction programs. The audit, conducted by the Office of the State Auditor, identified “weakness in the verification of eligibility” for the two property tax relief programs in question.
Senator Steve Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Governor Christie’s budget speech today:
“Governor Christie was left with an unprecedented budget deficit when he took office 23 days ago. The size of the budget hole that needed to be closed by the end of this fiscal year is more than $2 billion. Sadly, the governor only had $6 billion in unexpended funds to work with to close this extraordinary gap.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean made the following statement about the uncommonly courageous leadership shown by Governor Christie in dealing with a $2.3 billion budget gap left by the past administration:
“It’s been years since New Jersey has had a governor who will talk about our state’s fiscal problems with decisiveness, honesty and courage,” Senator Kean said. “After less than two months in office, the governor has come up with a plan to close a $2.3 billion budget gap without tax increases, furloughs or disruption of our state’s schools.
Third Round Rules to Be Suspended for 90 Days
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, a prime sponsor of legislation that would dismantle the Council On Affordable Housing (COAH), applauded Governor Christie’s Executive Order suspending COAH’s third round rules.
“Governor Christie should be commended for his quick, decisive action suspending the third round rules,” Bateman stated. “For too long COAH’s arbitrary and unpredictable rules and regulations have destroyed open space and stifled job growth without helping build adequate affordable housing.”
Measures Would Protect Retirements of Rank-and-File Public Employees, Require Government to Meet Its Obligations
Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney and Senate Republican Leader Thomas Kean announced that bipartisan legislation to complete the unfinished business of reforming the state’s public employee pension and benefits system first begun nearly four years ago was formally introduced last night in the Senate.
The four bills would return the pension and benefits system to its original goal of ensuring the retirements of rank-and-file public employees and constitutionally require government to meet its annual pension obligations.
Senator Michael Doherty, R-Warren, introduced legislation Senate today that would establish an employee cost sharing arrangement for the State Employees Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and the School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP). The measure is part of a four-bill package designed to safeguard the state’s pension and benefits system.
“It is clear that the New Jersey’s pensions and health benefits systems are on the verge of financial collapse,” Doherty stated. “It is imperative that reforms be passed now to prevent the complete collapse of the system.”
