Measure Approved by Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, Now Awaits Full Senate Vote
Legislation co-sponsored by Senator Phil Haines, Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder that increases the funding of The Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Program has moved closer to becoming law.
Senate Bill 1830 unanimously passed the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee yesterday, after passing the Senate Transportation Committee in the spring. Senator Haines is a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
“This bill is critical to the senior and disabled citizens who rely on this program for transportation to doctors’ offices, dialysis treatments, and shopping centers,” said Senator Haines. “For many of these people, this program is the only way they get out of their homes.”
Senator Haines, Assemblywoman Addiego and Assemblyman Rudder joined Burlington County Freeholder Director Aubrey Fenton in a press conference supporting this bill in October. At that time, Senator Haines pledged to press his committee to consider and pass the bill. Yesterday’s vote fulfilled Senator Haines’ promise.
“This bill keeps the buses rolling,” said Assemblywoman Addiego. “The expenses of running the buses have increased, fuel costs are volatile, and in this poor economy, more senior citizens are relying on this program. It is imperative that we appropriate the dollars necessary to keep this crucial program on the road.”
The Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Program is financed from the Casino Revenue Fund. This bill increases the annual appropriation requirement for the program from 7.5 percent to 8.5 percent.
“The one-percent increase comes at a critical time because the Casino Revenue Fund has slumped along with the economy. This increase should keep funding near the current-year levels, and it sends a message to our older residents that we are supporting their efforts to live independently,” said Assemblyman Rudder, who as a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee voted for A-2046, the Assembly version of the bill he sponsored with Assemblywoman Addiego.
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December 18, 2008
