When asked about children in failing districts whose families did not have the resources to pay for private education, Mr. Giordano responded, “Life’s not always fair and I’m sorry about that.”

Click here to watch the video.

Read the rest of Kean & Lesniak: “NJEA Executive Director’s Callous Remarks Make the Case for Opportunity Scholarship Act” (249 words)

President Obama should not consider giving any assistance to Portugal as long as it continues to shield violent American fugitive George Wright, 30th District Republicans Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Dave Rible and Sean T. Kean said today.

“George Wright is a convicted killer who escaped from prison and is a fugitive from justice,” Singer, R-Ocean and Monmouth, said. “The Portuguese courts erred when they ruled that the statute of limitations on his murder conviction has expired. A convicted murderer cannot just run out the clock on his sentence by hijacking a plane and leaving the country, as Wright has done. He must be brought to justice and serve the term of imprisonment to which he was sentenced.”

Read the rest of Singer, Rible & Kean to Obama: Don’t Help Countries that Protect American Fugitives (210 words)

At a press conference today Assemblywoman Casagrande said she is pleased the Governor signed the measure because very few people are even aware they have the right to appeal their health insurer’s decision to an independent panel of physicians. “Many have accepted unjust denials for treatment because they did not know their rights” says Casagrande.

Read the rest of Legislators Say New Law Will Enforce Patients’ Rights (198 words)

A longstanding proposal by Senator Diane Allen (R- Burlington) to create an office within the Treasury Department to improve customer service for taxpayers and streamline compliance issues has been approved by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee.

S-1187 establishes the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, a position appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate that would bear responsibility for improving taxpayers’ experience in dealing with Treasury’s Division of Taxation and make recommendations to improve tax law so as to ease compliance problems for businesses and individuals.

Read the rest of Allen Proposal to Create ‘Office of the Taxpayer Advocate’ Clears Committee (210 words)

The bill, S-234, gives employers a credit against the New Jersey Gross Income Tax and/or Corporation Business Tax of 20% of an employee’s salary, not to exceed $2,000 per worker, when an employee is called to active duty.

Read the rest of Oroho/Bucco Bill Providing Tax Breaks to Businesses Employing National Guardsmen and Reservists Advances (178 words)

“Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs”  is a nationally recognized program developed by the Future Fisherman Foundation which has operated successfully in over a dozen states. The Connors-Rumpf-Gove measure would establish the HOFNOD program on a Statewide basis by enabling the Division of Fish and Wildlife to implement and model the program after the pilot HOFNOD program implemented in Ocean County in 2000. To the maximum extent possible, the Division would implement and operate the program in every county in the State.

Read the rest of Assembly Committee Advances Connors, Rumpf & Gove “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” Initiative (339 words)

Senator Jennifer Beck and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (both R-Monmouth) issued the following statement today applauding Neptune High School for being chosen as an entrant for New Jersey into the Cablevision Charity Championship:

“Public service and charitable activities should be an aspect of every young person’s education. The student’s at Neptune High School have shown are making giving a priority through their Fliers Fighting Cancer events. The moneys from their various charitable events go to a truly worthy cause, Mary’s Place by the Sea, where women who have received cancer treatment can go to for support during their recovery.

Read the rest of Beck & Angelini Salute Neptune High School’s Charitable Achievements (64 words)

“I am deeply disappointed that the Senate Majority seems intent on breaking the Senate President’s promise of speedy confirmation hearings for Phil Kwon and Bruce Harris.”

Read the rest of Tom Kean: “Majority Holding Up Harris and Kwon Hearings for Political Gain” (125 words)