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Governor Should Take Responsiblity for Plan Rather than Hiding Behind Turnpike Authority
Senator Jennifer Beck, and Assembly members Declan O’Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande, this afternoon said that Governor Jon Corzine’s proposal to nearly triple tolls on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway will hurt commuters who use those roads and further damage our state’s economy without adequately addressing the future of the Transportation Trust Fund.
Ciesla, Wolfe and Holzapfel point out plan nearly triples tolls, primarily to fund just one project
Senator Andrew Ciesla and Assemblymen David Wolfe and Jim Holzapfel, the representatives of District 10, issued this statement after reading about the governor’s endorsement of a Turnpike Commission plan to nearly triple tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway:
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement in response to news reports that Governor Corzine is again discussing transportation financing proposals with Democratic leaders in the Legislature:
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt (all R-Ocean/Burl./Atl.) announced today they will be introducing legislation to require a portion of tenant-based assistance vouchers under the State Rental Assistance Program be reserved for grants to veterans. The 9th District Legislators intend to introduce their initiative at the next quorum of their respective Houses.
Reconfirmation Hearings Would Focus on General (Mis-)Management and Whistleblower Trial
Senator Jennifer Beck (R-12), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman John Adler (D-6) to commence the long-delayed reconfirmation hearing of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Jeanne Fox.
Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) said this after learning that housing officials in Trenton knew, before the law was passed, that families who own homes destroyed by fire or other natural disasters would be required to pay new fees to finance low-income housing construction:
Senator Joseph Kyrillos, District 13, said he is appalled by reports that delays by the governor in signing a pension reform bill will cost taxpayers millions of dollars:
“A Star-Ledger article estimates that state and local governments will lose at least $1.42 million in the first year of estimated savings because the governor has dragged his feet and delayed the signing of these fair and thoughtful reforms.
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) says he agrees with Governor Corzine’s comments on policy regarding federally backed mortgage lenders, and says legislators should keep the Governor’s words in mind as they debate the Transportation Trust Fund in the fall.
Senator Gerald Cardinale, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said this after reading comments attributed to state Senator John Adler, chairman of the committee, in the Asbury Park Press:
“Republicans on the Judiciary Committee immediately joined to call for the removal of Charles Jones from the Parole Board after Jones sent a letter saying that the corruption conviction of former Newark Mayor Sharpe James was politically motivated.
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt announced today they will be introducing legislation requiring a government assessment of the current condition of coastal counties’ transportation infrastructure, primarily focused on identifying upgrades needed for emergency evacuations. The findings by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and NJ Transit would be finalized in a report to be submitted to the Senate and Assembly Transportation Committees. Counties that would be evaluated under the 9th District Legislators’ initiative would consist of Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties.
