Two bills sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that will increase government transparency and efficiency were signed into law today by Acting Governor Way.

Two bills sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that will increase government transparency and efficiency were signed into law today by Acting Governor Way. (Pixabay)

The first bill, S-1884, requires the Office of the State Auditor to annually publish a user-friendly, plain language report that summarizes the contents of the New Jersey Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

“I’m pleased that both of these important bills were signed into law today,” said Oroho (R-24). “For far too long, New Jersey’s annual financial reports have been written in obscure, financial language that is often only digestible by technocrats. This legislation will build public trust by allowing New Jerseyans to read, in layman’s terms, the financial status of the state, and to see exactly where their hard earned tax dollars are going.”

The plain language report must include a summary of: New Jersey’s financial condition compared to neighboring states; total long-term liabilities; the accuracy of revenue projections; and an accounting of any structural imbalance in the state budget.

The second bill, S-3255, increases the maximum amount of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) that can be used for base and intermediate pavement courses from 25% to 35% and increase the maximum amount of RAP that can be used in surface pavement courses from 15% to 25%.

“Re-using highway materials is a sensible solution that will be beneficial to the environment, reduce waste in landfills, and reduce costs of highway projects,” said Oroho. “This is a win-win for counties and municipalities and will allow New Jerseyans to see their tax dollars at work.”

Reclaimed asphalt, or recycled asphalt, refers to the asphalt aggregate material removed from the reconstruction or resurfacing of paved areas.