December 12, 2005

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN CAUCUS FILLS LEADERSHIP POSTS

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce announced today that he and the Assembly Republican caucus have filled out the Assembly Republican Leadership team for the 212^th Legislature set to convene in January.

“This leadership team brings a variety of viewpoints to the table and provides for representation from all regions of New Jersey ,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Passaic . “The individuals selected to serve in leadership all have extensive legislative experience and an in-depth understanding of the legislative process.”

DeCroce and Assembly Republican Conference Leader Peter Biondi, were selected by the caucus on November 10 to fill the top two Republican leadership posts in the new legislative session. In addition to DeCroce and Biondi, the new Republican leadership team is as follows:

Republican Whip:  Frank Blee, R-Atlantic

Deputy Conference Leader: Eric Munoz, R-Union, Morris, Somerset , and Essex

Policy Committee Chair:   Steve Corodemus , R-Monmouth

Deputy Leader: Francis Bodine, R-Burlington

Deputy Leader:  Kevin O=Toole, R-Essex, Passaic , Bergen

Assistant Leader:   David Wolfe, R-Ocean

Assistant Leader:   Alison McHose , R-Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon

Assistant Whip:Jon Bramnick, R- Union, Morris, Somerset and Essex

Assistant Whip:Sean Kean, R-Monmouth

Budget Officer:Joseph Malone, R-Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth, Mercer

Appropriations Officer:    Joe Pennacchio, R-Morris, Passaic

Parliamentarian: Richard Merkt, R-Morris  

“Our party will continue to listen to the citizens of New Jersey and fight for their interests in Trenton ,” DeCroce said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to craft a legislative agenda that will be widely supported by the people of this state.”

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December 12, 2005

DANCER BILLS ADDRESSING CONCERNS FACING 
CONTINUING CARE COMMUNITIES PASS ASSEMBLY

BILLS ADD RESIDENT MEMBERSHIP FOR CONTINUING CARE COMMUNITY 
BOARD MEETINGS AND REACTIVATES COUNCIL

Two bills sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, both aimed at helping to provide greater representation and access to information for residents of continuing care communities, were approved today by the General Assembly.

“For far too long residents in continuing care retirement communities have had too little say in the management of those communities,” Dancer said. “Both of these bills seek to address the concerns of these residents.”

The first bill, A-3018, requires the inclusion of a resident from a continuing care retirement community on the facility=s local governing body and requires the facility management to discuss certain matters with the resident representative.

The bill also requires the board of directors or other local governing body must include at least one resident as a full voting member. Resident members will be nominated by the elected representatives of the residents and selected by the board of directors or other local governing body.

“In addition to expanding the membership of these governing boards, this bill will also require access to information,” Dancer noted. “Under this proposal, any questions concerning subjects such as income, financial matters and proposed changes in policies, programs and services may be raised and must be answered or explained promptly when possible.”

The second piece of legislation, AR-187, calls on the Governor to reactivate the Continuing Care Advisory Council by appointing public members. The Continuing Care Advisory Council has not formally convened in over 10 years and appointments of public members have not been made as members' terms have expired.

“There are very real issues of concern for residents of continuing care communities and this council should be reactivated to deal with those issues,” Dancer said. “It is simply unacceptable that this council has not met for more than a decade.”

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December 8, 2005

BODINE INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO REFORM TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND

PUTS LIMITS ON ANNUAL TTF SPENDING AND BORROWING  

Assemblymen Francis Bodine today introduced legislation designed to reform the management and fiscal integrity of the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) program including spending and borrowing limits.

“I have said all along that the Transportation Trust Fund does not have a revenue problem, it has a management problem” said Bodine, R-Burlington. “This legislation will reform the system so that the system can remain financially viable for years to come.”

Bodine noted that recent news reports have indicated that many transportation lobbying groups are suggesting a variety of tax hike proposals to fund a TTF renewal, and that a gas tax hike is still under consideration.

The current funding program for the authority was enacted for the four-year period from fiscal year 2001 through fiscal year 2004. This four-year program is expected to run out of money soon and some newspaper stories have indicated that Democrats intend to increase the gas tax after the November election.

“Hiking the gas tax to provide more money for the system will not help if we do nothing to reform the way the program is currently administered.” said Bodine. “Without reforming this system so that we maximize resources, minimize bureaucracy and eliminate waste, any additional tax revenue will soon be exhausted.”

Among the key aspects of the Bodine bill, A-4526, are a $950 million annual spending cap on TTF projects and the immediate adoption of a 50 percent cap on bonding for the program. This means the most the state could borrow in a given year would be $475 million.

Bodine said that the bill approved today by the Assembly Transportation Committee is not fiscally responsible because the spending cap of $1.6 billion is too high and the bonding cap will not take effect until 2021.

“We need reform and fiscal restraint now,” Bodine said. “ We cannot wait another two decades to fix this system.”

Bodine has said that funding for the projects could be derived by using existing MVC revenues which are currently being transferred to the General Fund and through implementing a true dedication of all motor fuels tax revenues.

Currently only 9 cents of every 10.5 collected through the gas tax are dedicated to TTF. Full dedication would produce an additional $75 million.

The overall reform as introduced would bring the Transportation Trust Fund an additional $650 million.

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December 7, 2005

NEWARK HOMELAND SECURITY SPENDING, ONCE AGAIN, UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

NEWARK USES HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS FOR SUV’S

    Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio today questioned a decision by the City of Newark to purchase 20 Sport Utility Vehicles using $625,000 in federal homeland security dollars, while the city’s fire officials say the department is in need of new trucks and equipment.

“After the garbage truck debacle, I would have expected city officials to do a better job of prioritizing its use of homeland security dollars,” said Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic . “Newark has no conception of what homeland security is about.”

“I intend to, once again, write to Secretary Chertoff of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to oversee New Jersey's homeland security needs,” Pennacchio said. “This spending by Newark is wasteful and dangerous.”

The Star-Ledger today reported that Newark is using $625,000 in federal grant money from the Department of Justice to purchase a total of 20 SUVs and sedans for the fire department, health department and water and sewer division.

The story points out that the head of the city’s firefighter union stated that the average age of a city fire truck is 13 years and that the fire department is in need of a new class of firefighters, new radios and ropes.

Pennacchio was responding to the news about Newark from Israel where he is currently traveling, and he noted that homeland security is an issue he is aware of 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The administration spent 93% of homeland security funding in Democrat controlled districts, Newark purchased Garbage trucks with homeland security dollars and former Governor McGreevey named his ‘friend,’ Golan Cipel, as homeland security advisor,” Pennacchio said. “This is absolutely shameful. When is this nonsense going to end?”

“Even if the SUV’s were needed by the fire and health departments, are they really more important than the need for more firefighters, new trucks and modern radio equipment?” Pennacchio asked. “It seems to me that this is a case of money being spent on the wrong needs.”

Pennacchio applauded the firefighters union and the Newark council members who questioned the decision at last night’s council meeting although he said the council should have rejected the purchase.

“I think those council members who raised questions about this spending should be commended for doing so,” Pennacchio said. “I am glad that there are elected officials in Newark who were at least willing to challenge these spending priorities.”

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December 5, 2005

MUNOZ BILL PROTECTING PATIENTS FROM BAD DOCTORS CLEARS SENATE PANEL 

LEGISLATION WOULD PROTECT PATIENTS FROM DOCTORS WHOSE LICENSES WERE REVOKED IN OTHER STATES

A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Eric Munoz, M.D. that would require the State Board of Medical Examiners to suspend the license of a physician whose license has been revoked by another state, agency or authority was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee today.

“It is our responsibility to protect patients from doctors who would continue to practice in New Jersey after having their licenses revoked in another state,” explained Munoz, R-Union, Morris, Somerset , Essex . “We must protect the citizens of New Jersey from the bad doctors.”

Assembly Bill A-1698 requires The Board of Medical Examiners to provide written notification to the physician whose license is suspended and must also conduct a hearing within 60-days  of the date of the mailing or personal service of the notice.

The Munoz bill was spurred by the story of Angel Prado, a New York doctor who was banned from practicing in NY. “He simply moved to NJ and continued performing plastic surgery. One of the cases that lead to his suspension in New York ended in the death of patient Carmen Berrios. There were 10 recorded incidents of negligence by New York Authorities when his license to practice there was finally revoked.”

“Prado moved to New Jersey and  continued his practice for months as if nothing had happened until his license here was finally revoked as well,” Munoz said. “My bill will ensure that no one else has to run the risks that these doctors were willing to take.

“This bill is an important advancement in patient protection and will go far to ensure that individuals receive quality treatment from competent physicians,” concluded Munoz. “It  will help provide immediate protection for New Jersey patients.”

A-1698 was approved 77-0 by the General Assembly in June. After today’s committee action the bill will now head to the full Senate for consideration.

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November 16, 2005

BIONDI INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PHASE-OUT THE USE OF VACCINES CONTAINING MERCURY

NO VACCINES CONTAINING MERCURY PERMITTED TO BE ADMINISTERED AFTER JAN. 1, 2009  

    Responding to recent concerns about the impact on children of flu vaccines containing mercury, Assemblyman Peter Biondi has introduced legislation that would phase-out the use of such vaccines within three years.

“There is increasing concern that exposure to thimerosal has heightened the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children,” said Biondi, R-Somerset, Morris. “While the evidence on this issue has not been conclusive, because the option exists to use vaccines not containing thimerosal, I see no reason for us to continue putting children at risk.”

Since the 1930s, thimerosal, which is approximately 50% ethyl mercury by weight, has been used as a preservative in vaccines. The federal Food and Drug Administration has encouraged drug manufacturers to reduce or eliminate thimerosal from vaccines in order to reduce the cumulative levels of mercury to which children may be exposed after receiving recommended childhood immunizations.

Under the Biondi bill, A-4433, beginning January 1, 2007 , health care providers would be prohibited from administering an influenza vaccine that contains more than 0.5 micrograms of mercury per 0.25 milliliter dose for children under three years of age, and 1.0 microgram of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose for persons over three years of age. By January 2009 the use of vaccines containing any mercury would be halted.

“This bill would permit the commissioner of health to use these vaccines in the event of a widespread flu outbreak so long at the recipient is notified that the vaccine contains thimerasol,” Biondi said. “This legislation strikes a responsible balance between the need to maintain vaccine supplies and the need to eliminate this potential risk to our children.”

Biondi said he hopes the Assembly will consider his legislation before the end of the current session.

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