***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE*** Assembly Democrats React to Budget Committee Hearing Aimed at Helping State Amid Financial Meltdown

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS REACT TO BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARING AIMED AT HELPING STATE AMID FINANCIAL MELTDOWN

(TRENTON) - Assembly Democrats today issued the following multimedia package as the Assembly Budget committee considered legislation that would expand the state's network of social support programs amid a continuing global economic meltdown.

The panel met as part of a concerted effort by the Assembly to continue its focus on helping New Jerseyans and businesses emerge strong from the global financial crisis.

Assembly committees today considered 19 pieces of legislation to revamp state business taxes and incentives, help struggling homeowners, promote jobs, protect consumers from financial fraud and help low-income residents.

The multimedia package consists of a video from the hearing, audio of same and a transcript of comments by Assembly Democratic lawmakers.

The video can be accessed directly via our Web site - www.assemblydems.com - or by clicking here.

The audio file is available upon request.

A transcript of some Assembly Democratic comments is appended below:

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union):

"We moved legislation that actually touches people in their homes."

Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (D-Hudson):

"I'm particularly pleased that we were able to help people today with their energy bills. It's the first cold day of winter. It's going to be a long winter and people are really worried. Oil prices are high. People's incomes are down."

Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Passaic):

"One of the bills that is significant is being able to ensure that we increase the legal services for many of the residents that are going through the foreclosure problems."

Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester):

"Most importantly was we voted to expand the cap for senior citizens  eligible for the senior citizen property tax freeze program. Today's action is going to allow a lot more people into this."

Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden):

"Sixty-eight thousand more seniors in the state of New Jersey will be eligible for rebates that will prevent them from being the victims of huge swings in their property tax."

Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden):

"Today we put money right back on the Main Street, helping small businesses attract new employees, offering $3,000 grants. We helped offset heating costs as we go into what could be a very harsh winter season, and we put money directly back onto the property tax freeze, helping seniors be able to afford their homes in a state where property taxes are very expensive."

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