WATSON COLEMAN URGES NEW JERSEYANS TO CLAIM ECONOMIC STIMULUS PAYMENTS

(TRENTON) – Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman today urged everyone who is eligible to be sure they file for their economic stimulus payments by the Oct. 15 deadline and vowed to help spread word about the importance of filing for the money.

“This money is as critical as ever with the costs of energy, food and other expenses soaring amid the sagging economy,” said Watson Coleman, (D-Ewing). “These payments represent help to those who need it most and it cannot go unclaimed in this time of need.”

Andrews Captures Support of Majority of Newark Council

Newark Leader Says New Jersey Needs New Leadership and Energy in Senate
Calls Andrews a Passionate and Effective Advocate of Urban Issues

RICE BILL TO ENSURE GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY IN LOCAL CONTRACTS APPROVED

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice which would require that local contracts must be approved by a majority of the full membership of the municipal council, as opposed to a majority of council members present, was unanimously approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today.

“Government must be accountable to the people – all the people – when dealing with the people’s money,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “In my opinion, any interpretation of existing law which violates this basic spirit of government accountability is wrong. New Jersey’s taxpayers need to have the assurances of their local leaders that government is operating by the rules, and not using legal semantics to pass fly-by-night contracts which aren’t in the public’s interest.”

Lautenberg, Menendez Announce $1.2 Million to Clean Up Sites in Newark, Jersey City and Camden

RICE TO RECONVENE GANGLAND SECURITY TASK FORCE

TRENTON - In response to escalating gang violence in Newark, where four children were shot, execution-style, last week, Senator Ronald L. Rice announced today that he would be reconvening the Gangland Security Task Force, to provide necessary intelligence to deal with New Jersey's growing gang problem.

SARLO BILL ADVANCES TO HELP PORT AUTHORITY EASE AIR TRAFFIC

TRENTON - The Senate today approved (36-0) a bill sponsored by Senator Paul A. Sarlo to help the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey purchase Stewart Airport in Newburgh, N.Y.

“This bill will help ease the air traffic congestion over the entire metropolitan region,� said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Passaic and Essex.