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> From: “Loayza, Eva” > Date: April 23, 2012 3:57:06 PM EDT > Subject: Prieto: Governor Cuts Direct Aid to Schools, but Champions Tax Breaks for Wealthy. What’s wrong with this picture? > > > News from > Assemblyman Prieto > > For Release: > April 23, 2012 > Assemblyman Vincent Prieto > Budget Committee Chairman > p: 201-770-1303 > e: AsmPrieto@njleg.org > www.assemblydems.com > > Prieto: Governor Cuts Direct Aid to Schools, but Champions Tax Breaks for Wealthy. What’s wrong with this picture? > > > (TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen) issued the following statement Monday concerning cuts in direct school aid under Gov. Christie’s proposed budget following the Assembly Budget Hearing: > > “We entrust school districts with the education of our children, yet under the current administration, the resources they are getting to meet this responsibility keeps shrinking. > “The increase in school aid claimed by the governor is nothing more than clever smoke-screening. Truth is, the amount of direct aid going to schools under his proposed budget is still much less than what was allocated two years ago. This means less money for districts to hire more teachers, purchase classroom supplies and reduce classroom sizes – all crucial components to student success. > “Short-changing school districts, while vigorously defending tax breaks for millionaires makes no sense. Surely even a fifth-grader can recognize the wrong in this scenario. Selling out the education of New Jersey students to appease a national Republican audience and ideal is disgraceful. > “At the end of the day, while the governor keeps going on national stages, the people of New Jersey must deal with his property tax increases here at home.” > > On The Net:

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> From: “Sciortino, Jennifer” > Date: April 2, 2012 11:08:25 AM EDT > Subject: Prieto: Christie Budget Ignores Property Tax Problem with Decrease in Municipal Aid > > > News from > Assemblyman Prieto > > For Release: > April 2, 2012 > Assemblyman Vincent Prieto > Budget Committee Chairman > p: 201-770-1303 > e: AsmPrieto@njleg.org > www.assemblydems.com > > Prieto: Christie Budget Ignores Property Tax Problem with Decrease in Municipal Aid > > (TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Committee Chair Vincent Prieto (D-Bergen/Hudson) released the following statement Monday as the committee heard from the Dept. of Community Affairs: > “This budget is a continuation of the Governor’s unnerving silence on the issue of property tax relief in New Jersey. Just because we instituted a 2% cap on the property tax levy does not mean we can declare mission accomplished on the issue. > “The administration has proposed an eight percent increase in spending this year, yet it seeks to cut direct municipal aid while continuing to protect millionaires’ tax breaks. This will leave towns in the lurch once again as they struggle to deal with the rising costs of things such as health benefits with the burden ultimately falling on middle class property taxpayers. > “The residents of this state have seen a 20 percent net increase in their property taxes under Governor Christie due to his cuts in municipal aid and the Homestead rebate program. Clearly more needs to be done. That’s why the governor needs to get behind the Assembly Democratic plan for a 20 percent property tax relief credit.” > > On The Net: > > > > ___________________________ > Jennifer Sciortino > Deputy Director of Communications > NJ Assembly Democratic Majority Office > (P) 609-847-3500 > (E) jsciortino@njleg.org > www.assemblydems.com >

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> From: “Loayza, Eva” > Date: March 27, 2012 11:59:17 AM EDT > Subject: Speaker Oliver, Ramos & Caputo Announce Plans for Public Hearings on Gaming in Meadowlands > > > > FOR RELEASE: > > CONTACT: > March 27, 2012 > > Majority Press Office > 609-847-3500 > > Speaker Oliver, Ramos & Caputo Announce Plans for Public Hearings on Gaming in Meadowlands > > (TRENTON) – Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver, Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee Chair Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. and Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee Member Ralph R. Caputo today announced plans to host public hearings this year to discuss the merits of bringing casino gaming to the Meadowlands. > “We need to at least discuss the idea of bringing casino-style gambling to the Meadowlands and whether it has the potential to create jobs, incentivize the local economy and position New Jersey’s gaming industry to better compete against the casinos that have cropped up in neighboring states. These are benefits worth exploring further,” said Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic). > “Expanding gaming options to North Jersey would strengthen New Jersey against the competition in border states which has already lured customers away,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). “Any plan that could bring additional revenue to the state and create jobs deserves careful consideration.” > “The reality is that Atlantic City is losing many of its North Jersey customers to newly-opened casinos in Pennsylvania and New York,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “Bringing gaming to the Meadowlands can help us reclaim them and bring back much-needed revenue to New Jersey. > “As a former casino executive, I support a constitutional amendment. As a legislator and member of this committee, I believe, as gaming in Atlantic City was decided by the voters in 1976, people should have a say in whether gaming should be allowed in the Meadowlands,” Caputo added. > The committee is currently working on scheduling the hearings. Dates and locations will be announced at a later date. > > > On The Net: > >

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> From: “Sciortino, Jennifer” > Date: March 23, 2012 10:40:19 AM EDT > Subject: Prieto Bill Cracking Down On Grave Yard Thefts Gets Assembly Approval > > > News from > Assemblyman Prieto > > For Release: > March 23, 2012 > Assemblyman Vincent Prieto > Budget Committee Chairman > p: 201-770-1303 > e: AsmPrieto@njleg.org > www.assemblydems.com > > Prieto Bill Cracking Down On Grave Yard Thefts Gets Assembly Approval > > (TRENTON) – A measure sponsored by Assemblyman Vincent Prieto that would crack down on anyone trying to sell stolen grave markers was approved 79-0 last week by the full Assembly. > “Desecrating the grave of the deceased is one of the lowest forms of theft out there,” said Prieto (D-Bergen/Hudson). “Stealing grave markers is already illegal. But by putting restrictions on the backend, to make it illegal for anyone to purchase these stolen items, it will hopefully curb such theft by making it harder for a thief to profit off of it.” > Prieto noted that the bill was inspired, in part by an incident last summer, where three Cinnaminson women were arrested for allegedly stealing 380 brass markers and flower pots from veterans’ graves and attempting to sell them to a pawn shop owner who tipped off the police. At the time, police noted that the crime is becoming more and more commonplace. > The bill (A-796) would prohibit metal dealers would from receiving or purchasing any scrap metal in the form of a cemetery, grave, or historical marker or plaque unless the person delivering or selling the scrap metal has shown that the local police department or State Police certified the metal for removal, sale, or disposal. > As with other violations of the laws pertaining to scrap metal dealers, first and second violations of the bill’s provisions would be considered disorderly persons offenses and for third and subsequent offenses it would be a crime of the fourth degree. > The law would take effect on the first day of the fourth month after enactment. The measure now awaits consideration by the Senate. > On The Net: > > > > ___________________________ > Jennifer Sciortino > Deputy Director of Communications > NJ Assembly Democratic Majority Office > (P) 609-847-3500 > (E) jsciortino@njleg.org > www.assemblydems.com >

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> From: “Loayza, Eva” > Date: March 21, 2012 10:31:08 AM EDT > Subject: Spencer, Barnes, Wimberly & Ramos Bill to Help Protect Consumers Against Repeated & Unfair ATM Fees Approved By Assembly > > > > FOR RELEASE: > > CONTACT: > March 21, 2012 > > Majority Press Office > 609-847-3500 > > Spencer, Barnes, Wimberly & Ramos Bill to Help Protect Consumers Against Repeated & Unfair ATM Fees Approved By Assembly > > (TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly member L. Grace Spencer, Peter J. Barnes III, Benjie E. Wimberly and Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. to ensure New Jerseyans aren’t forced to fall victim to repeated unfair ATM charges was recently approved 69-10 by the Assembly. > The bill (A-595) prohibits businesses from operating an automated teller machine in this state unless the automated teller machine provides consumers with an option to withdraw $20 increments up to $200 per transaction > “Many times stores in lower-income neighborhoods underserved by banks bar people from taking out more than $20 from their ATM, for instance, thus forcing consumers to complete multiple transactions at the same ATM, all the while incurring unfair service fees,” said Spencer (D-Essex). “That is wrong and it’s time it came to a stop.” > “New Jerseyans in need of cash shouldn’t be subjected to schemes that force them to end up paying multiple transactions fees for no particular reason other than to make money for the store off of ATM fees,” said Barnes (D-Middlesex). “It’s unreasonable and unfair and this bill will put an end to it.” > “Many of these ATMs are in stores in lower-income neighborhoods. These ATMs are convenient, but that doesn’t give these stores the right to use them as their personal piggy banks,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Money is tight for many people. These processing fees can add up. This bill prevents these stores from benefitting at the expense of cash-strapped residents.” > “Most people are watching their spending and tightening their belts with good reason,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). “Making someone pay several transaction fees without any real justification than to put money in the pockets of store owners is shameful and must stop. With this bill, we can end this shady practice.” > > The bill provides for enforcement by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, who may also adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the bill’s provisions. > The bill also provides for a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day for failure to comply with the provisions of the bill. > The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration. > > On The Net: > >

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> From: “Butkowski, Jason” > Date: March 20, 2012 11:40:13 AM EDT > To: “Butkowski, Jason” > Subject: Sacco Introduces Bill to Expand DNA Database, 3-20-12 > > > > FOR RELEASE: > > CONTACT: > March 20, 2012 > > Jason Butkowski > > > (609) 847-3700 > > SACCO INTRODUCES BILL TO EXPAND DNA DATABASE > > Measure Would Expand DNA Sampling to Disorderly Persons Offenders > > TRENTON – State Senator Nicholas J. Sacco, the author of the State’s DNA Database law, has introduced legislation which would expand DNA sampling to include people convicted of disorderly persons offenses in order to increase the accuracy of the database and shed light on currently unsolved crimes. > > “If we’re serious about keeping our State’s law-abiding citizens safe, we have to give the law enforcement community every tool possible to fight crime,” said Senator Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen. “The DNA database has been one of the most significant advances in police technology in recent years, allowing police officers to gain new insights in unsolved crimes and exonerate innocent individuals. By expanding DNA sampling to anyone convicted of a crime, we can greatly increase the accuracy and effectiveness of the database.” > > The bill, S-436, sponsored by Senator Sacco and Senator Paul A. Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic, would extend the DNA sampling requirement under the State’s DNA Database law to adults and juveniles convicted of disorderly persons offenses. The sample would be obtained upon imprisonment or, if the person is not sentenced to imprisonment, as a condition of the sentence. Persons imprisoned or on parole or probation for a disorderly persons offense when the law becomes effective would also have to provide a sample. > > The bill also establishes that a person who refuses to submit a blood or biological sample is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. Fourth degree crimes are punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. > > Senator Sacco sponsored the original bill establishing the DNA database which was signed in 1994, and he sponsored subsequent legislation in 2003 to expand the sampling universe. Under current law, adults and juveniles found guilty of, or adjudicated delinquent for, a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree, or someone who was found not guilty by reason of insanity for any of those crimes, must submit to DNA sampling, to be compared against the current database of DNA evidence taken at crime scenes throughout the State. If the sampled DNA matches crime scene evidence, it could help law enforcement find a new lead in a currently unsolved crime. > > “DNA sampling is to 21st century police work what fingerprinting was for the 20th century,” said Senator Sacco. “We can quickly and easily obtain a DNA sample and compare it to an electronic database of evidence collected at crime scenes for unsolved crimes committed anywhere in the State. DNA evidence can make the difference between a cold case and a new lead, and we ought to do what we can to improve the effectiveness of this tool.” > > According to the New York Times, lawmakers in New York are considering similar legislation which would extend sampling to anyone convicted of a misdemeanor – New Jersey’s criminal code does not contain misdemeanors, but rather disorderly persons offenses. The New York legislation, which is the result of negotiations between State lawmakers and Governor Andrew Cuomo, has already garnered support from the state’s 62 district attorneys, 58 sheriffs, and 400 police chiefs. > > “I applaud New York State for expanding their own database, and believe New Jersey has to quickly follow suit to send a message that if you commit a crime within the tri-state area, chances are you will be caught,” said Senator Sacco. “DNA evidence has proven to be an accurate weapon in the war on crime. By creating an ‘all-crimes’ DNA database in New York and New Jersey, we can lead the nation in this cutting-edge area of criminal justice and crime prevention.” > > Senator Sacco’s legislation has been referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. > > Follow the Senate Democrats: >