New Jersey

Thousands of New Jersey residents affected; various counties to receive state aid

November 16, 2009 -- NEW JERSEY – Today, U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2) praised Governor Jon Corzine’s swift action in issuing an emergency declaration for the areas hit by last week's Nor'easter.

The Jersey Shore was hit hard, causing beach erosion, destroying beach replenishment projects, flooding homes and businesses and displacing huge mounds of sand that blanketed inland side streets, sidewalks and driveways.    » read more »

November 8, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine issued the following statement regarding the passage of health care reform legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives:

"I want to commend the United States House of Representatives, especially members of the New Jersey delegation, for the passage of this historic health care reform legislation. For far too long, working families have suffered and faced financial ruin at the hands of a health care industry dominated by corporate self-interest. Yesterday, we took a tremendous step toward changing that system.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- TRENTON - In honor of those who were affected by the tragic incident at the Fort Hood Texas Army Base, Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

The full text of the Executive Order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 158

WHEREAS, the tragedy at the Fort Hood Texas Army Base, has shaken the nation and, in particular, has affected the citizens of the State of New Jersey because of the injury of a soldier from Bridgewater, New Jersey; and    » read more »

This bill would provide health insurance coverage for 115,000 uninsured residents in the 13th District

November 7, 2009 -- Washington D.C.- Today, Congressman Albio Sires joined his colleagues in passing H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act by a vote of 220 to 215. This bill would provide quality affordable health care for Americans and control the increasing growth in health care costs. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that this legislation would provide health coverage to 96 percent of Americans, while reducing the deficit by $129 billion over the next 10 years.    » read more »

Legislation provides additional 20 weeks of benefits for laid off New Jersey workers, while aiming to spur home sales and supporting businesses

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – This evening, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to extend unemployment insurance for laid off workers. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was a co-sponsor of the legislation and voted in favor of its passage. The bill extends benefits by 14 weeks in all states and by 20 weeks in states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher, which includes New Jersey, and is expected to assist tens of thousands of New Jerseyans whose benefits have expired. The    » read more »

Measure Would Extend Homebuyer Tax Credit Through June

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - Following weeks of Republican obstruction, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today voted to approve legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for an additional 14 weeks in every state and an additional 20 weeks in New Jersey and other states where unemployment exceeds 8.5 percent. The legislation will also extend and expand the first-time homebuyers tax credit.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today issued the following statement regarding the Congressional vote to approve the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 which extends unemployment benefits for an additional 14 weeks in every state and by 20 weeks in states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher. The Governor recently sent a letter to the Congress urging extension of unemployment benefits for those who have or are about to exhaust their unemployment assistance:    » read more »

Calls For No New Spending in Lame Duck

November 5, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today outlined several measures needed to maintain balance in the FY 2010 budget and fulfill his commitment to maintain a balanced budget through his remaining two months in office.

"My administration will continue to live up to our responsibility to maintain a fiscally balanced budget during the next two months," Governor Corzine said. "These cuts will be tough but necessary choices that need to be addressed now. Ignoring these issues over the next two months will not make them go away and will only hurt the people of New Jersey. I will not allow politics to stand in the way of doing what is right."    » read more »

11/03/2009 -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is adding three new hazardous waste sites that pose risks to human health and the environment to the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites. Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country.

To date, there have been 1,610 sites listed on the NPL. Of these sites, 340 sites have been deleted resulting in 1,270 sites currently on the NPL (including the three new sites added in today’s rulemaking). There are 63 proposed sites awaiting final agency action: 58 in the general Superfund section and five in the federal facilities section. There are a total of 1,333 final and proposed sites.    » read more »

Almost 20,000 state-created or retained jobs reported in New Jersey through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding

October 30, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced the release of the first quarterly report on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds received and expended through September 30, 2009. Of the nearly $3.2 billion reportable awarded amount, $2.8 billion has resulted in job creation programs to date.

The nearly $310 million expended to date has resulted in the creation or retention of almost 20,000 jobs for New Jersey residents. These figures do not include jobs indirectly created or induced.    » read more »

Legislation, crafted in part by Congressman Rothman, funds infrastructure investment, land conservation and cleaner air and water in New Jersey

October 29, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2996, the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations Conference Report, which was co-authored by Congressman Rothman and fellow members of the House Appropriations Committee.    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced that the Senate has approved the final version of the FY 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, which includes $15 million for projects in New Jersey to preserve open space in national wildlife refuges, protect forests, renovate infrastructure and help local communities provide clean water.

The legislation also provides federal funds to protect bats from White Nose Syndrome and to develop a management plan for the Great Falls National Historic Park. The legislation was approved in the House of Representatives earlier today and will now be sent to the White House where it is expected to be signed.    » read more »

Bill Includes Funding for Energy Upgrades at Municipal Buildings in Hudson County, Elizabeth and Perth Amboy

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced that the Senate voted to approve the final version of the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act which will provide more than $5 million for clean energy projects across the state. The legislation, which also includes more than $20 million for beach renourishment projects and more than $130 million for other water projects throughout the state, now heads to the White House where it is expected to be signed into law.    » read more »

Funding from Energy and Water Appropriations bill essential for New Jersey’s economy, safety and environment

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) hailed the final passage of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which authorizes more than $159 million in funding for beach replenishment, flood control, energy and infrastructure projects. After House and Senate passage, the bill awaits the President’s signature.    » read more »

Funding part of FY2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and FY2009 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced an estimated $1.9 million in funding for key agriculture projets in New Jersey: $1.3 million from the FY2010 Agriculture, Rural Development , Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and $656,610 million under the FY2009 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. These investments are meant to promote farming and conservation efforts in New Jersey.    » read more »