New Jersey

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 »

Funding, distributed through program created by Menendez, will support Newark’s comprehensive Climate Prosperity Initiative

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker today announced $2,836,300 for the City of Newark through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which Senator Menendez created in Congress in 2007. The funding will bolster the city’s successful Climate Prosperity Initiative.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced a total of $1,327,800 in funding for four New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which he created as part of energy legislation in 2007. The program supports municipal energy-saving initiatives and improves energy efficiency in transportation, buildings, and other sectors. It will deliver a total of $73 million to New Jersey cities, towns and counties through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

New Jersey municipalities receiving funding announced today include:

• Township of Piscataway -- $528,800
• Township of North Bergen -- $514,000
• Paterson -- $250,000
• Township of Union -- $35,000    » read more »

Legislation, crafted in part by Congressman Rothman, brings over $4 million in congressionally-directed security funding to New Jersey

October 15, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2892, the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Conference Report, which was authored by Congressman Rothman and fellow members of the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee.

This spending measure determines all federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security, including, but not limited to, supporting our first responders, investing in border security and securing our nation’s mass transit, our sea, rail and airports.    » read more »

Measure Would Fund Flood Damage Reduction, Water Quality Projects and Other Vital Programs

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced the Senate approved the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. The legislation, which also includes more than $20 million for beach renourishment projects, has a total of more than $130 million for water projects throughout the state and now heads to the White House where it is expected to be signed into law.    » read more »