NJ Budget Community Dialogue Invite

[Jim]

Got this email-

State of New Jersey
Office of the Governor

Dear Friend:

I promised you that I would change how our government conducts its business and that I would work to restore public integrity. A key component to achieving this is through financial responsibility and spending restraint. As Governor, it is my responsibility to propose a budget that is in the best interest of the people of this great state and one that puts New Jersey's fiscal house in order.

In preparation for my budget proposal, I am hosting three regional community dialogues. These events will be an opportunity to not only come and listen to various concerns about the multi-billion dollar budget crisis but to voice your thoughts on how we restructure New Jersey's future.

So I invite you to take part in these dialogues and to help New Jersey be the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Please chose which of the three dialogues would be most convenient for you to attend and RSVP by calling or visiting us online by clicking on the RSVP link.

North Jersey Region
Tuesday, March 7, 2006, 7:00 PM
RSVP for the North Jersey (https://www.nj.gov/budget06/contact_n.shtml)
Regional Community Dialogue,
(http://highpoint.state.nj.us:443/budget06/contact_n.shtml)or call (609) 984-9850.

Montclair State University
University Hall - College of
Education and Human Services Building
Conference Center Ballroom,
7th floor
1 Normal Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07043
(Directions (http://www.montclair.edu/welcome/directions.html) - Campus Map (http://www.montclair.edu/welcome/campustour/index.shtml))

Central Jersey Region
Wednesday, March 8, 2006, 7:00 PM
RSVP for the Central Jersey (https://www.nj.gov/budget06/contact_c.shtml)
Regional Community Dialogue,
(http://highpoint.state.nj.us:443/budget06/contact_c.shtml)or call (609) 984-9852.

Monmouth University
Woodrow Wilson Auditorium
400 Cedar Avenue
West Long Branch, New Jersey 07764-1898
(Directions (http://www.nj.gov/budget06/dialogues/wilsonlot16.pdf) - Campus Map (http://www.monmouth.edu/about/abo_glance_campusmap.asp))

South Jersey Region
Thursday, March 9, 2006, 7:00 PM
RSVP for the South Jersey (https://www.nj.gov/budget06/contact_s.shtml)
Regional Community Dialogue,
(http://highpoint.state.nj.us:443/budget06/contact_s.shtml)or call (609) 984-7819.

Rowan University
Student Center Building
201 Mullica Hill Road
Glassboro, NJ 08028
(Directions (http://www.rowan.edu/pdf/printable_directions.pdf) - Campus Map (http://www.rowan.edu/pdf/campus_map2005_bw.pdf))


Sincerely,

JON S. CORZINE
Governor

[nggun]

Thanks Jim

[Wise Young]

I will be posting various budgetary issues and articles here for people to be aware of before they go to the meetings. I will be there.

Wise.

http://kyw.com/local/local_story_064103108.html
Senate Committee Considers Latest Stem-Cell Plan

(AP) TRENTON Bolstered by support from the state Assembly’s new leader, Senate President Richard J. Codey is moving forward with his latest effort to create a stem cell research facility.

The state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Monday is to consider Codey’s bill, which would create a facility in New Brunswick at a cost of $150 million and a $50 million research center in Camden.

Codey’s bill would get the money from bonds that are available but not being used. However, it would increase the state’s debt, which many Republicans believe is already too high.

Codey, D-Essex County, made stem-cell research one of his priorities while serving as governor in 2005, putting forward legislation that would have asked voters to approve $350 million in bonding for stem cell research and $145 million for research institutes in New Brunswick and Newark. The measures made it through the Senate but never made it past the Assembly.

But when Codey introduced his new effort last week, Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., D-Camden County, said, “The Assembly looks forward to advancing stem cell research legislation.”

Codey also has backing from the new governor, fellow Democrat Jon S. Corzine.

If enacted, the bill would create the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey, which would be jointly operated by Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Codey spokeswoman Jennifer Sciortino said.
The Camden facility, called the Systems Biology Institute, would be part of the Camden Campus of Rutgers University and also be associated with the Coriell Institute for Medical Research and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, said state Sen. Wayne R. Bryant, D-Camden County, chairman of the powerful Budget and Appropriations Committee.
The Camden institute replaces one in the original bill at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark.

Stem cell research is an emerging science that advocates say could revolutionize health care and stimulate New Jersey’s economy. Supporters believe stem cell therapy could bring cures for a variety of disorders, from paralysis to Alzheimer’s.

Studies using human embryonic stem cells are opposed by many conservatives, including President Bush, because embryos are destroyed during research. Bush in 2001 restricted the use of federal money to lines of embryonic stem cells already in existence.

Also Monday, the Senate Economic Growth Committee and the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee will consider how to deal with the loss of 5,000 jobs at Fort Monmouth, which the Army is to close by 2011.
Both committees will examine a bill that would form the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority to create a plan on what to do with the 1,100-acre base that includes parts of Eatontown, Oceanport and Tinton Falls in Monmouth County.

“The closure of Fort Monmouth will present many challenges in the years ahead in terms of economic development, job creation, smart growth and environmental protection,” said a sponsor of the bipartisan measure, Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos, R-Monmouth and Middlesex counties. “Neither the state, nor any one municipality or county has all the answers, and this legislation will serve to balance interests in a cooperative manner.”

The authority would have nine voting members: four appointed by the governor with Senate confirmation, including at least two from Monmouth County and no more than two of the same party; the CEO of the state Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission; a member of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders or a county resident chosen by the board; and the mayors of the three towns.

Corzine’s plan to revive the state’s ailing Transportation Trust Fund, which is to be empty by June 30, is to be addressed Monday by the state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Two bills to implement the plan are being sponsored by Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union County.

One bill would address Corzine’s plan for restructuring part of the fund’s debt without increasing the gasoline tax. Republicans have complained that would add debt without voter approval.

The other bill would allow a referendum on Corzine’s idea of dedicating more of the gasoline tax toward the fund. Motorists pay 10.5 cents in state taxes for every gallon of gas they buy, of which 9 cents is intended for the trust fund. Corzine’s plan would shift the remaining 1.5 cents to the trust fund.

In other action Monday, a measure to stiffen drunken driving penalties will be considered by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.]

Currently, if a driver has a second DWI more than 10 years after the first offense, the court must treat the latest conviction as a first offense at sentencing. Likewise, if a third DWI happens more than 10 years after the second offense, the latest violation is treated as a second offense at sentencing. This bill would eliminate those provisions.
First offenders face fines of up to $500 and a loss of license for up to a year. For a second offense, motorists face fines of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, and a two-year loss of license. Those with three convictions face a fine of up to $1,000, 180 days in jail, and loss of license for 10 years.