Lesniak Private Education Bill Stalled

State Sen. Ray Lesniak

ELIZABETH—Legislation that would have diverted $360 million away from public schools has run into a brick wall in Trenton, says one of the lawmakers who crafted the bill.

Sen. Raymond Lesniak, who sponsored the tuition tax credit bill to implement an idea advocated by George W. Bush and many other Republicans, expects that legislators from his own party will sink the proposal.

Lesniak’s bill, the Urban Enterprise Zone Jobs Scholarship Act (S-1607), would create a tax write-off for corporations that provide scholarships to impoverished children in eight cities across New Jersey. The recipients would be allowed to send their children to the school of their choice, be it private, public or parochial.

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Residents Can Have Their Say On Toll Increase Proposal

STATE – Public hearings on a proposed toll-increase package for the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike will be held next week. If approved in its current form, Parkway commuters would see a 143 percent toll hike and Turnpike drivers would see a 150 percent increase by 2023.

The nearest hearing will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. – noon at New Jersey Turnpike Authority Headquarters, 581 Main Street, Woodbridge.

The plan, which must be approved by Gov. Jon Cozine, would see the current 70-cent Parkway tolls jump to $1 in 2009. They would rise to $1.50 in 2012 and $170 in 2023. Exit ramp tolls would rise from 25 cents to 35 cents.

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Union County Lawmaker Resigns During Child Porn Investigation

TRENTON – Longtime state Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Union) resigned Monday. Cohen is currently the subject of a child pornography investigation, though as of Monday no charges had been filed.
Cohen has reportedly been in a hospital under psychiatric evaluation since authorities seized his office computer last week.

Cohen submitted his one-sentence resignation letter to clerk of the Assembly at 9:24 a.m., said Derek Roseman, spokesman for the Assembly Democrats.

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Lawmakers Want To Make October “Hispanic Heritage Month”

TRENTON – Last week, Assemblymen Neil M. Cohen and Joseph Cryan announced the introduction of legislation that would statutorily designate each October as “Hispanic Heritage Month” in New Jersey.

Senator Raymond J. Lesniak announced he will sponsor an identical version of the legislation in the Senate.

“It is important to recognize the richness of culture that the New Jersey’s Hispanic communities bring to the state,” said Cohen (D-Union).  “Their contributions to our communities and our country deserve to be permanently commemorated.”

The bill (AJR-76) would codify October of each year in New Jersey as Hispanic Heritage Month.  Activities during the month would serve to commemorate the contributions Hispanic and Hispanic-American residents have made to the state and the nation.

The sponsors said they introduced legislation to create the permanent designation to avoid the chaos of scrambling to submit a bill each year to maintain the designation. Similar laws have been enacted to designate commemorations that include Black History Month, Women’s History Week, and Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.

“New Jersey’s Hispanic and Hispanic-American communities deserve to be honored,” said Cryan (D-Union).  “Their efforts and cultural impact have made enormous positive contributions to our state that need to be recognized.”

“The Latino community in New Jersey has a rich heritage and has contributed so much to the tapestry of New Jersey culture,” said Lesniak (D-Union).  “It’s only fitting that we designate a month in each year to recognize the contributions, culture, and history of Hispanic New Jersey.  This is an honor whose time is long overdue in the Garden State.”

The Assembly version of the bill has been referred to the Assembly State Government Committee.  Upon its introduction, the Senate version will be referred to the Senate State Government Committee.

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