In The News
N.J. will eliminate cash bail, speed up criminal trials in 2017
On June 2, 2015, police equipped with a search warrant knocked on the door of Jeannette Santiago's Camden home.
Santiago said the target of the warrant was a friend who had been selling drugs out of her house, but that officials went after her too because the deed to the house was in her name.
She was charged with eight drug- and gun-related felonies.
In no time, Santiago was shipped to the county jail, where she would spend the next 17 months, unable to afford the bail for her release.
Fire district elections could move to November under proposed bill
TRENTON — Legislation to give fire districts the option of moving their typically low-turnout elections from February to November was advanced by state lawmakers on Monday.
Out-of-network 'surprise' medical expenses bill continues in 2017
Legislation to protect consumers from getting bills for ‘surprise’ out-of-network medical expenses will continue in early 2017 after going on pause earlier this month.
Just How Badly Is NJ’s Water Infrastructure Leaking?
New Jersey’s aging infrastructure leaks up to 30 percent of its water before it ever reaches the tap. Yesterday, a legislative task force began exploring ways to fix the problem.
Downey, Houghtaling, Jasey & Singleton Bill to Require State to Provide Education of Student Living in Homeless Shelters Outside of School Districts Clears Assembly Panel
(TRENTON) - An Assembly panel on Monday approved legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Joann Downey, Eric Houghtaling, Mila Jasey and Troy Singleton to require the state to pay educational costs of students who reside in a homeless shelter outside of their district of residence for more than one year.
Schaer, Houghtaling & Singleton Measures to Support Fair Wages, Combat Illegal Practices Within Construction Industry Advance
Measures Target Activity That Exploits Workers, Damages Overall State Economy
Two pieces of legislation Assemblymen Gary Schaer, Eric Houghtaling and Troy Singleton sponsored to protect New Jersey workers by combating wage theft and upholding long-standing laws implemented to ensure fair practices within the construction industry were advanced Monday by an Assembly committee.
New legislation would create $23 million grant pool for crime fighting
TRENTON — The rash of shootings and other violent crime that has plagued several Burlington County towns this year has not gone unnoticed.
This is where we've left state health care legislation at the end of 2016
State lawmakers made some of their last actions and statements of the year this week on health policies and legislation in New Jersey.
Out-of-network bill continues to spark controversy, with health care players lining up on both sides of issue
Opponents of the out-of-network bill that will be heard by the state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Monday are hosting a news conference prior to the hearing to highlight their opposition to the current version of the health care measure.
Is Criminal Justice in NJ about to Become an Unfunded Mandate?
The state’s massive overhaul of the criminal justice system calls for new technologies and more personnel. The counties want to know where the money will come from.
As New Jersey prepares to implement a major overhaul of its criminal justice system in January, county governments will attempt to block the effort, claiming they will be forced to pay millions of dollars for new prosecutors, sheriff’s officers, and capital improvements with no help from the state.