Media
Assembly committee releases bill to control surprise medical bills
A measure to rein in surprise medical bills for consumers and cap insurance payments to hospitals that don’t participate in their networks passed an Assembly committee on Monday, despite the opposition of the state’s hospitals and doctors.
Singleton, Lampitt, Quijano, Pintor Marin, Wimberly & Downey Bill Requiring State to Reveal Complete Property Tax Data Approved by Assembly
Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Troy Singleton, Pamela Lampitt, Annette Quijano, Eliana Pintor Marin, Benjie Wimberly and Joann Downey to require the state to annually post complete property tax data was released Thursday by the Assembly.
School bus cameras debated during Statehouse news conference
Legislation authorizing school districts and bus companies to install cameras on their school buses to catch motorists who pass illegally is garnering both support and opposition.
Revised out-of-network legislation going before Assembly panel on Monday
An Assembly committee is set to review a new version of legislation about surprise health care bills Monday.
Heroin, Headlines and a Cry for Help
No one ever woke up one day and said, “Today, I will become hooked on heroin.” However, for far too many New Jersey residents the pain of this disease is far too real. One of the most sobering experiences of my life was when I visited a heroin recovery support group. There, men and women, who continue to fight this sickness, shared with me their pain of addiction. I must admit I was not shocked by their stories, as my family has faced this scourge of addiction, but it did bring me right back to those difficult memories in my own life.
I listened to their stories of the intense high of heroin and how the feeling becomes so addictive that you will do anything and everything you can to feel that way again. How when you aren’t on it, your body aches and you cannot sleep or think clearly…or how your mind is dominated of thoughts on getting high again. I was told of the close calls with death and the abandonment of family and friends just to chase that high. They also shared with me their stories of immense regret and sadness, on how their lives had spiraled out of control…the fellow addicts they lost to this disease along the way and how they were seemingly powerless to combat their addiction.
STATE’S TOP COURT SAYS NO RETIREE COLA PAYMENTS UNTIL PENSION SYSTEM IS HEALTHY
Public employee unions outraged at ruling. One characterizes it as ‘theft, plain and simple’
New Jersey’s Supreme Court served up a big win for Gov. Chris Christie and state lawmakers yesterday with a ruling that preserves the state’s right to hold back regular cost-of-living adjustments from retired public workers until the public-employee pension system is in much better shape.
N.J. lawmakers push road plan with 23-cent gas tax hike
State lawmakers under the wire to craft a funding scheme for New Jersey's expiring Transportation Trust Fund on Friday announced plans to lower taxes on retirees and inheritances in exchange for a 23 cent tax hike on a gallon of gasoline.
Leaders from the two chambers Friday afternoon announced similar plans to spend $20 billion over 10 years through the trust fund, which is running out of money for new road, bridge and rail projects.
SWEENEY ON SCHOOL FUNDING: Q&A WITH THE STATE SENATE PRESIDENT
Sweeney’s proposed plan calls for a four-member commission and an up or down vote on its recommendations. Here’s his thinking on the issue
Gov. Whitman on Orlando: I support 2nd Amendment, but it's time to look at our gun laws
Orlando was an act of terrorism fueled by hate and easy access to assault weapons.
While we will not know the whole story for weeks, if ever, it appears that the shooting was prompted by the gunman's reaction to seeing two men kissing earlier in the month. Only at the last minute did he tie himself to the Islamic State. It is doubtful that this was part of a coordinated effort, but it was surely fueled by the rhetoric of terrorist groups.
Hate breeds hate and words shape behavior, whether they are used by radical groups or people here at home.
What's next for N.J. public worker pensions?
With two major government worker pension court battles concluded, the next front in public workers' fight for retirement benefits is a ballot question considering a constitutional amendment forcing the state to make annual contributions in the pension system.
The high court ruled last week that workers in the New Jersey Pension Fund are not entitled to cost-of-living adjustments to their pensions. And almost a year ago, the court ruled the state couldn't be forced to put money into the fund, prompting Democratic lawmakers and public worker advocates to pursue the amendment (A109).