Even though we are still working to overcome the obstacles COVID-19 has placed on our nation, we finally have an administration in Washington, D.C., that will act responsibly in the best interests of all Americans.
Here in New Jersey, the Senate Democrats continued to do the same by advancing meaningful legislation that would improve the lives of many in our state. We advanced measures to improve the operating standards of long-term care facilities, protect survivors of domestic violence and increase penalties against assailants, enhance public transportation for the disabled and senior citizens, and encourage the reduction of our carbon footprint.
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Honoring Those Lost to COVID-19 |
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On the eve of the Presidential Inauguration, President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris stood as the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was lit to honor the lives lost to COVID-19. The State of New Jersey joined in remembering those lives lost as the Gold Dome was illuminated in their memory. |
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Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris |
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The New Jersey Senate Democrats would like to congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris on their inauguration. We look forward to your commitment to lead our nation out of these unprecedented times and to restore the unity of our great nation under your leadership. |
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Bill Encouraging Carbon-Reducing Technology Use by Developers Advances |
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Recognizing the threat of climate change to our lives and our planet, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee passed legislation that will begin to lower carbon dioxide emissions in a practical way. The legislation would encourage consumers to use unit concrete products that utilize carbon footprint-reducing technology and offer such products as an option in new construction, though the use of such technology would not be mandatory. |
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“New Jersey is acutely vulnerable to climate change because of its long coastline and population density. Given that growing threat, we can start to address the problem of carbon emissions, in a pragmatic way, by encouraging consumers to consider more environmentally sensitive technology as an option.”
- Senator Dawn Addiego (D-Atlantic/Burlington/Camden)
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More Accountability From Long-Term Care Facilities |
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Legislation requiring the Department of Health to establish a scale of actions to be taken and penalties to be imposed upon nursing homes in violation of state and federal requirements for long-term care operations and procedures was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
The bill, S-2759, sponsored by Senators Joe Vitale and Fred Madden, would establish various reporting requirements for the facilities, and would set up the Nursing Home Advisory Council to advise the Department of Health on oversight and foster better communication with the public on long-term care issues.
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“As we saw during the early deadly days of the spread of the coronavirus in New Jersey, our nursing homes were often overwhelmed and ill-equipped to handle the mass infection rates, and were caught flat-footed in trying to respond effectively. The state has a role to play in making sure these facilities follow procedure, or pay a price for failing to do so. The lives of residents and workers at nursing homes depend on it.”
– Senator Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex)
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A companion bill, S-2789, sponsored by Senators Vitale and Loretta Weinberg, would revise requirements concerning the licensure and operations of long-term care facilities. |
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“Given the epic tragedy we witnessed in our nursing homes, veterans homes and other long-term care facilities last spring during the height of the spread of the coronavirus, it is all too obvious that licensure requirements governing these facilities need closer scrutiny and more oversight and review going forward.”
- Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen)
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Legislation to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence |
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In order to protect survivors of domestic violence while their assailants await trial, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore M. Teresa Ruiz and Senators Joe Cryan and Sandra Cunningham to increase the penalties for attempted strangulation during a domestic violence incident. |
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“Almost half of all domestic violence homicide victims had previously been strangled by their partners. The action is a dangerous signal of escalating violence which leads, oftentimes, to death. Yet, as it stands, many individuals charged with assault by strangulation are released back into society. We have a responsibility to survivors to take these statistics seriously, to read these warning signs and to implement measures to protect them - that is why this legislation is so important.”
- Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex)
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The bill, S-2503, would reclassify strangulation committed in the domestic violence context as a crime of the second degree, punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. |
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Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force |
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A resolution sponsored by Senator Fred Madden to establish the "Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force" was advanced by the Senate Transportation Committee.
The task force would be required to assess obstacles faced by people with disabilities and senior citizens, and to recommend solutions to mitigate those obstacles, including ways to improve infrastructure and independent travel training and other best practices.
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ICYMI: Senate Passes Resolution Strongly Condemning Former President Trump & Extremist Protestors
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During the latest Senate voting session, Senators Ron Rice and Dawn Addiego led an effort to condemn then-President Donald Trump after the Capitol riot with a resolution calling for his removal from office, and were joined by the entire Democratic caucus in support.
Watch the video below to hear our members' comments on the resolution:
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VIDEO:
Senate President Steve Sweeney Encourages All to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine
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Use the New Jersey COVID-19 Dashboard for the latest information. |
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And if you have any questions or COVID-19 concerns, please call the State's 24-hour hotline:
1-800-222-1222
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Connect with the New Jersey Senate Democrats: |
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