Washington, D.C – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on the Making Work Pay tax credit, which goes into effect tomorrow. The tax cut, in which most working families will receive $800 a year through reduced payroll deductions, is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that Congress passed and President Obama signed into law last month:“The Making Work Pay tax cut will put more money in workers’ paychecks each week, helping to jumpstart our economy and provide some much-needed relief to Americans who are having a difficult time making ends meet. Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act one month after President Obama took office, giving workers across the country one of the fastest tax cuts in our nation’s history.

“Putting more money directly into the hands of 95 percent of working Americans is only the beginning. This week, Congress will pass a budget blueprint for America that cuts taxes for middle-income Americans by $1.5 trillion, cuts the deficit by two-thirds, creates new jobs through investments in health care, clean energy and education, while cutting spending to its lowest level in a generation.

“With the Making Work Pay tax credit, President Obama and Congress have made clear that American families are at the top of our agenda.”

TRENTON – Gov. Jon S. Corzine today signed into law three Assembly Democratic measures designed to improve energy efficiency, expand solar and wind energy production and promote solar energy usage in new homes.

The first bill (A-1558) sponsored by Assemblywomen Linda R. Greenstein, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Pamela R. Lampitt promotes the installation of solar energy panels in newly constructed homes.

“We can vastly improve the quality of life for all New Jersey families by encouraging investment in solar energy systems in all new houses,” said Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). “Sound public policy and environmentally responsible practices can come together to provide dividends for generations.”

The new law requires a developer of 25 or more residential units to offer to install a solar energy system when a prospective owner enters into negotiations, provided installation of such a system is technically feasible as determined by the Department of Community Affairs in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities.

“We must reduce our reliance on increasingly expensive fossil fuels by making use of renewable energy resources that can save consumers money and reduce the burden on our precious natural resources,” said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). “By using solar energy for heat and electricity we can significantly decrease dangerous greenhouse gases emissions.”

“Promoting solar energy can not only save homeowners money on utility bills and protect the environment, but also will create ‘green jobs’ in the construction industry,” said Lampitt (D-Camden). “In addition to meeting our future energy needs, alternative energy can be a real economic drive.”

The second measure (A-2550) sponsored by Assembly members Lampitt, Upendra Chivukula, Connie Wagner, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Nellie Pou Greenstein will permit wind and solar facilities in industrial zones. The new law defines renewable energy facilities as any facility that produces electric energy from solar technologies, photovoltaic technologies or wind energy.

“We need to stop looking at wind and solar power as novelties and start viewing them as a viable, homegrown energy industry that can create new jobs here in New Jersey,” said Lampitt. “Actively promoting the expansion of alternative energy can be a win for communities, a win for the economy and a win for the environment.”

“This is an environmentally smart way to reinvigorate our economy and save money through renewable energy," said Chivukula (D-Somerset). "It makes sense on many levels and positions New Jersey for a strong future."

“This will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and redevelop industrial zones struggling in this global economic recession,” said Wagner (D-Bergen). “It’s smart environmentally and fiscally.”
“New Jersey should be encouraging renewable energy as we look to position our state to emerge stronger from this global economic meltdown,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “This helps do just that, and is a sound approach that will has the potential to benefit generations to come.”
“Many industrial areas need our help, and this is a sensible way to accomplish that while promoting renewable energy that is clearly the wave of the future,” said Pou (D-Passaic). “This approach will create jobs, help us save money and set us up to thrive once this global meltdown is over.”

“This bill will help boost our economy, help struggling industrial neighborhoods and promote renewable energy that will help end our reliance on foreign oil,” said Greenstein. “It’s smart policy all the way around.”

The final measure (A-2507) will authorize BPU to use monies from the Retail Margin Fund to provide grants for combined heat and power production, energy efficiency projects and programs promoting renewable and efficient energy.

“This will help to drive down escalating energy bills burdening New Jersey ratepayers during the current economic crisis,” said Chivukula. “Energy efficient appliances, newer equipment, technical audits and plant expansions will help to reduce energy consumption by commercial and industrial entities. These savings will translate into reduced energy bills for New Jersey consumers while furthering the Governor’s Energy Master Plan.”

WASHINGTION, D.C. - U.S. Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12) today announced that Central New Jersey will receive $2. 8 million in federal community development funding as part of the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program enables local governments to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create economic opportunities, create suitable living environments, and provide decent affordable housing.

“This funding will support organizations desperately in need of money during this economic crisis,” Holt said. “The economic recovery bill invests in programs – like the CDBG - with a track record for creating jobs and spurring sustained economic growth.”

Holt announced the following recipients would receive CDBG funds:

Monmouth County - $810,000
Middlesex County - $523,500
Somerset County - $340,000
City of Trenton - $818,000
Ewing Township - $55,690
Franklin Township (Somerset) - $88,000
Middletown Township - $77,380
Old Bridge Township - $88,300
Additionally, the State of New Jersey was awarded $2 million in funding to be used at the discretion of Governor Corzine.

According to the Housing and Urban Development, CDBG funds may be used for activities which include, but are not limited to:

· rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures;
· construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes;
· public services’
· activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources; and
· economic development and job creation/retention activities.

Today is a wonderful afternoon because it offers us a chance for new opportunities and possibilities. While times are challenging, we must be able to look ahead with hope and the idea of positive change.

Some of you know the story of my time here in the Capital City. I was born and raised here in Trenton. I lived in the Donnelly Homes housing project and was educated in and graduated from Trenton Public Schools. I left Trenton to attend college and was able to attain Bachelors and Masters degrees in Business. I chose to return to my hometown in 2000 and have since purchased a home.

My desire to become engaged in the city that I grew up in lead me to become involved in a number of volunteer endeavors including serving on the boards of Kidsbridge Children’s Museum and the National Junior Tennis League of Trenton. I formerly served on the boards of the Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness and Trenton’s West End Little League. Additionally, I am a proud Leadership Trenton Fellow, was the past president of the Trenton NAACP and currently serve as the president of Zeta Iota Lambda Trenton Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.



In 2006, I served on a committee with other Trentonians in a successful effort to pass a stronger Pay-to-Play ordinance in the City of Trenton, which passed by referendum by a 2 to 1 margin. Clean and transparent government is the standard that I strongly believe in.


During the 2006 election season I worked with a group that organized the first Candidates Forums in a number of years in the City of Trenton. We felt it was important that citizens were able to hear directly from those who aspire to serve in elected office.

Some of you may know that I also do not hesitate to question and challenge our city officials, even if at times my inquiries may not be popular.

My very life is a testament that with a lot of hard work, plenty of support and a little bit of teamwork can lead to a vision for a better future. I hope to have the opportunity to bring that same energy and commitment to a new leadership role in holding elected office.

Today, I officially declare, in the presence of friends, family, colleagues and supporters, my candidacy for the office of West Ward Councilperson in 2010.


Among the issues I hope to focus on as a Councilperson in the City of Trenton are Economic Development, Crime & Public Safety, and Cadwalader Park.

Economic development is so important to the future of Trenton. With economic development comes job creation that offers the prospect for citizens to work where they live and to improve their lives in more ways than one.

Community policing strategies can both deter crime and improve relationships and interaction between police and the public. Community policing employs partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the underlying causes of crime.

Cadwalader Park is one of Trenton’s most notable natural resources. I can remember as a child coming to Cadwalader Park for birthday parties, family cookouts and summer activities. I hope to work with the Cadwalader Park Alliance, the National Junior Tennis League of Trenton, the Trenton Museum Society and other organizations that have a vested interest in the park to bring much needed resources.

This election is an opportunity to share my passion, commitment and vision for the City that I love and have so much hope for.

I look forward to having your support.

TRENTON - Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) released the following statement today on the appointment of Assemblyman Douglas H. Fisher as New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture:

"New Jersey's farming community and the Governor have made a tremendous decision in recommending Douglas H. Fisher as the state's new Secretary of Agriculture.
"Doug has always been a great friend to New Jersey's faming community.

>From protecting open space and farmland to promoting New Jersey farm
products to consistently defending and advocating for New Jersey farmers, he's always been there for this industry so important to our state and its heritage.

"With Doug leading the way at this key time, I look forward to seeing New Jersey's farming community prosper for generations to come."

On the Net:
www.assemblydems.com <http://www.assemblydems.com/>
www.youtube.com/user/njassemblydems
New Jersey Assembly Democrats on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Trenton-NJ/New-Jersey-Assembly-Democrats

MYTH: Republicans claim their bill creates 6.2 million jobs
(The basis of these numbers, they claim, is a methodology established by Christina Romer, Chair of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers)

FACTS: New Economic Policy Institute study finds within two years –

· House Republican bill creates only 1.3 million jobs

· House-passed bill/Obama plan (HR 1) creates 3.7 million jobs

But don’t take our word for it:

Christina Romer, Chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers
“The Republican House analysis is flat wrong in its claim that the House Republican stimulus is more effective. No matter what your analytical assumptions, as long as they are consistent, the plan the President supports would result in substantially greater job creation than the House Republican plan.” [1/31/09]


Economic Policy Institute:
The House bill produces 1.2 million jobs—about 30% more than the Camp-Cantor bill—by the end of the first year, 3.7 million jobs—nearly three times the jobs in the Camp-Cantor bill—by the end of the second year… [2/10/09]

Center for American Progress:
Conservatives Distort Research to Claim They’ll Create 6.2 Million Jobs
“House Republicans proceeded to all vote against President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. But in claiming support from Obama economic advisor Christina Romer, they misapplied her past work and ignored her more recent and relevant work…” [1/29/09]

Talking Points Memo:
GOP Claims to Create 6.2 Million Jobs With Their Stimulus -- Using Some Questionable Math
Ahead of last night's vote on the $819 billion House stimulus bill, which no Republican supported, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) frequently asserted that his party's alternative stimulus plan -- consisting largely of tax cuts -- would create 6.2 million jobs.

That sounds great. After all, it's double the 3 million jobs that the president aims to create or save. But where did the Republicans get that number? By drawing some fuzzy conclusions from a 2007 paper by Dr. Christina Romer, chair of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers… [1/29/09]

New Mexico Independent:
GOP Reps Claim Proposal Would Create 6.2 Million Jobs … But Would It?
…the Romer analysis used by the GOP never examined the effects of tax cuts on a deflationary economy — it looked at the effects of tax increases on the economy as a whole and found a negative effect of 2.2% - 3% on GDP.

The Republican analysis simply flipped those numbers to positive and applied them to the GOP-backed tax cuts, then multiplied the result by a broad job creation estimate used in a recent paper from Romer and Jared Bernstein, an economic adviser to the vice president. If you read the Republicans’ document, you can see the caution advised in assuming that 6.2 million jobs would be created by their plan.

In other words, they took an economic analysis of raising taxes, flipped the numbers and said that was what would happen if they instead cut taxes. [1/29/09]

In an article by Manu Raju, Politico highlights the continued grudge match between Rep. Robert Andrews and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg.

In the cutthroat world of Jersey politics, grudges don’t die easily. Rep. Robert Andrews, who tried to oust Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg in the New Jersey Democratic primary last summer, hasn’t spoken to the senator since the Nov. 4 election.

The two say they’re willing to move on from the clash, but other members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation are still sore about Andrews’ unorthodox move to shake up the state’s Democratic Party hierarchy. During the primary, Garden State Democrats accused Andrews of breaking a commitment he made twice that he would support Lautenberg in the primary.

After he announced last April that he would challenge Lautenberg, Andrews ran an aggressive campaign that suggested that the senator, now 85, was too old for the job.

In interviews, several aides and lawmakers in the delegation acknowledge there hasn’t been enough time to heal the election year wounds. “It’s going to take some time to get over this because how do you know that his word is his word?” Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.) said of Andrews.

Andrews suffered a sharp backlash from the Democratic establishment, which along with Lautenberg pumped millions into the primary campaign. Lautenberg ultimately trounced Andrews in the bitter primary contest and later cruised to reelection in the Senate. After replacing his wife on the ballot, Andrews jumped back into the House race and won an 11th term in his South Jersey district.

Now, as the new Congress gets under way, Lautenberg, Andrews and the rest of the New Jersey clan are trying to put the ill will behind them. Lawmakers and aides dismiss talk that they are seeking revenge on Andrews and stress that the bad feelings have not hurt their ability to deliver collectively for the state. But Andrews’ political future in New Jersey politics is less certain. New Jersey experts say it’s unclear whether he’ll have the delegation’s support when he wants to climb the House ladder or pursue his political ambitions in the future.

“I happen to get along pretty well with Rob, but he knows how I feel about this,” Pascrell said. “And it’s going to take time. ... You need distance.”

“In politics, your word is really all that you have,” said one senior aide who works for a New Jersey lawmaker.

Another senior Democratic source, asking for anonymity to speak candidly, had sharp words for Andrews, accusing him of being untruthful and saying he has “alienated his colleagues” with his decision to challenge Lautenberg. “He has pretty much written the primer on what not to do with your political career,” the source said. Andrews defends his decision to run and told Politico his relationship with members of the delegation “is very good.”

Any differences between him and his colleagues remain on the campaign trail, he said. “People disagree in political campaigns sometimes — that’s politics,” Andrews said.

“I think they’re all good people and we work together in a lot of things and we’re going to do a lot for the state.” Lautenberg likewise said he’s willing to move on from the episode, saying, “You can’t walk around with your head turned backwards without bumping into the wall, and I don’t want to bump into the wall.” But he says he and Andrews “rarely work together.”