(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly
Democrats Troy Singleton, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Daniel R. Benson, Herb
Conaway Jr., Carmelo Garcia, Celeste Riley, Gabriela Mosquera and Ralph Caputo
to allow gross income taxpayers to use their
returns to make voluntary contributions to the Greater Philadelphia and Greater
New York Chapters of the ALS Association for services provided to New Jersey
residents was advanced recently by an Assembly
panel.
The
bill (A-3290) requires gross income tax returns to include a provision to allow
taxpayers to make voluntary donations to the ALS Association for taxable years
beginning on or after the date of enactment. The measure establishes the ALS
Association Support Fund as a depository for the
donations.
“The
mission of the ALS Association is to lead the fight to treat and cure ALS
through global research and nationwide advocacy, while also empowering people
with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing
them with compassionate care and support through a nationwide network of
chapters,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “Making it easier for New Jerseyans to
donate to support this cause is the right thing to
do.”
The
bill directs 50 percent of deposits to the ALS Association Support Fund to be
appropriated to the Greater Philadelphia chapter of the ALS Association for
services the organization provides to residents located in southern New Jersey
and 50 percent of deposits to be appropriated to the Greater New York Chapters
of the ALS Association for services provided to residents in central and
northern New Jersey. The bill additionally authorizes the Division of Taxation
to retain sufficient receipts from the donations to cover administrative
costs.
“ALS
is a terrible disease and we need to make it as easy as possible to support the
effort to overcome it,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “A simple step like
this could go a long way toward finding a cure, which is our shared
goal.”
“For
New Jerseyans able to do so, this option could make it easier to donate to this
worthy cause,” said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “We all want to put an end to
ALS, and anything that helps the cause is a step
forward.”
“ALS
advocacy and funding are critical in the effort to care for and support men and
women with this illness,” said Conaway (D-Burlington). “This legislation will
provide New Jersey residents with the means to help improve the overall quality
of life for those living with ALS and end the disease
altogether.”
“During
the past few months, we’ve seen unprecedented funding and attention go toward
curing ALS, and this bill has the potential to keep that momentum going,” said
Garcia (D-Hudson). “The easier we make it for people across New Jersey to contribute
to the ALS Association, the more likely it is that they will join in the fight
against this debilitating illness.”
“When
people know how they can help and that they’re giving to a reputable
organization, they want to contribute,” said Riley
(D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “This legislation will facilitate giving and
provide New
Jersey residents with a way to support those living with
ALS.”
“Every
year, thousands of men and women across the nation receive an ALS diagnosis, and
along with the physical difficulties, they must prepare for new financial
burdens,” said Mosquera (D-Camden/Gloucester). “The recent surge in awareness
and fundraising for the ALS Association was outstanding, but we can’t let that
be a one-time thing. This bill will help provide much-needed support for
New Jersey
residents with ALS well into the future.”
“In
a single month this summer, concerned donors across the nation raised $100
million for the ALS Association, making it clear that people want to give to
this cause,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “This legislation establishes a means for
New Jersey
taxpayers to continue giving to the ALS Association as it works to support
residents dealing with this devastating disease.”
Amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a
progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and
the spinal cord and is estimated to impact some 30,000 Americans at any given
time, with an estimated 5,600 individuals newly diagnosed with the disease each
year.
The
bill was released by the Assembly Appropriations
Committee.
