Wednesday, December 31, 2014


FOR RELEASE:


Dec. 29, 2014



Bipartisan Bill to Extend Permit Expiration Dates to Keep Projects Afloat While Economy Recovers Signed Into Law

            (TRENTON) – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Jerry Green, John Burzichelli, Troy Singleton, Gordon Johnson, Patrick Diegnan and Paul Moriarty to extend expiration dates for certain state and local permits has been signed into law.
            “As a result of the recent recession, once-approved permits are in danger of expiring or lapsing because gaining permit extensions is difficult and costly, and developers do not have the resources to obtain extensions,” said Green (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union). “By extending permits with this law, we can prevent a waste of public and private resources.”
The new law (A-3815) will extend for one year the expiration dates of certain permits pursuant to the “Permit Extension Act of 2008.” The law originally suspended the running of certain government approvals until July 1, 2010. A 2012 law extended the end date to Dec. 31, 2014. This bill would further extend the date to Dec. 31, 2015.
            “When permit approvals lapse, lenders have to re-appraise, and that substantially lowers real estate valuations established in conjunction with approved projects, which then leads to the reclassification of numerous loans,” said Burzichelli (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “This permit extension is necessary to avoid a vicious cycle of default.”
            “This law will ensure that there are sufficient funds available for future lending and that there are fewer restrictions on credit,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “The wellness of state, regional, county and municipal agencies is dependent upon this measure.”
            “The economic downturn had a negative effect on the state’s banking, real estate and construction sectors, and the extreme tightening of lending standards for home buyers and other real estate borrowers has reduced access to the capital markets,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “The process of obtaining planning board and zoning board of adjustment approvals for subdivisions, site plans and variances can be difficult, time consuming and expensive, both for private applicants and government bodies. This extension is intended to make things easier as we continue to recover.”
            “This law does nothing more than extend permits that were properly vetted and obtained. Unfortunately, many landowners and developers are seeing their life's work destroyed by the lack of credit and dearth of buyers and tenants due to the crisis in real estate financing and the building industry, uncertainty over the state of the economy and increasing levels of unemployment in the construction industry,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “This measure will give needed protection to those who have followed the rules and want to invest in our state.”
            “As a result of the continued downturn of the economy, and the continued expiration of approvals which were granted by state and local governments, it is possible that thousands of government actions will be undone by the passage of time,” said Moriarty (D-Camden/Gloucester). “Obtaining an extension of an approval pursuant to existing statutory or regulatory provisions can be both costly in terms of time and financial resources, and insufficient to cope with the extent of the present financial situation. This law will avoid unnecessary costs being imposed on both the public and private sectors.”


Friday, December 19, 2014



FOR RELEASE:

Dec. 18, 2014



Assembly Democratic Legislative Package to Reform NJ’s Expungement Laws Clears Assembly

(TRENTON) – A two-bill legislative package sponsored by Assembly Democrats Jerry Green, Grace L. Spencer, Reed Gusciora, Gordon Johnson, John F. McKeon, Thomas Giblin, Benjie Wimberly, Charles Mainor, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Annette Quijano, Gilbert “Whip” Wilson and Cleopatra Tucker to reform New Jersey’s expungement laws was approved Thursday by the Assembly.
The first bill (A-206-471-1663-2879-3060-3108), sponsored by Green, Spencer, Gusciora, Johnson, McKeon, Giblin, Wimberly, Mainor, Watson Coleman and Quijano, would reduce the statutory waiting period for an expungement from 10 years to five years from the date of the person’s last conviction, payment of fine, satisfactory completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever is later, in the case of an indictable offense. In the case of a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense, the waiting period would be reduced from five years to three years.
“Expungement offers an incentive against recidivism. It gives people who currently have little chance of finding legal employment the opportunity to leave past mistakes behind them, find a job and be productive,” said Green (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union). “The fact of the matter is, the system is working against those individuals who have served their time and want to change and do better.”
“A criminal record can affect a person’s ability to secure housing, employment and even loans for school,” said Spencer (D-Essex). “How is a person supposed to successfully reintegrate back into society when almost every road to self-dependence is blocked by a criminal record?
“Individuals who have learned from their mistakes should not be defined by their criminal records for the rest of their lives,” said Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “These folks are going back into our communities. It makes sense that we make it easier for them to become constructive citizens.”
“Putting your life back together after being incarcerated can take time. It can take even longer with a criminal record looming over you,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “It is a greater benefit to society when these individuals are able to put their past behind them and lead better, more productive lives.”
The bill would also grant automatic expungement of the records of a criminal conviction to certain persons who have completed a sentence to a term of special probation, commonly referred to as drug court. The court would be permitted to order the expungement of all records and information relating to all prior criminal arrests, detention, convictions and proceedings, provided the person satisfactorily completed a substance abuse treatment program as ordered by the court and was not convicted of any crime, or adjudged a disorderly person or petty disorderly person, during the term of special probation. An individual would not be eligible for automatic expungement if the records include a conviction for any offense barred from expungement under current law.
“Participants in drug court have a far lower recidivism rate than offenders who are incarcerated in state prisons,” said McKeon (D-Essex/Morris). “If we want these individuals to continue on the right path, then we have to give them the chance to do better instead of setting up roadblocks.”
“There’s no benefit to continually punish people who have served their time and now want to redeem themselves,” said Giblin (D-Essex/Passaic). “We have to create opportunities for individuals who want to be productive members of society, which is very hard to do with a criminal record.”
“These individuals successfully completed a substance abuse program. They did not break any laws while in the program. They have demonstrated a desire to be and do better,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Expunging their criminal records can help them continue on the path to recovery.”
Lastly, the bill would require the courts to order the expungement of all records and information pertaining to an arrest or charge at the time of the dismissal, acquittal or discharge. The bill would set forth certain procedural requirements for a grant of automatic expungement and no fee would be charged. When an expungement of an arrest or charge not resulting in conviction is not ordered by the court, the individual would be allowed, at any time following the disposition of the proceedings, to petition the courts for an expungement. The bill would provide that an expungement related to dismissal, acquittal or discharge would not bar any future expungement.
“It is unfair to further penalize an individual who has been cleared of a crime,” said Mainor (D-Hudson). “A criminal record can create barriers that make it difficult to prosper. If a person is acquitted or their charges are dropped, then their criminal record should be immediately expunged.”
“It is difficult enough to find employment in the current economic climate. It becomes that much harder with a criminal record,” said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “There is no reason why a criminal record against a person who’s been cleared of wrongdoing should persist.”
“The lingering effects of a criminal record can make the difference between successful reintegration and reentry. These individuals went through the judicial process and were absolved,” said Quijano (D-Union). “The sooner their records are expunged, the sooner they can get back to normal.”
The second bill (A-1815) would establish the “Expungement Study Commission.” The commission would be tasked with studying whether expungement of convictions should be automatic, without the necessity for a petition to the Superior Court, and whether the expungement of multiple offenses should be allowed, as well as any other related expungement issues.
The commission would include as part of its study an examination of the impact of a criminal conviction on various aspects of life for a convicted persons including, but not limited to, employment, licensing, housing and education. The commission would be required to submit a final report within 18 months after organizing to the governor and the Legislature. The commission would expire on the 30th day after the final report is issued.
“Not every criminal offender is destined to be a hardcore criminal,” said Wilson (D-Camden/Gloucester). “If we are serious about rehabilitation and preventing reentry into the prison system, then we must look at how we can better help those individuals who want to start over.”
“Many people who return to a life of crime blame their inability to find work due to their criminal history,” said Tucker (D-Essex). “This may not apply to everyone who has committed a crime, but for those who genuinely want to change their lives around, it is worth looking into.”
“A criminal record can haunt you for life,” said Wimberly. “If we want to help people break the cycle, it makes sense to look into whether expungement should be extended to multiple offenses, and whether it is feasible to automatically expunge convictions after the relevant waiting periods are over.”

The bill (A-206-471-1663-2879-3060-3108) was approved 71-3-1, and the bill (A-1815) was approved 68-0-0. Both bills now await further consideration by the Senate.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Bipartisan Bill to Extend Permit Expiration Dates Advanced by Assembly Panel

            (TRENTON) – An Assembly panel on Monday advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Jerry Green, John Burzichelli, Troy Singleton, Gordon Johnson, Patrick Diegnan and Paul Moriarty to extend expiration dates for certain state and local permits.
            The bill (A-3815) would extend for two years the expiration dates of certain permits pursuant to the “Permit Extension Act of 2008.” The law originally suspended the running of certain government approvals until July 1, 2010. A 2012 extended the end date to Dec. 31, 2014. This bill would further extend the date to Dec. 31, 2015.
            “As a result of the recent recession, once-approved permits are in danger of expiring or lapsing because gaining permit extensions is difficult and costly and developers do not have the resources to obtain extensions,” said Green (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union). “By extending permits with this bill, we can prevent a waste of public and private resources.”
            “When permit approvals lapse, lenders have to re-appraise, and that substantially lowers real estate valuations established in conjunction with approved projects, which then leads to the reclassification of numerous loans,” said Burzichelli (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “This permit extension is necessary to avoid a vicious cycle of default.”
            “This bill will ensure that there are sufficient funds available for future lending and that there are fewer restrictions on credit,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “The wellness of state, regional, county and municipal agencies is dependent upon this measure.”
            “The economic downturn had a negative effect on the state’s banking, real estate and construction sectors, and the extreme tightening of lending standards for home buyers and other real estate borrowers has reduced access to the capital markets,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “The process of obtaining planning board and zoning board of adjustment approvals for subdivisions, site plans and variances can be difficult, time consuming and expensive, both for private applicants and government bodies. This extension is intended to make things easier as we continue to recover.”
            “Once a permit expires, it can be impossible to renew or re-obtain. Unfortunately, many landowners and developers are seeing their life's work destroyed by the lack of credit and dearth of buyers and tenants, due to the crisis in real estate financing and the building industry, uncertainty over the state of the economy and increasing levels of unemployment in the construction industry,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “This measure will facilitate operations considering the still-dire state of our economy.”
            “As a result of the continued downturn of the economy, and the continued expiration of approvals which were granted by state and local governments, it is possible that thousands of government actions will be undone by the passage of time,” said Moriarty (D-Camden/Gloucester). “Obtaining an extension of an approval pursuant to existing statutory or regulatory provisions can be both costly in terms of time and financial resources, and insufficient to cope with the extent of the present financial situation. This legislation will avoid unnecessary costs being imposed on both the public and private sectors.”
            The bill was advanced by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, of which Burzichelli is chair. 


Friday, December 12, 2014

EXPUNGEMENT LEGISLATION CLEARS ASSEMBLY PANEL

(TRENTON)--Yesterday, important legislation that I introduced regarding expungement of criminal records was cleared by the Assembly Judiciary Committee. 

I want to change the process of expungement because I believe that legislators should make sure that our criminal justice system works to deter criminal activity. As it stands, the system too often does just the opposite. A criminal record that stems from a misguided decision made on a single afternoon turns into a scarlet “C” that is worn for a lifetime. Once an individual has a record, even for something like marijuana possession or shoplifting, it can become difficult or impossible to find a job. Without the hope of paid work, some have little choice but to turn to more crime, like drug dealing and theft, just to support themselves. This doesn’t just hurt them—it hurts their entire community.

The possibility of expungement gives individuals who have served their time the chance to learn from their mistakes and reenter society with hope that they can build a new, productive life. It also provides a hopeful incentive for the families and advocates who help individuals rehabilitate and adjust to life after serving time in prison.

This legislation is part of my continuing work with community leaders, experts in the field of criminal justice, police officials and rights advocates.  I truly believe that if we all come together for honest discussion informed by quality research, we can fix our broken system and build a future that is reflective of our shared values of justice, fairness and opportunity. 

I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the Assembly and the Senate to get this bill passed into law.

What follows is the press release prepared yesterday by the Assembly Majority Office, which is available here.


Assembly Democratic Legislative Package to Reform NJ's Expungement Laws Released by Assembly Panel


Legislative package would allow for automatic expungement of certain criminal records, reduce waiting periods for expungement application & create commission to study whether expungement of criminal records should be automatic

(TRENTON) - A three-bill legislative package sponsored by Assembly Democrats Jerry Green, Grace L. Spencer, Reed Gusciora, Gordon Johnson, John F. McKeon, Thomas Giblin, Benjie Wimberly, Charles Mainor, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Annette Quijano, Joseph Lagana, Gilbert "Whip" Wilson and Cleopatra Tucker to reform New Jersey's expungement laws was released Thursday by an Assembly panel.

The bills (A-206-471-1663-2879-3060-3108), (A-1662) and (A-1815) would allow for the automatic expungement of criminal records under certain circumstances, reduce the waiting period required for expungement applications, and create a commission to study whether expungements of convictions should be automatic and whether the expungement of multiple offenses should be allowed.

The first bill (A-206-471-1663-2879-3060-3108), sponsored by Green, Spencer, Gusciora, Johnson, McKeon, Giblin, Wimberly, Mainor, Watson Coleman and Quijano, would reduce the statutory waiting period for an expungement from 10 years to five years from the date of conviction, payment of fine, satisfactory completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever is later, in the case of an indictable offense. In the case of a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense, the waiting period would be reduced from five years to three years.

"Expungement offers an incentive against recidivism. It gives people who currently have little chance of finding legal employment the opportunity to leave past mistakes behind them, find a job and be productive," said Green (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union). "The fact of the matter is, the system is working against those individuals who have served their time and want to change and do better."

"A criminal record can affect a person's ability to secure housing, employment and even loans for school," said Spencer (D-Essex). "How is a person supposed to successfully reintegrate back into society when almost every road to self-dependence is blocked by a criminal record?

"Individuals who have learned from their mistakes should not be defined by their criminal records for the rest of their lives," said Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). "These folks are going back into our communities. It makes sense that we make it easier for them to become constructive citizens."

"Putting your life back together after being incarcerated can take time. It can take even longer with a criminal record looming over you," said Johnson (D-Bergen). "It is a greater benefit to society when these individuals are able to put their past behind them and lead better, more productive lives."

The bill would also grant automatic expungement of the records of a criminal conviction to certain persons who have completed a sentence to a term of special probation, commonly referred to as drug court. The court would be permitted to order the expungement of all records and information relating to all prior criminal arrests, detention, convictions and proceedings, provided the person satisfactorily completed a substance abuse treatment program as ordered by the court and was not convicted of any crime, or adjudged a disorderly person or petty disorderly person, during the term of special probation. An individual would not be eligible for automatic expungement if the records include a conviction for any offense barred from expungement under current law.

"Participants in drug court have a far lower recidivism rate than offenders who are incarcerated in state prisons," said McKeon (D-Essex/Morris). "If we want these individuals to continue on the right path, then we have to give them the chance to do better instead of setting up roadblocks."

"There's no benefit to continually punish people who have served their time and now want to redeem themselves," said Giblin (D-Essex/Passaic). "We have to create opportunities for individuals who want to be productive members of society, which is very hard to do with a criminal record."

"These individuals successfully completed a substance abuse program. They did not break any laws while in the program. They have demonstrated a desire to be and do better," said Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic). "Expunging their criminal records can help them continue on the path to recovery."

Lastly, the bill would require the courts to order the expungement of all records and information pertaining to an arrest or charge at the time of the dismissal, acquittal or discharge. The bill would set forth certain procedural requirements for a grant of automatic expungement and no fee would be charged. When an expungement of an arrest or charge not resulting in conviction is not ordered by the court, the individual would be allowed, at any time following the disposition of the proceedings, to petition the courts for an expungement. The bill would provide that an expungement related to dismissal, acquittal or discharge would not bar any future expungement.

"It is unfair to further penalize an individual who has been cleared of a crime," said Mainor (D-Hudson). "A criminal record can create barriers that make it difficult to prosper. If a person is acquitted or their charges are dropped, then their criminal record should be immediately expunged."

"It is difficult enough to find employment in the current economic climate. It becomes that much harder with a criminal record," said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). "There is no reason why a criminal record against a person who's been cleared of wrongdoing should persist."

"The lingering effects of a criminal record can make the difference between successful reintegration and reentry. These individuals went through the judicial process and were absolved," said Quijano (D-Union). "The sooner their records are expunged, the sooner they can get back to normal."

The second bill (A-1662) would require that criminal records related to an identity theft case be sealed.

"Having to deal with the repercussions of a criminal record that resulted from an identity theft case adds insult to injury for victims," said Johnson (D-Bergen). "This allows victims to repair the damage caused by providing for the sealing of criminal records that were obtained erroneously."

"The damage caused by identity theft can be extensive. Add to that a criminal record and rebuilding becomes even more difficult," said Lagana (D-Bergen/Passaic). "This ensures that an individual who has been victimized can avoid further damage to his name and livelihood."

"Identity theft can have serious consequences for a victim. A criminal record is just one of them," said Wimberly. "This bill allows people whose identities were stolen to have their criminal records sealed as they work to put their lives back together."

The third bill (A-1815) would establish the "Expungement Study Commission." The commission would be charged with studying whether expungement of convictions should be automatic, without the necessity for a petition to the Superior Court, and whether the expungement of multiple offenses should be allowed. The commission would include as part of its study an examination of the impact of a criminal conviction on various aspects of life for a convicted persons including, but not limited to, employment, licensing, housing and education. The commission would be required to submit a final report within 18 months after organizing to the governor and the Legislature. The commission would expire on the 30th day after the final report is issued.

"Not every criminal offender is destined to be a hardcore criminal," said Wilson (D-Camden/Gloucester). "If we are serious about rehabilitation and preventing reentry into the prison system, then we must look at how we can better help those individuals who want to start over."

"Many people who return to a life of crime blame their inability to find work due to their criminal history," said Tucker (D-Essex). "This may not apply to everyone who has committed a crime, but for those who genuinely want to change their lives around, it is worth looking into."

"A criminal record can haunt you for life," said Wimberly. "If we want to help people break the cycle, it makes sense to look into whether expungement should be extended to multiple offenses, and whether it is feasible to automatically expunge convictions after the relevant waiting periods are over."

The bills were released by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Today the Courier News and NJ.com released articles covering the panel discussion that I am organizing to discuss community and police relationships in Union County. The NJ.com article, reproduced below, can be found here.

Assemblyman Green wants outreach between law enforcement, minorities; says 'system is broken'

Tom Haydon | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comBy Tom Haydon | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on December 10, 2014 at 10:26 AM, updated December 10, 2014 at 10:28 AM
Reddit
Screen Shot 2014-12-09 at 5.37.24 PM.pngAssembly Jerry Green is planning to create a panel to improve relations between law enforcement and minorities. 
UNION COUNTY — In the wake of incidents with police in Ferguson, Mo. and Staten Island, Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-Union) now wants a panel to improve communication between law enforcement and minorities.
In an announcement Tuesday, Green said he is working with Union County freeholders and law enforcement agencies to create the panel that would include government officials, community and professional leaders, as well as former and current law enforcement officers.
“We’ve got a broken system," Green said. "People have lost faith in police departments. I want to see how we can improve the public trust. I don’t want to throw anybody under the bus. I have reached out to the state [Policemen's Benevolent Association]. I have reached out to the prosecutor’s office."
Although he plans to start in Union County, Green said he has already spoken with state Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) about a statewide effort.
County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak hailed the plan as an opportunity to discuss new services.
“This is an appropriate time to talk about relations between law enforcement entities and the communities they police,” Hudak said.
Green announced the plans as protests continue across the country over the shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo., and the choking death of Eric Garner by a officer in Staten Island, and decisions by separate grand juries not to indict either officer.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

  ASSEMBLYMAN GREEN PARTNERS WITH UNION COUNTY TO PUT TOGETHER DISCUSSION PANEL TO EXPLORE INCREASED OUTREACH BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES

UNION COUNTY, NJ---In light of the recent developments in Ferguson, Mo. and Staten Island, NY, Assemblyman Jerry Green announced he would partner with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders to put together an informal panel of government, community and professional leaders in an effort to improve outreach between law enforcement and the County’s minority populations.
Green, who initiated the panel, noted he is also in the process of reaching out to past and present law enforcement officials, as well as setting up a meeting with the State Police Benevolent Association.

“I bring state resources to the discussion which would assist in providing a comprehensive list of ideas,” Green said. “As a legislator, I also stand prepared to draft any measures that would be needed as well from the state perspective.”

Green reached out to the Freeholder Board to participate in the effort.
“This is an appropriate time to talk about relations between law enforcement entities and the communities they police,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “We are happy to  facilitate this panel, and look forward to providing ideas and discussing new services that may be needed.”

The County has the resources of the County Police, the Prosecutor’s Office,  the Sheriff’s Office, the Police Academy, the Department of Human Services, and various youth outreach programs already in place.

Green said his panel is in formation, with the intent of holding internal discussions within the next few weeks.

Monday, December 8, 2014

ASSEMBLY HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ADDRESSES BLIGHT

Trenton--As Chairman of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee, I spend a lot of time working with communities and experts across the State to improve the quality, affordability and variety of housing stock in all corners of New Jersey.  Blighted buildings are a significant problem for our communities. Since the economic recession in 2008, urban and suburban towns alike have seen a dramatic increase in abandoned buildings. Last Thursday, I held a hearing in the Assembly Housing and Community Development committee in order to gather testimony from members of the community who are working toward turning blighted buildings into revitalized spaces.

Blight is a complex problem, and complex problems require thoughtful discussion in order to generate creative solutions. My goal in holding this hearing was to look at the big picture by listening carefully to leaders who approach blight from diverse perspectives. The leaders who offered testimony to the Committee represent a wide range of organizations that are poised to work together toward comprehensive solutions. They included urban redevelopment professionals who develop strategy, builders who turn that strategy into action, bankers who fund redevelopment projects and the community advocates who fight to make sure that the housing that we build is safe and affordable, and that we make sure to address the needs of communities who politicians too often ignore.

Along with the members of the Housing and Community Development Committee, both Democrat and Republican, I will continue to do everything that the Legislature possibility can to put the best tools in place to encourage community revitalization.  My hope is that Governor Christie’s office will be willing to work with us to deliver results to New Jersey’s Citizens.
CENTRAL JERSEY UNITED

Union, Middlesex, Somerset and Mercer Counties— 2014 is coming to a close, and I am proud to announce that it has been a great year for Central New Jersey.  Both the Northern and Southern parts of the State have established and recognizable regional voices. Part of my vision as Chairman of the Union County Democratic Committee is for leaders in Central Jersey to come together to showcase the unique advantages of living and working in our beautiful region and attract the resources that we need to grow our communities. To that end, I have worked hard to build a strong and lasting Central Jersey alliance, together with Middlesex Chairman Kevin McCabe, Somerset Chairwoman Peg Schaffer, the Mayor of Trenton, Eric Jackson and the Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac.  We recently celebrated this regional allianceduring the League of Municipalities conference in Atlantic City. I am confident that 2015 will be a great year.