A BILL TO PROTECT SANDY VICTIMS STILL REBUILDING FROM COSTLY BUREAUCRATIC SETBACKS HEADS TO GOVERNOR.

For Release Contact Dec. 20, 2016 Majority Press Office 609.847.3500 Singleton, Quijano, Caputo, Taliaferro, Green, Caride & Houghtaling Bill to Protect Sandy Victims Still Rebuilding from Costly Bureaucratic Setbacks Heads to Governor (TRENTON) – Assembly approved legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Troy Singleton, Annette Quijano, Ralph Caputo and Adam Taliaferro, Jerry Green, Marlene Caride, and Eric Houghtaling to ensure the fairness of project deadlines, enhance transparency, and create foreclosure protections for Superstorm Sandy victims is headed to the Governor’s desk after receiving final legislative approval from the Senate on Monday. “Thousands of homeowners due to receive funding from grant programs set up to help them have complained of extraordinary delays,” said Singleton (D-Burlington).  “It is shameful that almost four years after the storm, resident are still dealing with these types of setbacks. This helps ensure that residents who are still rebuilding are not hurt by bureaucratic stumbling blocks.” “It is incredibly unfair that residents who have been through so much already have to delay their recovery process even further because of circumstances beyond their control,” said Quijano (D-Union). “We need to put provisions in place that will help protect residents affected by Sandy who are still trying to rebuild, but keep getting tangled up in governmental red-tape.” Under the bill (A-333), which the Assembly previously approved in June, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) would have to extend the completion deadline for projects funded through the Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) or Low to Moderate Income Homeowners Rebuilding (LMI) grant, for applicants who can demonstrate the delay was the fault of their builder or due to delays by the DCA in approving the builder doing the project. If an application for aid under the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA), LMI, or RREM program is denied, the DCA would have to provide the applicant with an explanation for the denial, and an explanation for ways to remedy the application. The bill would also offer temporary protections against foreclosure to certain Sandy victims. Under the bill, homeowners who have either been approved for assistance through the RREM or LMI program, or have received rental assistance from FEMA as a result of damage to their primary residence could apply to the DCA for a certificate of eligibility for mortgage forbearance. The forbearance period would conclude when whichever of these scenarios happens first: a year after a certificate of occupancy for recovery and rebuilding program work has been issued; July 1, 2019; or regarding a property in foreclosure proceedings, 10 days after a sheriff’s sale. “It is inexcusable that the same governmental snags that have kept Sandy victims from rebuilding now threaten their homes,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “These provisions can help these residents stay afloat while they wait for the powers that be to get it right once and for all.” “The idea of Sandy victims facing foreclosure because of problems they did not create is asinine,” said Taliaferro (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “This legislation will help address the economic crisis that many families continue to experience as a result of Superstorm Sandy.” “It is maddening that almost four years after Sandy, there are people who still have not been made whole,” said Green (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union). “This is the least we can do for homeowners who trusted those in charge to make things right, and were severely disappointed.” “This is bureaucracy at its worse. These families deserve better than the delays and inconsistencies that have plagued the recovery process,” said Caride (D-Bergen/Passaic). “This will help prevent any more impediments so these families can finally get back to normal.” “As if having your life disrupted by Mother Nature was not enough, these homeowners were failed by the very entities tasked with their recovery,” Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). “These provisions can help cut the red-tape they’ve been dealing with and finally get them back on track.” Under the bill, the DCA would have to publicly report the reason for each application denial, wait-list placement, and withdrawal from the RREM, TBRA, and LMI programs since the start of the recovery effort, and to report the reasons for new denials, wait-list placements, and withdrawals on a quarterly basis through 2018. Concerning withdrawn applications, the public reporting requirements would apply only after DCA has conducted a reasonable effort to contact the withdrawn applicant. The bill would also require DCA to publicly report where all funding associated with application denials, wait-list placements, and withdrawals has instead been allocated. The bill would apply this requirement to all application denials, wait-list placements, and withdrawals since the start of the recovery effort, and would require ongoing reporting on a quarterly basis through 2018.  The bill would require DCA to maintain a RREM appeals process for at least six months following the bill’s effective date. The appeals process would have to be open to any applicant to the RREM program who submitted an initial application by the deadline of August 1, 2013, regardless of the reason the applicant had been denied or removed from the application process.

Bill to Protect Sandy Victims Still Rebuilding from Costly Bureaucratic Setbacks Clears Senate Budget Panel

For Release		Contact
Nov. 3, 2016		Majority Press Office 609.847.3500

Singleton, Quijano, Caputo, Taliaferro, Green, Caride & Houghtaling Bill to Protect Sandy Victims Still Rebuilding from Costly Bureaucratic Setbacks Clears Senate Budget Panel

(TRENTON) – Assembly approved legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Troy Singleton, Annette Quijano, Ralph Caputo and Adam Taliaferro, Jerry Green, Marlene Caride, and Eric Houghtaling to ensure the fairness of project deadlines, enhance transparency, and create foreclosure protections for Superstorm Sandy victims continues to advance in the legislature.

“Thousands of homeowners due to receive funding from grant programs set up to help them have complained of extraordinary delays,” said Singleton (D-Burlington).  “It is shameful that almost four years after the storm, resident are still dealing with these types of setbacks. This helps ensure that residents who are still rebuilding are not hurt by bureaucratic stumbling blocks.”

“It is incredibly unfair that residents who have been through so much already have to delay their recovery process even further because of circumstances beyond their control,” said Quijano (D-Union). “We need to put provisions in place that will help protect residents affected by Sandy who are still trying to rebuild, but keep getting tangled up in governmental red tape.”

Under the bill (A-333), the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) would have to extend the completion deadline for projects funded through the Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) or Low to Moderate Income Homeowners Rebuilding (LMI) grant, for applicants who can demonstrate the delay was the fault of their builder or due to delays by the DCA in approving the builder doing the project. If an application for aid under the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA), LMI, or RREM program is denied, the DCA would have to provide the applicant with an explanation for the denial, and an explanation for ways to remedy the application.

The bill would also offer temporary protections against foreclosure to certain Sandy victims. Under the bill, homeowners who have either been approved for assistance through the RREM or LMI program, or have received rental assistance from FEMA as a result of damage to their primary residence could apply to the DCA for a certificate of eligibility for mortgage forbearance.

The forbearance period would conclude when whichever of these scenarios happens first: a year after a certificate of occupancy for recovery and rebuilding program work has been issued; July 1, 2019; or regarding a property in foreclosure proceedings, 10 days after a sheriff’s sale.

“It is inexcusable that the same governmental snags that have kept Sandy victims from rebuilding now threaten their homes,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “These provisions can help these residents stay afloat while they wait for the powers that be to get it right once and for all.”

“The idea of Sandy victims facing foreclosure because of problems they did not create is asinine,” said Taliaferro (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “This legislation will help address the economic crisis that many families continue to experience as a result of Superstorm Sandy.”

“It is maddening that almost four years after Sandy, there are people who still have not been made whole,” said Green (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union). “This is the least we can do for homeowners who trusted those in charge to make things right and were severely disappointed.”

“This is bureaucracy at its worse. These families deserve better than the delays and inconsistencies that have plagued the recovery process,” said Caride (D-Bergen/Passaic). “This will help prevent any more impediments so these families can finally get back to normal.”

“As if having your life disrupted by Mother Nature was not enough, these homeowners were failed by the very entities tasked with their recovery,” Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). “These provisions can help cut the red-tape they’ve been dealing with and finally get them back on track.”

Under the bill, the DCA would have to publicly report the reason for each application denial, waitlist placement, and withdrawal from the RREM, TBRA, and LMI programs since the start of the recovery effort, and to report the reasons for new denials, wait-list placements, and withdrawals on a quarterly basis through 2018. Concerning withdrawn applications, the public reporting requirements would apply only after DCA has conducted a reasonable effort to contact the withdrawn applicant.

The bill would also require DCA to publicly report where all funding associated with application denials, wait-list placements, and withdrawals has instead been allocated. The bill would apply this requirement to all application denials, wait-list placements, and withdrawals since the start of the recovery effort, and would require ongoing reporting on a quarterly basis through 2018.

 The bill would require DCA to maintain a RREM appeals process for at least six months following the bill’s effective date. The appeals process would have to be open to any applicant to the RREM program who submitted an initial application by the deadline of August 1, 2013, regardless of the reason the applicant had been denied or removed from the application process.

The bill cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Thursday. It was approved 63-4-8 by the Assembly in June. The bill is now positioned for further review by the Senate Speaker. 

HOMEOWNERS WITH NEGATIVE HOME EQUITY AVOID FORECLOSURES AND SHORT SALES ADVANCES

For Release		Contact
Sept. 8, 2016		Majority Press Office 609.847.3500

Singleton, Green, DeAngelo, Sumter & Lampitt Bill to Help Homeowners with Negative Home Equity Avoid Foreclosures & Short Sales Advanced by Assembly Panel

By preventing foreclosures and short sales, sponsors hope to help homeowners keep homes & prevent further damage to state’s troubled housing market

(TRENTON) – An Assembly panel on Thursday released legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Troy Singleton, Jerry Green, Wayne DeAngelo, Shavonda Sumter and Pamela Lampitt to help homeowners with negative home equity avoid foreclosure and short sales, and prevent further agitating the state’s troubled housing market.

The bill (A-303) would establish the "Mortgage Assistance Pilot Program" in the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) for a period of three years to allow homeowners, who have negative home equity and who are in default on an agency owned mortgage, to lower their principal balances by transferring shares of equity in the mortgaged property to the agency.

Negative home equity occurs when the remaining principal owed on a mortgage is greater than the current value of the home. New Jersey continues to lead the nation in foreclosure rates.

“The housing downturn of the past several years has substantially reduced the value of homes all across New Jersey, leaving many homeowners with negative home equity,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “This pilot program would allow New Jersey homeowners, with negative home equity and who have defaulted on a mortgage owned by the agency, to be able to afford to stay in their homes, reducing the foreclosures and short sales that are stifling the recovery of the housing sector.”

“Unfortunately, for homeowners in default, foreclosure is not that far behind. This hurts the homeowner, the neighborhood where the property is located and our housing market, which is still struggling to bounce back,” said Green (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union). “This would allow homeowners to hold on to their properties and help avoid the ripple effects of foreclosure.”

“Homeowners with negative home equity are much more likely to default on their mortgages than those with positive home equity, leading to more foreclosures and short sales, which further depress the value of neighboring homes,” said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “This bill gives these homeowners another option, and helps avoid any additional strain on the state’s housing market.”

“The high number of homeowners with negative home equity is a major impediment to the recovery of the housing sector,” said Sumter (D-Bergen/Passaic). “The well-being of our economy depends on a robust housing sector. This program can help homeowners at risk of foreclosure keep their homes, and help prevent the state from falling further behind as it struggles to recover.”

“The high rate of foreclosures in the state continues to bog down our housing market. To reverse this stubborn trend, we must be proactive,” said Lampitt (D-Camden/Burlington). “Through this program, homeowners with negative home equity who are in default would be able to keep their homes and avoid the foreclosure or short sale route, which would further set our recovery back.”

The bill’s pilot program requires NJ HMFA to invite each homeowner who is in default of a qualified mortgage to apply for a principal reduction agreement. The bill would limit the reduction to no more than 30 percent, and would allow the interest rate to be reset to lower existing rates, if applicable. The bill would condition the principal balance reduction upon the homeowner’s conveyance of an equity share to NJ HMFA equal to the percentage of the principal reduction.

As to NJ HMFA’s equity shares, the bill would provide that the equity share interest does not give rise to a government property tax exemption on the property.  This bill also denotes that an NJ HMFA equity share does not constitute a property encumbrance or lien for purposes of municipal tax sales. This means that a property tax foreclosure may be initiated and proceed without regard to an outstanding NJ HMFA equity share.

The bill would require the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with NJ HMFA, to produce a report on the pilot program that must be submitted to the Legislature and the governor no later than the first day of the tenth month following the conclusion of the three-year pilot program. Under the bill, the report must address the extent to which the pilot program enabled NJ HMFA to minimize losses and reduce foreclosures and short sales.

The bill would authorize the Commissioner of Community Affairs and NJ HMFA to adopt rules and regulations necessary to effectuate this bill’s provisions.

If enacted, the bill would take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, but would allow the Commissioner of Community Affairs and the Executive Director of NJ HMFA to take anticipatory administrative action prior to this bill’s effective date.

The bill was approved by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.

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We need your help to get Hillary into the White House. 

We are seeking people who are 18 years and older who can volunteer a few days a week. The campaign push will take place from the end of September through Election Day (November 8, 2016.)

Please contact Elton for more information at 908-565-4827.

Green’s Legislation Authorizing More than $400 Million for Clean Water & Lead Reduction Projects Becomes Law

	News from Speaker Pro Tempore Green
	For Release:	Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green Housing & Community Development Committee Chair p: 609-465-0700 e: AsmGreen@njleg.org www.assemblydems.com
	Aug. 19, 2016

Green’s Legislation Authorizing More than $400 Million for Clean Water & Lead Reduction Projects Becomes Law

Legislation Continues 30-Year Legacy of NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust

          (TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green enabling the 30-year old New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (Trust) program to continue funding critical projects to provide safe water and clean drinking water throughout the state has been signed into law.

          “For decades now this program has played a critical role in protecting the public’s health by supporting projects that deliver clean, safe drinking water, protect our water resources, and promote responsible economic development,” said Green (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union).  “This funding will support critical enhancements and improvements throughout our state, particularly in areas impacted by Superstorm Sandy or those struggling to deal with the presence of lead in their drinking water.”

Specifically, the law (A-3883) authorizes the Trust to expend up to $411.35 million, as well as any unexpended balances from previous authorizations, to provide loans with an interest rate at or below the prevailing market rate to various government entities to help fund critical environmental infrastructure projects.

The annual reallocation will help fund a portion of the total costs of 80 eligible projects sponsored primarily by local governments, public authorities, or public water utilities.

Among the eligible projects are those included in the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2017 Clean Water Project Eligibility List" and the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2017 Drinking Water Project Priority List," as well as six clean water projects, and two drinking water environmental infrastructure projects that received loans in the past and now require supplemental funding in order to meet actual costs.

Given the state’s heightened focus on lead reduction, the legislation also authorizes the Trust to issue market-rate, short-term, temporary loans for wastewater treatment and water supply projects on the Interim Financing Program Project Priority List for the reduction of lead in publicly-owned facilities that are otherwise ineligible to receive funding for that purpose. 

A full list of projects authorized for funding this year can be viewed in the charts listed in the legislation.

          Since its creation in 1985, the Trust, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, has provided low‑cost NJEIFP loans for the construction of environmental infrastructure projects that enhance and protect ground and surface water resources, ensure the safety of drinking water supplies, and make responsible and sustainable economic development possible.

Since 1985, NJEIFP loans to local government units and some private water companies have totaled more than $6.5 billion of which the Trust has provided more than $2.7 billion in loans to finance wastewater systems, combined sewer overflow abatement, nonpoint source pollution control and safe drinking water supplies generating more than 130,000 construction projects throughout the State.

Essex County Democratic Chairman Leroy Jones & Union County Democratic 

Chairman Jerry Green

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
AUGUST 17, 2016

Diverse Group of Democratic Leaders Band Together Focused on Electing a Democratic Governor andProtecting State Legislative Majorities   

Essex County Democratic Chairman Leroy Jones and Union County Democratic Chairman Jerry Green organized a unity meeting to forge together a coalition of diverse Democratic party and elected officials to focus on the immensely high stakes 2017 general election.  They called this gathering to underscore that Democrats must not take anything for granted by organizing early to win back the governorship and protect the state legislative majorities.

In the past two decades, historically strong neighboring Democratic states have seen Republican inroads halt progressive ideals and stymie sound public policy. Republican upset victories similar to 2009 in New Jersey were followed with predictions that this was nothing more than a one- time anomaly. Despite that, Republicans went on to win multiple governors’ races in neighboring states including Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.   In more than two decades, no Republican has carried any of those states for President, but at the same time, Republicans have won 19 of 30 gubernatorial races in these Democratic strongholds.  This is exactly why Democrats in New Jersey must not be complacent and start preparing for the critical fight to replace Republican Governor Chris Christie with a Democrat next year.

“Republicans sense their opportunity to divide and conquer their way to a third term as governor, and by coming together as a party, we are prepared to do the hard work required to restore our values to the state’s highest office, said Essex County Democratic Chairman Leroy Jones.  “We have seen our neighboring reliable Democratic states lose gubernatorial elections when victory was seemingly inevitable.  That will not happen in New Jersey because we will be unified in the collective  effort to  elect  a  Democratic  governor  and  protect  the  largest  Democratic  state legislative majorities in nearly four decades.”

 “The failed economic policies and destructive agenda of Governor Christie should be a wake-up call to every Democrat in the state that the stakes could not be higher next year,” said State Assemblyman Jerry Green, the Chairman of the Union County Democratic Committee.  “I felt compelled to jointly organize this meeting to make clear that Democrats must unite together in order to deliver victories next fall, and together this diverse group of party and elected leaders are ready to lead the way.”      

The Democratic leaders gathered to reflect the diversity that serves as both, the backbone of the party and the path to a winning2017 statewide coalition. The following individuals attended the meeting held in Union County:

Congress – Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District)

State Senate – Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (District 37), Deputy Majority Leader & Budget Chairman Paul Sarlo (District36), Democratic Conference Chair Robert Gordon (District 38), Assistant Majority Leader Theresa Ruiz (District 29), MajorityWhip Sandra Cunningham (District 31), Judiciary Chairman Nicholas Scutari (District 22), Vice-Chair of Higher Education NelliePou (District 35) and Vice-Chair of Economic Growth Nilsa Cruz-Perez (District 5)

State  Assembly  –  Speaker  Pro  Tempore  Jerry  Green  (District  22),  Deputy  Speaker  Wayne DeAngelo (District 14), Vice-Chair of Agricultural and Natural Resources Adam Taliaferro (District 3), Jamel Holley (District 20) and Eric Houghtaling (District 11)

County Officials – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and Essex County Executive Chief of Staff Phil Alagia

Municipal Officials – Lambertville Mayor David Delvecchio, Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman, and Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson

Party Officials – Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman, Burlington County Democratic Chairman Joseph Andl, Essex County Democratic Chairman Leroy Jones, Monmouth County Democratic Vice-Chairman Eric Brophy, OceanCounty Democratic Chairman Wyatt Earp, and Union County Democratic Chairman Jerry Green

Also Attending  – George E. Norcross, III (Executive Chairman, Conner Strong & Buckelew), Paul M. Weiner (Partner, WeinerLesniak LLP) and Arthur J. Cifelli (Managing Partner, The Venn Group LLC) 

“The successful pickup of two state assembly seats and numerous mayoral and council wins in Monmouth County have happened because of a unified and well-organized effort by Democrats committed to winning tough elections,” said Monmouth County Democratic Party Chairman Vin Gopal. “It is important for Monmouth Democrats to work with leaders statewide and that is why I look forward to a united Democratic effort to ensure that we elect a Democratic governor and grow our state legislative majorities.”

"It is imperative to elect a Democratic governor to reverse course from the failed policies of Chris Christie that New Jersey families have had to endure, stated State Senator Patrick Diegnan.  I applaud Chairmen Jones and Green for taking this important step to begin the conversation to unify our party to win back the governor's office and protect our state legislative majorities."

“We need a governor on our side, willing to stand up and fight for working families to reverse the failed policies of Governor Christie”, said State Senator Linda Greenstein. “Together, as Democrats, we must unify and work tirelessly to elect a governor who shares our values and maintain our state legislative majorities to put New Jersey on the right track forward.” 

"Electing a Democratic governor that understands the important challenges facing the hard-working men and women of our state motivates me daily,” said State Assemblyman Joseph Egan.  “Many key priorities that will get New Jersey working again have languished under Governor Christie, the stakes for working families have never been higher, and I'm proud to join Chairmen Jones and Green in the important effort to unify our party towards victory."

"The important work of electing a Democratic governor and maintaining our legislative majorities requires working together as a party, and I truly applaud the efforts to start the process early as working families need a new direction in New Jersey," said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

This meeting represents the beginning of Democrats coming together to unify around the principles and values that helped propel Democrats to key victories during the past decade and underscores that leaders in the party are serious about the challenges they face in 2017. 

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