Dear Assemblyman Green,
As you are aware, on March 21, 2010 the US House of Representatives passed historic legislation H.R. 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. With the needs of the 13th Congressional District in mind, I was honored to be one of the 218 Members of Congress to help pass this piece of legislation in support of health care reform.
I have enclosed a press release that was issued from my office on March 22, 2010 on the passage of H.R. 3590.
If you should have any questions please feel free to contact Erica Daughtrey or Raul Morales Jr. in my Jersey City office at 201-222-2828.
Sincerely,
Albio Sires
Member of Congress
Press Release
Sires Makes a Historic Vite to Provide Affordable Health Care for New Jerseyans
This bill will provide health insurance coverage for 109,500 uninsured residents in the 13th District
Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Sires joined his colleagues in passing H.R. 3590 health care reform by a vote of 219-212 to provide quality affordable health care for Americans and control the long-term growth of health care costs. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that this legislation will expand health care coverage to 95 percent of all Americans, including an additional 32 million people, while reducing the deficit by $138 billion oer the next 10 years.
"Wth the needs of the 13th District in mind, I cast my vote in support of health care reform today," expressed Congressman Sires. "This bill would expand health care coverage to the 23 percent of individuals currently residing in my district without health insurance and improve the health coverage of the 326,000 residents currently covered, as well as protect 900 families in the 13th District from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care."
This bill will:
- Immediately begin to hold insurance companies accountable by prohibiting them from dropping coverage when one gets sick and ban them from denying coverage to children with pre-existing condiions.
-Additonally, beginning this year, young adults will be able to remain on their parents' health policies until they turn 26 and Americans who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions will be able to buy affordable coverage through a temporary high-risk pool.
-In the coming months, seniors will also see relief from high prescription prices with a $250 rebate for Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole and preventative services and immunizations will be free under Medicare right away.
-Furthermore, once signed into law, small businesses that provide coverage to their employees will be eligible for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of premiums.
In the subsequent years further requirements will be placed on insurers to prohibit them from denying or cancelling coverage for any American based on their health status and bans will be place on annual and life-time limits.
Additionally, federal subsidies will be provided to low and middle class families to assist in purchasing health care;
-the Medicare Part D donut hole will be phased out over time;
-and a system of state-run health insurance exchanges will be created where individuals and small businesses can shop and compare prices and benefits of a variety of health care plans.
Finally, along with various investments in prevention, wellness, and the health care workforce, the solvency of Medicare will be extended by at least nine years, which will assist in improving the program for the more than 72,00 beneficiaries in the 13th District alone.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Rahway Action Meeting, March 31st, 7:30pm
A letter from Rahway citizens that I encourage my Rahway and Linden constituents in particular, to read and get involved with. Thanks.
Dear Assemblyman Green:
As you are aware the storm on Saturday, March 13, 2010, left a trail of damages to property throughout our state. Since Rahway is a river community the city was hard hit, especially those of us who are residents living along the South Branch of the Rahway River in the 4th Ward.
In the 4th Ward we have come to describe this storm as one of the worst in over a decade, almost reminiscent of the flooding in the days before the Levy was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers over 30 years ago. We are extremely alarmed by the abnormal rush of 3 to 6 feet of water upon our streets and homes in the span of less than an hour, this coupled with the fact that a downed tree across East Lake Avenue left many homes without power for their sump pumps, lights, furnaces, and telephones and blocked the only possible escape route for many residents.
We are concerned that flood gates were erected across Hazelwood Avenue, concerned about the questionable condition of the pumping stations along the levy, concerned about the city's plan for safety and evacuation of the residents, and concerned about what financial assistance is available to the residents to recover their tremendous losses such as cars, furnaces, water heaters, appliances, furniture, and more. We have many questions and we want answers. Therefore, we are requesting your presence at an Action Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at 7:30PM at Progressive Baptist Church, 1085 Main Street, Rahway, NJ.
We are sure you are aware that the residents of the 4th Ward have experienced repeated losses due to flooding that dates back more than fifty years. We feel it is about time that our government officials step up to the plate and put an end to this suffering and environmental injustice occurring in our community. Please give us confidence in your concern for your constituents by being present for this Action Meeting on March 31, 2010.
Yours truly,
John Drummer, Rahway resident
Jimmy Proctor, Progressive Baptist Church, Rahway NJ
Gwen T. Samuels, Rahway resident
On Behalf of the 4th Ward March 13, Committee
Dear Assemblyman Green:
As you are aware the storm on Saturday, March 13, 2010, left a trail of damages to property throughout our state. Since Rahway is a river community the city was hard hit, especially those of us who are residents living along the South Branch of the Rahway River in the 4th Ward.
In the 4th Ward we have come to describe this storm as one of the worst in over a decade, almost reminiscent of the flooding in the days before the Levy was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers over 30 years ago. We are extremely alarmed by the abnormal rush of 3 to 6 feet of water upon our streets and homes in the span of less than an hour, this coupled with the fact that a downed tree across East Lake Avenue left many homes without power for their sump pumps, lights, furnaces, and telephones and blocked the only possible escape route for many residents.
We are concerned that flood gates were erected across Hazelwood Avenue, concerned about the questionable condition of the pumping stations along the levy, concerned about the city's plan for safety and evacuation of the residents, and concerned about what financial assistance is available to the residents to recover their tremendous losses such as cars, furnaces, water heaters, appliances, furniture, and more. We have many questions and we want answers. Therefore, we are requesting your presence at an Action Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at 7:30PM at Progressive Baptist Church, 1085 Main Street, Rahway, NJ.
We are sure you are aware that the residents of the 4th Ward have experienced repeated losses due to flooding that dates back more than fifty years. We feel it is about time that our government officials step up to the plate and put an end to this suffering and environmental injustice occurring in our community. Please give us confidence in your concern for your constituents by being present for this Action Meeting on March 31, 2010.
Yours truly,
John Drummer, Rahway resident
Jimmy Proctor, Progressive Baptist Church, Rahway NJ
Gwen T. Samuels, Rahway resident
On Behalf of the 4th Ward March 13, Committee
Friday, March 19, 2010
Census 2010 Awareness Push: Legislators in the 22nd District Announced Town Hall Meeting
Linden -- Democratic Legislators from New Jersey's 22nd District today announced that they will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 7 PM at the Rahway City Council Chambers to raise awareness of the national 2010 Census among their constituents. Senator Nicholas Scutari, Assemblywoman Linda Stender and Assemblyman Jerry Green stressed the importance of ensuring a precise count of residents both in the district and throughout the State as a whole.
"The need for an accurate count of the residents in our district and in our state has never been greater," Senator Scutari said. "It is imperative that New Jersey residents receive aid from all possible sources in these tough economic times. There are over 210 federal domestic assistance programs whose funding depends on the Census' ability to obtain an accurate count. Total participation is key to ensuring that residents receive our fair share of annual federal aid."
Some residents of New Jersey have in the past been unable or unwilling to participate in census activities. As a result some communities may not have been accurately counted in the past. Assemblyman Green stressed the importance of every household in the state participating in the census.
"People need to realize that we are in this together. The time has come for the residents in our district who are historically uncounted due to lack of participation in Census activities to take charge of their collective destinies," Green said. It is only fair to the residents of the 22nd District that they receive all possible benefit from federal stimulus monies that will be disbursed as a result of this Census. By standing up and being counted we will show that we will not remain silent on issues of great importance to our district and our State."
Assemblywoman Stender further underscored the importance of accurate counting for New Jersey residents in the Census and highlighted some key areas where federal funding is most needed.
"In 2008 over $20 billion was allocated to metropolitan areas for housing assitance," Stender said. "With roughly $400 billion in annual federal distributions for programs in the areas of housing, education, transportation, and health and senior services the importance of increased participation in this census cannot be overstated. I and my fellow legislators in the district see it as our personal mission to aid our constituents in every way to ensure that the much deserved and needed assistance is obtained."
"The need for an accurate count of the residents in our district and in our state has never been greater," Senator Scutari said. "It is imperative that New Jersey residents receive aid from all possible sources in these tough economic times. There are over 210 federal domestic assistance programs whose funding depends on the Census' ability to obtain an accurate count. Total participation is key to ensuring that residents receive our fair share of annual federal aid."
Some residents of New Jersey have in the past been unable or unwilling to participate in census activities. As a result some communities may not have been accurately counted in the past. Assemblyman Green stressed the importance of every household in the state participating in the census.
"People need to realize that we are in this together. The time has come for the residents in our district who are historically uncounted due to lack of participation in Census activities to take charge of their collective destinies," Green said. It is only fair to the residents of the 22nd District that they receive all possible benefit from federal stimulus monies that will be disbursed as a result of this Census. By standing up and being counted we will show that we will not remain silent on issues of great importance to our district and our State."
Assemblywoman Stender further underscored the importance of accurate counting for New Jersey residents in the Census and highlighted some key areas where federal funding is most needed.
"In 2008 over $20 billion was allocated to metropolitan areas for housing assitance," Stender said. "With roughly $400 billion in annual federal distributions for programs in the areas of housing, education, transportation, and health and senior services the importance of increased participation in this census cannot be overstated. I and my fellow legislators in the district see it as our personal mission to aid our constituents in every way to ensure that the much deserved and needed assistance is obtained."
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Straightening Out this Freeholder Fiasco
I have been reading Dan Damon’s blog for the past couple of days, and the reason why I have not responded earlier was the fact I was meeting with local elected officials, community leaders, and county officials dealing with Rayland Van Blake and what is best for Plainfield. , making sure Plainfield has a representative for the Freeholder Board.
I would like to begin by telling those watching as this issue unfolds, that Dan Damon with his misinformation, did more harm to Rayland Van Blake, than anyone else. Three years ago when I supported Rayland for Freeholder, we went before the screening committee of Union County to get the endorsement to run on the Freeholder slate. Some local chairpersons voiced their concerns about him as a councilperson, but I reassured them that he had a lot of potential, and that by giving him a chance, he would gain their support as well as get the job done.
Some chairpersons and Freeholders felt that that was not the case. With that, there was the possibility that he would not receive that same support he did three years ago. I have met with elected officials within the City to bring this concern to their attention, as well as prepare to support another candidate if the City did not support Rayland. I would say 80% of the people I have talked to were more concerned with Plainfield having a candidate on the ballot this year. The only time the issue with Linden came up was when people felt that Plainfield could not come up with a solid candidate. The issue was that any disorganization on the slate could hurt the entire ticket.
So we all agreed on Linda Carter as an alternative. At no time did I or other leaders in the City of Plainfield, not stand up for the City. When the County agreed they could support Linda Carter, we all agreed so.
Unfortunately, the information the blogs have been receiving is not true. I made it clear to Rayland that if he could get a majority vote from the municipal chairs in Union County, then I would have no problem being the swing vote for him.
So today, I am calling all 20 chairs in support of Linda Carter being put on the County Democratic slate for Freeholder this year.
I would like to begin by telling those watching as this issue unfolds, that Dan Damon with his misinformation, did more harm to Rayland Van Blake, than anyone else. Three years ago when I supported Rayland for Freeholder, we went before the screening committee of Union County to get the endorsement to run on the Freeholder slate. Some local chairpersons voiced their concerns about him as a councilperson, but I reassured them that he had a lot of potential, and that by giving him a chance, he would gain their support as well as get the job done.
Some chairpersons and Freeholders felt that that was not the case. With that, there was the possibility that he would not receive that same support he did three years ago. I have met with elected officials within the City to bring this concern to their attention, as well as prepare to support another candidate if the City did not support Rayland. I would say 80% of the people I have talked to were more concerned with Plainfield having a candidate on the ballot this year. The only time the issue with Linden came up was when people felt that Plainfield could not come up with a solid candidate. The issue was that any disorganization on the slate could hurt the entire ticket.
So we all agreed on Linda Carter as an alternative. At no time did I or other leaders in the City of Plainfield, not stand up for the City. When the County agreed they could support Linda Carter, we all agreed so.
Unfortunately, the information the blogs have been receiving is not true. I made it clear to Rayland that if he could get a majority vote from the municipal chairs in Union County, then I would have no problem being the swing vote for him.
So today, I am calling all 20 chairs in support of Linda Carter being put on the County Democratic slate for Freeholder this year.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
An Address from the New State Chairman of the Democratic Party, Chairman John Wisniewski
Dear NJ Democrats,
I'm writing you today to introduce myself as the new Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. I am honored that the elected members of the State Committee unanimously chose me and I am excited to take on the responsibility of reinvigorating our party.
We are all disappointed in the outcome of the election last November and know we cannot allow a repeat in 2010. At the same time we can't forget how much success this party has had in recent years, under my predecessor and colleague Assemblyman Joe Cryan;
-Electing US Senator Bob Menendez
-Re-electing US Senator Frank Lautenberg
-Giving President Barack Obama an 18 point victory
-Electing Congressman John Adler as the first Democrat in over 114 years to serve in Congressional District 3
-Winning Freeholder and Mayoral elections in places once thought impossible for Democrats to win
-Even on a tough Election Day last year, returning all 47 Democratic incumbent Assemblymembers to the Statehouse.
Although we face challenging times, we have an enormous opportunity to help New Jersey working families get ahead. We understand the concerns of those who worry about whether they can afford to live in our state, whether they will have a job to provide for their family and whether the economy will get back on track -- because these are the concerns of our friends, our families, and our neighbors.
The stakes are too high for Democrats not to succeed and we have much work to do. Democrats are the party of the people and we must renew our efforts to build the party from the bottom-up by strengthening relationships with candidates, activists and voters on the grassroots level.
Last weekend I was at the Democratic National Committee meeting in Washington, DC where President Obama reminded us of the array of challenges we are facing as a country. But even in the face of these challenges he and Democrats in Congress have accmplished much, including:
-Passed almost $300 billion in tax relief
-Passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
-Extended health care to four million more children
-Passed a Credit Card Bill of Rights to protect consumers from getting ripped off by credit card companies
-Appointing Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment with the most direct effect on New Jersayans was the signing of the Economic Recovery Act one year ago today. The stimulus program has already awarded over $4.5 billion to New Jersey and had provided funding for 21,493 jobs.
In Washington, President Obama told the crowd, '...if you look at a tally of the things we said we would do - even in the midst of this extraordinarily challenging economy - we've kept our promises. We've kept our commitments. We have moved forward on behalf of a more prosperous and more secure future for the American people.'
I look forward to working with our new leadership team of Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, and Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono and Assembly Majority Leader Joe Cryan. We should all be proud of how quickly they have gotten to work addressing turning around our state in a series of open meetings in Trenton and around the state to hear the concerns and ideas of New Jersey's citizens.
Over the next few months I look forward to having the same kind of dialogue with you. Soon we will be announcing a series of meetings to hear from local Democratic elected officials, county committee people and grassroots activists about what you think the State Party and Democrats in general should be doing as we enter this crucial stretch for our party.
In the meantime, please send me some of your ideas, whether broad strategy or specific action, for what we should be doing as a party across the state and in your area at ideas@njdems.org.
Thank you and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Sincerely,
Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Chair
I'm writing you today to introduce myself as the new Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. I am honored that the elected members of the State Committee unanimously chose me and I am excited to take on the responsibility of reinvigorating our party.
We are all disappointed in the outcome of the election last November and know we cannot allow a repeat in 2010. At the same time we can't forget how much success this party has had in recent years, under my predecessor and colleague Assemblyman Joe Cryan;
-Electing US Senator Bob Menendez
-Re-electing US Senator Frank Lautenberg
-Giving President Barack Obama an 18 point victory
-Electing Congressman John Adler as the first Democrat in over 114 years to serve in Congressional District 3
-Winning Freeholder and Mayoral elections in places once thought impossible for Democrats to win
-Even on a tough Election Day last year, returning all 47 Democratic incumbent Assemblymembers to the Statehouse.
Although we face challenging times, we have an enormous opportunity to help New Jersey working families get ahead. We understand the concerns of those who worry about whether they can afford to live in our state, whether they will have a job to provide for their family and whether the economy will get back on track -- because these are the concerns of our friends, our families, and our neighbors.
The stakes are too high for Democrats not to succeed and we have much work to do. Democrats are the party of the people and we must renew our efforts to build the party from the bottom-up by strengthening relationships with candidates, activists and voters on the grassroots level.
Last weekend I was at the Democratic National Committee meeting in Washington, DC where President Obama reminded us of the array of challenges we are facing as a country. But even in the face of these challenges he and Democrats in Congress have accmplished much, including:
-Passed almost $300 billion in tax relief
-Passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
-Extended health care to four million more children
-Passed a Credit Card Bill of Rights to protect consumers from getting ripped off by credit card companies
-Appointing Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment with the most direct effect on New Jersayans was the signing of the Economic Recovery Act one year ago today. The stimulus program has already awarded over $4.5 billion to New Jersey and had provided funding for 21,493 jobs.
In Washington, President Obama told the crowd, '...if you look at a tally of the things we said we would do - even in the midst of this extraordinarily challenging economy - we've kept our promises. We've kept our commitments. We have moved forward on behalf of a more prosperous and more secure future for the American people.'
I look forward to working with our new leadership team of Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, and Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono and Assembly Majority Leader Joe Cryan. We should all be proud of how quickly they have gotten to work addressing turning around our state in a series of open meetings in Trenton and around the state to hear the concerns and ideas of New Jersey's citizens.
Over the next few months I look forward to having the same kind of dialogue with you. Soon we will be announcing a series of meetings to hear from local Democratic elected officials, county committee people and grassroots activists about what you think the State Party and Democrats in general should be doing as we enter this crucial stretch for our party.
In the meantime, please send me some of your ideas, whether broad strategy or specific action, for what we should be doing as a party across the state and in your area at ideas@njdems.org.
Thank you and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Sincerely,
Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Chair
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Gay Marriage Debate
Reading Bo Vastine’s response to Cory Storch’s blog today shows that he clearly stays within his Republican circles of friends when discussing the issue of gay marriage.
I have lobbied, spoken out, and even been quoted in the newspaper as to my position on gay marriage. Since Bo feels that this group of people are sick because of how they choose to live, then he does not have a clue to as who supports them, and who does not. In both my inner circles as well as publically I have supported gay marriage. I did not begin my support of this issue during this past election.
Last year when Garden State Equality, a gay rights group, had a huge event in our State, I was invited and recognized by the organization as one of their key supporters. I have gone around the State in support of their efforts. Unfortunately, Bo Vastine does not have a clue as to this issue of the State level.
Let us stop playing games with this issue: either you support it or you do not. It is obvious from Bo Vastine’s remarks is that he does NOT support gay marriage. He needs to send that sort of definitive answer as opposed to playing minds games. Bo Vastine is the same person who ran for a seat in the Assembly and was too embarrassed to wave his Republican flag.
I was taught that if you do not have anything nice to say, you keep it to yourself. Therefore, Bo, if you are not support this initiative, be quiet. I say this because upon reading and hearing Bo Vastine’s remarks against gay marriage, it is unnerving because you can feel the hate and disdain he has for gay marriage.
I have lobbied, spoken out, and even been quoted in the newspaper as to my position on gay marriage. Since Bo feels that this group of people are sick because of how they choose to live, then he does not have a clue to as who supports them, and who does not. In both my inner circles as well as publically I have supported gay marriage. I did not begin my support of this issue during this past election.
Last year when Garden State Equality, a gay rights group, had a huge event in our State, I was invited and recognized by the organization as one of their key supporters. I have gone around the State in support of their efforts. Unfortunately, Bo Vastine does not have a clue as to this issue of the State level.
Let us stop playing games with this issue: either you support it or you do not. It is obvious from Bo Vastine’s remarks is that he does NOT support gay marriage. He needs to send that sort of definitive answer as opposed to playing minds games. Bo Vastine is the same person who ran for a seat in the Assembly and was too embarrassed to wave his Republican flag.
I was taught that if you do not have anything nice to say, you keep it to yourself. Therefore, Bo, if you are not support this initiative, be quiet. I say this because upon reading and hearing Bo Vastine’s remarks against gay marriage, it is unnerving because you can feel the hate and disdain he has for gay marriage.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
News from Assemblyman Green
For Release:
Dec. 23, 2009
Assemblyman Jerry Green
P: (908) 561-5757
E-mail: AsmGreen@njleg.org
www.assemblydems.com
GREEN: AID FOR PLAINFIELD
(PLAINFIELD) – Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green (D-Plainfield) yesterday welcomed $250,000 in extraordinary aid (from the Dept. of Community Affairs) and $199,401 in municipal aid (unfrozen by the Corzine administration) for the City of Plainfield:
“This is money that was promised to Plainfield to benefit its property taxpayers, so I’m pleased the administration has done the right thing.
I, along with the help of Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs and Bibi Taylor - Director of Administration & Finance, worked with the administration to get this done because denying Plainfield this money would have had a disastrous impact for the city, whether through increased property taxes or severe cuts in vital services.
Money promised to Plainfield should be delivered to Plainfield, and I’m glad to see the correct thing will be done here."
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