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Frank Lautenberg

Saturday, December 29, 2012

U.S. Senate Approves Sandy Relief Bill

The $60.4 billion aid package needs to pass in Congress before it reaches the President's desk.

A $60.4 billion Hurricane Sandy relief bill was approved by the U.S. Senate Friday, New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg's office announced, putting it a House of Representatives passage away from reaching President Barack Obama's desk for certain signing.  The bill was crafted in part by Lautenberg, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, and would primarily benefit New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The aid package, requested by Obama and championed by state officials, including Gov. Chris Christie, passed with bipartisan support in the Senate, 62-32. Congress has yet to vote on the bill, though the Republican controlled House has raised significant opposition to the aid package. At a recent town hall, Christie urged …

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Booker Mulling Senate Run, Won't Challenge Christie

Speculation about Newark mayor's plans swirled for months

Newark Mayor Cory Booker ended months of speculation Thursday when he announced that he was considering a run for US Senate. “[I] will complete my full second term as mayor. As for my political future, I will explore the possibility of running for The United States Senate in 2014,” Booker  said in a statement released shortly before noon. Political observers in the state and beyond have speculated whether Booker, 43, a Rhodes scholar and Bergen County native, would run for governor against Chris Christie in 2013 or seek the Senate seat now held by Booker’s fellow Democrat Frank Lautenberg. Lautenberg, at 88 the Senate’s oldest member, has not announced any plans to step down when his term expires in 2014. In his statement, Booker’s …

Thursday, October 27, 2011

NJ Politicians Remind Teens: It Gets Better

Both Democrats and Republicans contribute a video to the popular site.

New Jersey Republicans and Democrats recently contributed an "It Gets Better" video, a worldwide movement reminding LGBT teenagers they are not alone. The It Gets Better Project was founded last year by author and journalist Dan Savage and his husband Terry Miller, in response to teen bullying, harassment and, in some cases, suicides. More than 25,000 videos have been submitted to the website by celebrities, organizations, activists, and now, New Jersey legislators. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both Democrats, contributed to the video, as well as Rep. Jon Runyan (R-3), Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) and Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9), who represents Fort Lee in Congress, among others.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Pension and Health Care Reform Bill Heads to Assembly

Opponents of the reforms, which were approved by the Senate on Monday, have called the legislation an attack on the middle class.

Proposed legislation to increase contributions by public employees to their health care and pension costs is expected to be approved by the state Assembly today, clearing its final hurdle before heading to Gov. Chris Christie to be signed into law. The state Senate adopted the pension and health care reform bill on Monday by a margin of 24-15, with 16 Republican Senators and eight Democrats voting in favor of bill S-2937. The bill would require teachers, state and local government workers to pay an additional 1 percent of their salaries toward their pensions as of July 1, and an additional 1 percent phased in over the next seven years for a total of 7.5 percent. Police and firefighters would pay an additional 1.5 percent of their salaries …

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