Tuesday, December 18, 2012

BETTYLOU DeCROCE SWORN INTO ASSEMBLY

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, R- Morris, Essex and Passaic, who won a special election in November to serve the unexpired term of her late husband Alex DeCroce, was sworn in today to the General Assembly. In January, DeCroce was elected by the Republican County Committee to represent the 26th Legislative District until November’s election. Assemblywoman DeCroce joins Senator Joe Pennacchio and Assemblyman Jay Webber serving the 26th Legislative District.

DeCroce has over 30 years of experience serving at various levels of government. Prior to her service in the Assembly, DeCroce served as a councilwoman in Mine Hill and as the Roxbury Township municipal clerk and deputy township manager. Most recently, she served as deputy commissioner in the state Department of Community Affairs.

“I am honored to represent the people of the 26th Legislative District,” said DeCroce. “I have spent my professional career serving the public, and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the effort to make New Jersey a better place to live and work. I am committed to serving the needs of my constituents and intend to be a voice that represents the interests of taxpayers. I am sure Alex would be happy that I am able to serve the public as he proudly did for over 20 years.”

Commenting on DeCroce’s swearing in, along with her Republican colleague Assemblywoman Donna Simon, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick said, “I am so very proud to lead a caucus that has state representatives as talented and honest as Assemblywomen DeCroce and Simon. They are true treasures of the state of New Jersey and their districts are very fortunate to have them as their advocates.”

Monday, December 17, 2012

WEBBER-BUCCO-DeCROCE BILL ON EDUCATIONAL COSTS FOR STUDENTS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS APPROVED BY ASSEMBLY

Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Jay Webber, R-Morris, Essex and Passaic, supporting women and families in domestic violence shelters and the communities that host them, was approved by the General Assembly today.

In addition to Webber, other primary sponsors include Assembly Republicans Anthony M. Bucco and BettyLou DeCroce.

“This bill is the result of the unanimous support of the Assembly which recognizes the financial burdens presently imposed on towns that provide transitional facilities for battered women and their children,” said Webber, who is a member of the Assembly Budget Committee. “During the budget hearings this year, the committee heard testimony that drew its attention to the school funding obligation placed on the municipality where these facilities are located if the student resides there beyond one year. The typical stay at a transitional facility is two years, requiring the host town to absorb the cost of the second year of the student’s education.

“This bill removes the unfair financial burden on the host municipalities that house victims of abuse from communities across the state and will help sustain the viability of the transitional housing facilities which provide the compassionate care these abused victims need and deserve,” Webber stated.

The legislation, A-3164/S-2120, which received unanimous support in the Assembly (77-0), would take effect in the 2012/13 school year. The bill stipulates the State will pay the educational costs of students who reside in a domestic violence shelter or transitional living facility for more than one year. The Departments of Education and Children and Families will establish rules to identify those facilities that qualify as transitional living facilities or domestic violence shelters.

“New Jersey’s per-pupil costs are a drain on local budgets,” said Anthony M. Bucco, R-Morris and Somerset, who is also a member of the Budget Committee. “Communities with shelters that house students who live in these facilities are forced to bear an inequitable fiscal burden. At a time when host towns are trying to cut costs, but preserve services while keeping property tax rates in check, this bill helps alleviate the costly burden municipalities are incurring.”

An administrative law court’s decision in 2010 interpreted conflicting statutes and concluded that once a family in transition lives within a school district for 12 consecutive months, the financial responsibility of any school age children in that family is the host district’s responsibility.

“Municipalities around the state are strapped for cash as it is,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Essex and Passaic. “Requiring them to bear this additional fiscal burden on their own isn’t fair. At the same time, we have a responsibility to assist victims of abuse who face dire situations through no fault of their own. This legislation is an equitable solution.”

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

DECROCE GENERATOR BILL INCLUDES TAX INCENTIVES

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, R-Morris, Passaic and Essex, has sponsored legislation requiring gas stations, nursing homes and other critical facilities to have generator backup power during declared emergencies. To help implement the generator program, DeCroce has included in her legislation a tax incentive to make the upgrades affordable to businesses.

DeCroce’s bill, “The N.J. Residents Power Protection Act” (A 3495), would address the power outage problems suffered by many residents during Hurricane Sandy by requiring vital and unique facilities to install either natural gas or propane powered generators. Those facilities would extend beyond gas stations and nursing homes to include private assisted living facilities, Class C (dementia patients) boarding homes, pharmacies and all firehouses and emergency medical facilities.

“I am not an advocate of government mandates, but after witnessing what occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy it is clear that there are holes in our economic and safety network that need to be mended. We need to ensure that power is available for key businesses and institutions during emergencies,” said DeCroce.

To offset the cost of the generator upgrades the bill provides for a corporation business tax deduction and gross income tax deduction (not to exceed $10,000 in either case), and a sales tax exemption, for the purchase of applicable equipment by the business and facilities covered under the Power Protection Act.
DeCroce said the economic incentive portion of the Power Protection Act is vital to moving it forward in the legislature.

“I would not add another government mandate on businesses without an offsetting tax incentive that will mitigate the cost of the improvement,” said DeCroce. “I strongly believe in the need to have backup power supplies for key industries and health providers during natural disasters.

“It’s the right thing to do for residents and for our economy,” explained DeCroce. “Government and business must work together to make the kinds of improvements needed to benefit the citizens of New Jersey during extraordinary events like Hurricane Sandy.”

DeCroce’s legislation would require the backup energy come from natural gas generators — where natural gas is available — or propane stored in above-ground tanks. The generators would be hard wired into the facilities’ electrical systems to provide near instantaneous power in a blackout and would restore a majority of the power needed for basic services.

DeCroce noted that by hardwiring generators to facilities, there would be less need for extension cords coursing through nursing homes.

“Extension cords snaking through nursing homes are an invitation to disaster,” continued DeCroce. “The cords pose a hazard to elderly people in wheelchairs or those whose mobility is assisted by walkers and canes.”

CONVENIENCE STORES

DeCroce’s legislation would also require backup power sources for any new construction of grocery stores or convenience stores. She predicted that generator costs would be offset, not only by the tax deductions, but by a reduction in food spoilage and the stores’ ability to continue business during natural disasters. She noted that many convenience store owners were scrambling for generators before the hurricane hit and those without generators fought to save perishable food.

“With natural gas powered generators in place, convenience stores can stay open, maintain an income flow and prevent the loss of their perishable items,” said DeCroce.

“All these facilities that provide vital services to the public – whether they are emergency response buildings, gas stations, grocery stores or nursing homes – should have the backup power necessary to serve the needs of our residents and our economy,” said DeCroce.

“The technology is there to be used; let’s put it to good work before the next major storm hits our region,” added the assemblywoman.