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.”
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
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.”
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.
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.
Friday, November 30, 2012
TEMPORARY DISASTER RELIEF EMPLOYMENT
If you are interested in finding temp work while New Jersey rebuilds after Hurricane Sandy, please call 877-682-6238 or e-mail SandyHelp@dol.state.nj.us.
You may also send your resume to FEMA-NJ-localhire-jobs@fema.dh
You may also send your resume to FEMA-NJ-localhire-jobs@fema.dh
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
KEY DISASTER RECOVERY CONTACT INFORMATION
1. FEMA: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585
2. Business Assistance Services:
N.J. Business Action Center http://www.newjerseybusiness.gov/ or 1-866-534-7789
U.S. Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/content/
3. Disaster Mental Help Hotline – 1-877-4357 or 2-1-1
4. Disaster Unemployment Insurance (now covering all 21 counties)
North Jersey – 201-601-4100
Central Jersey – 732-761-2020
South Jersey – 856-507-2340
Out-of-State – 888-795-6672
5. Volunteer – 1-800-537-7397
6. Donate – N.J. Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund organized by the Governor and Mary Pat Christie http://www.sandynjrelieffund.org/.
For additional disaster-related contact information, visit the Assembly Republican website at http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/
or visit the state’s web page, http://www.nj.gov/ (click on Hurricane Sandy Information Center).
2. Business Assistance Services:
N.J. Business Action Center http://www.newjerseybusiness.gov/ or 1-866-534-7789
U.S. Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/content/
3. Disaster Mental Help Hotline – 1-877-4357 or 2-1-1
4. Disaster Unemployment Insurance (now covering all 21 counties)
North Jersey – 201-601-4100
Central Jersey – 732-761-2020
South Jersey – 856-507-2340
Out-of-State – 888-795-6672
5. Volunteer – 1-800-537-7397
6. Donate – N.J. Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund organized by the Governor and Mary Pat Christie http://www.sandynjrelieffund.org/.
For additional disaster-related contact information, visit the Assembly Republican website at http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/
or visit the state’s web page, http://www.nj.gov/ (click on Hurricane Sandy Information Center).
Monday, November 5, 2012
DECROCE OFFERS LEGISLATION REQUIRING BACK UP GENERATORS FOR VITAL FACILITIES SERVING THE PUBLIC
Assemblywoman Drafts NJ Residents Power Protection Act
(Parsippany, NJ) In the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s devastating impact on New Jersey’s power grid, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-26th) is sponsoring legislation requiring gas stations, nursing homes and certain other critical facilities to have generator backup power.
DeCroce said certain facilities which provide critical and unique services that protect public safety and help economic recovery must have secondary sources of power.
“We cannot allow our frail elderly in nursing homes to be at the mercy of high winds and rains that topple trees and power lines,” said DeCroce. “And neither can we tolerate long lines at a handful of operating gas stations as people try to get fuel to run their home generators or to operate their cars.”
Besides requiring gas stations and nursing homes to have backup generators, DeCroce’s N.J. Residents Power Protection Act would require public and private assisted living facilities, Class C (dementia patients ) boarding homes and all firehouses and emergency medical facilities to have a full source of backup power.
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.
Natural gas and propane are preferable to gasoline powered generators, said DeCroce because the source of energy would be more constant and reliable and would eliminate the hazards posed by gasoline powered generators, which emit harmful fumes and pose a fire risk. She noted that there were at least two deaths reported from fumes of a gas powered generator -- two teenage girls in Newark – who kept the generator too close to a window.
DeCroce also said that by hardwiring generators to facilities, there would be less need for extension cords coursing through nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
“Extension cords snaking through nursing homes are an invitation to disaster,” said DeCroce. “The cords pose a hazard to elderly people in wheelchairs or those whose mobility is assisted by walkers and canes.”
DeCroce’s legislation would also require backup power sources for any new construction of grocery stores or convenience stores.
“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 needed 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 use before the next major storm hits our region,” added the assemblywoman.
DeCroce said she is seeking bipartisan support for the legislation. “Storm victims are not Republicans or Democrats, they are our friends and neighbors,” she said.
Contact Info:
Tel: 973-265-0057
(Parsippany, NJ) In the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s devastating impact on New Jersey’s power grid, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-26th) is sponsoring legislation requiring gas stations, nursing homes and certain other critical facilities to have generator backup power.
DeCroce said certain facilities which provide critical and unique services that protect public safety and help economic recovery must have secondary sources of power.
“We cannot allow our frail elderly in nursing homes to be at the mercy of high winds and rains that topple trees and power lines,” said DeCroce. “And neither can we tolerate long lines at a handful of operating gas stations as people try to get fuel to run their home generators or to operate their cars.”
Besides requiring gas stations and nursing homes to have backup generators, DeCroce’s N.J. Residents Power Protection Act would require public and private assisted living facilities, Class C (dementia patients ) boarding homes and all firehouses and emergency medical facilities to have a full source of backup power.
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.
Natural gas and propane are preferable to gasoline powered generators, said DeCroce because the source of energy would be more constant and reliable and would eliminate the hazards posed by gasoline powered generators, which emit harmful fumes and pose a fire risk. She noted that there were at least two deaths reported from fumes of a gas powered generator -- two teenage girls in Newark – who kept the generator too close to a window.
DeCroce also said that by hardwiring generators to facilities, there would be less need for extension cords coursing through nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
“Extension cords snaking through nursing homes are an invitation to disaster,” said DeCroce. “The cords pose a hazard to elderly people in wheelchairs or those whose mobility is assisted by walkers and canes.”
DeCroce’s legislation would also require backup power sources for any new construction of grocery stores or convenience stores.
“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 needed 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 use before the next major storm hits our region,” added the assemblywoman.
DeCroce said she is seeking bipartisan support for the legislation. “Storm victims are not Republicans or Democrats, they are our friends and neighbors,” she said.
Contact Info:
Tel: 973-265-0057
Thursday, September 20, 2012
DeCROCE: TIME FOR ASSEMBLY TO GET BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF REFORM
Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce / 973-265-0057
Assembly Republican Press Office / 609-847-3400
Assembly Republican Press Office / 609-847-3400
Now that the Assembly Budget Committee has received its update from the Office of Legislative Services (OLS) on the state’s revenue picture, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, R-Morris, Passaic and Essex , said it is time for the people’s house to take up the people’s business.
“On Wednesday, we heard an update from OLS that now is not the time to hit the panic button on the state’s financial situation,” said DeCroce. “The Assembly Democrats went out of their way to convince everyone their committee hearing was not about politics. With no earth-shattering revelations from OLS, I hope they recognize that it is time to move forward and begin to tackle the unfinished business which taxpayers deserve."
DeCroce said she supports the call for the Assembly to take up the issues that have not been addressed, such as a middle class tax cut, closing the loopholes being exploited by municipalities in the property tax cap law, reforming payouts for unused sick days and enacting good government legislation.
“I hope the chairpersons of the respective committees will put meaningful bills on their agendas that address the important issues,” said DeCroce. “We should be devoting time to debate legislation that drives down the cost of government, returns money to the most overtaxed people in the country and holds government and elected officials accountable for their actions. It is time to have constructive conversations and put aside the transparent political attacks. People expect their elected officials to fix problems, not avoid them.”
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