DeCroce Bill Ensuring More Fuel In Emergencies Signed Into Law As Hurricane Joaquin Threatens Coastal New Jersey

Assembly Republican Press Release -

Less than three years after Superstorm Sandy slammed the coast and as another hurricane churns its way toward New Jersey, legislation sponsored by Assembly Republican BettyLou DeCroce to ensure gasoline supplies during a state of emergency was signed into law by Governor Christie today.

“In a crisis, we want to protect people from being stranded and left in the cold,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Essex and Passaic. ”After Sandy hit, gasoline became scarce in some hard-hit parts of the state. Desperate for fuel for their cars or generators, people waited in line for hours. Many filling stations simply ran out of gas. We can protect the public by making more fuel available during an emergency by allowing fuel dealers to sell higher grade fuel at the lower grade price. It’s a lesson we learned in Sandy.”

Previously, dealers were mandated to sell fuel at its posted price, which cannot be changed more than once during a 24 hour period. The new law allows a retailer to sell higher grade fuel at a lower price during an energy emergency when the dealer runs out of lower grade fuel.

DeCroce’s bill, A-1733 was unanimously approved by both the General Assembly and the Senate.

African American Chamber of Commerce Presents DeCroce with "Women Who Empower" Award

Assembly Republican Press Release -

Assembly Republican BettyLou DeCroce was honored at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) luncheon Wednesday, Aug. 26. DeCroce was presented with the “Women Who Empower” award during the luncheon, part of the organization’s 2015 Speaker Series.

“I am honored to be recognized by this outstanding organization that does so much great work promoting self-sufficiency, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the best aspects of capitalism in our communities,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Essex and Passaic. “This award symbolizes the economic empowerment of men and women to believe in themselves and achieve personal and business success. Our country was built on that same independent spirit.”

John E. Harmon Sr., President / CEO of the AACCNJ and Regional Vice President of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, said DeCroce, “Has been an outstanding partner who, as a small business owner herself, understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and others to be successful in New Jersey. We cannot thank her enough for all she has done through the years to help our organization, first as a Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs and now as a Legislator.”

The AACCNJ is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activities within the State of New Jersey and via interaction with the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

For more information, visit the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey web site at www.AACCNJ.com.

DeCroce Bill to Prevent Gas Shortages During Emergencies Headed to Governor's Desk

Source: Assembly Republican Press Release -

The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Assembly Republican BettyLou DeCroce to prevent gas shortages during declared states of emergency. The bill, a response to a lesson learned from Super Storm Sandy, cleared the Assembly in June and is now moves to Gov. Christie’s desk to await action.

“This measure will help make more fuel available to motorists during an emergency by allowing fuel dealers to sell higher grade fuel at the lower grade price,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Essex and Passaic. “Gasoline became scarce in some parts of the state after Super Storm Sandy. People waited for hours in line to buy gas for their vehicles and generators, and many stations ran out. In an emergency, we don’t want people stranded and left in the cold.”

Under current law, fuel must be sold at its posted price which cannot be changed more than once during a 24 hour period. DeCroce’s bill, A-1733, allows a retailer to sell higher grade fuel at a lower price during an energy emergency when the dealer runs out of lower grade fuel.

Assembly Approves DeCroce Bill on Gasoline Availability During Emergencies

Press Release – Super Storm Sandy forced a gasoline supply interruption in New Jersey that inflicted pain on many people’s lives and disrupted business activities for a week. Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, R-Morris, Essex, Passaic, sponsored legislation to help change the way fuel is sold in the state and to make more gasoline available. The General Assembly has acted on one of her bills and is waiting to act on another.

DeCroce’s bill, A-1733, allows a retailer to sell higher grade fuel at a lower price anytime during a declared emergency when the dealer runs out of lower grade fuel. Under current law, fuel must be sold at its posted price which cannot be changed more than once during a 24 hour period.

DeCroce said her legislation will allow consumers to save money. “It’s an important step to ensuring that we don’t have a repeat of the chaos we saw at gas stations during Sandy.”

DeCroce said she hopes the Assembly leadership will consider a companion bill, A-1732, that would remove regulatory barriers to importing gasoline from nearby states during times of natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy. The legislation automatically suspends — during a declared state of emergency — the distributor’s license requirement to import or deliver motor fuel from another state into New Jersey for 10 days or a time period determined by the governor via executive order. Under the bill, non-licensed distributors must document their New Jersey sales and pay all applicable state taxes state residents.

In the aftermath of Sandy in late October 2012 fuel supplies for New Jersey refineries were interrupted, but plenty of gasoline was available from suppliers in nearby states. That gasoline, however, could not be delivered under current law.

“My objective with these two bills is to strip away some the bureaucratic rigidity we have in this state so we can better respond to people’s needs in an emergency,” said DeCroce.

DeCroce said people who waited in long lines to get gasoline in 2012 were incensed when they learned that tanker trucks were waiting at the state border to deliver gasoline, but could not because of state regulations.

“There are some regulations that simply don’t make sense; and rules that hamper gas supplies or make it difficult to sell gasoline that is available during an emergency have to be addressed,” she said.

“I’m glad my colleagues in the Assembly approved A-1733 and now I hope the Assembly leadership will move quickly on A-1732. We are in the midst of hurricane season and I am sure no one wants to live through the fuel disruptions that we did three years ago if we are hit with another major storm,” said DeCroce.

Rumana- DeCroce-Clifton on Port Authority Legislation- Let's Get It Done

Press Release – Assembly Republicans Scott Rumana, BettyLou DeCroce and Rob Clifton, all members of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee, today issued the joint statement below following testimony by Port Authority Chairman John Degnan on the proposal by Governors Christie and Cuomo to reform the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey:

“Rhetoric won’t reform the Port Authority. The legislation proposed by Governors Christie and Cuomo is a comprehensive and substantive plan that meets our goals for reforming the Port Authority. The Port Authority chairman assured us today that any joint projects already planned won’t be adversely affected by this bill. Let’s work together and get the job done now.”

The New York Legislative website reports that the New York Assembly has heard the companion bill before two of its committees. A vote is possible tomorrow.

DeCroce Named to Vital Education Subcommittee

Source: Assembly Republican Press Release -

A member of the Joint Committee on the Public Schools, Assembly Republican BettyLou DeCroce has been designated to serve on the newly formed Subcommittee on Student and Field Services.

“Educating our children is one of state government’s most important roles. I am committed to finding the tools to deliver the best opportunity to every New Jersey student at a cost that is affordable,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Essex and Passaic. “Our energy should be dedicated to finding innovative ways to teach our kids. We must provide pathways to success for our children as they prepare for the future. The challenges facing them are unlike any we have experienced in the past. It is critically important for us to review, enhance and improve our educational systems to help our young minds succeed.”

This subcommittee deals with issues pertaining to special education, after school programs, and career and technical education.

DeCroce Bill Establishing "Out-of-School Time" to Improve Programs Wins Committee Approval

Legislation (A-4119/S-300) sponsored by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce establishing a 20-member commission to evaluate the effectiveness of before-school, after-school and summer school programs won unanimous support from the Assembly Education Committee today.

“Urban, suburban and rural settings provide different challenges to operating out-of-school programs. One size does not fit all,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Passaic and Essex. “The committee’s wide diversity of stakeholders will provide objective and best practice recommendations that can be applied to programs across the state. The commission’s goal is to ensure our children are protected, learning and participating in physical activities.”

The commission will issue an interim report of its recommendations, including any legislation, to the governor, the Senate Education Committee, and the Assembly Education Committee, no later than one year after its first meeting.