Bonnie Watson Coleman

WATSON COLEMAN STATEMENT ON ‘SECOND CHANCE’ HEARING TO FIND WAYS TO HELP THOSE RELEASED FROM PRISON AVOID RETURNING TO CRIME

Strong Showing at Somerset Hearing Shows Public Support For Improving Services, Opportunities for Prisoners

(SOMERSET) – Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman said public input received today during the first of several hearings held to find ways to help those released from prison avoid returning to crime shows the need for quick legislative action.

MAJORITY LEADER TO CONVENE ‘SECOND CHANCE’ HEARINGS ACROSS NEW JERSEY TO HELP PRISONERS AVOID RETURNING TO CRIME

(TRENTON) – Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman today announced she will convene hearings throughout New Jersey on how services for inmates and their families can be improved to help released prisoners avoid returning to crime.

Watson Coleman said the “Second Chance Hearings” will hear from experts and citizens on how the state can overhaul programs to prevent recidivism and save taxpayer money.

New Jersey spends $30,000 to $40,000 per year per inmate, about twice as much as the per-pupil cost to educate a child.

“From a fiscal and a social perspective, it makes more sense to focus on keeping people out of jail,” Watson Coleman said.

WATSON COLEMAN WELCOMES EFFORT TO PROMOTE BENEFITS OF HOUSING REFORMS

(TRENTON) – Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman today welcomed plans by housing and community advocates to launch a statewide campaign to spread the truth about recent housing reforms and demonstrate how the changes are improving lives across New Jersey.

WATSON COLEMAN HAILS PASSAGE OF BALLOT MEASURE TO REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL FOR STATE BORROWING

(TRENTON) – Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman tonight hailed voter approval of a ballot question she sponsored to require voter approval when the state borrows money.

State Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex)

JERSEY CITY - Asked about state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) as a potential candidate for lieutenant governor, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-Hoboken) said he liked the idea.

"She is one of several people in our party who would be an excellent candidate," Menendez told PolitickernJ.com at an Obama rally on Saturday. "It's the governor's decision ultimately, of course, and I do not envy him, because there are numerous qualified people."

Other potential lieutenant governor candidates among the Democrats include Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing).

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS REACT TO VOTING SESSION FOCUSED ON PROTECTING RESIDENTS FROM ECONOMIC MELTDOWN

Assembly Passes Nearly 30 Bills Designed to Jumpstart State Economy & Help Insulate Residents, Businesses from Global Recession

(TRENTON) - Assembly Democrats today issued the following multimedia package following an Assembly voting session that considered nearly 30 bills to jumpstart the state's economy and help protect residents and businesses from the continuing global economic meltdown.

ASSEMBLY APPROVES MAKING IT EASIER FOR NONPROFITS TO HELP STRUGGLING FAMILIES STAY IN THEIR HOMES

Measure Would Exempt From State Fees Nonprofits Who Rescue Homeowners From Foreclosures.

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman to make it easier for nonprofits to rescue homeowners facing foreclosure was approved 76-3 today by the Assembly.

“An increasing number of foreclosures nationwide continue to rip apart our communities, and New Jersey is no exception,” Watson Coleman said. “We need to remove any obstacle that stands in the way of keeping families in their homes and letting them fulfill that American dream.”

ASSEMBLY PASSES GUSCIORA/WATSON COLEMAN/EVANS “MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT”

First-in-the-Nation ‘Right To Repair Act’ Would Give Owners New Rights When Seeking Car Repairs

(TRENTON) – The Assembly today passed legislation Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assemblywoman Elease Evans are sponsoring to provide New Jersey drivers unprecedented choice in the automotive repair marketplace.

The “Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act” (A-803) would give motorists the ability to obtain all information necessary to provide for the diagnosis, service and repair of their vehicles – eliminating the need for a trip to a dealership for routine maintenance and repairs.

WATSON COLEMAN WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT
OF LISA JACKSON AS GOVERNOR'S CHIEF OF STAFF

(TRENTON) - Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman today applauded Governor Jon S. Corzine's naming of state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson to be his new chief of staff, saying the administration is tapping one of its "brightest and most-capable minds."

ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS GUSCIORA/WATSON COLEMAN/EVANS “MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT”

First-in-the-Nation ‘Right To Repair Act’ Would Give Owners New Rights When Seeking Car Repairs

(TRENTON) – Landmark legislation Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assemblywoman Elease Evans are sponsoring to provide New Jersey drivers unprecedented choice in the automotive repair marketplace was released today by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.