Matthew Milam

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS COMMENTARY ON PASSAGE OF INVESTNJ BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM

Measure Would Promote Job-Growth and Aid Business Retention

(TRENTON) - Assembly Democrats today issued the following multimedia package on the 55-23 vote to pass legislation (A-3294), which would expand New Jersey's business retention and job creation program.

All eighty seats in the New Jersey General Assembly are up next year, with Democrats in strong shape to keep their majority under a legislative map that creates relatively few competitive races.

Republicans feel that they have a good chance to go on the offensive this year, even if taking control of the Assembly, where Democrats have a 48-32 majority, is an unlikely prospect. Assembly Republican Executive Director Rick Wright thinks the gubernatorial candidacy of U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, one of four Republicans actively exploring a statewide bid, would boost his party’s chances to pick up Assembly seats.

“It all depends on who our gubernatorial candidate is. I know there’s a lot of excitement out there about Chris Christie. If and when he makes his decision, that will help us in our recruiting. We have people out there sitting and saying I want to see what Chris Christie does,” Wright said. “A lot of county chairmen think we have a much better chance of success in gubernatorial and legislative races if Chris Christie is at the top of the ticket.”

The defeat of three-term Cumberland County Sheriff Michael Barruzza by 1,569 votes -- a 52%-48% margin -- could be good news for the state GOP.  Now Barruzza, a former Vineland police officer, could emerge as a strong challenger to Democratic Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam in 2009.  And one Republican insider says that if Republicans are able to recruit Barruzza to run for Assemblyman, it might help them convince their other top choice, Cape May County Freeholder (and Sea Isle City Mayor) Leonard Desiderio to reconsider his decision not to run.  That Republican suggests that a Desiderio/Barruzza ticket would be most formidable next year as the GOP looks for places to make gains in the Legislature.

ALBANO/MILAM MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE ON LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL BEACH DUMPING

Two-Bill Package Would Increase Fines for Dumping; Permanently Revoke Licenses for Medical Professionals Convicted of Illegal Dumping

(VINELAND) - Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam (both D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May) today issued a multimedia package on their legislation to enhance the penalties associated with illegally dumping medical waste in New Jersey.

The two-bill package was crafted after several South Jersey beaches were forced to close before Labor Day weekend following the discovery of illegally dumped medical waste that had washed ashore. As many as 225 syringes and other medical waste were found in Avalon - leading borough officials to close beaches four times. Syringes also washed ashore in Berkeley, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Brigantine and Upper Township.

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.

VAN DREW/ALBANO/MILAM CALL RULING OF STATE POLICE RURAL PATROLS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE 'A VICTORY'

Council on Local Mandates' Decision Will Save Property Taxpayers Millions

(TRENTON) - First District Legislators Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam (all D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May) today hailed a decision of the State of New Jersey Council on Local Mandates declaring language in the fiscal year 2009 state budget to be an unfunded mandate 'a victory for property taxpayers.'

The language in question would have required the 89 municipalities that rely on rural State Police patrols to pay for the service, which carries a price tag of $12.6 million dollars.  The council, in a verbal statement, ruled that "line 8 on page 158 of the Annual Appropriations Act to line 17 on page 159, inclusive, constitutes an unfunded mandate and is null and void."

ALBANO/MILAM MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE ON LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE, EXPAND NJ'S COASTAL EVACUATION READINESS

10-Bill Package Would Ensure State is Prepared if Disaster Strikes

(VINELAND) - Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam (both D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May) today issued a multimedia package on their legislative package to improve New Jersey's preparedness and responsiveness in the event of a regional or statewide coastal evacuation.

STRENGTHENING NEW JERSEY’S ECONOMY

TODAY’S ASSEMBLY STEPS ARE LATEST SIGNIFICANT MEASURES TAKEN TO BOLSTER STATE’S BUSINESS CLIMATE

(TRENTON) –Today’s Assembly efforts to help middle-class New Jerseyans and the small businesses that employ them emerge strong from the national economic crisis are the latest significant measures taken to strengthen New Jersey’s economy.

Bills advanced today would promote new jobs and retain existing ones by revamping small business taxes and enhancing grants and incentives for small businesses.

MILAM TO HIGHLIGHT CAPE MAY AND TOUT IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM TO BUSINESS AND THE STATE

Says Promoting Tourism Especially Key During Economic Uncertainties

(CAPE MAY) – Assemblyman Matthew Milam will host members of the Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee Thursday for a tour of Cape May County that will highlight the importance of tourism to businesses, taxpayers and the state.

Milam (D-Vineland) said the soaring gas prices and national economic worries means New Jersey must emphasize Cape May County’s attractions and tourism more than ever.

ASSEMBLY PASSES SEVEN-BILL PACKAGE TO UPDATE, IMPROVE NJ'S CORPORATE BUSINESS LAWS

Measures Would Make State More Business Friendly; Make NJ's Corporate Business Laws Similar to Delaware's

(TRENTON) - The General Assembly today passed a seven-bill package sponsored by Assemblymen Patrick J. Diegnan, Joseph Vas, Matthew W. Milam, Nelson T. Albano and Wayne P. DeAngelo to simplify many of New Jersey's corporate governance statutes and make the state more attractive to businesses.