SpeakerWelcome to my Virtual District Office!
This page has been created to make it easier for you to learn how my office can be your advocate in Trenton and to get answers to some common questions about state government. In addition, you can visit the Web page of your town from the links below. You also can click to send me and my staff an e-mail. Whether you have a problem that needs to be solved or just want to send your opinion on a pressing state issue, my office is at your service.
As we move forward, this page will be updated and expanded, so please visit often.
ASSEMBLY PANELS TO EXAMINE CHRISTIE BUDGET CUTS ON CONSUMERS, BUSINESSES, FAMILIES, CHILDREN & COLLEGE STUDENTS
The Assembly on Monday will convene seven committee hearings examining the impact of Gov. Chris Christie's budget on consumers, businesses, families, disabled children, college students and job creation."Working class New Jerseyans continue to struggle with high unemployment, soaring property taxes and tuition and painful health care cuts," said Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic). "Businesses have lost vital tax breaks and other assistance, stagnating our job creation. This budget will have many deep impacts on the lives of New Jerseyans, and we plan to monitor it closely to see what might be done to ease the pain..."
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SWEENEY & OLIVER CREATE TASK FORCE TO CRAFT REFORMS TO RECAST STATE'S BUSINESS CLIMATE
Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver on Thursday announced the formation of a new Business Task Force that would work to craft reforms to make the state more business-friendly and reposition New Jersey's economy for long-term growth. The task force, led by leaders in private industry, will be given the broad leeway to propose reforms to state regulatory policy, grants and incentive programs, and business tax law."Democrats have taken numerous steps to improve our state's business climate, from corporate tax reforms to permit extensions to regulatory reform, but we also know New Jersey has one of the most innovative and intelligent business communities in the entire world," said Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic). "We want to enhance our already close relationship with that business community and work directly with the people who actually create jobs and drive our economy. They're the ones who know best on how to create jobs and spur the economic growth that will benefit communities throughout our state..."
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***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE*** SPEAKER OLIVER COMMENTS ON ASSEMBLY'S RACE TO THE TOP HEARING
Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex) issued a multimedia package Wednesday commenting on the Assembly Appropriations Committee's investigation into the Christie administration's botched Race to the Top application, which cost the state $400 million in federal education grant funds.For More
SPEAKER OLIVER STATEMENT ON ASSEMBLY'S RACE TO THE TOP HEARING
Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex) released the following statement today at the conclusion of the Assembly Appropriations Committee's hearing into the Christie administration's $400 million Race to the Top mistake:"Today's hearing was a start, but nothing more.
"The testimony by education officials left too many unanswered questions about how this mistake was made, including what role the high-paid consultant played, what was the value of a team member who noticed the mistake but didn't tell anyone and how a non-state employee was able to play such a large role in the application's development.
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OLIVER & CRYAN: CHRISTIE MUST REVEAL TIES TO CONSERVATIVE 'REFORM NEW JERSEY' GROUP, SIGN BILL BOOSTING HIS OWN DISCLOSURE
Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver and Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Cryan on Tuesday said Gov. Chris Christie needs to disclose his alliance with a secretive right-wing campaign group and sign a bill increasing public disclosure requirements for his own administration before trying to lay claim to ethics."Devoted public servants like teachers, police officers and firefighters have as much a right in our democracy to serve in public office as everyone else," said Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic). "I will not support legislation that restricts their ability to add to the diversity of thought so vital to a strong democracy. My concern, actually, is the governor's failure to create a single job while hiking property taxes by shocking levels on New Jersey's working class."
"Gov. Christie needs to immediately disclose how much money he has raised for this right-wing group, whether his Cabinet officers have donated to it and how many contracts he has awarded to those who skirted the laws by contributing money to it," said Cryan (D-Union). "Gov. Christie needs to first answer those questions about his own ethics. Then we'll talk."
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