Advocating for Veterans
 New Jersey is home to over 700,000 veterans and 5,800 New Jersey National Guard and New Jersey Air National Guard members. In addition, New Jersey recently welcomed home nearly 3,000 citizen-soldiers from Iraq. I believe strongly that our Veterans should be revered and respected for the sacrifices they have made. Veterans have unique needs including access to a variety of services to help ease their transition back into society and attend to any health issues that developed as a result of their deployment. During my eight years as your Assemblyman in Trenton, I have spoken with many veterans organizations that have shared with me the needs of veterans throughout the State. I am proud to have sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills that honor veterans, provide access to needed services, make navigating college life easier, and assist families while their loved ones are away.
A3360 - Troops to College (Prime Sponsor)
Signed by the Governor on September 13, 2009
 Our veterans deserve the best, and that includes access to higher education. This bill establishes the Troops to College Program. The purpose of the program is to help veteran’s make the transition from battlefield to the college classroom. New Jersey’s public institutions of higher education are coordinating a comprehensive array of services to assist veterans in making the transition into the college classroom. The services may include: assistance in applying for tuition aid, counseling resources, a campus veterans’ assistance officer to provide a single point of contact for information on the institution’s benefits and programs for veterans, and an online resource to consolidate pertinent information specifically for veterans attending that institution. Higher education is the key to future success and our veteran’s should not be left behind.
A352 - Schools Closed on Veteran’s Day (Prime Sponsor)
Pending in Assembly
This bill directs that the board of education of a public school district must adopt a calendar that provides that school will not be in session on Veterans' Day, November 11th, of each year. School sessions will not be held on this date in recognition of the service and sacrifices of veterans of this State and country.
A379 - Patriot’s Corner Passed Assembly on June 25, 2009 – pending in the Senate
The purpose of this bill is to honor the men and women of New Jersey who are actively serving in the United States Armed Forces, their reserve components, and the New Jersey National Guard, by establishing a permanent tribute to be displayed in the State House called “Patriots Corner.” The tribute would be designed by the State House Commission, and may include a photograph and biography of each service member.
A3941 - Establishes County Veteran’s Services Offices (Prime Sponsor)
Introduced on May 11, 2009
This bill requires each county governing body to establish and maintain a veterans’ service office for providing information concerning services for the State’s veterans and their dependents, ensuring that they can find all of the information they need in one central location. The office is to also make the information available on the internet.
S532 - Higher Education Enrollment (Co-Sponsor)
Signed by the Governor on February 25, 2005
This bill provides that any student at a New Jersey public institution of higher education who is a member of the New Jersey National Guard or of the Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States and who is called to active duty will be entitled to re-enroll in the course upon the completion of military service or to receive a refund of any tuition and fees paid for that course.
A3253 - NJ STARS Amendments for Veteran’s (Prime Sponsor)
Signed by the Governor on December 20, 2007
In 2004, New Jersey established the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) program in order to help high school students to receive a free education at a two-year college. In 2006, NJ STARS II was enacted to help STARS students to go on to earn a four year degree. This law provides a military service exception to the requirement of continuous enrollment under the NJ STARS and NJ STARS II programs.
A3622 - Veteran’s Employment Protection (Co-Sponsor)
Signed by the Governor on January 3, 2008
This bill protects an employee, public or private, on military leave of absence whose position upon return from military leave is no longer available, such as in the case of layoffs. Under this bill, when neither the original position nor a position of like seniority, status and pay is available, the employer is required to employ the person in any position available, if requested by the person, for which the person is able or qualified to perform the duties. The bill also provides additional protection from layoffs for public employees. The committee amended the bill to prohibit any layoff of a public employee on military leave for active service in time of war or emergency, even when the person continues that service voluntarily, beyond the time when he could be released from that service.
S250 - Veteran’s Income Tax Exclusion (Co-Sponsor)
Signed by the Governor on April 7, 2005
This bill provides a New Jersey gross income tax exclusion for the housing and subsistence allowances received by New Jersey National Guard members while on State active duty and by members of the active and reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill codifies current practice by the Division of Taxation to treat these provisions as exempt, as is provided for National Guard members when they are on federal active duty.
A3567 - Health Care Benefits (Co-Sponsor)
Signed by the Governor on August 1, 2003
This bill provides health care benefits coverage through the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) to members of the New Jersey National Guard, and their dependents, during the period when the member is called to State active duty by the Governor for at least 30 days within a 35 consecutive day period.
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