All About Debts

Debt Help Don't expect your state legislator to promptly return calls tomorrow. He or she will be a little busy. Monday marks the last day of the two-year legislative session, and human nature being what it is, lawmakers have pushed off some of the hard work until the end.

Counseling Debt Come noon on Tuesday, the 210th Legislature will be sworn into office. Any bills that don't pass by then automatically die.

Consolidation Consumer Debt Both the Senate and the Assembly have scheduled voting sessions for tomorrow morning. The sessions are expected to last late into the day, perhaps into the evening.

(AXcess News) The new director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Gen. Michael Hayden, who was sworn in Monday at the agency's Langley office, attended another cermonyWednesday at CIA headquarters where he told his staff, "Let's get to work." President Bush joked, "He's such a good man we're swearing him in twice, " to a room full of spy workers at the CIA headquarters where he and Gen. Hayden attended a ceremony for the new spy director's appointment.

Debt Settlement Complicating matters this time is that there will be a change in power in the coming days. Republicans have controlled both the Legislature and the governor's office for nearly a decade. Come Tuesday, Democrats will take over the Assembly and share power in a 20-20 Senate split with the Republicans.

- Oath sworn on the Affidavit Oath sworn on the Affidavit

Debt Free Then, next Tuesday, Democrat Jim McGreevey will be sworn in as governor.

One business which officebroker.com an independent ecological consultancy with offices in Sheffield and Exeter. Within an hour of receiving a call last Tuesday, officebroker.com was able to secure quality serviced office accommodation for the business and assist them in their emergency relocation to the Omnia One office on Queen Street in Sheffield.

Consolidation Debt Service The final day of the legislative session is jam-packed. The Assembly is poised to consider more than 70 bills; the Senate more than 80.

Company Consolidation Debt * Among the most important bills for Burlington County is one allowing the state to take over nearly $1 billion in debt incurred by all the counties that built expensive incinerators, landfills and recycling facilities and now are being squeezed by debt payments.

Consolidation Debt Online The measure, A-4048, would authorize the state Economic Development Authority to refinance all the debt, in exchange for the counties pitching in 50 percent of the repayments. Under the bill, Burlington County's 2002 debt payment of $11 million would be cut to about $3.5 million.

Consolidation Debt Free The bill is up for final passage in both houses. Acting Gov. Donald T. DiFrancesco is expected to sign it if it reaches his desk.

Debt Problem * In the Senate, environmentalists, farmers and others are anxious to see what DiFrancesco, who is also Senate president, will do about Pinelands Commission nominations.

Credit Debt Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee, in a rare split with DiFrancesco, released only four of his six commission nominees to the full Senate. Two, Woodland berry farmer Stephen Lee III and Southampton resident Linda Eckenhoff, were held back at the request of opponents who believe they favor development interests over Pinelands preservation.

Advice Debt A DiFrancesco spokeswoman said last week that he won't decide until tomorrow whether to post only the four nominations before the full Senate for a vote, or hold back on all the nominations and leave it up to McGreevey to reshape the commission.

Card Credit Debt Eliminate * The Assembly, meanwhile, is expected to take up a bill aiding Lockheed Martin in Moorestown.

Debt Recovery Under the bill, A-3001, defense contractors would be eligible for up to $15 million in state aid to upgrade their plants upon winning federal contracts. Lockheed Martin is competing for a lucrative U.S. Navy contract, and would be eligible for the aid package if successful.

Counseling Credit Debt If the legislation passes the Assembly, it would still need emergency approval in the Senate to reach the governor's desk.

Consolidation Debt Uk * Historians are backing a bill that would grant state funds to four Burlington County historic projects. Under the bill, the Gilder House in Bordentown City would receive $28,706; Smithville Park in Eastampton, $50,000; Perkins Center in Moorestown, $25,628 and Whitesbog Farm in Pemberton Township, $39,207.

Debt Reduce The measure, A-4025, has already garnered Assembly approval. It is pending before the Senate.

Get Out Of Debt * Legislation changing the way sand mines are regulated is also up for final passage in both houses, but don't bet the house on it.

Debt Destroy The bill, S-940, has come up in the Senate at least four times, but backers have been unable to get it passed. Sen. Robert Singer, R-30th of Lakewood, whose district includes several northern Burlington County towns, last month said he was giving up on his bill. However, he apparently changed his mind.

Debt Negotiation Municipalities, which currently regulate mining operations, and environmentalists, who fear the bill would degrade water quality, oppose the bill. It is supported by the mining industry.

Debt Elimination * A bill watering down New Jersey's strict new child booster-seat law is up in the Senate.

Consolidation Debt Mortgage The measure, S-2764, would change the current requirement that children up to age 8 who weigh less than 80 pounds must be restrained in booster seats in cars. The bill would lower the thresholds to 6 years and less than 60 pounds.

Collection Debt Sen. Diane Allen, R-7th of Edgewater Park, the sponsor of the current law, has battled those who want to partially repeal it.

Card Consolidate Credit Debt For the new measure to reach the governor's desk, it would have to pass the Senate and then the Assembly in an emergency vote.

Consolidation Debt Help By Kathleen Cannon
Burlington County Times - 1/6/2002

Topic: NJ Legislature & Politics

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