Thursday, May 16, 2013
Bill would create joint commission to prevent flooding hazards in Bergen & Rockland counties if Cuomo signs on.
Assemblywomen Connie Wagner and Valerie Vainieri Huttle joined with New York state legislators Wednesday to urge New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill to help stem the tide of reoccurring flooding in communities in Bergen and Rockland counties. Those who spoke at the press conference with Lake Tappan as a backdrop stressed the need for a commission that would bring representatives of both states to work together in a collaborative and coordinated effort on flood mitigation and water supply plans. New Jersey already enacted a companion law (A-2440) in 2011 sponsored by Wagner and Vainieri Huttle. In order to create the bi-state commission both states must enact similar legislation. The fate now rests in Cuomo’s hands with New York…
Friday, May 3, 2013
Event Guest Speaker, Brian Malte, of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
Assembly Democrats Connie Wagner and Timothy Eustace joined by Senator Bob Gordon will host a special screening of a film based on a survivor of the Virginia Tech massacre and a post-film discussion at Bergen Community College on Tuesday, May 7th. Guest speaker is Brian Malte of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, a national advocacy group focused on reducing gun deaths and injuries in America. The event is part of a continued discussion on public safety and gun violence prevention 38th District legislators have organized in the community. "Gun violence prevention and public safety is an important issue facing every community across the nation," said Eustace. "Bob, Connie and I will continue to gather residents around events such …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Bipartisan bill to provide tax relief to towns that are acquiring flood-prone homes through the state's Blue Acres program.
A Senate panel on Monday approved bipartisan legislation sponsored on the democratic side by Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Tim Eustace and Connie Wagner to provide tax relief to towns that are acquiring flood-prone homes through the state's Blue Acres program. The bill is sponsored on the republican side by Holly Schepisi and Jack Ciattarelli. The Senate sponsors of the bill are Robert Gordon (D) and Gerald Cardinale (R). The bill (A-3362/S-2256) would exempt certain properties acquired by municipalities after Oct. 29, 2012, when Superstorm Sandy hit, from county, school, and fire district taxes for the following tax year. Municipalities receive grants for acquiring flood-prone property for open space and conservation purposes …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Bill would require firearms photo ID card that must be renewed every five years.
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Thursday, February 14
Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Tim Eustace, Connie Wagner and Valerie Vainieri Huttle to institute standardized photo identification card requirements for firearms purchases similar to drivers' licenses was advanced by an Assembly panel on Wednesday. The legislation was approved by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee during a special hearing as part of the comprehensive Assembly Democratic anti-gun violence initiative, which is comprised of more than two dozen bills. The measure now heads for a vote before the full Assembly on Feb. 21. "This is really a common sense measure," said Eustace. "Cars were not designed with the intention to be deadly, but yet we have similar requirements for them to make sure they are being…
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Wagner and Eustace bill to protect public from flooding and facilitate smart development approved by Assembly panel, advances to the full Assembly for approval.
In the wake of Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Connie Wagner and Tim Eustace to help protect the public from flooding and facilitate smart development was approved by an Assembly panel on Thursday. The legislation (A-3262) would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to quickly evaluate any newly released FEMA floodway delineations in order to allow permit applicants to apply for a permit using the federal floodway delineation when it is at least as protective as the DEP's delineation. "Over the years, many flood maps have become outdated due to urban growth, changes in river flows and coastlines, and even flood mitigation efforts," said Wagner. "A home or business that …
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Bipartisan bill to provide tax relief to towns that are acquiring flood-prone homes through the state's Blue Acres program.
Bipartisan legislation that would exempt flood-prone properties acquired by municipalities from county, school and fire district property taxes for the following tax year, was approved by the full Assembly on Monday. The bill is sponsored on the Democratic side by Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Timothy Eustace and Connie Wagner and on the Republican side by Holly Schepisi and Jack Ciattarelli. Under the current law, if a municipality acquires any flood-prone properties after October 1, it must pay the county, school, and fire district property taxes owed for all or the remainder of the following tax year. Stating that this bill is a sensible way to help beleaguered homeowners and cash-strapped municipalities, Vainieri-Huttle …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Buses available for residents who wish to participate in march.
Assemblywoman Connie Wagner announced plans to attend the Million Mom March for Gun Control in Washington DC on Saturday, January 26. The legislative office will organize a bus trip for Bergen County residents who would also like to attend the event. "Gun control is a critical community issue heightened by the recent unspeakable tragedy in Connecticut," said Wagner, whose district includes New Milford. "I look forward to joining with the residents of Bergen County and Moms from across the country to march for impactful legislative action to occur nationally and within each state that would help us take the reigns on gun control," she said. One Million Moms for Gun Control is the co-sponsor of the March on Washington for Gun Control in …
Monday, December 17, 2012
Bergen Lawmakers Have Been Pushing Legislation to Require More Updated Maps
In advance of the imminent release of new Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps by FEMA, Assemblywoman Connie Wagner and Assemblyman Tim Eustace called on the state to update all Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) flood hazard area maps to better protect homes and businesses from future storms. In mid-October, the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee released a bill (A3262) sponsored by Wagner and Eustace with bi-partisan support. The measure is designed to help protect the public from flooding and facilitate smart development by requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to quickly evaluate any newly released FEMA floodway delineations in order to allow permit applicants to apply for a permit using the …
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Incidents of lurings throughout the Borough cause Chief Papapietro to issue Halloween curfews; town readies itself to Hurricane Sandy.
New Milford Police partner with the New Milford School district to talk to students about luring and give them a chance to voice their concerns. Chief of Police Frank Papapietro was present at last Monday's meeting of the Mayor and Council to speak about his department's investigation into the recent reported incidents of luring and answer questions from concerned residents. Girls report that a man who asked them for directions reportedly matched the description of the man allegedly involved in the attempted luring in Westwood. In light of attempted lurings, Chief Papapietro issues 8 p.m. curfews for Oct. 30 and Oct. 31. In the first step towards rebuilding the ranks depleted by retirements and departures, two new police officers take oath…
Friday, October 26, 2012
In advance of Sandy, Governor orders reservoirs lowered and flood gates opened.
Hearing the pleas of local officials and their constituents devastated by the flooding that followed Hurricane Irene, Governor Chris Christie has announced that he has ordered the reservoirs to be lowered in advance of Hurricane Sandy to mitigate any potential flooding. Hurricane Sandy, christened 'Frankenstorm' because of its unique characteristics, has been described by weather services as a cross between a hurricane and a winter storm, packing the potential to deliver a minimum of 4-5 inches of rain with 30-40 mile per hour winds. The reservoirs that will be lowered are the Woodcliffe Lake-Lake Tappan-Oradell Reservoir system operated by United Water in Bergen County; the Charlottesburg Reservoir, operated by the City of Newark; the …
Ulises
9:17 am on Saturday, May 18, 2013
Assemblywomen Connie Wagner, thank you for your hard work addressing our county's flooding issues. more ›