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Protecting children, driving down soaring automobile insurance rates and keeping taxes in check -- these are just some of the issues that are foremost on Assemblyman Greenwald's agenda.

A staunch advocate for children, Greenwald spearheaded the drive that brought the AMBER Alert system to New Jersey. He sponsored legislation that was signed into law in December that set up the AMBER system, which enlists the help of the public in saving kidnapped children. AMBER alerts have led to the recovery of more than 70 children nationwide.

Greenwald is greatly concerned about the health of our young people. He led a legislative crusade against meningitis,successfully passing a meningitis awareness bill into law. The measure compelled state health officials to launch a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the causes of the insidious killer and what can be done to prevent it, particularly at colleges, where dormitory living provides the ideal environment for the infection. He hopes that soon every full-time college and university student will be inoculated and protected against this devastating disease.

The Assemblyman takes great pride in having helped to make New Jersey the first state in the nation to require students in grades 9 though 12 to receive the hepatitis B vaccine. He tirelessly lobbied for this law, noting the importance of prevention in heading off the spread of the serious viral disease that attacks the liver. Currently, more people in the United States of America contract hepatitis than HIV.

The fight for easily accessible, quality cancer care and research has been a focus of Assemblyman Greenwald for the past two years. In 1993, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) in New Brunswick was opened. For the past ten years they have been providing treatment, which has effectively stopped the northern migration out of the state. CINJ has been nationally recognized for the work it has done. Greenwald feels it is time to bring this outstanding institution to South Jersey. Through the FY'04 budget, $5 million has been designated to begin this process. There is a network of hospitals already in place in South Jersey and they are ready and willing to partner with CINJ to create a Southern Division. Establishing a statewide institute will provide easily accessible, quality cancer care for all New Jersey residents. Further, it will enable the state to qualify for federal funding and research grants, which will only improve an already outstanding cancer treatment and research program. Greenwald has said, "We are do not need to reinvent the wheel, just roll it down the turnpike to South Jersey".

Greenwald knew that a Band-Aid approach wouldn't fix New Jersey's broken auto insurance system. He attacked the problem, accessibility, at its core. He proposed a bold new concept, designed to increase competition in the industry, attracting new companies to the state, and thereby bringing auto insurance rates under control. He succeeded in his quest when the Automobile Insurance Competition and Choice Act was signed into law. Immediately, the 4000 calls a month to New Jersey residents, telling them their insurance would not be renewed, stopped.

As Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, Greenwald's number one goal has been to avoid increases in the states sales and property taxes, provide as much direct and indirect property tax relief as possible, while funding essential programs, such as education,cancer research, and homeland security. The Fiscal Year 2004 budget does just that. While faced with a $5 billion revenue shortfall, the Assembly Democratic Majority held their ground to keep their promise not to balance the budget at the expense of hardworking state
residents.

Almost two years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, homeland security is still a major issue that we must never again take for granted. The budget includes $100 million for security and various counter-terrorism initiatives. The state has gone above and beyond to make sure New Jersey families are protected.

Representing the Sixth Legislative District, Greenwald is keenly aware of the part Smart Growth will play in the future of the area. He is working side by side with local officials to put in place initiatives that will stem the tide of suburban sprawl and help redevelop our inner cities and urban areas and redevelop our "Home Communities". Preservation of our environment, protecting our natural resources, and sustaining nature's balance for the future is an issue he does not take lightly. We must plan now to make the right decisions for decades to come.

Greenwald has long been a proponent for initiatives aiding veterans and senior citizens, sponsoring legislation that would benefit those populations greatly. He has sponsored bills that would increase the income eligibility for the annual veterans property tax deduction and would enhance tax relief under the NJ SAVER and Homestead Rebate programs. He also is a strong supporter of a bill that would create a separate crime of committing an offense in a Senior Citizen Zone, which is an area near adult day care facilities or senior
housing.

Assemblyman Greenwald stands up for those in our most vulnerable populations. He had the charge to restore $11.3 million for Group Homes for the disabled. Thus providing these individuals the pride and independence that comes with home ownership, at the same time giving a sense of relief and security to their families and loved ones. Moreover, under Lou Greenwald's budget chairmanship, the legislature for the first time, placed an additional $52 million of state funds into property tax relief, through fully funding extraordinary special education needs, throughout the state.

He fights for the average citizen and what concerns them most. He cares about the future of New Jersey and intends to set this state on a course that will make this century a brighter one for our children. Most of all, Greenwald is a man we can count on, who doesn't back away from the tough issues but meets them head-on. He is someone we can be proud to have on our side.

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