(TRENTON)--Legislation Assemblymen Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) and Albert Coutinho (D-Essex) sponsored to help jump-start New Jersey’s housing market by creating a tax credit for home purchases during 2010 was approved Thursday by the Assembly.

“With this bill, we’re creating a substantial and immediate incentive for potential homebuyers,” Greenwald said. “As New Jersey’s housing market continues to struggle amid the global recession, this incentive will not only to reignite the homebuilding industry in this state, but also stimulate economic growth through spending related to home buying.”

“This is a creative and sensible way to revitalize our housing market and our economy,” Prieto said. “Much direct and indirect economic activity is generated through new home construction and home re-sales, so this is the smart thing to do in this tough economy.”

“This is a great incentive that could play a big role in invigorating our economy and housing market,” said Coutinho (D-Essex). “It will also help strengthen neighborhoods and spur activity in numerous sectors of our economy.”

The bill (A-1678) would establish the New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under the New Jersey gross income tax for home purchases during calendar year 2010.

Refundable tax credits would be allowed for up to $15,000 or 5 percent of the home purchase price, whichever is less, for homebuyers of new and previously owned homes.

Office Staff, State Officials to Assist Seniors With Property Tax Reimbursement

(VOORHEES)—Sixth District Legislators Senator James Beach, Assemblyman Louis Greenwald and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (all D-Camden) today announced their offices will assist local senior citizens in filing for “Senior Freeze” property tax relief.

“For seniors living on a fixed income, the ‘Senior Freeze will provide real property tax savings,” said Beach. “This program will help eligible residents continue to make their homes in New Jersey.”

“In these tough economic times, the ‘Senior Freeze’ provides much-needed property tax relief,” said Greenwald. “With Governor Christie proposal to suspend property tax rebates and not allowing new enrollees into the ‘Senior Freeze,’ local residents need assistance now more than ever. Our offices stand ready to assist seniors and disabled residents in filing their applications.”

“These ‘Senior Freeze’ Assistance Days will connect residents with representatives of the Division of Taxation to ensure their applications are filed smoothly and efficiently,” said Lampitt.

Event info:

Monday, May 24, 2010 (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)
Camden County College, Rohrer Center
1889 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill
10:00AM-3:00PM
RSVP to Suzanne at 856-429-1572

Thursday, May 27, 2010 (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)
Vogelson Library
203 Laurel Road, Voorhees
10:00AM-3:00PM
RSVP to Suzanne at 856-429-1572

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Joint Committee Hearing Shows Need for More Progressive, More Humane, More Cost-Effective Options

(TRENTON)—Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) today announced the “time has come” for New Jerseyans with developmental disabilities and their loved ones to have the choice to pursue community care alternatives. Greenwald has introduced bipartisan legislation, Assembly Bill 1673, to refocus funds from costly, unprogressive institutional care toward community-based options.

“Today’s hearing adds to a mountain of evidence in favor of community options for people with developmental disabilities,” said Greenwald. “Developmentally disabled individuals deserve the best possible care, and the status quo in New Jersey is clearly failing them and their families. The time has come for the state to invest in community options which can produce better care outcomes more cost-effectively and more humanely.”

“We know from countless experiences across the country that community care represents fundamental human dignity that allows many people with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential,” said Greenwald. “The status quo is failing, and it’s unacceptable. Instead of warehousing human life, we should be giving people an opportunity to flourish and thrive in the community, and my bill will give them that choice.”

(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) released the following statement on Wednesday after the Assembly Budget Committee heard from the Department of the Treasury:

“Tuesday’s school votes represented a revolt against the impending property tax increases that would be caused by the governor’s budget proposal that slashes property tax relief, but my worry is more bad news may be coming.

"Legislative estimates show sales tax revenue coming in about $310 million below the governor’s estimate for this and next fiscal year. If that becomes reality, we’re all going to have to work together to revise the budget plans.

“I’m very certain that taxpayers already concerned about Gov. Christie’s budget proposal would not look favorably on a revised plan that brings additional cuts to property tax relief.”

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Politics Patrol
By Bob Ingle
April 21, 2010

Most states I’ve lived in or visit make it easy to plan the entire meal. You pick out what you want to eat and then a wine or beer to go with it. Not New Jersey, where the liquor laws are from the Stone Age. Some groceries are modern like in other states but they are few and far between. Assemblyman Lou Greenwald wants to change that. He has introduced legislation to modernize the state’s liquor laws. It would gradually expand the sale of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages in groceries that want to be full service. Greenwald says the current cap on grocers is “unnecessary, unfair and overly restrictive” and on that he is right. The people who want to keep the current system because it benefits them will trot out the old arguments about selling alcohol in groceries will make it easier for kids to get it. The states that are operating in the 21st Century — even North Carolina that has state-run alcohol beverage stores — have wine and beer in the groceries and no one thinks it causes a problem. The independent wine shops and liquor stores usually have a wider variety of brands and types and if that’s what you prefer, you will have that option.