Assembly panel to consider mandated fluoridation of public water supplies

The Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee will hear testimony from David Rosen, the state Office of Legislative Services’ budget and finance officer, on the projected impacts and costs of Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed 10 percent across-the-board state income tax. State Treasurer Andrew Eristoff was also invited to testify but declined.

The upper house's Health and Human Services Committee will consider bill (S-1210) that would require same-day surgery centers to be state regulated, as recommended by the state Department of Health and Senior Services.

The senate Labor Committee will examine bill (S-1121) that would change unemployment insurance tax rates for employers who are considered responsible for creating greater stresses on the unemployment system due to their high number of layoffs. The bill would attempt to ensure that responsible employers who do not undertake mass layoffs are not left to subsidize those businesses most responsible for putting people on the unemployment line.

Assembly committees will also meet to consider legislation to require that all public water be fluoridated, outlaw body armor-piercing bullet, toughen penalties for injuring police officer with a defaced or stolen gun following the fatal shooting of a Jersey City detective, and extend building permits for stalled real estate development projects. Bills to protect consumers dealing with manufacturer rebates, protect personal information stored on digital copiers and combat jewelry made with toxic materials are also on the agenda.