newjerseynewsroom.com

Another panel to hold hearing on women's health care

Several measures that are part of the "tool kit" needed for local governments and school districts to meet the mandates of the new 2 percent cap on annual property tax hikes will be examined by a state Senate committee on Monday.

The Budget and Appropriations Committee will review four property tax relief measures. They would:

(S-2012) Allow income tax refunds to be credited against delinquent property taxes;

(S-2072) Permit local governments to satisfy the publication requirements for legal notices via their official websites, rather than through purchasing space in newspapers;

(S-2206) Clarify the ability of local governments to institute employee furloughs;

(S-2208) Allow certain statewide organizations to file complaints with the Council on Local Mandates.

The budget panel also will take testimony only on three other related measures. Those bills would prohibit employees from certain non-governmental organizations such as the League of Municipalities and the Association of Counties from enrolling in the state pension and health benefits plans; clarify the responsibilities of the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, and limit unused sick-leave and vacation time carry-forwards for school and local employees, among other reforms.

The Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee will hold a hearing regarding funding for women's health services statewide. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th), state Treasurer Andrew Eristoff and state Health Commissioner Poonam Alaigh are expected to address the panel.

The committee will discuss legislation pending before Gov. Chris Christie which would restore a $7.5 million cut to women's health and family planning services in the new 2010-11 state budget.and the administration's plans to account for increased costs in the healthcare safety net should the funding not be restored.

"We've already heard from representatives of the state's federally-qualified health centers, among other health care advocates, that the current safety net will not be able to meet the needs of the 136,000 people who turned to family planning clinics last year to receive primary health care," Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), the committee chairwoman, said Friday. "At the same time, I understand that there are concerns about the funding source we've identified for the funding restoration to women's health and family planning programs. We're hoping to hold an in-depth hearing to consider the validity of our funding source, and the administration's plans should the funding not be restored, for the men and women who depend on these programs for basic healthcare."

Last month, the Legislature approved S-2139 to tap surplus funds in the state employees' prescription drug program to restore $7.5 million. The bill, which received veto-proof, bipartisan support in the Senate, would also direct the administration to apply for expanded Medicaid reimbursement from the federal government, generating $9 in federal matching funds for every $1 spent by the state.

Earlier this week, Senator Weinberg and the Assembly sponsor of the bill, Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Union), met with Christie and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno to discuss the bill. Both lawmakers said that the meeting went well, but the governor indicated uncertainty about the funding source.

Also invited to testify are state Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez and people with insight on the implications of cutting the family planning and women's health services funding in New Jersey.

Legislation designed to ensure an orderly evacuation of the state's coastal areas in the event of an emergency also is scheduled for consideration. The bill (S-264), would implement the recommendations of the Assembly Coastal New Jersey Evacuation Task Force. The measure will be reviewed by the Law and Public Safety Committee.

The Transportation Committee will consider legislation to set up a comprehensive study of (S-2017) "Kyleigh's Law," the state's new graduated driver's license program.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM