2020 Press Releases
December 17 - Senate Approves Cryan-Turner-Sweeney Bill to Fund Police Body Cameras
TRENTON – The Senate today approved major legislation authored by Senator Joe Cryan, Senator Shirley Turner and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would provide state funding to outfit police officers in New Jersey with body cameras. [MORE]
December 15 - N.J. Cops Won't Face Being Fired for Making Too Few Arrests Under Bill Approved by Lawmakers
New Jersey lawmakers advanced a bill Friday to prevent cops from facing demotion, discipline or pay cuts just because they didn’t arrest more people. [MORE]
December 14 - Sweeney, Turner, Cruz-Perez Bill to Allow Exemption From the Civil Service Exam for Police Officers Advances
TRENTON – In an effort to increase diversity in the ranks of law enforcement, the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senators Shirley Turner and Nilsa Cruz-Perez which would permit a municipality to exempt entry-level law enforcement officers from the Civil Service examination requirement. [MORE]
November 12 - Cryan, Sweeney, Turner Bill Would Fund Police Body Cameras
TRENTON – A Senate committee today approved legislation authored by Senator Joe Cryan, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Shirley Turner that would provide state funding to outfit police officers in New Jersey with body cameras. [MORE]
November 9 - Turner, Singleton Support Legalization Bill, Push for Greater Social Justice Provisions
TRENTON – Following their votes in support of the marijuana legalization enabling legislation, Senator Shirley Turner and Senator Troy Singleton issued the following statement calling upon Senator Nicholas Scutari to include greater social justice protections: [MORE]
October 9 - Transportation Panel Passes Legislation to Improve MVC Services
TRENTON – In an effort to better meet the needs of vulnerable communities, the Senate Transportation Committee advanced four bills today to improve Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) services and help protect the well-being of pedestrians, senior citizens, and individuals with physical or developmental disabilities. [MORE]
September 28 - Turner, Addiego Bill Exempting Soldiers' Combat Pay from Income Tax Now Law
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley Turner and Senator Dawn Marie Addiego to exclude Armed Services combat zone pay from the state income tax, was signed into law today. [MORE]
September 3 - Turner Celebrates DOJ Selecting Trenton for Community Policing Grant
TRENTON – Senator Shirley Turner issued the following statement applauding Mayor Reed Gusciora’s announcement that Trenton was selected to receive $1.25 million in competitive federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Orientated Policing, which will help hire 10 new officers: [MORE]
August 28 - Turner, Gill Bills to Increase the Use of Body Cameras Clears Senate
TRENTON – In an effort to increase transparency and officer accountability, the Senate advanced two bills today concerning the use of body cameras by law enforcement. [MORE]
August 27 - Rice, Testa, Turner Bill to Designate the Howell House as Harriet Tubman Museum Advances
TRENTON –Legislation, which would designate the Howell House in Cape May as the official New Jersey Harriet Tubman Museum, advanced from the Senate today. The bill is sponsored by Senator Ronald Rice, Senator Michael Testa and Senator Shirley K. Turner. [MORE]
August 3 - Invoking John Lewis, N.J. Lawmakers Pass Policing and Prison Reforms
New Jersey lawmakers passed bills Thursday that would change how residents are policed, sentenced and treated after they’re released from prison, part of a wave of reforms gaining traction as protests against police brutality and systemic racism continue nationwide. [MORE]
July 31 - Senate Advances Police Reform Bill Package
TRENTON – In response to national protests calling for an end to racial discrimination and police brutality, the Senate approved a package of bills today to create more equitable policing and reduce racial bias in law enforcement. [MORE]
July 28 - Turner Issues Statement on Police Reform Legislation
TRENTON – Senator Shirley Turner issued the following statement in support of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee advancing a series of police reform bills, including three bills she sponsored: [MORE]
July 28 - Senate Committee Advances Police Reform Bill Package
TRENTON – In response to national protests calling for an end to racial discrimination and police brutality, the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee approved a package of bills today to create more equitable policing and reduce racial bias in law enforcement. [MORE]
July 22 - Turner, Cryan, Ruiz Bill to Boost Historic Preservation Efforts Clears Committee
TRENTON – Legislation which would help preserve historic properties was approved by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee today. The bill is sponsored by Senators Shirley Turner, Joe Cryan and M. Teresa Ruiz. [MORE]
July 1 - Sweeney-Turner Bill Improving Access to Affordable Housing Becomes Law
TRENTON – Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Shirley Turner and leading housing advocates issued the following statements on enactment of legislation, S-2527, requiring that listings of affordable housing units be made available online with the New Jersey Housing Resource Center. [MORE]
June 29 - Weinburg - Turner 'Muni Shuffle' Bill Clears Senate
TRENTON – In an effort to keep ‘bad actors’ from being unwittingly hired by other law enforcement agencies, the Senate today cleared legislation that would require the release of officers’ personal history, including incidences of misconduct, when they apply for a position in another agency. [MORE]
June 29 - Sweeney- Turner Bill Would Improve Access to Affordable Housing
TRENTON – Acting to improve access to affordable housing, the Senate today approved a bill authored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Shirley Turner that would require that listings of available housing units be made available online with the New Jersey Housing Resource Center. [MORE]
June 29 - These 5 Bills Should Help Reform Policing in New Jersey | Opinion
I stand with the peaceful protesters in New Jersey and around the country and the world who are demanding equality and justice for our Black community. Violence and destruction are not the answer from either side – the public or the police. [MORE]
June 12 - Video- Senate Democrats' Week in 60 Seconds
To help hospitality businesses such as restaurants, bars, breweries and caterers survive the COVID shutdown and overcome ongoing financial challenges, a Senate committee approved a bill sponsored by Senator Paul Sarlo and Senate President Steve Sweeney to reduce “red tape” requirements for outdoor service and help local business districts to regain economic activity. [MORE]
June 8 - Turner Introduces Legislation to Classify Chokeholds by Law Enforcement as Deadly Force
TRENTON – In response to the senseless murder of George Floyd, Senator Shirley Turner introduced legislation today to classify the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers as deadly force. [MORE]
April 17 - Video- Senate Democrats' Week in 60 Seconds
The New Jersey Senate’s first ever remote voting session was held Monday in which they approved a series of bills in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. [MORE]
April 14 - Birth Control Must Be Easily Available During the Pandemic, Legislator Says
It is heartbreaking and infuriating to see states using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to curtail access to reproductive health care. While we seem to be facing endless uncertainty, one thing women of reproductive age should not have to worry about during this trying time is access to birth control and comprehensive reproductive care. [MORE]
March 6 - Ruiz, Turner Bill to Establish NJCLASS Loan Redemption Program Clears Committee
TRENTON –Legislation sponsored by Senate Education Chair Senator M. Teresa Ruiz and Senate Education Vice Chair Senator Shirley Turner, which would establish an NJCLASS loan redemption program for teachers, cleared the Senate today. [MORE]
March 6 - Gill, Turner Bill to Protect the Rights of Student Journalists Clears Senate
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nia Gill and Senator Shirley Turner, which would protect the rights of student journalists at public schools and institutions, cleared the Senate today. [MORE]
February 18 - 'Laura Wooten's Law' Requiring Civics in Middle School Clears Committee
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate Education Committee Vice Chair Senator Shirley Turner, Senator Troy Singleton, Senate Education Committee Chair Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, and Senator Linda Greenstein, which would require civics instruction in middle school, cleared the Senate Education Committee. [MORE]
February 14 - Gill, Turner Bill to Protect the Rights of Student Journalists Clears Committee
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nia Gill and Senator Shirley Turner, which would protect the rights of student journalists at public schools and institutions, cleared the Senate Education Committee today. [MORE]
February 11 - NJ Lawmakers Seeking to Honor Alice Paul
Alice Paul, who grew up in a home on Hooton Road in Mount Laurel and graduated from Moorestown Friends School, would be honored in both the Statehouse complex in Trenton and the U.S. Capitol in Washington under a pair of bills approved by the full Senate on Monday. [MORE]
February 11 - Singleton, Turner Bill to Assess Spread Pricing Among Pharmacy Benefits Managers Cleared Senate
Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton and Senator Shirley Turner, which would create more financial transparency in spread pricing among pharmacy benefits managers (PBM) within the Medicaid program, cleared the Senate today. [MORE]
January 17 - Video- Senate Democrats' Week in 60 Seconds
After taking the oath of office as Senate President for a record sixth term, Senator Sweeney called for a major commitment to the state’s priority needs of clean water, education and New Jersey Transit this week. [MORE]
January 15 - Bill Would Put Money Behind Law that Encourages People to Vote By Mail
New Jersey lawmakers approved a fix to a controversial bill Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law two years ago meant to encourage people to vote by mail. The bill was later thrown out by a little-known but powerful state board. [MORE]
January 15 - New Jersey Moving Ahead on Vaping Ban, Bills Expected to Be Signed By Phil Murphy
Flavored vaping products could soon be outlawed in New Jersey after lawmakers voted Monday to prohibit their sales and cap the amount of nicotine in vaping liquids. [MORE]
January 14 - Beach, Turner Bill to Restore Vote-By-Mail Reforms Clear Senate
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator James Beach and Senator Shirley Turner, which would restore and reaffirm the 2018 and 2019 vote-by-mail reforms, cleared the Senate today. [MORE]
January 13 - Turner, Singleton Bill to Eliminate MVC Surcharge System Becomes Law
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner and Senator Troy Singleton, which will eliminate the MVC Surcharge System once existing bonds are paid off, was signed into law today. [MORE]
January 7 - Turner Bill to Expand Medicaid to Cover Tobacco Cessation Clears Committee
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner, which would expand Medicaid coverage to include comprehensive tobacco cessation benefits, cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. [MORE]
