Assembly vote on concurrence with Senate Amendments
set for June 25, 2009
Senate Roll Call Vote Shows Bi-partisan Support
A3101 was originally sponsored by Assemblywoman and Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman.
Primary Sponsors
Nilsa Cruz-Perez
Mila M. Jasey
Elease Evans
Reed Gusciora
Nellie PouCo-Sponsors
Annette Quijano
Shelia Y. Oliver
Connie Wagner
Valarie Vainieri Huttle
Upendra J. Chivukula
Joseph Cryan
Caridad RodriguezThe prime Senate sponsors of S2354 are:
The cosponsors of S2354 are:
Robert W. Singer
Barbara Buono
Joseph F. Vitale
Ronald L. Rice
Bob Smith
James Beach
M. Teresa Ruiz
Sandra B. Cunningham
After a two and one-half year campaign by the Advocacy Network and our allies, the final legislative vote on the County Homeless Trust Fund has been scheduled. On Thursday June 25, 2009, the Assembly will vote to approve the amended version of the bill approved on June 18, 2009, by the State Senate. As this is the final step in the legislative process, the focus is shifting to when Governor Corzine will sign the bill and how the counties will use this legislation to create and utilize the County Homeless Trust Funds to fulfill their local ten year plans and to end homelessness in their communities.
Because of Governor Corzine support for ending homelessness including the appointment of Interagency Council on Preventing and Reducing Homelessness, it is anticipated that the Governor will sign the bill shortly after it arrives on his desk, he has forty-five (45) days to make that decision. If he does not do anything it would become law at the end of that forty-five day period.
Bi-Partisan Support in State Senate
The final vote in the State Senate was adjusted from the number announced last week. One affirmative vote was switched to a negative. Thus the final vote was 29-7.
The vote in the State Senate was a bipartisan vote that indicates clearly that the goal of ending homelessness has support on both sides of the aisle.
Summary of the Vote
|
|
Yes |
No |
Not Voting
|
|
Democrats |
21 |
0 |
2 |
|
Republicans |
8 |
7 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
29 |
7 |
4 |
The Advocacy Network to End Homelessness contacted each member of the State Senate prior to the vote to provide them with background information on the bill and to seek their support. Each member was notified that this would be used on the scoring on the 1st Annual Legislative Report Card.
To view how your State Senator voted click here.
We encourage our members to contact their Senators and thank them for voting for the bill.
To find out how to contact your member of the State Senate or Assembly use this link.
Next Steps
The Assembly must concur with the amendments approved by the Senate. The vote has been set for Thursday June 25, 2009, at 11 AM.
Governor Jon Corzine announcing the establishment of the Interagency Council on Preventing and Reducing Homelessness
After that the bill will go to Governor Corzine’s desk for signature. As noted earlier he has forty-five (45) days to sign the bill but is expected to sign it shortly after it reached his desk.
Then we will need to begin to work with the Boards of Chosen Freeholders in the counties that want to establish the fund so that they can implement the provisions of the County Homeless Trust Fund.
Legislative History of the Homeless Trust Fund
- 9/15/2008 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee
- 10/23/2008 Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading
- 10/27/2008 Passed by the Assembly (50-28-1)
- 10/27/2008 Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
- 12/8/2008 Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
- 1/26/2009 Recommitted to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
- 5/14/2009 Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
- 6/18/2009 Substituted for S2354 (2R)
- 6/18/2009 Passed by the Senate (29-7)
- 6/18/2009 Received in the Assembly, 2nd Reading on Concurrence
Information on the Homeless Trust Fund
To read the final version of the bill click here.
To read the statement on the bill prepared by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee click here.
To view a list of those who have endorsed this campaign click here.
For a fact sheet click here or for a description of possible uses and populations to be served click here.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found by clicking here.
