The following items are taken from reports issued by legislators representing Central Jersey communities and other items of political concern.
Death-penalty study
The Senate supported legislation that would create a commission to study the application of the death penalty in New Jersey.
"It was a disappointment to many people of great conscience when Gov. McGreevey vetoed this same piece of legislation two years ago," said Sen. Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, who sponsored the measure. "In the time that has passed, the evidence of the significant flaws with the death-penalty system has only mounted. Fortunately, in Gov. Codey, we now have a governor who recognizes the need to study these flaws and fix the system so that we have a fair criminal justice system."
Sen. Turner’s bill, S709, would establish a commission to assess the fairness, costs and value of maintaining capital punishment in the state of New Jersey. The 13-member commission would convene within 45 days of the effective date of the bill and issue a report to the governor and the Legislature on its findings and recommendations no later than Nov. 15, 2006. During the commission’s deliberations, the state would be prohibited from conducting an execution. This "death penalty moratorium" would expire 60 days after the issuance of the report.
The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 30-6. It now awaits consideration by the Assembly.
Fighting Internet crime
A bill that would require Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to disclose certain identifying information to law enforcement agencies investigating a crime was approved by the Senate by a vote of 38-0, receiving final legislative approval.
"Unscrupulous individuals are turning to Internet crime, because it’s become very hard to track down the criminals’ identities," said Sen. Paul A. Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic, who sponsored the measure with Sen. Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex. "We want to respect the privacy of citizens, but at the same time, we cannot give criminals a loophole large enough to drive a truck through. By asking ISPs to cooperate with police officers to investigate wrong-doing, we are finding the middle ground between a legitimate law enforcement need and the freedoms of law-abiding citizens."
The bill, S2630, would expand current law to increase the type of information ISPs are required to provide to law enforcement. The new regulations would require that ISPs disclose records of Internet activity session times and durations, the means through which a client is purchasing the service and any relevant credit card or bank account number, network address numbers, and the start date of the service. According to the bill, this information, as well as any other info already required under law, would be available only after a grand jury or trial subpoena are obtained.
The bill now heads to the governor to be signed into law.
N.J. slogan finalists
Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey last week revealed the top five entries for New Jersey’s tourism slogan and asked state residents to vote for the best tagline.
"As residents, we already know New Jersey is a great place to work, live and play," Gov. Codey said. "We have everything here except a catch phrase that communicates our unique charm to tourists."
New Jersey’s beaches, casinos and various other tourist attractions generated more than $32 billion last year. Tourism supported more than 430,000 jobs statewide and brought in more than $3.7 billion in total tax revenue.
Gov. Codey’s top five entries are:
* "New Jersey: Expect the Unexpected"
* "New Jersey: Love at First Sight"
* "New Jersey: Come See for Yourself"
* "New Jersey: The Real Deal"
* "New Jersey: The Best Kept Secret"
In October, Gov. Codey asked people to submit their best tourism slogan for New Jersey. In a little more than two weeks, 7,790 responses were recorded via phone and Internet. The N.J. Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission had hired a consultant who produced a tagline ("New Jersey: We’ll Win You Over") that the governor didn’t like because it had a negative connotation.
"It makes me think of when I was young and single and asked a girl out," Gov. Codey said. "She turned me down. I said, ‘Give me a chance, I’ll win you over.’
"The top five lines hint at our marvel and beauty," he added. "And if nothing else, it should get us a second date."
Through Jan. 1, New Jersey residents can cast their vote for one of the top five entries via phone at (609) 984-9893 or the Internet at www.nj.gov/slogan.
More than one person submitted each of the five finalists. The state will credit the winning slogan to the person who submitted it first.

