(CAMDEN) – Senator Donald Norcross, and Assemblymen Angel Fuentes and Gilbert “Whip” Wilson (D-Camden/Gloucester) have issued the following statement upon the adoption of a Request for Proposal (RFP) document by the Camden City Board of Education for the construction of new public schools under the Urban Hope Act. The Board has begun seeking proposals from non-profit entities to build and operate “renaissance schools.”

“The Urban Hope Act is a promise to our students that their education, their future, is of the highest priority,” said Senator Norcross. “Camden’s children have been forced to accept a sub-standard education for too long. Our facilities continue to deteriorate with no forthcoming start date to relieve the situation. This action has created the opportunity to begin building new and innovative public schools.”

“I commend the School Board, the City and the State for moving to implement the Urban Hope Act,” said Assemblyman Fuentes. “We must keep this momentum going to fulfill the overwhelming need for greater educational prospects in Camden.”

“The Urban Hope Act allows our state to change the face of education by creating a new type of school,” added Assemblyman Wilson. “The Board of Education has taken an important step toward these schools becoming a reality.”

(TRENTON) – Senator Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) has been named Chair of the School Facilities and Construction Subcommittee within the Joint Committee on Public Schools at their reorganization meeting. Norcross was originally appointed to the post in 2010.

“I look forward to continuing as Chair of the School Facilities and Construction Subcommittee, and expanding upon the work we have done,” said Senator Norcross.

Under Norcross’ leadership, the subcommittee has held several meetings throughout the state to address the Schools Development Authority’s (SDA) process of choosing and advancing construction projects. One such meeting was held at Trenton High School to highlight the critical need of emergent projects there and at similar schools. Another meeting was held in Gloucester City’s Mary Ethel Costello School, a 100-year-old building which had been scheduled for replacement in 2004. The project remains an empty lot, and Senator Norcross has advocated for its commencement since he became chair.

A State Auditor report in 2011 found that the authority advanced lower priority projects that supported standardization at the expense of more educationally critical projects. Subsequently, the SDA submitted a list identifying projects of high educational need to advance in 2012. Among these was the new middle school for Gloucester City.

Measure Intended to Assist Nonprofit Fundraising Efforts

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Donald Norcross to permit a licensed dealer to display and auction firearms at a fundraising event for a nonprofit organization was approved today by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

The bill (S-608) would permit a dealer to display and auction a gun at a fund raising event, but would not permit the dealer to complete the sale there. Instead, the dealer would be required to take the firearm back to his or her shop and reserve it for the winning bidder. The sale would occur at the dealer’s shop in accordance with the procedures set forth under state and federal law for that type of transaction.
“Nonprofit organizations for years have held auctions to raise money. At one time, they were permitted to display the firearms, but in recent years have been permitted only to display a photograph of the products that are up for bid,” said Senator Norcross, Democratic Co-Chair of the New Jersey Angler and Hunter Conservation Caucus. “Displaying the actual merchandise rather than a photo allows sportsmen to examine and inspect the firearm before placing a bid. This will increase the likelihood that a sale will be made and that the fundraiser will be successful.”