newjerseynews

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=Wow= //1,108,044...and counting//** = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = That’s how many New Jerseyans, who care about changing our country and state for the better, came out to vote in our primary. This is just the first step to what is going to be a great year for Democrats in New Jersey and across the country. Throughout the day yesterday our office was deluged with calls from people trying to find out if they were allowed to vote or where there polling place was. NJDSC staffers were even logging on to Google Maps to give people directions to their polling places.
 * The most important number from last night:

__** Stem Cell Initiative **__[[image:http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/images/economicgrowth/stem_cell.jpg align="left" caption="photo of stem cell"]]
New Jersey’s stem cell research initiative is a multi-faceted effort to create and build a vibrant stem cell research community that will develop innovative treatments for patients and generate economic opportunity and job growth in New Jersey. New Jersey's focus on stem cell research began in 2004 when legislation was passed defining what research is permissible. This law made New Jersey the 2nd state in the nation to legalize stem cell research. A component New Jersey's stem cell initiative is the support for stem cell research projects at universities, hospitals, institutions, and companies throughout the state. To this end in December 2005, New Jersey became the first state to finance research using human embryonic stem cells, including hESC lines prohibited from use in research by federal funding restrictions. Since 2005 the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology has awarded more than $15.2 million for 33 individual research grants and 2 core facilities grants and in Fiscal Year 2008 the Commission has over $10 million available to fund stem cell research projects. The Commission also sponsors a yearly scientific symposium that brings together scientists, researchers, students, industry representatives, and government officials to allow for collaborating research and to provide a forum to update the public about the current science of stem cell research. To continue supporting this research, the New Jersey legislature approved and Governor Corzine signed a $450 million bond referendum to support stem cell research. This funding would provide $45 million a year over a 10 year period for stem cell research grants to eligible institutions over a 10 year period

__**Death Penalty**__
New Jersey once was justifiably proud of its reputation as a forward-looking state, for its efforts to provide a quality education for all children, no matter where they lived, for encouraging construction of affordable housing throughout the state, for its excellent judiciary. Lately, though, New Jersey more often than not has signified corruption and crime. Last week, New Jersey regained its place among progressive states when it abolished the death penalty. It took both Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate and the Assembly to make the decision, which was heart-wrenching for many. But it was the right one. Gov. Jon Corzine signs the bill today.

==__**Crime**__== Governor Jon S. Corzine today outlined the second phase of his three part plan to combat crime and create safer streets and neighborhoods throughout New Jersey. This component of the strategy focuses on providing positive alternatives and intervention to prevent juvenile delinquency and gang involvement before it becomes a problem.

__**Tunnel**__
Governor Jon S. Corzine announced today that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will advance the Trans-Hudson Express (THE) Tunnel—the project that will double commuter rail capacity between New Jersey and New York—to the preliminary engineering phase of the federal “new starts” process. “For those of us who have believed in this project from the beginning, today is a very special day,” Governor Corzine said. “THE Tunnel is critical to the region’s economic growth and mobility, and I am proud to see it moving forward.” With the FTA approval, the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors is expected to award a contract for preliminary engineering work as early as August. Construction of the $6 billion project is expected to begin in 2009, with completion in 2016.

__** Port Initiative **__
New Jersey’s ports are critical to the state’s economy. The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port complex on the east coast of North America, and the second largest in the United States The state boasts major metropolitan-based port facilities in Newark and Elizabeth, which are a part of the Port of New York and New Jersey; and on the Delaware River, in Camden, Gloucester, and Salem; two major international airports (Newark-Liberty and Atlantic City); access to rail; and a highway system that connect ports of entry to intra- and inter-state markets. The Port of New York and New Jersey and the ports operated by the South Jersey Port Corporation had a record breaking year for cargo in 2006. The ports’ strategic location, developed transportation infrastructure, and access to a significant percentage of the national market within one day’s drive, are key assets that have made the state a gateway for international trade. The ports and freight industry support more than 500,000 jobs and move goods valued at more than $850 billion annually. Critical investments are being made by the state in coordination with private industry to support the growth of the state’s ports and logistics infrastructure. The state will continue to work with various public and private entities responsible for domestic and international goods movement to ensure the industry and the state remains competitive.