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2010 New Jersey Lobby Day
2010 New Jersey Lobby Day
The highly anticipated MS Lobby Day was a
complete success. Activists met new people from other parts of
New Jersey, had an opportunity to speak with legislators and had
the chance to witness and listen to what legislators are doing
for the community of people living with disabilities.
The MS activists were pleased to have 10 elected officials and several government officials come to speak with them. Officials included Assemblymen Herb Conaway Jr., Anthony M. Bucco, Federick Sclera and Louis Greenwald; Assemblywomen Charlotte Vandervalk, Pamela Lampitt, Mila M. Jasey and Cleopatra Tucker; Senators Diane Allen and Fred Madden; and government officials Joseph Amoroso and Pamela McCrory.
Assemblywoman Vandervalk surprised the activists by disclosing that her son has MS and that he is her main inspiration for her fight to provide housing for people with disabilities. She also informed attendees about several new housing projects, including a new building containing 40 units which will be built primarily for people with disabilities in Bergen County. Several legislators are working on a project for South Jersey, as well.
Furthermore, Assemblyman Conaway emphasized that he wants to make sure that the health-care system works for everyone. Conaway stated that he is fighting to force the government to provide people with disabilities with the care they need. As he answered questions and talked with the MS activists, Conaway became interested in the vast difference between drug tier co-pays. He wasn’t familiar with the issue and assured the attendees that he would look into it.
Moreover, many activists were pleased to hear from Senator Fred Madden about his approach to legislation. Madden said that each year, he tries to pick a disease or an organ that is impacted by illness, educate himself about the condition and work to make positive change for people with that condition. He said he will concentrate on developing legislation to provide support for people living with MS and funding to help find treatments and a cure.
The activists also learned about current and prospective programs and services in New Jersey from Joseph Amoroso, administrator of information and assistant services of the Division of Disability Services (DDS). He addressed disability parking issues, saying the government was trying to place tighter limits on the number of tags issued, and handed out copies of “New Jersey Resources 2010.” To receive a copy of this reference book, which provides information about various resources available in New Jersey for people with disabilities, from health coverage to child services to recreation resources, call DDS at 888-285-3036, then press “2” and “0” in the menus.
All in all, MS Lobby Day was a huge success. Several legislators, including Madden and Greenwald, praised the MS activists’ efforts and reported they were doing as much as they could to provide funding for the community of people living with disabilities. The activists’ hard work and determination to live life without letting MS affect them was inspiring, Greenwald said. And he and other legislators all placed heavy emphasis on encouraging people with MS to get involved in the political process and let their elected officials know when they needed help.
Contact the National MS Society at 1-800-548-4611 if you have any questions or concerns pertaining to:
The MS activists were pleased to have 10 elected officials and several government officials come to speak with them. Officials included Assemblymen Herb Conaway Jr., Anthony M. Bucco, Federick Sclera and Louis Greenwald; Assemblywomen Charlotte Vandervalk, Pamela Lampitt, Mila M. Jasey and Cleopatra Tucker; Senators Diane Allen and Fred Madden; and government officials Joseph Amoroso and Pamela McCrory.
Assemblywoman Vandervalk surprised the activists by disclosing that her son has MS and that he is her main inspiration for her fight to provide housing for people with disabilities. She also informed attendees about several new housing projects, including a new building containing 40 units which will be built primarily for people with disabilities in Bergen County. Several legislators are working on a project for South Jersey, as well.
Furthermore, Assemblyman Conaway emphasized that he wants to make sure that the health-care system works for everyone. Conaway stated that he is fighting to force the government to provide people with disabilities with the care they need. As he answered questions and talked with the MS activists, Conaway became interested in the vast difference between drug tier co-pays. He wasn’t familiar with the issue and assured the attendees that he would look into it.
Moreover, many activists were pleased to hear from Senator Fred Madden about his approach to legislation. Madden said that each year, he tries to pick a disease or an organ that is impacted by illness, educate himself about the condition and work to make positive change for people with that condition. He said he will concentrate on developing legislation to provide support for people living with MS and funding to help find treatments and a cure.
The activists also learned about current and prospective programs and services in New Jersey from Joseph Amoroso, administrator of information and assistant services of the Division of Disability Services (DDS). He addressed disability parking issues, saying the government was trying to place tighter limits on the number of tags issued, and handed out copies of “New Jersey Resources 2010.” To receive a copy of this reference book, which provides information about various resources available in New Jersey for people with disabilities, from health coverage to child services to recreation resources, call DDS at 888-285-3036, then press “2” and “0” in the menus.
All in all, MS Lobby Day was a huge success. Several legislators, including Madden and Greenwald, praised the MS activists’ efforts and reported they were doing as much as they could to provide funding for the community of people living with disabilities. The activists’ hard work and determination to live life without letting MS affect them was inspiring, Greenwald said. And he and other legislators all placed heavy emphasis on encouraging people with MS to get involved in the political process and let their elected officials know when they needed help.
Contact the National MS Society at 1-800-548-4611 if you have any questions or concerns pertaining to:
- Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk’s housing projects
- Assemblyman Herb Conaway’s plans to research the drug tier issue
- Senator Fred Madden’s plan to focus on multiple sclerosis
- Joseph Amoroso’s plan to deal with handicapped parking issues and the New Jersey Resources 2010 Guide
- How to become an activist for MS.
Need more info?
Please
contact Karen Mariner with
your questions.
Plan ahead to join us next year and help us make our biggest Lobby Day ever!
