The Senate Transportation Committee today passed Senator Nellie Pou’s (D-35) bill authorizing the Commissioner of Transportation to designate the entire length of State Highway Route 19, extending from milepost 0 to milepost 3.04, as the “William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway”.

Testa voted Yes.

Singer Yes.

Sacco Yes

Gill Yes

Pou Yes

Vitale Yes

Diegnan Yes.

According to the bill, “State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions.

“Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.”