Senate passage is virtually assured. Although the measure passed without any debate or opposition, senators basically agreed to disagree on a provision in the bill that would set aside a small portion of the payments for special projects that are aimed at economic recovery for these communities. Environmentalists are opposed to the special projects provision in the bill because they believe that these projects will be used to increase logging in forest communities. Under current law, public employees only have workplace safety and health protection in those states that operate their own programs. Under such programs, the federal government will provide a significant portion of the cost to cover public employees.
New Jersey has such a program, and for the first time, the state is seeking federal funding.
President Clinton has also weighed in, asking that the New Jersey program receive federal funding. New Law Eliminates Social Security Earnings Test President Clinton today signed into law legislation which eliminates the earnings test for Social Security beneficiaries. The bill previously had been overwhelmingly approved by both houses of Congress.