48:2-29.30 - Legislative findings and declarations - New Jersey Statutes

48:2-29.30.  Legislative findings and declarations
    The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the extraordinary and unprecedented energy costs in recent years have had a deleterious financial impact on senior citizens and disabled residents in this State, many of whom must meet their regular living expenses on fixed incomes;  that the voters of this State recognized the seriousness of this situation in 1976 by approving an  amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey which provides that  all State revenues derived from the taxation of gambling establishments in  Atlantic City be dedicated to reducing the property taxes, rentals, telephone,  gas, electric, and municipal utility charges of eligible senior citizens and  disabled residents;  and, that in 1979 this Legislature created the  "Lifeline  Credit Program,"  which utilizes casino revenues to provide eligible senior  citizens and disabled residents who are residential electric or gas customers  with a credit against their utility charges.

    The Legislature further finds and declares that many of the senior citizens  and disabled residents in this State live in accommodations where they do not  receive an individual utility bill, and therefore are not eligible for the   "Lifeline Credit Program,"  even though they meet all the other requirements  of the program;  and, that these citizens, no less than those who receive  individual utility bills, deserve financial relief from burdensome energy  costs.

    The Legislature, therefore, determines that it serves a public purpose, and  is consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, to establish a tenants' lifeline assistance program, and to fund such a  program with revenues derived from the taxation of casinos.

     L.1981, c. 210, s. 1, eff. July 20, 1981.