TRENTON, NJ -- New Jersey Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen recently released the Department of the Public Advocate’s annual report on its first year of operation.

The newly recreated department, which reopened in March 2006, protected the interests of people across New Jersey, especially the state’s most vulnerable residents, according to the annual report.

Over the past year, the Public Advocate led the fight against eminent domain abuse, advanced specific measures to help students in special education programs and people with mental illness, and brought close scrutiny to the proposed merger between PSE&G and Exelon Corporation, a merger which was ultimately abandoned.

“It was a strong start, one we will build on this year,” Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen said. “We were able to assemble a very talented and dedicated staff and we expect to make even more progress toward protecting the interests of all New Jersey citizens.”

In the first year, the Public Advocate took action to protect…

• Property owners from unlawful government seizure of their homes for private redevelopment
• Children from lead poisoning
• Elderly people from abuse or neglect
• Children with special education needs

• People with developmental disabilities and mental illness from being denied appropriate services and supports
• Citizens in need of help from government agencies
• Ratepayers from unfair rate increases
• Voters from barriers that prevent them from exercising their right to vote

To contact the Public Advocate, call (609) 826-5090 or email PublicAdvocate@advocate.state.nj.us.

Read the Public Advocate Annual Report.

Public Advocate's 1st year efforts

Public Advocate's 2007 priorities