NJ Public Advocate Completes Second Successful Year

TRENTON, NJ -- New Jersey Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen today released the Department of the Public Advocate's annual report on its second year of operation.

Read Our Annual Report, April 2008

The 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.
Yesterday,  the Department of the Public Advocate unveiled a year-long investigation into childhood lead poisoning that showed problems with the state's response to and prevention of lead contamination that occurs in homes built before the state banned lead-based paint back in 1978. Yesterday, Governor Corzine signed an Executive Order designed to address the issues raised by the Public Advocate.
The Public Advocate has also:

• led the fight against eminent domain abuse;
• reached an agreement with the state Division of Motor Vehicles to enhance the state's motor voter activities;
• advocated for people with disabilities and mental illness living in state institutions and in the community;
• handled more than 2,000 complaints and concerns through its Office of Citizen Relations;
• saved ratepayers millions of dollars in utility, phone and cable costs;  and
  expanded its efforts to protect elderly New Jerseyans from abuse and financial exploitation.

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

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