Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee
Economic Growth Briefing - On March 3, Gary Rose, chief, Governor’s Office of Economic Growth (OEG); Caren Franzini, CEO, NJ Economic Development Authority; and Kevin Drennan, executive director, NJ Commerce Commission, provided committee members with an overview of priorities and plans for economic growth in New Jersey . They described their efforts to attract and retain businesses, with a particular focus on small- and medium-sized businesses and urban revitalization. Their achievements include a revamped, comprehensive website for businesses, the creation of an advocacy team to assist businesses with problems they encounter with state agencies, and new financing opportunities and incentive programs for businesses. These new initiatives include Urban Plus, a loan product that offers low interest financing for nine key urban centers, and an urban transit hub tax credit program for businesses that make significant capital investments within a half-mile of a rail station in nine municipalities that qualify for urban aid. 

OEG will soon unveil its updated Economic Growth Strategy, which will have a focus on urban and port initiatives, providing businesses with increased personalized assistance, and marketing the state. Members of the committee expressed concern about recently revised figures from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development showing that New Jersey employers added only 4,700 jobs in 2007. Gary Rose acknowledged vulnerability in certain sectors, such as the financial services and pharmaceutical industries, and indicated that OEG would concentrate on job retention in those areas, as well as others. 

The proposed elimination of Commerce as part of the fiscal 2009 budget was not discussed at the committee hearing. Contact: Mary Ellen Peppard

Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
Municipal Real Estate Sales  – S-506 (Oroho/R-24): Committee passed. Clarifies provisions of law concerning commissions and buyers premiums for the sale of local government real estate. While the State Chamber recognizes the position of Senator Oroho with regard to his legislation, we oppose this bill because it puts artificial caps on the commissions to be charged by auctioneers. These commissions (or buyers premiums) are paid by the purchaser (and not by the taxpayers of the municipality). We believe a cap could limit the number of vendors involved in the auction of municipal properties and lower the amount of money received for the sale. In addition, properties that are difficult to sell because they require significant time, effort, and marketing might have to be auctioned by municipalities because commercial auctioneers might find them to be less financially rewarding than other properties.  Contact: Jim Leonard

EDUCATION

Senate Education Committee
Opening School Board Meetings to the Public  – S-1300 (Turner/D-15; Ruiz/D-29) and A-690 (Spencer/D-29; Rodriguez/D-33): Committee passed. Amends the Open Public Meetings Act to require boards of education to set aside a portion of every board meeting for public comment. Boards of education maintain the discretion to set the length of time for the public comment portion of meetings. Public comment would be permitted on any school district issue of concern to the residents of the district. This bill mirrors the provision of P.L.2002, c.80 that required municipal governing bodies to provide for a period of public comment.  Contact: Jim Leonard

Senate Education Committee
Moving School Board Elections  – S-488 (Turner/D-15) and S-794 (Lance/R-23): Committee received testimony for discussion purposes only. These bills provide for the election of school board members during the November general election. This legislation is an important component of the Platform for Progress Government Reform Initiative. The State Chamber favors this measure because it will involve more citizens in the school board election process. Contact:  Jim Leonard

GOVERNMENT REFORM

Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
Qualified Purchasing Agents  – S-770 (Rice/D-28; Van Drew/D-1): Committee passed.  Redefines the role and qualifications of purchasing agents involved in Local Public Contracts Law. In the ever increasingly complex world of local public contracts and municipal finances, requiring government entities to have a qualified purchasing agent is prudent. The State Chamber believes implementing this will provide added protection to employers and residents who pay property taxes. Contact:  Jim Leonard

Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
Website for Shared Services – S-775 (Kyrillos/R-13): Committee passed, referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Requires an electronic bulletin board on the Department of Community Affairs website for local units to advertise shared services opportunities. Throughout the state, municipalities have banded together in unique and creative ways to share services and lower costs. State government plays an important role in helping to foster this type of activity. The State Chamber believes this initiative will provide municipalities with an additional valuable tool in their efforts to add efficiency and effectiveness to government.  Contact:  Jim Leonard

Assembly State Government Committee
Banning Duel Health Benefit Coverage – A-1405/A-1433 (Fisher/D-3; Burzichelli/D-3; O’Scanlon/R-12; Bramnick/R-21): Committee passed. Prohibits elected and appointed officials from receiving dual health benefit coverage. This is an important cost savings bill under the Platform For Progress Government Reform Initiative. Contact: Jim Leonard

Assembly State Government Committee
Prohibiting Campaign Contributions By Legislative Aides – A-2447 (Webber/R-26; Quigley/D-32; Schaer/D-36): Committee passed. Prohibits a legislative aide who works directly for a member of the Legislature in a district office from making a political contribution to that legislator. The bill establishes the same restrictions on individuals employed by members of the Legislature during the two-year period following their termination of employment or services.  In addition, the bill provides that anyone found to be in violation of these restrictions is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, which is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.  This is an important measure under the Platform For Progress Government Reform Initiative. Contact: Jim Leonard

HEALTH

Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee
Mental Health Coverage – A-2077 (Johnson/D-37; Vainieri Huttle/D- 37; Greenstein/D-14; Diegnan/D-18; Evans/D-35): Committee passed, referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee.  Revises statutory mental health coverage requirements and requires all health insurers to cover treatment for alcoholism and other substance-use disorders under same terms and conditions as for other diseases or illnesses.  Since the committee substitute makes the New Jersey bill similar to federal Senate legislation, the State Chamber has dropped its opposition.  Contact: Jim Leonard

LABOR

Assembly Labor Committee
Mandated Paid Leave – A-873 (Albano/D-1; Oliver/D-34) and S-786 (Sweeney/D-3; Buono/D-18): Committee passed A-873 and Senate passed S-786 by a vote of 22-16.  Expands the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program to provide TDI benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn and newly adopted children. Mandating paid time off for businesses of all sizes will significantly impact productivity. A mandated one size fits all benefit package will eliminate the ability of an employer to craft a benefit package that works best for their employees. Continue to send e-mails to key legislators to voice opposition to this mandate. You are also encouraged to call the Governor's Office at (609) 292-6000 to tell his staff that you are opposed to paid leave in New Jersey. Contact: Jim Leonard

Click here to tell key legislators you oppose paid leave.
 

Senate Labor Committee
Protecting the UI Fund – S-562 (Sweeney/D-3; Sarlo/D-36): Committee passed, referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.  Provides a new, reduced unemployment insurance (UI) tax schedule when the reserves in the State’s UI fund are greater than needed for claims.  Aside from the direct employer benefit of reduced UI taxes, this will help prevent an excessive build up in the UI fund balance during periods of growth and high employment, thus reducing the likelihood of the redirection of UI tax revenues to other purposes. Contact: Jim Leonard

TRANSPORTATION

Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee
NJ Transit Update – Richard Sarles, executive director of NJ Transit, provided committee members with an overview of their priorities and plans. NJ Transit is the third largest system in the nation, and the largest statewide system, operating 11 rail lines, 250 bus routes and three light rail systems, providing more than 260 million passenger trips each year.  The agency is in the process of modernizing its fleet by adding nearly 100 multi-level rail cars on three rail lines and purchasing 1,200 new buses that will be coming on line this summer.  

With regard to the ARC rail tunnel project connecting New Jersey and Manhattan, Federal Transit Administrator James Simpson was in New Jersey last week to express strong support for funding the $3 billion federal share of the project.  NJ Transit expects to move forward with the final round of public hearings next month, and remain on schedule to get a shovel in the ground next year to begin construction.  Contact: Michael Egenton

Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee
Expeditious Removal of Disabled Vehicles – A-1038 (Wisniewski/D-19): Committee passed.  This bill, based on a recommendation contained in the Congestion Buster’s Task Force Report, requires the operators of certain disabled vehicles to remove them from the roadway in a safe, but expeditious manner in order to avoid unnecessary traffic congestion and delays. The bill further clarifies that moving a vehicle under these circumstances does not constitute leaving the scene of an accident.  Contact: Michael Egenton

Trenton Watch is a publication of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. Thumbs up and down indicates the chamber’s support or opposition to issues. Questions? Call the State Chamber Government Relations Department at (609) 989-7888. Comments are always welcome.