PAID FAMILY LEAVE ACTION ALERT!

Oppose Paid Family Leave – S-2249 (Sweeney/D-3; Buono/D-18): The Senate Labor Committee is scheduled to take testimony on S-2249 which expands the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program to provide TDI benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn and newly adopted children. New Jersey is currently one of only five states that provides TDI benefits for the birth of a child. Mandating paid time off for businesses of all sizes disrupts the employer/employee relationship by mandating a one size fits all benefit package. Chamber members are encouraged to click here to send an e-mail to Senate President Richard Codey and members of the Senate Labor Committee to voice opposition to this mandate. Contact: Jim Leonard


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Innovation Zones Proposed – A-2098 (Chivukula/D-17; Greenstein/D-14; Lampitt/D-6; Cohen/D-20; Whelan/D-2): Assembly passed 76-2.  Establishes an innovation zone program to stimulate technology industry clusters around New Jersey ’s public universities or research hospitals.  This bill is designed to keep New Jersey on the cutting edge of development and discovery.  The high tech business sector is an important segment of New Jersey 's economy that generates significant revenue and high quality jobs. Contact: Mary Ellen Peppard

Creation of Sports and Entertainment Districts – A-3835/S-11 (Van Drew/D-1; Albano/D-1; Fisher/D-3; Burzichelli/D-3; Asselta/R-1): Governor Corzine signed into law on January 26.  Authorizes the creation of a sports and entertainment district and authorizes the imposition of additional taxes in that area to finance development of a sports and entertainment facility. Specifically, this bill is designed to support the building of a world-class motor sports facility in Cumberland County that will generate jobs, raise significant tax revenue and attract visitors. Contact: Jim Leonard

ENERGY

Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
Relief from Energy Taxes – S-2410 (Codey/D-27; Doria/D-31): Committee passed.  Exempts from payment for seven years specific taxes and energy charges for certain manufacturing facilities. Manufacturers are among the largest users of electricity and natural gas. The Chamber believes that high energy costs are hampering state manufacturers and the exemptions provided under this bill will encourage them to stay here and expand operations. Contact: Michael Egenton

GOVERNMENT REFORM

Senate State Government Committee
Clean Elections Pilot Project – S-2438/A-100 (Turner/D-15; Roberts/D-5; Greenstein/D-14; Greenwald/D-6; Baroni/R-14; Handlin/R-13): Committee passed, referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.  Creates the 2007 NJ Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act by appropriating $7.675 million. This bill builds on the pilot project from two years ago and represents a significant step toward improving the way elections are run in the state.  Contact: Jim Leonard

Corruption Busting – S-14 (Adler/D-6; Karcher/D-12; Codey/D-27): Assembly passed 79-0. Imposes mandatory imprisonment and mandatory forfeiture of pension and retirement benefits for public officers or employees convicted of certain crimes involving their office or employment.   Combating corruption and imposing stiff penalties on violators is a major priority for the Platform for Progress Government Reform Initiative.  Contact: Jim Leonard

HEALTH

Bill Takes Away Ways to Lower Health Insurance – A-1631 (Conaway/D-7; Chivukula/D-17; Cohen/D-20): Assembly held – no vote.  Amends the Health Care Quality Act by deleting prior authorization requirements by certain health insurance carriers for accessing the following health care services:  physical and occupational therapy services, prescription drugs and biologics, radiological examinations, and durable medical equipment.  The State Chamber believes this legislation will drive up the cost of health care by restricting proven managed care techniques that assure the delivery of quality care at an appropriate price.  Contact: Jim Leonard

LABOR

Mandatory Prenotification of Plant Closings – A-1044 (Van Drew/D-1; Johnson/D-37; Egan/D-17; Greenstein/D-14): Assembly passed 52-24.  Requires employers with 100 or more workers to provide 90 days notice if the employer terminates 50 or more employees in a 30-day period. Businesses would be required to give notice to the Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner, the local municipality, the employees and their representatives.  Requiring employers to report in this way duplicates federal requirements under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification act and is another example of New Jersey imposing legislative initiatives that are more stringent than federal standards.  Contact: Jim Leonard

BEIP Prevailing Wage – S-2247 (Sweeney/D-3; Coniglio/D-38): Senate passed 23-15, referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.  Requires that any construction or renovation project receiving financial assistance through the state Economic Development Authority, including the Business Employment Incentive Program (BEIP), pay the prevailing wage. Since its inception, the BEIP has been shown to be a successful incentive program that creates new jobs and fosters economic growth. Additionally, the BEIP has a high rate of accountability since financial assistance is directly tied to job creation.  Contact: Jim Leonard



PLATFORM FOR PROGRESS

The Platform for Progress, which outlines the chamber’s vision for the state in the areas of economic development, education, environment, government reform, health care and transportation, can be downloaded here

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.