N.J. Governor Chris Christie Sets Tone For Rest Of The Country

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is tackling the nation’s worst state deficit.....$10.7 billion of a $29.3 billion budget.  In doing so, Christie has become the politician so many Americans crave, one willing to lose his job. Indeed, Christie is doing something unheard of: governing as a Republican in a blue state, just as he campaigned, making good on promises, acting like his last election is behind him.

Christie is adamant about lowering taxes. Under Democrat Control, taxes were raised 115 times in the last eight years, he said the wealthy are tapped out. Property taxes rose nearly 70 percent in the last decade, and studies show top earners — the 1 percent of taxpayers paying 40 percent of income tax — are fleeing the Garden State.

The multi-billion dollar question for NJ Taxpayers is; do they have the courage vote out the majority and change control of the State Legislature in 2011 when the Full Assembly and Senate will be up for re-election as they did with the top seat of Governor.

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EPA EXPANDS LEAD-SAFE CONTRACTOR REQUIRMENT

The Environmental Protection Agency April 23 announced efforts to expand its Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program, just one day after the program took effect.

The current rule exempts contractors from the RRP program if the homeowner certifies there is no child under the age of six and no pregnant women living in the home. However, beginning June 22, that exemption will be abolished and contractors renovating any pre-1978 residential building will have to be trained under the RRP program.

EPA also issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking to expand the RRP program to include public and commercial buildings, a policy the agency plans to finalize by July 2013.  
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Senator Jennifer Beck Intoduces Bill to Repeal Prevailing Wage on BPU Assisted Projects

Senator Jennifer Beck has introduced S-1871 – Her bill repeals the law requiring prevailing wage be paid to workers employed in construction undertaken with Board of Public Utilities financial assistance.

S-1871 is identical to A-2370  that Assemblyman O’Scanlon introduced on March 4th 2010.

Click on Assembly or Senate Bill number to view Legislation

Small Business Tax Credit For Healthcare Now Available

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law the President on March 23, 2010, small businesses now have reason to consider offering health insurance coverage for the first time or to continue maintaining existing coverage for their employees.

The tax credit specifically targets "eligible small employers," for purposes of the tax credit, an employer must:

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  An Employer must employ less than 25 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) for a tax year;
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  Pay wages that average less than $50,000 per employee per year (for taxable years beginning in 2010 through 2013); and
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  The Employer must provide health care coverage under a "qualifying arrangement." 

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Governor Signs Law Limiting Time For Licensing Boards To Resolve Complaints

On Friday May 7th, Governor Chris Christie signed S936 / A2297 (Cardinale, Sarlo, Prieto) into Law.

The new law requires consumer complaints to Licensing Boards of Regulated Professions to be resolved within 120 days.

S936 is a bill supported by the NJECPAC Member Organizations

Businesses Brace For $350 Million UI Payroll Tax Increase