House Republicans Succumb to Pressure to Pass Inferior Senate Tax Bill

By Joseph Hovanec Jr.

It is truly amazing how House Republicans were forced to cave to Senate Democrat and Obama's Demands to Scrap the full year $1000 Tax Cut already passed by the House, and instead pass the inferior and inadequate 60 day $160 tax cut passed by the Senate instead. 

The entire Main Stream Media and just about every Political Pundit condemned Republicans for taking a stance on Principal for the American People, forcing the GOP's hand to settle for less. The Democrats, led by Obama and their Media Lapdogs falsely reported to the American People that if Republicans did not pass the Senate Plan they would be responsible for increasing taxes. What kind of Math is that? 

The reality is that the Senate, controlled by Democrats would have been the cause of a tax increase because the House controlled by Republicans passed a 12 month $1000 tax cut and the Senate cut that back to a 60 day $160 tax cut. 

What is worse is the Media is reporting that the Democrats and Obama have won the fight. How can giving less to the American People be viewed as a victory?

It is a sad state of affairs when the Media can successfully create the illusion that a $160 tax cut is more for the American People than a $1000 tax cut. Whats worse is the majority of Americans actually believe they are getting something. How sad is that?

This tax is also being touted as a payroll tax cut which is in itself disingenuous. Most Americans equate payroll taxes with federal tax deductions. This cut is a reduction in the FICA tax deduction which is the only thing that funds Social Security. If they want to give a tax cut then cut the Federal Tax rate by 2% and leave Social Security alone. An extension of this tax cut no matter how long it is can only result in the acceleration of Social Securities path to insolvency. 

Not only is this a bad deal for the American People in the face dollar amount alone, it is a far worse deal for Seniors who are absent on the issue. 

I would bet anything that if George W Bush or any other Republican President advocated cutting funding to Social Security they would be accused of tossing grandma over the cliff in her wheelchair and we would see TV adds visualizing that very thing, but Obama can do just that and we hear not a word from Seniors. 

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Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from NJECPAC

"Wishing You A Prosperous And Profitable New Year" 
FROM YOUR NJECPAC


Providing Funding For Merit Shop Legislative Initiatives For Electrical Contractors And Small Businesses Throughout New Jersey.

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P.O. Box 196, Fords NJ, 08863

732-582-2579 ~ NJECPAC@comcast.net

Former Employees Accuse PSE&G of Misappropriating Solar Funds

Three former employees of Public Service Electric & Gas are suing PSE&G claiming they were fired for reporting fraud the company committed against ratepayers.

The employees claim that PSE&G wrongfully used 'State Solar Money' for a billboard, funneled efficiency money to cover a mistaken $325,000 payment to UMDNJ and ignored unbilled use of electricity by Newark’s red light cameras, forcing other customers to pay instead.

"The company is aware of these claims brought by former employees, all of whom were discharged for lawful reasons," said a spokesman for parent company PSEG tonight. "These allegations are entirely without merit. The company is ready to vigorously defend its position."

The attorney for the fired workers, Adam Kleinfeldt, said he had emails to back up the lawsuit.

"PSE&G tried to quash opposition and objection to fraudulent practices because of the money it was making off those practices," said Kleinfeldt. "I think my clients were fired for putting it in writing. They were speed bumps." Read More

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Obama Puts His Campaign Before Trying Terrorists

Obama: Forget trying terrorists, I have a campaign to run

The Daily Caller Reports that Obama threw Attorney General Holder's effort to give terrorists civilian trials under his reelection campaign bus last week when his boss, Barack Obama nixed  Holder's efforts to control the prosecution of jihadis terrorists who captured overseas and authorized the release of a terrorist who murdered four captured Americans soldiers.

The Associated Press reported that Obama’s political priorities, were further highlighted when Iraqi officials announced that the terrorist, Ali Musa Daqduq, would face a minor charge of illegal entry into Iraq.

During a Daqduq-masterminded 2007 attack on a joint U.S.-Iraqi building in Karbala, attackers wore U.S uniforms and killed a U.S. soldier prior to kidnapping four more U.S. soldiers. Other U.S. forces chased the fleeing attackers, who abandoned their vehicles after murdering the four American captives.

“The Daqduq case shows exactly why Congress is right to challenge the Obama administration’s misguided terrorism policies and to question Holder’s ability to put the nation’s security before his ideology,” said Law Professor John Yoo. Read More

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Corzine & MF Global, The 8th Largest Bankruptcy in US History

By Joseph Hovanec

Little has been reported by the mainstream media about the former Democrat US Senator and former Democrat NJ Governor the Honorable (I use that term loosely) Jon Corzine's MF Global meltdown. 

The Company's bankruptcy filing is the "8th Largest in US History", so one would think it would be news. However, the so called Mainstream Media with the exception of Fox News is largely silent on the issue. The only reason that so many people do know about it is that more people watch Fox News than all the other Mainstream news networks combined.

The main cause of the MF Global meltdown is reported to be largely caused by the misuse of and dare I say 'missing' client money which forced the firm into Bankruptcy. Jon Corzine tried to unload, or as some would say 'sell' the firm just prior to the Meltdown but the company that would have been the new owner discovered that there is approximately 1.2 Billion in client money that could not be accounted for so that deal fell through which led to MF Globals demise. 


Jon Corzine testified in front of Congress yesterday where he stated that he is sorry, but he does not know where the missing MF Global clients money is. 


So it seems that Jon Corzine left MF Global in exactly the same condition he left Trenton, 'BROKE', Imagine That!!!

One of my favorite cyber columnists Rich Galen today wrote on Jon Corzine and MF Global, His article is so informative and well written that I have included a link to it Here 


Watch WSJ coverage of Jon Corzine’s Testimony before Congress Here 
Watch excerpt of Jon Corzine’s Video Testimony Here
Read Wikipedia entry for the Sarbanes-Oxley bill Here
Read Reuters explanation of what happened at MF Global Here

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Businesses Eligible For Up To $9,600 In Tax Credits for Hiring Unemployed Veterans

The American Jobs Act provides incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans. Businesses hiring veterans who have been unemployed for specified periods of time will be eligible to receive incentives of $2,400 to $5,600 per veteran hired.

On November 21, 2011, the President signed into law two new tax credits:

• The Returning Heroes Tax Credit is a new hiring tax credit that will provide an incentive for businesses to hire unemployed veterans.
  • Short-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages (up to $2,400) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed at least 4 weeks.
  • Long-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first $14,000 of wages (up to $5,600) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months.
• The Wounded Warrior Tax Credit will double the existing tax credit for long-term unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities.
  • Maintain the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for veterans with service-connected disabilities (currently the maximum is $4,800).
  • A new credit of 40 percent of the first $24,000 of wages (up to $9,600) for firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been unemployed longer than 6 months. Read more.

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Governor Christie releases the final version of N.J.'s Energy Master Plan

Governor Chris Christie released the state’s final 2011 Energy Master Plan, which is described as strategically balancing the development of new sources of clean energy, including natural gas, with renewables. The plan, which is the governor’s vision for the use, management, and development of energy in the state, builds upon what he sees as his efforts to make New Jersey the largest and fastest-growing solar energy market in the United States. 

Additionally, the administration proposes to address the current drop in the market price of solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) with a plan designed to encourage growth of the solar industry and create the necessary certainty that will allow financial community to invest in energy development.


The Governor’s office has focused on the following:

• Accelerate the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and reduce the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) 
• Returning to the percentage obligation for solar 
• Promoting Solar Installations that Provide Economic and Environmental Benefit by Limiting SREC Eligibility 
• Expanding Opportunities for Solar 
• Drive down the cost of energy for all customers 
• Promote a diverse portfolio of new, clean, in-state generation 
• Reward energy efficiency and energy conservation and reduce peak demand 
• Capitalize on emerging technologies for transportation and power production 
• Maintain support for the renewable energy portfolio standard of 22.5 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2021

Click here for a copy of the final 'Energy Master Plan'

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NJ DOL Mandatory Employers Posting Now In Effect

New state rules require employers to post notices about their obligations to maintain pertinent employee wage and benefit records.

Under the new rules, existing employees and new hires must be provided with a written copy of the notice. Employers must provide a written copy of the notice for existing employees by December 7, 2011.



Employees hired after November 7, 2011 must be provided with a written copy of the notice at the time of their hiring. In both cases, attaching the notice to an e-mail satisfies the written notice requirement.


The Notice includes contact information for New Jersey State representatives who are available to provide employees with information or to facilitate their filing of complaints regarding an employer's alleged failure to meet the requirements of these statutes.


Employers risk fines up to $1,000 for failing to comply with the notice and posting requirements, in addition to potential criminal penalties.


This notice follows on the heels of last year's new legislation imposing stricter penalties - including the loss of operating licenses - for New Jersey employers who repeatedly fail to comply with the State's wage, benefit and tax laws.
Read New State Rules Here

View Mandatory Posting Here

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Recent Debt Report Shows Stability & Predictability to NJ Businesses

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. issued the following statement on the most recent Debt Report presented to the state Commission on Capital Bonding and Planning:

“The debt report shows that this Governor is fixing the mess left by McGreevey, , and an unchecked Democratic legislature that just couldn't say no to spending Corzine money the state didn’t have. Gone are the days of double digit debt increases that are passed on to our children and grandchildren.

“The commitment by Governor Christie and Republican legislators to stabilizing state finances and reducing our debt is a powerful signal to the business community that it is once again safe to create jobs and invest in New Jersey.”

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New NJ Requirement To Post Long Notice Form And To Provide It To Employees

The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DOL) recently issued a regulation that requires New Jersey employers to post an long Notice Form (6 pages) about employer record-keeping and reporting requirements and state offices that employees can contact concerning possible employer violations. The law also requires employers to provide the Notice Form to existing employees and to new employees. 

The new regulation is already in effect, so if you have not already posted the Notice Form, post it now. The Notice Form is to be posted in a place or places accessible to all employees in each of the employer's workplaces. A copy of the Notice Form can be found Here

For employees hired after November 7, 2011, a copy of the Notice Form is to be provided to the employee at the time of hiring. For other employees, the Notice Form must be provided to them not later than December 7, 2011. 

If your company has an internet site or intranet site for exclusive use of your company's employees and if all of your company's employees have access to the site, your company can post the Notice Form on the internet or intranet site to comply with the posting requirement. Posting on one of those sites does not, however, comply with the requirement that each employee be provided a copy of the Notice Form. Your company can, however, comply with the requirement to give the Notice Form to the employee, if your company provides the Notice Form to the employee by email. 

Companies with workplaces outside of New Jersey may not have to post the notices in the non-New Jersey workplaces and may not have to provide the notices to non-New Jersey employees. 

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House Passes Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act

The House passed H.R. 3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act by a vote of 235 to 188.  You can find details on the  vote on the bill and its amendments below. 

Coalition for a Democrat Workplace (CDW) final letter is available here; 243 organizations signed on, including NJECPAC Member Organization New Jersey IEC. Our statement about the vote is available here. CDW will be working with the Senate to see the bill move forward there. The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act would rein in Obama's out of control NLRB

The NLRB voted 2 to 1 in favor of a resolution offered by Chairman Mark Pearce to streamline the ambush election proposed rule.  Member Craig Becker and Chairman Pearce voted in favor of the proposal, while Member Brian Hayes dissented, criticizing the substance of the proposal as well as the Board's failure to follow procedural rules. The Board will now move forward with drafting a final rule based on the Chairman's resolution. 

Based on the resolution, The CDW expects the final rule in the next few weeks.  The rule will not contain some of the aspects of the proposed rule, such as the 7 day period for a hearing and the requirement employers release employee phone numbers and email addresses.  However, The final rule will still significantly reduce the time period for elections and deprive employers of many due process rights. In short, the streamlined rule would radically change election procedures in an effort to promote rapid, increased unionization at the expense of employees and employers. Littler has a post with more details here.  


You can view CDW's comments on the original proposed rule here. CDW will be watching closely and will keep you posted.  The Board's information about the hearing, including a video archive that will be posted later today, is available here.

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Take Action Now to Block Egregious NLRB Rule Proposal

Craig Becker's recess appointment to the NLRB expires December 31. At that point, with only two Members, the Board will be powerless to issue even the most routine orders.

As we have previously reported, Craig Becker believes the only choice employees should have in a union election is which union to belong to.

The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act (H.R.3094) would block the NLRB's Ambush Election proposal, an effort by the Board to deny employees access to critical information about unions and strip employers of free speech and due process rights. H.R. 3094 would also reverse the Board’s recent decision which opens the door to micro-unions.


In a blatant attempt to finalize its biased ambush rule before Obama appointee Craig Becker’s term expires, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will vote on the proposed rule on November 30th – the same day Congress is set to vote on H.R. 3094 that would block the proposal!

That is why it is so important to TAKE ACTION NOW!!! Contact your legislator today and tell them to support H.R. 3094.

Think this proposed rule is no big deal? Think again. The rule is so egregious that Republican NLRB Appointee Brian Hayes has threatened to resign if the rule should come up for a vote. If Hayes resigns it would effectively quash a long-sought change to union election rules. 

Read More

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US Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Obamacare

Just as we had previously predicted, the Supreme will hear the challenge to the health care overhaul law brought by 26 states and NFIB. 

The arguments are expected to be heard sometime in March, and a decision would most likely follow sometime in June in the heat of the Presidential Election. "The health care law has not lived up to its promises of reducing costs, allowing citizens to keep their coverage or improving a cumbersome system that has long been a burden to small-business owners and employees, alike," said NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner. 

The NFIB plans to argue the individual mandate provision of the health care law is a violation of the US Constitution and can not stand on its own without it, NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner writes, "the existence of the individual mandate will set a precedent that will allow and embolden Congress to compel Americans to do, and to buy, whatever the government commands," Read More

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Senate Officially Passes Repeal of 3% Witholding Tax on Public Contracts

The Senate has officially passed the bill repealing the 3% percent withholding rule with a 95-0 vote. 

NJECPAC have long supported the measures repeal working closely with both IEC and ABC on this and other issues plaguing the business community in Washington.  

Republicans have been on board with the repeal of the measure for a number of years. It is refreshing to see that the Democrats that have been blocking the measure are finally catching up with what matters to Business. The President has also succumbed, and agreed to sign the measure into law. 

It is comforting to finally see a bill get bi-partisan support and to know that all of our time and efforts spent in Washington pressing legislators on this issue were not in vain. 

As Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass), the sponsor of the underlying withholding bill, said, “This is just the kind of thing we have been calling for, just the sort of thing we should be doing a lot more of around here.” 

The Senate also passed a bill offering tax incentives to companies that hire veterans (94-1). 

Read Full Story Here:

Next week, House Republicans will attempt to advance legislation combating the NLRB’s rule for “quickie union elections.” John Kline (R-Minn) stated, “We can’t wait for Democrats in Washington to wake up to the fact that the NLRB’s actions are wreaking havoc on American workplaces.” 

As with any issue effecting our members and their businesses, we will continue monitor this one closely. Full Story Here:

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NJ IEC Wins 2011 IEC National Legislative Chapter Of The Year Award

New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors Wins 2011

IEC National Legislative Chapter Of The Year Award

From Left to Right; IEC National President Mike Kallmeyer, NJ-IEC ED Eric DeGesero, Government Affairs Director Joseph Hovanec Jr., And NJ-IEC President Arthur Carver



New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors was named the 2011 Legislative Chapter of the Year at the 2011 IEC National Convention and Expo in Louisville Kentucky.

IEC National Association has over 60 chapters Nationwide. The Award is New Jersey IEC's third consecutive Legislative Chapter of the Year Award having also won the Award in 2009 & 2010 

New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors Chapter President Arthur Carver, IEC Northeast Regional Director Joseph Hovanec Jr. and NJ-IEC Executive Director Eric DeGesero Accepted the Award from 2011 IEC National President Mike Kallmeyer. 

NJ-IEC was recognized for its efforts to create a fair, equal, and safe workplace for all electrical contractors. NJ-IEC continues to maintain their long time Alliance with their Continuing Political Committee (NJECPAC) and other Electrical Contractor organizations throughout NJ for the common cause of working with the Legislature and Governor’s office to support and pass a package of tax relief bills.

The Independent Electrical Contractors National Association (IEC) also has a strong Nationally Recognized Government Affairs Committee representing Independent Electrical Contractors on Legislative and Regulatory issues in Washington DC. IEC National provides www.iecvotes.com enabling Electrical Contractors across the country to contact their Legislators in Washington on important issues affecting their business.



"I want to personally thank NJ-IEC and their members for their strong undying support of our NJECPAC. NJ-IEC members are among our strongest financial supporters. NJ-IEC members understand the importance of Government Affairs Representation to their Businesses and our Industry" said NJECPAC Chairman Joe Coviello, pictured. 




Coviello went on to say " I know I can speak for all NJECPAC members and member Organizations in offering NJ-IEC our appreciation for their Leadership in Government Affairs not only in New Jersey but also in Washinton DC. Once again, congratulations to New Jersey IEC on a job well done"

Please Help your NJECPAC continue to work to protect you and your business from damaging legislation and regulations from Trenton and Washington DC. NJECPAC provides the funding for Merit Shop Legislative Initiatives for Electrical Contractors and Small Businesses across New Jersey.

NJECPAC funding comes from generous contributions received from individual contractors, small businesses, individual local trade organizations, and individual taxpayers that each have an interest in protecting the industry in which they make their livelihood.

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Union contractors meet with basic trade leaders for strategic planning session

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) representing Union Contractors recently held a Trades Forum meeting in Washington, AGC members and their staff from across the country attended the meeting provided an opportunity for union contractors to voice their concerns to leaders of the national unions and the Association. 

Labor leaders decried lost man-hours and jobs over the past two years and mentioned some of their efforts to manage the crisis. They also discussed efforts to raise capital for both public and private construction and to be even more politically active.  

Items discussed included joint efforts with contractors to market the value of union construction in terms of productivity and training, as well as outreach to non-signatory contractors seeking to overcome anti-union prejudices. Initiatives to boost training including a significant increase in journeyman upgrading, development of a new, state-of-the-art training center and added focus on training craft workers to keep up with changing technology and materials.

The meeting also included discussion of cost-competitiveness, jurisdictional disputes and other inter-union strife, and workforce development. Read More 

We believe AGC Members have a long road ahead of them given the fact that the wages that their members are forced to pay their union employees are as high as 50% higher than Merit Shop Contractors who already pay their employees well. That in itself inhibits union contractors from being competitive, add to that the lavish benefit packages they have signed on to give their union employees and it is no wonder they find it difficult to compete in the free market private sector.

Their inability to compete on a level playing field has in fact been negotiated and agreed to by their own members. Their own self destructive contracts are the primary reason why they are forced to spend hundreds of millions on political advocacy to get any substantial work in this economy at all. 

Meanwhile the Republican controlled House has passed at least 17 Jobs bills that can help AGC members and their union employees. However, those measures sit languishing in the Senate on Harry Reids (D) desk who has no intention of considering any of them. 

Perhaps on this election day they should take a good look in the mirror to see where the blame for their troubles really lie.....Or, they can maintain their anguish by going to the Polls and voting for every Democrat on the ballot. 

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Senate moves forward with Debate on repeal of 3 percent withholding

The Senate voted yesterday to move forward with debate on the House-passed bill that would repeal the 3 percent withholding requirement for government contractors.  

The Measure passed the Senate with a 94-1 vote. A final passage vote may take place as early as Thursday.

The bill, H.R. 674, was easily approved by the House in a 405-16 vote. However, the bill that paid for the repeal of the withholding rule, which scaled back the healthcare law's expanded access to Medicaid, had scant support from Democrats, and was approved 262-157.

While some Senate Democrats might have issues with the House pay-for bill, the Senate is expected to vote favorably on the legislation as approved by the House. The Obama administration supports both the repeal bill and the pay-for.

More on the Senate vote can be found Here 

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