Congress Votes to Extend E-Verify for Three More Years

E-Verify is an Internet-based, free program run by the United States Government that compares information from an employee's Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 to data from U.S. government records. If the information matches, that employee is eligible to work in the United States.

E-Verify was to expire in March 2009, lawmakers began working on an extension in the fall of 2008. New Jersey's Sen. Bob Menendez refused to lift a hold he placed on the extension without a massive increase in green cards, so Congress put the E-Verify extension on the shelf until the spring.

Neither action was about mandating E-Verify for all employers. But for the government to be allowed to offer E-Verify for voluntary use, the extensions had to be passed in 2009 and again this month.

The House of Representatives has now approved the extension of E-Verify for another 3 years. The electronic employment verification program, which could have big impact in ending the flow of illegal immigration to the United States, is set to expire at the end of the month, but, now that it's passed through both chambers of Congress, we fully expect Pres. Obama to sign the extension into law. Read More Here

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Bill Would Change How Businesses Sell Their Scrap Metals

ASSEMBLY, No. 3222  

STATE OF NEW JERSEY 

215th LEGISLATURE 

This bill, which amends P.L.2009, c.8 (C.45:28-1 et seq.), requires scrap metal businesses to maintain, for at least five years, a record of all receipts or purchases of scrap metal, instead of only for those purchases in excess of 100 pounds or $50, as currently provided by law.  This bill also requires that scrap metal businesses make payment to any person delivering or selling scrap metal only by non-transferable check made payable to that person, to be mailed to an address provided by that person as required pursuant to existing law. 

The bill requires scrap metal businesses to send copies of all records maintained pursuant to law to the appropriate law enforcement agency at the close of each business day.  Under the bill, scrap metal businesses may accept delivery of scrap metal by motor vehicle only, and must record the license plate number of any motor vehicle which is used to deliver scrap metal. 

One problem NJECPAC has identified is that if passed an employer that sends their employee to the scap yard would not receive payment for their scrap. Their employee would receive a check via us mail for the employers scrap. NJECPAC Board of Governors sees this as a major flaw in the legislation and will be seeking an amendment from the Legislature addressing this and any other issues that the Board identifies with this legislation. 

View Legislation Here

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Senate Bill S2116 Would Grant Reciprocity Of All Professional Licenses

SENATE, No. 2116 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

215th LEGISLATURE

Senate Bill S2116 would grant reciprocity of all of New Jersey's Professional licenses to Licensees of other states was reviewed by NJECPAC. The Legislature subsequently amended the Bill addressing the concerns provided by NJECPAC.

The original bill would have granted reciprocity to out of state contractors to work in NJ but did not grant reciprocity to NJ Contractors to work in other states

The bill as Amended would exempt the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors from the provisions contained within S2116. Assembly Bill A1545 is identical to the Senate Version. View Legislation Here.

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Governor and NJ Democrats Disagree On Success of Property Tax Cap

Governor Chris Christie says the 2% Property Tax Cap is working while the States Democrats are claiming it is an egregious failure

The Truth is that Democrats led by Senate President Steve Sweeney soundly rejected Governor Christie's plan for a flat 3% Cap that contained no loopholes. They then substituted their own 2% cap with various loopholes for Schools and Municipalities that they ultimately passed and sent to the Governor

Of course the Governor did sign the bill, so his name is indeed on it. We believe the Governor signed the slightly flawed Bill because he believed that if he did not compromise there would have been no Property Tax Relief at all. 

Now some are claiming the cap is an egregious failure. For purely political reasons those that are making that claim think the electorate will believe that it is all Chris Christie's Fault........


Although not perfect, what was passed was a compromise between the Governor and the States Democrats which gave some property tax relief, There is still room for more work to be done by both Parties to help Municipalities manage their affairs and provide services to Property tax payers including Small Businesses without raising taxes by eliminating waste that still exists around every corner. 

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Don't Miss Our 2012 Summer Networking Event

Missed Our 2011 Summer Fun Family Picnic?

 

There is Still Time To Register For Our July 19, 2012 Event

Email Us that you will be attending, njecpac@comcast.net

Bring Your Check to the Event, And See Us At The Gate For Your Ticket 

       Join Us For An Evening Of Summer Family Fun

July 19, 2012 6:00PM

Bring Your Family, Friends, Colleagues, Neighbors & Clients

The Picnic Packages Includes All Of These GREAT Features!

• Ticket to the game
• Private picnic area for the whole game, with your OWN party host.
• Complete BBQ grill for approx. 90 minutes featuring delicious baseball fare. ~ Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Grilled Chicken, Pasta Salad, Chips, Cookies, and more!
• Unlimited Draft Beer, Soda and Bottled Water until the 7^th Inning
• 10% discount coupon for the Strike Zone gift shop.
• Group recognition during the game.

Adults:                $60.00

Children:            $30.00

Corporate, Association, and Individual Sponsorships

Are Also Available

 

For more information,

please contact: 

Joe Coviello - 201-410-5487 or

Email the NJECPAC at njecpac@comcast.net

Access Registration Here

                                                    

  NJECPAC ~  P.O. Box 196
Fords, NJ 08863

Event proceeds will help to provide funding for Legislative Initiatives for the Electrical Industry

 and Small Business throughout New Jersey.

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Explore More at NJECPAC

New Lamp Regulations Now In Effect

On Saturday July 14th, many popular lamps are no longer being manufactured due to changes in legislation standards. More Here


Visit Philips Lighting to use their interactive lamp replacement tool and to learn about the impact this change has on your lighting options. 


Between 2005 and 2009, fluorescent ballast regulations imposed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) became effective in phases, limiting availability of T12 magnetic ballasts in new fixtures. In July 2010, the final phase of these regulations went into effect, virtually eliminating fluorescent F40T12, F96T12 and F96T12HO magnetic ballasts from the market. This includes both full wattage and energy saving versions (e.g., ballasts for 34W T12 lamps) as well as replacement ballasts—with few exceptions. 

The final nail has come in 2012. New DOE fluorescent lamp regulations are taking effect, strengthening standards for lamp types covered by previous regulation while also covering 8' T8, 4' T5, along with more wattages of 4' T8 and T12 lamps. The net result, with few exceptions, is that a majority of 4' linear and 2' U-shaped T12, many 8' T12 and T12HO, and some low color rendering 4' T8 lamps are being eliminated.

Missed Our 2011 Summer Fun Family Picnic?

 Don’t Miss The Fun in 2012

       Join Us For An Evening Of Summer Family Fun

July 19, 2012 6:00PM


View Event And Registration Info Here

     
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Happy 4th of July from NJECPAC

Happy Birthday USA 

      

  View NJECPAC's "Constitution and Liberty " Youtube

Video Playlist   Here

A Soldier Is Someone Who, At One Point Wrote A Blank Check Made Payable To The United States of America For An Amount Up To And Including Their Own Life

A True Soldier Fights Not Because They Hate What Is In

Front Of Them, But Because They Love What Is Behind Them

  

View NJECPAC's "Constitution and Liberty "

Youtube Video Playlist   Here

Missed Our 2011 Summer Fun Family Picnic?

 Don’t Miss The Fun in 2012

Join Us For An Evening Of Summer Family Fun

July 19, 2012 6:00PM

Bring Your Family, Friends, Colleagues, Neighbors & Clients

The Picnic Packages Includes All Of These GREAT Features!

• Ticket to the game
• Private picnic area for the whole game, with your OWN party host.
• Complete BBQ grill for approx. 90 minutes featuring delicious baseball fare. ~ Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Grilled Chicken, Pasta Salad, Chips, Cookies, and more!
• Unlimited Draft Beer, Soda and Bottled Water until the 7^th Inning
• 10% discount coupon for the Strike Zone gift shop.
• Group recognition during the game.

Adults:                $60.00

Children:            $30.00

Corporate, Association, and Individual Sponsorships

Are Also Available

 

For more information,

please contact: 

Joe Coviello - 201-410-5487 or

Email the NJECPAC at njecpac@comcast.net

Access Registration Here

                                                    

  NJECPAC ~  P.O. Box 196
Fords, NJ 08863

Event proceeds will help to provide funding for Legislative Initiatives for the Electrical Industry

 and Small Business throughout New Jersey.

Follow NJECPAC on Twitter,  Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn

Explore More at NJECPAC

Solar Energy Rescue Bill Awaiting Governors Action

The NJ Assembly and Senate has sent a bill (S-1925) designed to rescue the floundering Solar Industry from collapsing. Assemblyman Bob Smith explained: "We are a victim of our own success. We've had so much solar built in New Jersey and so many SRECs available that the market for these Solar Renewable Energy Credits (once selling at $600 and now under $100 per credit) has crashed and there are lots of unintended consequences."  Read Senate Floor Statement

Among those unintended consequences:

1. Public entities caught in a squeeze - Counties and municipalities contracting for the installation of solar energy projects are finding that the SREC prices are not high enough to repay the public bonds floated to finance the projects. If a project already is under way, taxpayers are stuck with the bill for the shortfall. If a project has not yet started, it likely will never get off the ground.

2. Negative future for private projects - Bankers often look at SRECs as collateral, providing them with the confidence to lend money for construction. If the fluctuating value of the solar credit cannot be relied upon to remain sufficiently high over the life of the loan, banks won't take the risk.

The bottom line is what Smith describes as a "crisis." Without a prompt legislative solution to stabilize solar credits, the market will dry up and scores of solar-installation companies will fail and jobs will be lost.

Business organizations worried about costs; Representatives of the NJ Business and Industry Association, NJ Chamber of Commerce, and the Chemistry Council of NJ, cautioned against additional government mandates that would drive New Jersey's already high energy prices even higher.

Noting that the program will reach $190 million by 2016--and that the state's largest employers will bear 60 percent of that cost--the Chemistry Council's Hal Bozarth said: "At some point the Legislature has to say to the solar industry: we're cutting you loose."

At the end of the last session,similar legislation passed both houses but was vetoed by the governor. Gov. Christie Proposes Alternative To Solar Energy Legislation In N.J].

Read more details about the legislation in: Can the State Save New Jersey's Solar Sector? 

Read S1925 Here

Our View: The so called Solar Industry has been a thorn in the side of Electrical Contractors since its inception. Many Solar Energy Contractors are not Electrical Contractors as the 1962 Electrical Contractors Licensing Law dictates. 

Many Unlicensed Solar Contractors  violate the law day in and day out. In fact every time they install Solar Panels utilizing their employees who are not Licensed or qualified to do so they commit a Felony in the State of New Jersey. 

These Solar Contractors sub contract Licensed Electrical Contractors only to make the final connections, and they would not do that if the Electrical Industry did not engage the help of the Electrical Licensing Board and Electrical Inspectors across the state to ensure the installation of Solar Panels work is done by Licensed Contractors. The Electrical Contractors that are accepting this work are hurting the very industry in which they make their living. The Electrical Contractors enabling these violations are Not Electrical Contractors that run Professional Electrical Contracting Businesses In the State of New Jersey.  

At some point the Solar Industry will have to stand on its own two feet. Cost for Solar Panels and equipment will not come down to more affordable levels until Solar subsidies are eliminated. 

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Roberts, May Have Slyly Handed Election To Romney

As you have no doubt heard by now, the Supreme Court largely upheld Obamacare with Chief Justice John Roberts writing the majority 5 to 4 decision. Even Justice Kennedy called for the whole law to be thrown out, but John Roberts saved it.


John Roberts is playing at a different game than just about everyone else. While most are viewing a poker hand. He’s playing chess. 

Although we believe the concern is invalid, Roberts is concerned about keeping the Supreme Court above the partisan fray and damaging the Courts reputation


Roberts written opinion forces everyone to deal with the issue as a political, not a legal issue.


Roberts has expanded Congresses taxation power. By blocking the Commerce clause as an avenue for Congressional overreach, he has affirmed the Democrats are massive taxers.


Roberts opinion forces everyone to deal with the Health Care problem politically. Democrats are going to have a hard time running up to November claiming the American people need to vote for them to preserve Obamacare. The Law remains very unpopular with the American people. A vote for Health Care is now a vote for keeping a massive tax increase, we can not wait to see how that works out for them. 


Roberts decision also totally removes a growing left-wing talking point. Suddenly voting for Obama because of Supreme Court judges in November issue is gone. 


If they do not squander it Congressional Republicans have been handed an opportunity to try to shut down the individual mandate thereby Forcing Democrats on the record about the mandate. 

60% of Americans still agree with Republicans on the issue. The Democrats will continue claiming that individual pieces of Obamacare are quite popular. With John Roberts’ opinion, the repeal fight takes place on GOP turf, not Democrat turf. The all or nothing repeal has always been better ground for the GOP and now John Roberts has forced everyone onto that ground. 


It seems very, very clear to me in reviewing John Roberts’ decision that he is playing a much longer game, and can afford to with a life tenure. And he probably just handed Mitt Romney the White House. Read More Here

Missed Our 2011 Summer Fun Family Picnic?

 Don’t Miss The Fun in 2012

Join Us For An Evening Of Summer Family Fun

July 19, 2012 6:00PM

     
 Follow NJECPAC on Twitter,  Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn 

Explore More at NJECPAC

NJECPAC Protecting NJ Electrical Contractors

Joseph Hovanec Jr. IEC National
Government Affairs Chairman 

We have seen unions being beaten back across the country which in the public sector and for taxpayers may be a good thing however, the consequence could be a focus and strengthening of Construction Labor Unions. 

Unions know that Merit shop construction trades are vulnerable and unorganized. NJECPAC primary focus is Electrical Contractors, we predict increased union activity and a rough road ahead for Merit Shop Electrical Contractors that will be forced to defend themselves against union organizing attempts. 

In NJ there are many separate Electrical Contractor Associations however, the large majority of Merit Shop Electrical Contractors do not belong to an Association, which leaves them out in the cold with no protection when they are targeted by a union. 

Another issue that is easily corrected is Organizations that do exist primarily focus on mandated Continuing Education and not much more. The leading organizations know the importance being active in Government and Regulatory Affairs and are members of NJECPAC.    

NJECPAC is the common thread protecting Merit Shop Electrical Contractors in NJ against egregious Legislation and Regulations coming from Trenton. Local Electrical Contractors Association squandered an opportunity to protect their members when they rejected a merger with an Association that works diligently to protect their interests in NJ and also in Washington DC. Power and influence comes with numbers.

Every NJ Electrical Contractor has an obligation to their industry and the survival of their own business to be members of the strongest Association(s) in the State.  A good place to start is with a NJECPAC member Association. 

NJECPAC Member Associations are the leaders in New Jersey providing Education in Government & Regulatory Affairs, Credibility & Strength to NJ's Electrical Contractors. Strong Associations provide their members with the ability to protect themselves from unscrupulous union organizing activity, damaging Legislation, and Regulations, all of which can put them out of business before they know what happened. 

  Missed Our 2011 Summer Fun Family Picnic?

 Don’t Miss The Fun in 2012

    Join Us For An Evening Of Summer Family Fun

July 19, 2012 6:00PM

   
Follow NJECPAC on Twitter,  Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn 

Explore More at NJECPAC