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

Making New Jersey A Home For Growth

Making New Jersey A Home For Growth

By Kim Guadagno

New Jersey businesses – both large and small – are facing daunting obstacles during the current economic climate that has slowed down, and in many cases stopped their ability to create jobs and grow.

Today, the reforms the Governor has proposed are taking shape in the New Jersey Partnership for Action. The Partnership is the centerpiece of our Administration’s economic development agenda. It will serve as the starting point for all our initiatives, policies and efforts related to growing New Jersey’s economy and creating quality, sustainable jobs.

New Jersey job creators will now have a partner in Trenton, working to attract new businesses and helping existing businesses thrive.

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Businesses May Utilize Net Operating Losses For Tax Refund

As a result of the economic downturn, many businesses generated net operating losses (“NOLs”) for federal income tax purposes for their 2008 and 2009 taxable years.

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act (“WHBAA”), enacted in November 2009, expanded the ability of taxpayers to carry back these NOLs to offset income from prior tax years.

Many taxpayers will be able to take advantage of this legislation to obtain tax refunds.

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NJ Congressional Health Care Vote

On March 21st, HR 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed the House 219-212.   

Voting yes were 219 Democrats and 0 Republicans.

Voting no were 34 Democrats and 178 Republicans.

The Majority of Americans including NJ's Voters overwhelmingly oppose HR 3590, believing that reform is needed but HR 3590 is not the solution to reduce or even slow rising health care costs. Dispite the publics overwhelming opposition the Bill was passed, in effect ignoring the will of the people.

What was never considered in the debate or included in the legislation is the fact that Insurance companies are merely the vehicle through which medical bills are paid. Insurance Companies set their premiums based upon charges by the hospitals, doctors, and drug companies. For any real cost savings in the cost of Insurance Premiums those costs must be contained. HR 3590 does nothing to contain those costs.

What was also ignored is Association Health Plans which have been proven to reduce insurance premiums in New Jersey by up to 50%. Association Health Plan Legislation was on the table throughout the Bush Administration and although passed by the House was repeatedly blocked by Democrats in the Senate. Now that we have a new President we are expected to believe that suddenly health care reform is an emergency after being blocked for 8 years by Senate Democrats under President George W Bush.

 

The following are the Votes cast for HR 3590 by our NJ Congressial Delegation.

House Democrats:

Adler, NO /  Andrews, YES / Holt, YES / Pallone, YES / Pascrell, YES / Payne, YES /  Rothman, YES / Sires, YES.

House Republicans:

Frelinghuysen. NO / Garrett, NO / Lance, NO / LoBiondo, NO / Smith, NO.

Senate Democrats:  Lautenberg, YES  /  Menendez, YES.

Your Government Affairs Committee Working For You

The NJECPAC is currently Tracking 127 Legislative Bills including resolutions introduced in the NJ Assembly and or NJ Senate or both. NJECPAC also seek sponsors for new Legislative initiatives that if passed would help Electrical Contractors, Small Business and ultimately the Taxpayers of New Jersey. 

The NJECPAC also tracks Federal Legislation through a partnership with NJ-IEC and NJ-ABC who provide details and materials surrounding Federal Legislation that are not otherwise available to the Government Affairs Committee.  

Members of NJ-IEC are in Washington, DC  this week visiting New Jersey Congressmen and New Jersey Senators Offices speaking with them about concerns that we all have as Electrical Contractors and Small Businessmen in New Jersey and the Nation. From June 15th through June 17th the NJ-ABC members will be do the same.  

Please take the time to view the List of Legislative Bills the Government Affairs Committee is tracking. Please provide your comments concerning any Legislation via email or phone message directly to the NJECPAC.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Supporting Associations, BCECA NJ-IEC, PCECA, NJECA, FCECA, ECECA, and NJ-ABC