The Seminar will be held on Thursday, November 6, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Lafayette Yard Marriott Conference Center in Trenton. Among those making presentations on their two-year construction plans for 2009-2010 will be:

Pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, public and private colleges and universities, casinos, private development firms, State Department of Transportation, NJ Transit, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, utilities, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties-New Jersey, the Delaware River Port Authority and others.

At last year’s Alliance Seminar, a total of $30.7 billion in private and public construction was reported --- the highest in the 23 years of the Seminars. The breakdowns were $14.1 billion for 2008 and $16.6 billion for 2009.

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said the Alliance Seminar results are eagerly awaited each year by all segments of the construction industry as an economic barometer of the future.

“However,” Beachem declared, “never have the construction forecasts been more anticipated than now in the current state, national and worldwide economic crises.”
To register Go Here

A key issue will be the infrastructure improvement needs of new and expanded casinos. There will be a special panel discussion on roadway, airport, utilities and other infrastructure needs.

Among the major project are the $2 billion construction of the Revel Entertainment Casino, $2 billion construction of the Pinnacle Casino; Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville; the $2 billion Gateway Casino; Penn National Gaming Casino; major renovations at Trump Marina Casino; $5 billion construction of MGM Grand, and redevelopment of the former Bader Field airport.

Top casino executives scheduled to participate are:
-Revel Entertainment CEO Kevin DeSanctis on the
 new Revel Casino.
-Cape Advisors President Curtis Bashaw on building
 The Gateway Casino.
-Coastal Development Chairman Richard Fields on the
 planned Margaritaville Casino.
James Lang LaSalle Managing Partner Michael Shenot on recommendations for the Bader Field redevelopment.

The estimates were provided by former Congressman Bob Franks, President of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, at a conference in Trenton sponsored today by the Institute and the New Jersey Alliance for Action. Read Story

On hand to outline the economic impacts of those projects will be Gary Rose, Chief of Governor Corzine’s Office of Economic Growth. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. followed by the program at 9 a.m. Co-sponsor with the Alliance for Action will be the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey.

Presentations will include the following key industry leaders:

1. Schering Plough’s expansion of its Summit Campus by Geoff Monk, Vice President - Global Engineering Services & New Jersey/Puerto Rico Operations
2. Baxter Health Care’s Cherry Hill facility construction by Brien Johnson, Vice President of Manufacturing.
3. Abbott Point of Care’s New Jersey diagnostic division expansion by Kevin Buckbee, Chief Financial Officer.
4. Novo Nordisk’s new headquarters in Plainsboro by Richard Campbell, Director of Operations of StructureTone.

A conference on New Jersey Health Care Facilities Construction entitled “Health Care for the Economy” will be held on May 2.

A session on New Jersey Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology, “The Prescription for Your Success,” will be sponsored on May 15 by the Alliance for Action and the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey.

Both Conferences will take place in Trenton at the Lafayette Marriott Conference Center, with registration at 8 a.m. and the program at 9 a.m.

At the May 2 Conference, leaders of the hospital and health care industry will outline hundreds of millions of dollars of capital construction programs.

Presentations will include:

1. Capital Health System --- construction of a new hospital in Hopewell and major renovations to its Fuld campus.
2. Hackensack University Medical Center --- construction of a new outpatient cancer center and garage.
3. Princeton Health Care System – Construction of its new hospital in Plainsboro
4. NJIT’s Gateway Project – Campus neighborhood revitalization in Newark with St. Michael’s Hospital and project stakeholder partners

1. Schering-Plough’s expansion of its Summit campus by Geoff Monk, Vice President of Facilities.
2. Baxter Health Care’s Cherry Hill facility construction by Brien Johnson, Vice President of Manufacturing.
3. Abbott Point of Care’s New Jersey Diagnostic Division Expansion by Kevin Bucklee, CFO.
4. Novo Nordisk’s new Plainsboro headquarters by Ted Biekecky, Head of Facilities.

Governor Jon Corzine addresses audience at Transportation Conference.

At the Alliance’s 5th annual Governor’s Transportation Conference, Gov. Jon Corzine also delivered a wide-ranging address on his budget and fiscal restructuring proposals.

James Simpson, administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, expressed strong support for the ARC Trans-Hudson rail tunnel project, declaring: “It is more than a tunnel project; it is about the future of New Jersey and the region.”

However, Simpson stressed that New Jersey must demonstrate it can provide its share of the cost by putting the State Transportation

James Simpson, Administrator, Federal Transit Administration speaks at Conference.

Trust Fund on sound financial footing. He said the tunnel is a project of “national significance that requires collective action at the local, state and federal levels and we (Washington) will review the actions of New Jersey and its Legislature.” He noted the preliminary engineering for the tunnel is completed on time and under budget.

Asserting that New Jersey “is on financial life support,” Simpson commended Corzine for “courage” in advancing a fiscal restructuring and debt reduction program.

Corzine agreed that “co-equal investments with the federal government are vital.” He added, “If we cannot provide state matching dollars, we could lose the ARC tunnel; the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway widenings will go off the table; and $15 to $20 billion proposed investments in Atlantic City --- such as a bridge to Bader Field --- also will be lost, along with the jobs those projects will bring.”

Commenting on the budget cuts he has proposed, Corzine commented: “when our revenue figures come in April, we may have additional cuts.”

Turning to his asset monetization plan, the Governor conceded he may not now have the necessary votes in the Legislature. Asked about the alternative plan of Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman John Wisniewski to combine moderate gas tax and toll increases, Corzine said: “His is the most comprehensive proposal advanced and it is worthy of working on to see if we can do something by tweaking it.”

Other participants in the Conference included State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri, former Congressman Bob Franks, who heads the committee named by Corzine to generate public support, and Alliance for Action President Philip K. Beachem.

Describing the “incredible diversity of New Jersey,” Commissioner Levin declared that “economic growth occurs only when we have a team working together.” She cited South Jersey projects such as Campbell Soup’s announced $72 million investment to remain in Camden and shared service agreements by a number of county governments in South Jersey.

Other highlights were presentation of the Walter Rand Award for Public Service to Joseph A. Balzano, Executive Director & CEO of the South Jersey Port Corporation, and induction into the Barton E. Harrison Alliance for Action Hall of Fame of George Hand, President of Old Castle’s Eastern Pipe Group and COO of the firm’s National Pipe Operations.

Dr. Carl Van Horn, Director, Heldrich Institute for Workforce Development, leads panel of trade union leaders at Pharmaceutical Conference.

In addition to jobs, Van Horn estimated that the planned construction projects would result in over $100 million to state and local governments. Van Horn spoke at a conference on New Jersey’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology Construction Program co-sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action and the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey attended by approximately 250 persons.

	Bob Franks, President, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, Inc. addresses the audience at the Pharmaceutical conference.

Details of planned projects were reported by representatives of pharmaceutical/medical technology companies located in New Jersey:
-Russell Lanzafame, Director of Corporate and Facilities Services for Bayer Phama US, said his firm will build a two level office facility in Wayne for more than 300 employees at a cost of $22 million.
-Patrick Lobdell, Director of Architecture, Engineering & Space Solutions for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, described comprehensive expansion and renovation plans for Novartis’ East Hanover North American Headquarters. Novartis intends to invest $130 million at the East Hanover site.
-Stephen McGill, Associate Director of Government Relations for Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, in North Brunswick informed the audience that 60% of all biotechnology products are developed on the East Coast of the United States, with 25% of that total in New Jersey.

Angie McGuire, Deputy Director of Governor Corzine’s Office of Economic Growth, declared that public and private partnerships are critical to New Jersey’s economic future and that her Office stands ready to be an active participant.

A panel of business, labor and academic representatives stressed the importance of the pharmaceutical/medical technology projects to their respective members and constituencies. In addition to Van Horn, the panelists included Kevin O’Sullivan, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council; Ridgely Hutchinson, Business Representative of Local 781 of the Carpenters Union; Tom Manning, President of the New Jersey State Association of Pipe Trades, and Robert Armistead, Vice President of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America and former President of its New Jersey Mechanical Contractors Association.

Mueller spoke at the Alliance’s continuing series of “Meet the Players” program on January 26. He said an $8 million Security Enhancement project is under way and construction will begin for a 1,400-vehicle parking garage at the airport. He said these improvements will help to serve the pubic as air carriers increase their routes to and from Atlantic City.

Other capital projects discussed by Mueller included a new Aviation Research and Technology Center and a Hotel Conference Center.

The estimates highlighted a conference attended by more than 200 people in Princeton sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action and the New Jersey Utilities Association. The conference was titled: “New Jersey Utilities – Turning On The Economy.”

Philip K. Beachem, President of the New Jersey Alliance for Action stated that “the combined investment by New Jersey utility companies is a significant generator of revenue for our State while at the same time providing the foundation for future economic growth, and essential services to our residents.”

“Today’s presentations by our utility executives is a clear demonstration of the importance of New Jersey’s utilities to the economic vitality of the state,” said Karen Alexander, President and CEO of the New Jersey Utilities Association. “These capital expenditures will be multiplied throughout the economy and help fuel the economic growth of the state,” she added.

The two largest plans for capital investment were given by Public Service Electric & Gas Company and Verizon New Jersey.

1. Rodney Dickens, Vice President, Asset Management & Centralized Services, Public Service said his utility expects to invest over $5 billion on capital activity over the next five years. Much of it he said will go for replacement of aging equipment and facilities and new technology.
2. Dennis Bone, President of Verizon New Jersey, said installation of a new fiber optic network with a long range investment of $23 to $24 billion is “off and running.” He estimated that $1.5 billion on the fiber optic installation will have a 3-year cost over 2006-2008. He said that Verizon has filed an application to install its fiber optic cable TV service to the Board of Public Utilities for 316 communities covering 70 percent of the state.
3. Walter Lynch, President of New Jersey American Water Company, reported his utility has plans to spend $840 million over the five year period from 2007-2011, with approximately $500 million in capital improvements for the first three years of that period.
4. William Gausman, Vice President, Asset Management, PHI/Atlantic City Electric, said Atlantic City Electric plans to invest $500 million over the next five years, including construction of two new substations.
5. Edward Graham, President and CEO of South Jersey Gas Company reported that his company plans to invest $250 million over the next five years, with $46.2 million scheduled for 2007.
6. Stephen E, Morgan, President of Jersey Central Power and Light told the audience that his utility is scheduled for $186 million in capital investments in 2007.
7. Laurence Downes, Chairman and CEO of New Jersey Natural Gas said his company is expending $59 million this year and plans to increase that amount to $71.4 million to help serve an anticipated 10,000 new customers.
8. Donald Carter, Vice President and General Manager of Operations of Elizabethtown Gas Company said his utility has plans for $30 million of infrastructure investment, mostly in Elizabeth to replace mains.

New Jersey Commerce Secretary Ginny Bauer detailed the positive impact of construction on the economy.

The figures represented the highest amount in the 22 years that the Alliance has held the forecast seminars. The two-year figure projected at last year’s seminar was $28.3 billion, an increase of nearly a billion dollars.

To read more and see all the figures Go Here.

George Laufenberg, Rich Franklin and Phil Beachem discuss the results of the Forecast		Ciro Scalera from Verizon and Jeff Waters from Waters and Bugbee

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said the victory constitutionally assures that the full state gas tax of 10.5 cents per gallon is dedicated to roads, bridges and public transit projects. To spread the message of Yes votes, Beachem made a number of speaking appearances and the Alliance utilized its full range of communication resources.

Members of Governor Jon Corzine's Cabinet and top administrators in attendance included State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri, Commissioner of Environmental Protection Lisa P. Jackson, Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development David J. Socolow, CFO and Secretary Virginia S. Bauer of the Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission and Executive Director George Warrington of NJ Transit. Also mingling with the crowd were former Governor Jim Florio and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., D-6 th District.

Governor Corzine, after accepting the Alliance President's Eagle Award for Public Service described the Alliance as "a great organization focused on one of the most important things in New Jersey --- growing the economy."

For photos of the Eagle Awards Dinner, please go here.

The announcement of formation of the Friends of the Tunnel and Corzine’s endorsement came during the 4th annual Governor’s Transportation Conference hosted by the New Jersey Alliance for Action. Some 700 transportation officials, professionals and advocates attended the conference.

Governor Jon Corzine said he is “absolutely committed” to the tunnel project and asserted that “it will happen.” The Governor said he expects a shovel in the ground for the project by 2009.

NJ Transit Executive Director George Warrington said the region has had to function with a 100-year-old obsolete tunnel. He reported that the new tunnel would accommodate 48 to 50 trains per hour, more than twice the 23 trains per hour that use the existing tunnel. Warrington said a contract would be awarded by early 2007 for construction management.

Leaders of The Friends of the Tunnel will be the Alliance for Action and the New York Building Congress. The Congress is an 85-year-old private coalition of 400 organizations representing more than 250,000 skilled workers and construction industry professionals.

Support for the tunnel project also came at the conference from Anthony Coscia, Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri.

Alliance for Action President Philip K. Beachem stressed that the unified support for the tunnel overcomes partisan and bi-state differences that have hindered transportation projects in the past. He said the Friends of the Tunnel will be broadly based and will work for public and media support to encourage action, including funding, for the tunnel in Washington, Trenton and Albany.

The new rail tunnel would be an integral component of the overall transportation program known as Access to the Region’s Core (ARC). Principal components are two new tracks under the Hudson River, a six-track passenger station under 34th Street in Manhattan and improvements in New Jersey to provide a one-seat ride to NJ Transit riders on the Raritan Valley, Main/Bergen and Pascack Valley Lines.

In addition to news on the tunnel, the conference attendees also heard from New Jersey Turnpike Authority Executive Director Michael Lapolla and Bart Mueller, Deputy Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority, on future plans for improvements and expansion of their facilities.

LaRossa was the featured speaker at the Alliance’s continuing “Meet the Players” series on January 5. Discussing the failed merger with Exelon and the future, LaRossa declared: “The bottom line is that we’re not changing. We want to continue to be the kind of company New Jersey is proud of.”

In reviewing how the demand for electricity is growing at a rapid rate, LaRossa noted that Public Service in the summer of 2006 reached a peak load that the company had not expected for another five years until 2011.

The session will be at the Alliance’s office Raritan Plaza II, Raritan Center, Fieldcrest Avenue, Edison. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10:30 a.m.

The South Jersey Transportation Authority is initiating one of the most ambitious capital construction programs in its history. Mueller will report and answer questions on the expansion of Atlantic City Airport, the future of the Atlantic City Expressway and other key capital projects.

The two-year construction forecast reports by public agencies and private industry are eagerly awaited as an economic barometer of the state’s future. The information provided at this one-of-a-kind event assists attendees to plan their investments and to develop a labor supply to prepare and compete for anticipated construction projects.

A sell-out audience of 200 top business, labor and government leaders will be there to hear presentations
that will include, among others:
   Pharmaceutical and medical technology companies;
   public and private sector developers; NJ Transit; State
   Department of Transportation; New Jersey Turnpike
   Authority; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey;
   National Association of Industrial Office Properties; the
   Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New
   Jersey; Health care institutions, and many more.

To reseve your place, please contact the Alliance for Action at 732-225-1180. The cost will be $95 pre-paid for Alliance members, $125 at the door for Alliance members, and $200 for non-members. It will be one of the best investments you can make to get a clue as to the future.

A capacity crowd of some 1,000 of New Jersey’s “who’s who” is expected at the dinner at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick. The dinner has been described by leading business publications as one of the state’s top networking events.

The 2006 Eagle Award winners were announced by Alliance for Action Chairman George Laufenberg and President Philip K. Beachem. The awards honor outstanding leaders for their contributions to improving the quality of life in our state. They are:
-President’s Award- Governor Jon Corzine for his public service, including the U.S. Sentate.
-Chairman’s Award- Dennis Bone, President of Verizon New Jersey, for promoting billions of dollars of investment in New Jersey’s economy.
-Sigurd Lucassen Labor Award- E. Frank DiAntonio, President & Business Manager of the Construction and General Laborers Union Local 172, for 30 years of service to organized labor.
-Dr. John L. Buzzi Engineering Excellence Award- Francis J. Lombardi, Chief Engineer of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, for leadership in improving the transportation infrastructure of the bi-state region.
-Ellis S. Vieser Lifetime Achievement Award- Shared by Richard Forman, retired Senior Executive Director of the Associated General Contractors of New Jersey, and Robert A. Briant, Sr., retired Chief Executive Officer of the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association, for their combined 58 years of service to their organizations.
To view our Dinner flyer, go Here.
To view our Journal flyer, go Here.

At the same time, an audience of nearly 200 heard healthcare and construction executives stress the financial challenges faced by hospitals in moving ahead on needed expansion and renovation projects.

Alliance for Action President Philip K. Beachem said the conference “demonstrates again the importance of healthcare construction to the overall economy of New Jersey through the domino effect it creates.”

The stage for today’s meeting was set by the conference chairman Robert M. Gerard, Principal, PMK Group, who noted that in 2005 some $1.9 trillion was spent nationally for healthcare.

In his presentation, Michael R. D’Agnes, Chairman of the New Jersey Hospital Association and President and CEO of Raritan Bay Medical Center, asserted that New Jersey’s 82 acute care hospitals face critical financial challenges such as the costs of charity care and Medicare and Medicaid for which the hospitals are never fully reimbursed. D’Agnes predicted that over the next ten years, New Jersey will have fewer but bigger hospitals, with additional ambulatory and same-day services. He also reported that Raritan Bay Medical Center expects to spend $100 million on capital projects over the next five years.

James L. Van Wart, Director of Operations and Planning, NJ Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, reported that the Authority currently has $6.5 billion in debt outstanding. The Authority provides tax-exempt financing for non-profit hospitals.

Robert Peake, Director of Facilities and Construction for Atlantic Health Systems, said Morristown Memorial Hospital currently has under construction a 40-bed new Heart Hospital at a cost of $46 million and plans to build a $96 million addition to the Heart Hospital. Also under construction at Morristown is a 1,165-space parking garage to cost $23 million. At Atlantic’s Overlook Hospital in Summit, Peake said that a new medical arts center and cancer center addition are under construction.

Kathryn Collins, Vice President of Campus Planning at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, said Jersey Shore plans a $290 million expansion project to be completed by 2010. She said the project will create 2,100 construction jobs and 400 permanent jobs in the area.

Robert Segin, Chief Financial Officer, Virtua Health Systems of Southern New Jersey told the audience that Virtua has a total long-range capital plan of $460 million for 2007-2009. He said the plan envisions consolidating a number of Virtua’s acute care hospitals on one green site.

Americo Crincoli, Director, Planning and Design at Saint Barnabas Health Care System reported that Saint Barnabas has invested $700 million in capital projects with 3,200 beds over the last ten years. He reported that an additional $70 million with 175,000 square feet is planned for construction.

At a special conference sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action in Princeton, an audience of 150 heard from leaders of telecommunications, electric, natural gas and water utilities on the future.

Dennis Bone, President of Verizon New Jersey, said his company is prepared to make a “tremendous investment” of billions of dollars of a new fiber optics network as part of sweeping changes in telecommunications for a digital environment. He stressed that it would carry 350 to 400 television channels directly into homes.

The problem, Bone declared, is that 33-year-old New Jersey laws would force Verizon to seek local franchises in every community where cable companies now hold exclusive contracts. He reported that legislation has been introduced for a statewide franchise system, but it is opposed by the cable networks and local officials.

Fred DeSanti, Vice President of Public Service Electric & Gas, discussed the pending merger of PSEG with the Exelon firm of Chicago, which has a strong nuclear energy capability. The merger, he added, could take place in six months if approvals are received from the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission and the New Jersey Bureau of Public Utilities.

Stephen Morgan, President of Jersey Central Power & Light, said his firm invested $250 million a year and is prepared to spend an additional $200 to $250 million over the next 10 years on energy transmission projects.

Ken Parker, President of Atlantic City Electric, said his utility has invested $450 million on capital investments in 2005 and will spend $234 million in transmission and distribution projects over the next five years to serve 500,000 customers in South Jersey.

A panel discussion featured Wayne Morgan, Vice President, NJ American Water Co.; Charles Dippo, Vice President, South Jersey Industries; Don Carter, Regional Manager Northwest, Elizabethtown Gas Co.; and Craig Lynch, Vice President, New Jersey Natural Gas.

The conference will be held at the Lafayette Yard Marriott Conference Center in Trenton, with the program to begin at 10 a.m. following registration and networking at 9 a.m.

Construction leaders on New Jersey’s hospital industry will report on their expansion details and participate in a discussion about the future of hospital construction in the state.

The executives will report on the capital construction and expansion plans of their firms. At the recent Alliance for Action Construction Forecast Seminar, pharmaceuticals projected some $4.5 billion will be spent over the next two years on capital projects.

The conference will begin at 9 a.m. For information and reservations, please call the Alliance at (732) 225-1180 or go here.

The group reported to the Governor on the full dimension of the crisis that will hit New Jersey if the State Transportation Trust Fund is not refinanced before June 30, 2006. The report emphasized that New Jersey’s economic health relies on a modern, well-maintained network of roads and public transit. It provided specifics on the potential layoffs of DOT and NJ Transit employees and the reduction of NJ Transit’s service statewide that could result. Most importantly, the report detailed the need for billions of dollars required to meet the state’s transportation demands.

Among the members of the transition group were co-chairs Ray Pocino, an Alliance stalwart who is Vice President and Regional Manager of the Laborers’ International Union, former State Transportation Commissioner Louis Gamaccini, and Ken Campbell, Business Manager of International Union of Operating Engineers Local #825.

Representatives of some 25 leading public and private agencies, companies and organizations will announce their two-year construction plans for 2006-2007. The seminar at the Lafayette Yard Marriott Conference Center will begin at 9:15 a.m. following registration at 8:30 a.m.

New Jersey’s construction industry is regarded as an economic barometer for the state. Early news on projections of spending for the future is eagerly awaited.

During last year’s seminar, a two-year total of over $26 billion in public and private construction was estimated. This represented a 27 percent increase above the projections made at the previous seminar.

Codey vowed that “I cannot run away from this issue” and reported that he had directed State Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere to prepare a study of financing options for the Trust Fund.

Codey and former Governor Thomas H. Kean were honored by the Alliance with Eagle Awards on October 19th at the dinner attended by some 1,000 business, labor and government leaders in New Brunswick.

In abbreviated form, this document highlights positions of the Alliance membership on vital issues. Rest assured that considerable thought and consideration went into each position the Alliance recommends. The Alliance is a strictly non-partisan coalition of business, labor, the professions, academia and government organizations.

The Alliance’s “white papers” have stimulated much positive action and have helped to guide major policy decisions in Trenton. As always, we stand ready to be of assistance when called upon.

To view the white paper, please Go Here.

The conference will begin at 8 a.m. at the Raddison Hotel on Route 1 southbound at Ridge Road, Princeton.

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said: “New Jersey utility companies are embarking on the most significant capital construction programs in their history.” He said the conference will provide opportunities to meet and network with the presidents and top construction executives of telecommunications, electric, gas and water utilities.

Presentations will be made by:

1. Dennis Bone, President of Verizon New Jersey.
2. Fred DeSanti, Vice President of Public Service Electric & Gas.
3. Ken Parker, President of Atlantic City Electric.
4. Stephen Morgan, President of Jersey Central Power & Light.

Unless the Legislature and Governor act to develop new revenue sources constitutionally dedicated to the Transportation Trust Fund by July 2006, the Fund will have only enough money to pay interest on debt --- none for the roads, bridges and transit projects so critically needed.

The Capital Plan of the State Department of Transportation identifies what is at risk in each Legislative District if the Trust Fund is not renewed and refinanced by 2006. For Fiscal Years 2007-2010, the overall figures for each district include projects and funding at risk for each district’s share of statewide programs such as local aid, repaving, bridge inspections and repairs.

The amounts that would be lost in each district for major individual projects also are listed here.

The total at risk is over $7 Billion for
Fiscal 2007-2010.

Kean will receive the Ellis S. Vieser Lifetime Achievement Award and Codey will be the recipient of the Richard M. Hale Chairman’s Award.

The dinner, described by the publication NJBIZ as one of the state’s top networking events, will attract another capacity crowd of some 1,000 of New Jersey’s “Who’s Who” leadership.

Other Eagle Awards to be presented are:

• Sigurd Lucassen Labor Award- Ken Campbell, Business Manager of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. ·
• President’s Award- John Clearwater, Managing Director of the Construction Industry Advancement Program of New Jersey. ·
• Dr. John L. Buzzi Engineering Excellence Award- Michael Lapolla, Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

Young will serve in the critically important position of Conference Committee chairman to resolve differences between the House and Senate. The Senate has passed a $295 billion bill, the House has approved $284 billion, the maximum President Bush has stated he would accept without a veto. Young told some 200 business, labor and government officials at the Alliance luncheon, Monday, May 23rd, that he was hopeful agreement could be reached on a $290 billion appropriation. He said states such a New Jersey which depend on the federal funds “can’t afford to wait any longer.”

New Jersey and New York, Young declared, are transportation gateways vital to the entire nation.

Congressman Robert A. Roe, Philip K. Beachem, and Congressman Don Young.

Young’s visit to New Jersey, his third in recent years, was arranged by former Congressman Robert Roe, his predecessor as House Transportation Committee Chairman, and Alliance for Action President Philip K. Beachem.

Joining Young on his visit were colleagues Congressman Robert Menendez, William Pascrell, Donald Payne and Scott Garrett; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman Anthony Coscia, State Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere, NJ Transit Executive Director George Warrington, Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, and Newark Mayor Sharpe James.

Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone (R- 30th District) believes “the future of the economy and our children are in peril”. Citing the Inspector General’s recent report on the Schools Construction Corporation, Malone called for a “top-to-bottom” audit of the SCC, expressing a desire to get any accusations of wrongdoing behind us. Saying that accountability will be key if the SCC is going to move forward, Malone discussed both the acute need for quality education in New Jersey and emphasized the vital importance this multi-billion dollar program has to the state’s economy.

Those were some of the views expressed at a state-wide School Construction Conference April 28th, sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action. Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said the conference was intended to stimulate a public dialogue with the goal of getting the now-stalled program back on track.

Sciarra and the Education Law Center won a State Supreme Court decision in 1998 ordering the state to develop an initiative to provide new schools for the state’s 31 disadvantaged Abbott Districts. Sciarra emphasized that the Supreme Court order directed that all the necessary Abbott District school capital projects must be completed. He said recent criticism by the State Inspector General of the School Construction Corporation was “not surprising” because the original legislation did not go far enough in spelling out how the program should be implemented.

Noting that the School Construction Corporation was created by Executive Order, Sciarra urged the Legislature to pass a statute to provide clear direction regarding accountability, project management, procurement and land acquisition. He called for a broadly-based, diverse coalition to push for such action in Trenton.

Malone, who serves on both the Assembly Budget Committee and the Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Public Schools, said the school construction program and Transportation Trust Fund are crucial to New Jersey’s economy. There must be a commitment between the Governor and Legislature to renew both programs, he declared, “once the hysteria over the state budget is completed.”

Cathie Sousa, field representative for the New Jersey School Boards Association, reported that voters’ approval of school capital projects in suburban school districts has dramatically improved under the school construction program which provides 40 percent funding.

The Alliance for Action is a non-profit, non-partisan, statewide coalition of over 600 business, labor, professional, academic and government organizations. It advocates for investment in infrastructure for New Jersey’s economy, environment and quality of life.

Ruch said the project to deepen the channel to 40 to 45 feet will help ensure the long-term competitiveness of the Delaware River Ports. He reported that Congress authorized $53 million for the project in 1992, but the money has not been spent.

To move forward, Ruch said, the New Jersey members of the bi-state Delaware River Port Authority must sign off. He urged the Alliance members to seek action.

Presentation of awards also highlighted the dinner. They were: Walter Rand Award for public service- Congressman Frank LoBiondo. Corporate Award- Sun National Bank.

Labor Award- James B. Kehoe, Business Manager, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 322. Organization Award- Rowan University.

Special Recognition Award- James A. Crawford, former Executive Director, South Jersey Transportation Authority.

The key Alliance proposal calls for enactment of a dedicated gas tax increase of up to 15 cents per gallon to revitalize the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund – a proposal recommended by a State Blue Ribbon Commission. The Alliance’s agenda for action injected new life into the Blue Ribbon Commission report that had been shelved by former Governor James McGreevey.

These were among the highlights of the Alliance’s third annual State Transportation Conference held on February 7 at the War Memorial Building in Trenton.

Speakers and panelists included U.S. Senators Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman Anthony Coscia, New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere, members of Congress and the Legislature, corporate and labor leaders, municipal and county officials and transportation consumer advocates.

With the Transportation Trust Fund, which pays for road and mass transit projects, scheduled to run out of cash in 2006, Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee John Wisniewski also said a gas tax is needed to replenish the Fund. He did not specify how much the gas tax should rise, stressing that this would be determined after updating New Jersey’s transportation needs.

The thrust of the Alliance’s recommended next steps was to revive and move ahead on findings of the Blue Ribbon Commission. These include:

1. A joint Assembly/Senate Transportation Committees public hearing to review the Blue Ribbon Commission report.
2. Enactment of the Assembly bill co-sponsored by “Wisniewski, a Democrat, and Republican Assemblyman Peter Biondi to reform operations of the Trust fund, which would ban diversion of dollars from transportation capital improvements to other uses.
3. Ease the local property tax burden by increasing transportation local aid to municipalities and counties.
4. Establish a Financial Policy Review Committee to ensure public accountability for how Trust Fund money is spent.
5. The final recommendation called for support of a coalition, organized by the Alliance for Action, of business and labor leaders, elected officials, transit experts and environmental organizations to generate public discussion and enactment of the Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations.

“What was intended as a dedicated financing source for transportation systems has been used for almost anything but that in the last few years and that needs to be corrected. If we can do that, I think we can go to the public with confidence with regard to going to the next steps necessary to make sure we have adequate funding.”

The guest speakers were Thomas Carver, State Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, and Caren Franzini, Chief Executive Officer of the
New Jersey Economic Development Authority(EDA).

Carver acknowledged that New Jersey’s economy is slowing down, even though it is ahead of most of the country, particularly in employment. He said New Jersey must take advantage of its two greatest assets- location and a highly skilled workforce.

Franzini said the EDA provides three key services in its mission to help businesses grow and to create jobs- technical assistance, financial assistance and real estate development. She cited the state’s business employment incentive payments program as an important part of the EDA’s work.

Representatives of organizations affected by the current freeze in the $8.6 billion school construction program are expected to participate. The conference will begin at 7:30 at the Ramada Conference Center off Route 33 east at Exit 8 of the New Jersey Turnpike.

Alliance for Action President Philip K. Beachem said the conference will spotlight how the delay in the school construction program is jeopardizing critical school projects for youth as well as New Jersey’s economy.

In addition to three key members of the Legislature, the conference will hear from David Sciarra, executive director of the Education Law Center. The non-profit agency located in Newark won a 1998 State Supreme Court order that prompted the Legislature to create the school building program.

The plans and strategies of Sciarra and his Center will be awaited by the Conference attendees. In addition to restarting the current program, Beachem stressed that the conference must begin to address the significant issue of funding the program which is scheduled to run out of dollars next year.

“We hope this conference will ignite mobilization of a diverse coalition to work together to restore and refund this program so essential to New Jersey’s future,” Beachem declared.

Other key speakers will include John Spencer, chief executive officer of the of the New Jersey School Construction Corporation, and Assemblyman Joe Malone.

Beachem said the conference also will include municipal officials and local school board members, education advocates, labor and business leaders.

Some 100 Alliance members and supporters attended the meeting on April 7 at the Alliance’s headquarters in Edison. Lombardi said the $5.8 billion plan calls for $283 million for aviation, $75 million for bridges and tunnels, $61 million for port commerce and $21 million for the PATH rapid transit system.

Lombardi reported that the Port Authority is working on a separate project management department to provide greater efficiency and accountability at a savings estimated at $150 million.

The topics covered by Cammarano included renewal of the State Transportation Trust Fund, school construction funding and homeland security needs in the state. Cammarano also answered questions from the attendees.

Cammarano said a gas tax increase is only one of the alternatives for the Trust Fund being reviewed, but stressed that he did not expect action in Trenton until after the November gubernatorial and legislative elections. He promised that the Codey administration would lay out options and work with the Alliance in developing solutions.

The audience also included Thomas Carver, the State’s new Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development.

"By regulating growth in the most careful way” said Governor Florio, “the commission has successfully preserved the essential character of the Pinelands for the enjoyment and education of future generations who may delight in studying the complex ecosystem of the Pinelands."

Governor Florio praised the balance growth concept as conceived in the Comprehensive Management Plan, which has served as the guide for preservation and limited growth. While reflecting on the modern history of the Pinelands, he said, what is most satisfying “is the acceptance by the seven counties of the Pinelands Commission regulatory jurisdiction. There is a real sense within those counties that preserving the Pinelands was in their best interests.

LaPolla said the merge Turnpike and Parkway had awarded over $1 billion in construction contracts over the last three years, with another $220 million scheduled for 2005.

Major projects cited by LaPolla included:

1. The Turnpike's plan to widen the highway from Exit 6 to Exit 8A.
2. The total rebuilding of Exit 12 in Carteret, which he described as a "smart growth" initiative that will put some 2,000 acres back in use.
3. The Parkway's Exit 142 project, which he said is long overdue to provide northbound cars access to Route 24 and 78 west.
4. Completion of the new Driscoll Bridge on the Parkway.

At a news conference of the “Say Yes to MOM Coalition” on September 28, Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said the rail line would serve increasing numbers of commuters in Monmouth and Ocean counties, which together accounted for 20 percent of New Jersey’s population growth from 1990 to 2000.

Beachem agreed with the Coalition’s preference of a route for the 40-mile rail spur known as the Monmouth Junction Route.

Keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel Robert Ruck, Philadelphia District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will provide details on a number of issues, including the need and the economic impact of the proposal to dredge the Delaware River.

Jim Crawford, the retiring Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority, will receive a Special Recognition Award in honor of his long-term contributions toward the region. Rowan University and Jim Kehoe, Business Manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 322, will receive the Organization and Labor Awards.

Keenan succeeds Barton E. Harrison, the Alliance’s Regional Vice Chairman for South Jersey, who did not seek reappointment. The New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program is a partnership between the Trust and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, which administers the State Revolving Funds. The Program provides loans for a variety of clean and safe drinking water projects, including wastewater management, non-point source pollution control, landfill construction and closure, and projects to protect the state’s drinking water supplies.

Since 1987 the Program has loaned $2.8 billion to local and county governments, and local, county and regional authorities. The savings produced by the Financing Program have saved taxpayers and ratepayers more than $750 million in avoided interest and other financing costs.

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said the projected construction totals for 2005 and 2006 were the highest recorded in the 20 years that the construction forecasts have been held. Read Forecast.

Slember formerly held senior level executive positions with Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, ITT and Monsanto. Waters is a trustee of the Associated General Contractors of New Jersey.

That is the theme of the statewide Transportation Conference sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action on Monday, February 7, from 8 a.m. to noon at the War Memorial Building in Trenton.

It is the third annual Transportation Conference convened by the Alliance and seldom has the issue been more important because critical funding decisions must be made in Trenton and Washington in 2005. They affect the State Transportation Trust Fund and the federal transportation funding known as TEA-21.

The first two Conferences produced sell-out capacity audiences so the Alliance is limiting seating to the first 1200 reservations, which must be received by January 28, 2005. Registration is $95 for attendees, $1,200 for a reserved row of 14 and $45 for public officials.

Participants will include leaders from a broad spectrum of organizations, public agencies, transportation advocacy groups, consumers, principals form the economic community and organized labor. They will include Congressional and legislative officials, State Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere and representatives of New Jersey Transit, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the South Jersey Transportation Authority.

In a statement as part of the announcement, Alliance for Action President Philip K. Beachem hailed the participants in the agreement, declaring: “This effort will provide tremendous benefit for New Jersey and help us build on the State’s already great economic strength.”

The Alliance for Action has been a long and strong proponent of deepening the existing 30 feet to 45 feet channels to stay competitive and maintain New Jersey/New York’s status as the leading port on the East Coast. The Alliance’s activities included an initiative to establish the “Save Our Ports” coalition.

The Port of New Jersey and New York provides more than 228,000 jobs and $20 billion in economic activity in both states. The cost of the dredging project will be shared equally by the Port Authority and the Federal government.

The Foundation is a charitable 501(c) (3) organization and has a record of public education highlighted by acclaimed studies of New Jersey’s infrastructure needs and options to finance them. For information regarding reservations, please call the Alliance at (732) 225-1180.

The Eagle Awards Banquet Journal will be distributed at the Eagle Awards Dinner on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick the Reception will begin at 5:00 pm and dinner at 6:30 pm. The Eagle Awards Banquet Journal offers a special opportunity to present yourself and your organization to a virtual “Who’s Who” of New Jersey leaders. The Alliance invites you to join the impressive list of advertisers whose demands for space have increase each year as the dinner has grown in size and prominence.

2004 Eagle Award Recipients

Ellis S. Vieser Lifetime Achievement Award

THE WELDON FAMILY is recognized for its outstanding business and civics support in New Jersey since the 1890’s.

Sigurd Lucassen Labor Award

William J. Michalowski Vice President, Eastern Division, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Jointers of America. Mr. Michalowski is honored for his exemplary service to organized labor and for contributions at the federal and state levels that improve New Jersey’s construction economy.

Dr. John L. Buzzi Engineering Excellence Award

Kenneth Smith President, Coastal Advocate, Inc. and Bernie Moore Retired Coastal Engineer, NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Both are honored for their longtime commitments in garnering federal, state and local support for New Jersey’s beach nourishment program.

Chairman’s Award

Anthony R. Coscia Chairman, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Mr. Coscia is recognized for his outstanding leadership of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and his long record of public service to the people of New Jersey.

President’s Award

Al Koeppe President, Newark Alliance and retired president of Public Service Electric & Gas. This award is presented to Mr. Koeppe for his achievements in the business world and his involvement in various statewide civic and non-profit causes. Go here for Advertising information. Go here for Dinner Ticket Information.

Those were words that dominated exchanges at a special conference on government regulations and the Highlands proposal sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action on May 21 is East Windsor.

The Forum attracted some 200 private and public sector leaders and four members of Governor James McGreevey’s cabinet and generated lively discussions.

The cabinet members were Commissioner Brad Campbell of the Department of Environmental Protection, State Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere, Commissioner Susan Bass Levin of the Department of Community Affairs and Jeanne Fox, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

A panel on regulatory impact on the public and private sectors included Dennis Bone, President, Verizon New Jersey; Fred DeSanti, Vice President-External Affairs, Public Service Electric & Gas; Larry Riccio, President of the Association of Environmental Authorities, and Jim Sinclair, First Vice President, New Jersey Business & Industry Association.

The Panel on seeking economic and environmental balance in the Highlands was composed of Barbara Lawrence, executive Director of New Jersey Future; Michel Byers, Executive Director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, and Richard F.X. Johnson, Partner, Matrix Development Group.

Veizon President Bone said government regulation “is a balancing act” and that the regulatory climate is New Jersey is “uneven” among different, often competing, businesses.

DeSanti called for improvement of the legislative process by setting an agenda of priorities at the beginning, rather than introduction of thousands of bills which cause lawmakers to lose focus.

Byers, who served on the Highlands task force, said the overriding issue is protection of water supplies. She said, however, that she favored stronger provisions for water conservation in the plan and that the task force had called for “full funding” without making specific revenue recommendations.

When moderator, TV personality Steve Adubato, commented that the task force has “punted” on that issue, Byers concurred. When an audience member suggested a tax on water, Byers said she could be supportive.

Lawrence said amendments to the Highlands legislation had improved it. She also declared that preservation and development are not necessarily incompatible when planned and executed properly.

Johnson stressed that, under the Highlands proposal, regulations in preservation areas are mandatory while those marked for growth are voluntary. He reiterated the urging of all the forum participants for environmental/economic balance, adding that the “constructive middle” must be sought.

The cabinet members all predicted, with varying degrees of optimism, that the Legislature ultimately will pass a Highlands protection bill.

However, Campbell charged that special interests with “extremist” views don’t want the Highlands legislation to pass for “partisan advantage.”

When audience members raised home rule problems, Campbell responded: “There are issues larger than our communities.” Levin argued that a regional council called for in the bill represented home rule. She also insisted that the task force, which she co-chaired with Campbell, was correct in not making specific funding recommendations.

Responding to questions raised by Bone on rate-setting, Fox noted that the BPU must follow directions form Washington set by the Federal Communications Commission and Congress.
 

Some 100 Camden County business, labor and government leaders are expected to attend the meeting at the Holiday Inn, Route 70 east, Cherry Hill. The program will begin at 9:15 a.m., following registration.

The Camden Alliance