NEW YORK CITY WILL COMMIT HALF OF RAIL TUNNEL COST ….IF
New York City has agreed to fund nearly half of the $7.2 billion cost of a new Trans-Hudson River rail tunnel --- but there is one big catch.

The city will follow through only if Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed congestion fee for drivers into midtown Manhattan is approved by the Legislature. It would apply to vehicles entering the city below 86th Street from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has committed $2 billion to the tunnel project, while New Jersey has agreed to provide $500 million. Federal funding also is expected, but no specific amount has been designated.

GROUND BROKEN FOR $47 MILLION METROPARK PROJECT
Ground was broken on a $47 million project to rebuild the Metropark Station in Woodbridge on the Northeast Corridor. Funded by state and federal sources, the improvements are expected to be completed in early 2010.

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg said: “The people of New Jersey deserve the best public transportation and this project will improve a premier system.” Other participants in the ceremony were State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri and NJ Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles.

Included in the project are longer and wider platforms, heated and air-conditioned platform shelters, a new pedestrian link from Route 27 to the westbound station platform, new enclosed stairways and a new customer public address system.

STRONG WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS PROPOSED BY
STATE DEP
A far-reaching package of water quality regulations has been unveiled by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson said the rules “will strengthen our ability to shield environmentally fragile areas from threats that invariably accompany inappropriate development.

More than 900 miles of rivers, streams and their tributaries would be granted the state’s highest level of protection. For the first time, the state would begin regulating future developments that rely on septic systems for sewage disposal.

The regulations will be listed in the State Register May 21, beginning a public comment period that will include a hearing June 28 in Bordentown, with the DEP accepting written comments until July 20. The DEP must respond to all comments. The process could last up to a year before final adoption is possible. Copies of the proposal can be found at the following website, http://www.nj.gov/dep/rules/notices/052107b.htm.

HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVES $15 BILLION WATER PROJECTS BILL
By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 394-25, the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a massive water projects bill with an estimated cost of at least $15 billion. The legislation would fund hundreds of projects in nearly every state to improve flood protection, modernize waterways and restore the environment.

Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., the chief sponsor, said “this is an investment in America.”

Similar measures passed in both the Senate and House last year, but they never cleared the conference committee before the end of the session. The Senate is expected to consider the legislation later this year.

The White House opposes the new measure, arguing that it is even more expensive than the $10 billion version considered last year. No water construction legislation has passed Congress since 2000.

COMMERCE COMMISSION REORGANIZATION PLAN IS ANNOUNCED
A sweeping plan has been announced to reorganize the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission to focus more closely on economic development.

These are the principal changes of the reorganization plan, which would require approval by the State Legislature.
-Tourism and travel function and the New Jersey Israel Commission would move to the Department of State.
-Foreign trade promotion would move to the State Office of Economic Growth headed by Gary D. Rose.
-The commission’s name would be shortened to the New Jersey Commerce Commission.
-The position of Commerce Secretary, which has been held by Virginia S. Bauer, would be abolished and the Executive Director position would be created to run the Commerce Commission. Bauer has been nominated by Governor Corzine to the Board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

STATE TREASURER ABELOW TO FEATURE ALLIANCE MEETING
If you want to get the word on New Jersey’s fiscal future, make sure you get to the Thursday, May 3, session of the Alliance for Action’s popular Meet the Players series.

State Treasurer Bradley Abelow, the top financial officer in the Corzine Administration Cabinet, will be the guest speaker. Abelow will make a presentation and answer questions from the audience.
To register Go Here.

COMMISSIONER LEVIN ADDRESSES 400 AT ALLIANCE SOUTH JERSEY DINNER
Before an audience of 400 “who’s who” in South Jersey, State Commissioner of Community Affairs Susan Bass Levin called for smart growth, public/private partnerships and inter-government service sharing for New Jersey’s future.

The occasion was the Alliance’s 31st annual South Jersey Regional Dinner on April 18 at Tavistock Country Club. Commissioner Levin commended the Alliance for a “great job of bringing together the corporate world, organized labor and government.”

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.

FIVE NEW ALLIANCE DIRECTORS REPRESENT WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS
Five new members have been elected to the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Action, representing a wide range of interests and expertise. They are:
-E. Frank DiAntonio, President/Business Manager, Construction and General Laborers Local Union 172.
-Robert Franks, President, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey and a former Congressman.
-Stephen Morgan, President, Jersey Central Power & Light Company
-John B. Wilson, President & CEO, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in New Jersey.
-Richard R. Sarles, the new Executive Director of NJ Transit, who fills the vacancy of George Warrington, who resigned from that position.

SAVE THE DATE
4/27/07 Morris County Alliance for Action, at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, NJ. To register Go Here.

5/1/07 Meet the Players Series with Alan Steinberg, Regional Administrator, US Environmental Agency, Region 2 at the NJ Carpenters Funds Conference Room in Edison. To register Go Here.

5/3/07 Meet the Players Series with Bradley Abelow, State Treasurer at the NJ Carpenters Funds Conference Room in Edison. To register Go Here.

5/7/07 Meet the Players Series with Colonel Aniello Tortora, Commander & District Engineer, New York District, US Army Corps of Engineers at the NJ Carpenters Fund Conference Room in Edison. To register Go Here.

5/16/07 Meet the Players Series with Scott Weiner, Chief Executive Officer, NJ Schools Construction Corporation at the NJ Carpenters Funds Conference Room in Edison. To register Go Here.

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