MESSAGE FOR THE NEW YEAR FROM THE ALLIANCE FOR ACTION
The New Jersey Alliance for Action, the state’s most unique and forceful coalition among business, labor and government recently celebrated its 35th year as a dynamic partnership for promoting economic growth and job creation.

Created during the recession of 1974, the Alliance for Action has focused its efforts at working with government to promote projects and public policy changes designed to create jobs and revenue for the State. The results include the creation of programs such as the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund, the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, County Improvement Authorities, and the expansion of the N.J. Economic Development Authority responsibilities to promote new products and financing programs.

History has a way of repeating itself and the past lessons of how to revive New Jersey’s economic problems are just as valid today as they were in 1974. Working together, as this strong business-labor-government partnership, the Alliance expects 2010 to be an even more active year with the imposing economic and employment problems and challenges facing a new administration. Our efforts will be guided by the Alliance’s mission as an advocate of public/private investment in infrastructure and by the excellent issues report and recommendations the Alliance issued in late 2009 entitled: Leading New Jersey out of Recession. Among the recommendations are reforms to New Jersey’s regulatory permitting process, accelerated investments of utility infrastructure and capital investments in school construction and transportation. This full document can be viewed Here .

The solutions for the 21st century will require new ways of doing things. The Alliance is already actively working on solutions through our Public-Private Partnership Council. We continue, as well, to work with a variety of other statewide organizations which have been actively involved with the Alliance for Action over the years. In 2009 alone over 5,000 individuals participated in activities of the Alliance.

The Alliance for Action continues to operate one of New Jersey’s most significant communications outreach programs through its On Line News and the Alliance for Action website (www.allianceforaction.com).

As we begin this New Year, let us dedicate ourselves to working cooperatively with our elected representatives and the many organizations, companies and individuals who make up the New Jersey Alliance for Action to help New Jersey out of this recession and make our State the envy of other states.

Sincerely,

George Laufenberg, Chairman New Jersey Alliance for Action Administrative Manager NJ Carpenters Funds

Philip K. Beachem, President New Jersey Alliance for Action

CORZINE AND CHRISTIE REACH AGREEMENT ON APPOINTMENTS
Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced an agreement with Governor-Elect Chris Christie on gubernatorial appointments during the current transition period.

The agreement is based on the principle that the current composition of certain policy-making boards and commissions should remain unchanged so that the incoming administration has the ability to consult with the Senate as to the qualifications of current holdover members and potential future appointees.

Those boards and commissions include the Board of Public Utilities, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Turnpike Authority, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, New Jersey Transit, the Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield Board of Trustees, the State Investment Council, and the Council on Affordable Housing.  With respect to the State Investment Council, where the terms of some members will soon expire and vacancies will result, the agreement includes a commitment to work together to quickly address those vacancies.

Governor Corzine also said that the selection process for judges and prosecutors would be conducted independently from consideration of board and commission appointments and will be based on integrity, professional excellence and reasoned temperament.

BUILDING PERMIT EXTENSION RELEASED BY ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
Legislation that would extend the life of building permits for commercial and residential development projects stalled by the economic downturn was released Monday by an Assembly panel. The bill, (A-4347) is expected to receive an Assembly floor vote on Thursday.

The permit extension bill was one of the major recommendations made by the Alliance for Action in its Issues Report in 2009 entitled Leading New Jersey Out of Recession.

"Businesses are still struggling to survive the economic slowdown and shouldn't be forced to use limited vital resources to apply for new permits," said Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden), a sponsor of the measure.

The measure, also sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph Malone (R-Burlington), was released 4-0 by the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.

HEARINGS SET ON SCUDDER FALLS BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has scheduled two public hearings/open houses on its decision to move ahead with the $310 million replacement of the I-95 Scudder Falls Bridge.
-January 19, 2010 – Villa Victoria Academy 276 West Ferry Road, Ewing. Open house, 5 p.m. followed by a public hearing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
-January 20, 2010 – Sheraton Bucks County Hotel, 400 Oxford Valley Road, Langhorne, PA, Open house 5 p.m. and public hearing 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Scudder Falls Bridge replacement would be the largest single capital project in the Commission’s history and would be designed to address safety and congestion issues. Alliance President Philip K. Beachem commended the Commission for “its decisive action in the absence of federal and state transportation funding.”

AUTHORITY APPROVES $2 MILLION FOR ATLANTIC CITY RAIL
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approved an extra $2 million to keep a weekend rail service between New York and Atlantic City running for at least two more years.

Harrah’s Resort, Caesars Atlantic City and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa launched the train service last February. The current schedule of 18 trips will be reduced to 11.

TURNPIKE AWARDS WIDENING CONTRACTS AND EXPECTS BIG YEAR IN 2010
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority approved another highway widening project --- $32.1 million to South State, Inc., of Bridgeton, the lowest bidder. The work would be widening the Turnpike 1.4 miles between Bordentown and Chesterfield in Burlington County.

Authority Chief Engineer Richard Raczynski said this brings the construction and consulting awards in 2009 to a total of $830 million. He declared that the Authority is looking in 2010 to increase that total to over $2 billion.

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