SCC BOARD APPROVES CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PLAN
The New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) Board today approved a Capital Construction Plan for the remaining Abbott funds. There are 59 projects in 24 communities in the plan that are recommended for construction. A list of the individual projects can be found on the SCC website at www.njscc.com.

SENATE /HOUSE CONFEREES AGREE ON TEA-21 RENEWAL
Reports from Washington are that Senate and House conferees have reached agreement on reauthorization of the TEA-21 federal transportation program. Floor votes on the report of the Conference Committee are expected to take place in both the House and Senate this week. Details on the contents are still scarce, but one agreement is said to guarantee that the amount of aid states receive will increase to 92 cents on the dollar of what a state pays in gasoline taxes by Fiscal 2008. Lawmakers are expected to pass another short term extension of the current program to complete Congressional action and give President Bush time to receive and decide to sign the measure. It would be the 11th extension since TEA-21 expired October 1, 2003.

NEW JERSEY VOTERS FAVOR NEW COLLEGE BUILDINGS
New Jersey higher education officials are determining their next moves after learning that nearly 75 percent of New Jersey voters would support a $2 billion or $3 billion bond issue to help expand and renovate the state's colleges and universities. That was one of the findings of a poll commissioned by the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities.

PLANS ANNOUNCED TO REHABILITATE NEW JERSEY'S OLDEST BRIDGE
A long-range plan has been made public for a $5 million historic preservation and safety-enhancement of the oldest bridge in New Jersey- the Stone Arch Bridge in Princeton Township built in 1792 that carries Route 206 over the Stony Brook Creek. The state transporation department plans to rehabilitate the bridge in as historically authentic a manner as possible.

NEW SYSTEM HELPS BUSINESSES ON STATE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
A new state-of-the-art call center and in-state toll free telephone number are available to help New Jersey businesses to access state services and programs. The new service is courtesy of the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission.

The number is 1-866-534-7789. Businesses will be connected to professional call center agents who will direct callers to the appropriate Commerce office or other agency and provide companies with information on business or tourism-related issues.

DEADLINE SET FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE LOAN APPLICATIONS
The deadline for applications to the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing program is October 1, 2005. The long-term low-interest loans can be used for sewer and treatment plant construction, drinking water conveyance systems, storm-water control, brownfield remediation, open space purchases, equipment purchases and other infrastructure projects. For information, call (609) 219-8600.

THE FATE OF FORT MONMOUTH
The nine member Base Realignment and Closure Commission has until September 8th to review the Pentagon's proposals and produce a list of bases recommended to be shut down. President Bush either must reject the list, send it back to the commission for more work or accept the list and send it to Congress for a take-it-or-leave-it vote this fall. For more information on the fate of Fort Monmouth and what you can do to get involved, visit the Patriot's Alliance website at www.patriotsalliance.com.

ALLIANCE GUBERNATORIAL WHITE PAPER
The Alliance for Action's "white paper" on key issues for gubernatorial candidates, Senator Jon Corzine and Doug Forrester, and legislative candidates is being distributed. The document will also go to New Jersey's Congressional delegation and key officials in Trenton and Washington, as well as members of the Alliance.

The "white paper" spells out in concise language the Alliance's recommendations for significant issues on the environment, education, transportation, and energy/utilities. The "white paper" will also be available on the Alliance's website.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Mayor William Neary of East Brunswick has been named executive director of Keep Middlesex Moving, a non-profit transportation management association. He succeeds the recently retired Peter Cantu, who had served in that position since the agency was formed in 1988. Neary's responsibilities will include liaison to the State Transportation Department and other transportation management associations.

James Iannone has replaced Jim Crawford as the South Jersey Transportation Authority Executive Director. His official title is Acting Executive Director.

Jamie Foley has been elected president of Foley Incorporated by the board of directors. He began his career at Foley in 1999 as administrative sales manager. Then in 2004, Jamie was promoted to chief financial officer and vice president. In addition to becoming president, Foley will continue to serve as CFO.

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