May 13, 2010
GOVERNOR'S CHIEF OF STAFF VOWS TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND RENEWAL
Renewal of the State Transportation Trust Fund will move to the top of agenda for the Christie Administration once the state budget has been passed by July 1. That was the message delivered by Governor Christies Chief of Staff Richard Bagger at an Alliance for Action "Meet the Players" session.
Bagger declared that the Transportation Trust Fund "will be renewed on time, if not earlier." The Fund is scheduled to run out of money for capital projects in 2011. Describing the Alliance as playing an "important leadership role in New Jersey," Bagger said he and the Administration will work with the Alliance to renew the Trust Fund.
Other key issues to be addressed after budget passage, Bagger said, will be school construction and energy policy.
NEW STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER DRAWS CAPACITY CROWD AT ALLIANCE EVENT
Speaking to a capacity audience of over 200 people at the New Jersey Alliance for Action’s Meet the Players breakfast, State Transportation Commissioner James S. Simpson outlined some of the priorities and strategies he envisions for the Department of Transportation.
Simpson covered a range of transportation issues including:
- The future of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund.
- Innovative financing techniques, including public-private partnerships.
- Investment in port, aviation and transit projects.
- Simpson’s presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session.
Alliance President Philip K. Beachem noted that transportation is the foundation of New Jersey’s economy and that the broad coalition of Alliance members, including corporate, labor, professional and government leaders, has always worked to support continued funding for transportation projects. He also noted that the strong interest in this subject is clearly demonstrated by the turnout for Simpson which was the largest attendance in the history of the Alliance’s Meet the Players series.
GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION TO SPUR HIGHER EDUCATION PUBLIC-PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION
Legislation to ease restrictions on public-private partnerships between higher education institutions and private entities was signed by Governor Chris Christie. The Alliance for Action strongly supported the legislation.
The bill, S-920, amends the New Jersey Economic Stimulus Act of 2009, removing restrictions that prevent state and county colleges from entering into public-private construction partnerships. It clarifies that these projects are exempt from property taxation provided that they are owned by a public or private entity and are used to further the education mission of the institution.
Montclair State University will be able to proceed with construction of a 2,000-unit housing and dining complex --- a $180 million shovel-ready project. The legislation also may spur private partnership construction projects, including Kean University, Stockton College, The College of New Jersey, Ramapo College and NJ City University.
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TO SELL $1.8 BILLION IN BONDS
New Jersey's Transportation Trust Fund Authority will issue $1.8 billion in bonds through sales beginning in August. The Authority's members voted 5-0 to approve a financial plan, including borrowing the $1.8 billion for the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2010.
Underwriting for the borrowing will be awarded by competitive bid run by the State Treasury Department. The transportation agency already has $11 billion in debt. Borrowing costs for the next three decades will use the entire $895 million a year the Trust Fund is scheduled to receive in state-allotted transportation funds.
TIME OF APPLICATION BILL FOR DEVELOPMENT SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
Governor Chris Christie signed "time of application" legislation governing land-use development applications at the municipal level. The bill provides that land-use development applications will be governed by regulations in effect at the time of the application. Exceptions are provided for rules related to health and public safety.
The legislation does not guarantee approval of the application, but assures the application process can move forward without the unnecessary hurdle of constantly changing requirements while the application is pending. The goals are to encourage jobs-creating development and lower costs for New Jersey businesses.
CONTINENTAL AND UNITED MERGE TO FORM WORLD'S LARGEST AIRLINE
Continental Airlines --- the major carrier at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of its hubs --- made big news with announcement of its merger with United Airlines. The name of the airline will be United Airlines, and will be the world's largest airline.
The combined company will have ten hubs, including Newark, and will continue to serve all the communities each carrier currently serves. As the dominant airline at Newark Liberty International Airport, Continental has some 23.6 million passengers yearly, giving it a 71 percent market share.
Together, Continental and United carry more than 144 million passengers per year as they fly to 370 destinations in 59 countries. The Board of Directors of both companies unanimously approved the merger. Pending completion of regulatory clearances, Continental and United expect to complete the transition in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Continental employs 14,000 people in Newark, including pilots and flight attendants. The Alliance for Action was a strong advocate for Continental in Newark, including construction of its new terminal and received frequent expressions of gratitude from its former CEO Gordon Bethune.
DEADLINES ANNOUNCED TO APPLY FOR FLOOD DISASTER FUNDS
Businesses which suffered physical damage during New Jersey's March floods must apply by June 1 for business physical disaster loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration. This would include water damage to buildings, equipment and inventory.
Companies which did not suffer physical damage, but sustained economic losses -- such as revenue when the business was forced to shut down -- have until January 3, 2011 to apply for the SBA economic injury disaster loan.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the SBA have set up ten field offices in the 12 flood disaster counties. They are Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union.
ALLIANCE SPEAKERS SESSIONS TO COVER STATE AND REGIONAL ISSUES
The Alliance for Action continues its series of programs through the month of May for public officials to report on key issues for New Jersey and the region.
- Thursday, May 20, New Jersey Transit Executive Director James Weinstein. Registration at 9:30 a.m. and program at 10:00 a.m., Alliance for Action offices, Raritan Plaza II, Edison. Registration required but for Alliance members attendance is complimentary. To register Go Here..
- Wednesday, May 26, Colonel John Boule, Commander & District Engineer of the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will feature a "Meet the Players" program. It will be at the NJ Carpenters Funds Conference Room, Raritan Plaza II, Fieldcrest Avenue, Edison. Registration will be at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10:00 a.m. To register Go Here.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PANEL SET ON HIGHER EDUCATION CONSTRUCTION
A special panel discussion on the role of public/private partnerships in higher education construction will feature an Alliance for Action sponsored conference on Tuesday, June 8. The overall theme will be "Building for Tomorrow's Leaders."
In addition to the panel, leaders of New Jersey's colleges and universities will outline over $1 billion in capital construction projects. The conference at the Trenton Marriott will open with registration at 8:00 a.m., followed by the program expected to run to around noon.
The public/private panel will be moderated by Robert Gerard, Chief Marketing Officer, Birdsall Services Group. Participants will include Josh M. Mann, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; Chris Morris, President, Birdsall Services Group; Stuart M. Rothenberger, Sr. Vice President-Director of Architecture, STV Architects, and Jack Tenany, Senior Vice President Project and Development Services, Jones Lang LaSalle.
Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said the investment made by New Jersey's colleges and universities will be a key factor in helping employ members of the building trades and suppliers, while also generating long term jobs and economic productivity. Speakers will include:
- Dr. Robert Altenkirch, President, NJ Institute of Technology.
- Anthony Calcado, Vice President of Facilities & Capital Planning, Rutgers University.
- Michael Harris, Associate Vice President for Administration & Finance Chief of Operations, Rowan University.
- Dr. Carlos Hernandez, President, NJ City University.
- Curt Heuring, Vice President of Facilities & Planning, The College of New Jersey.
- Michael McKay, Vice President Facilities, NJ City University.
- Donald Moore, Assistant Vice President for Operations, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
- Michael Reca, Associate Vice President for Facilities & Auxiliary Services, Rider University.
- Dr. Steven Rose, President, Passaic County Community College.
EDA FUNDS TO AID BROWNFIELD CLEANUPS IN FOUR NEW JERSEY CITIES
Newark, Trenton, Jersey City and Camden will receive $2.3 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help clean up abandoned and contaminated "brownfield" sites. The funds will be issued under the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Action of 2002.
Newark will get $600,000 for three sites including two former Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. properties off McCarter Highway. Trenton will receive $500,000 for cleanup projects including the Anthony Storcella property on Nottingham Way.
In Jersey City, $600,000 will be spent on three Garfield Avenue sites, including a former gas station and a junkyard. Camden will get $600,00 for three sites in the Cooper Grant Neighborhood that were part of the old ARC Barrel facility.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
- John S. Watson, Jr., former Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, has joined the staff of D&R Greenway Land Trust in the newly created position of Vice President.
- Timothy H. Shinn, President of United Crane Rentals, Inc., of Kenilworth, will be honored at the annual New Jersey state AFL-CIO convention in Atlantic City as the 2010 Business Honoree.
- Joseph A. Fiordaliso has been named by the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Jersey as its new president. He succeeds Peter Allen, who is retiring after 32 years as head of the Association.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Click the links below to register for an upcoming New Jersey Alliance for Action meeting.
5/17/10 – Alliance for Action Golf Classic - Go Here.
5/20/10 – Meet the Players with NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein – Go Here.
5/26/10 – Meet the Players with Colonel John Boule, Commander of the NY District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Go Here.
6/04/10 – Bergen County Alliance for Action - Go Here.
To tell us what you think of our on-line news Go Here.
Back to Online News Home Page
