As State Coffers Swell, Lawmakers Resist Millionaires Tax

  May 15, 2019 | njspotlight.com 

Business tax levies are now running more than $750 million over projections, and income-tax trends are approaching original forecasts

Gov. Phil Murphy is holding firm to his call for a true millionaire’s tax even as an improving revenue outlook is taking pressure off New Jersey’s perennially strained budget — and giving many lawmakers a reason to believe a wealth surcharge is no longer necessary.

NJ SEED:  With revenue collections strong due to a vibrant national economy, the advisability of raising taxes – even on “millionaires” is questionable as it would not generate business or job in the private sector.

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New Jersey DEP Says It’s Working With Chemical Companies to Curb PFAS

  May 14, 2019 | njspotlight.com 

After scathing letter from companies, officials say they hope for voluntary resolution to contamination.

Environmental officials indicated (early last week) that they are working toward an agreement with five chemical companies that were accused earlier this year of contaminating the environment with toxic PFAS chemicals in many parts of New Jersey.

NJ SEED: Government continues to be a slow learner. Rather than greeting every environmental problem with a salvo of smash and trash, a proactive approach of cooperation with the private sector will often lead to a faster satisfactory resolution, reserving hostilities for the recalcitrant.

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Opinion: A Strategic Error

by Columnist Carl Golden

  May 17, 2019 | insidernj.com

Senate President Steve Sweeney’s decision to put an end to any further attempts to legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana amounted to a mercy killing, an acknowledgement that keeping the legislation connected to life support in the belief it would magically recover was pointless and embarrassing.

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In A Related Action: Senate Health Committee Passes both Medical Marijuana and Expungement Bills

May 20, 2019 | insidernj.com

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee this morning passed both medical marijuana (S-10) and expungement (S-3205) bills out of committee.

NJ SEED: Long an advocate of a balanced approach to providing for NJ’s energy needs, NJ SEED continues to advocate for utilizing a mix of energy resources – solar, wind, and fossil – as the best means of accomplishing that goal.

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Lawmakers Embrace Goal of a Fossil-Fuel Free New Jersey by 2050

  May 17, 2019 | njspotlight.com 

Business groups say bill approved by committee moves too fast, while advocates say concrete steps are needed to stem global warming.

In a spirited legislative hearing, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee unanimously approved a bill that requires all electricity in New Jersey by 2050 to come from carbon-free sources, presumably renewable energy and nuclear power.

NJ SEED: Long an advocate of a balanced approach to providing for NJ’s energy needs, NJ SEED continues to advocate for utilizing a mix of energy resources – solar, wind, and fossil – as the best means of accomplishing that goal.

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Murphy Drops $33m Budget Diversion After Getting Flamed by Firefighters

  May 9, 2019 | njspotlight.com 

After getting the state’s firefighting community hot under the collar, Gov. Phil Murphy is no longer planning to divert $33 million from a dedicated fund that helps these needy first responders and their families. But longstanding rules about how the money can be spent may be overhauled as lawmakers take a closer look at the issue.

NJ SEED:  NJ has a long history of governors being rebuked for attempting to raid public employee pension or other benefit funds. However, the kerfuffle generated by the Murphy Administration’s stealthy attempt to appropriate $33 million from the cash rich State Firemen’s Association and dozens of local relief organizations may trigger efforts to make significant reforms.

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