Another Successful NJ SEED Seminar

For more than a quarter of a century NJ SEED has been conducting annual governmental affairs seminars. This year, the 26^th Annual NJ SEED Governmental Affairs Seminar was another successful event.

The format was changed this year to make it a one day event. The Seminar opened with a leadership luncheon where participants heard addresses by Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts and Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance. Both spoke to the challenges – especially the fiscal challenges – confronting the state. Speaker Roberts and Senator Lance each made reference to the NJ SEED State Issues Briefing Book by noting the timeliness and importance of the issues presented.

A special recognition for retiring legislators was enhanced by former Assembly Speaker (and now DCA Commissioner) Joe Doria and former Senate President John Bennett making the presentations to their colleagues.

Following the luncheon Rutgers Professors and well known economists Jim Hughes and Joe Seneca provided a sobering overview of the current state of New Jersey’s economy. They noted the negative economic impact of the number and socio/economic status of persons leaving the state. As usual the Hughes/Seneca presentation was highly informative and thought provoking.

Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri spoke next and laid out the serious problems associated with the needs of the transportation infrastructure and the Transportation Trust Fund.

The Commissioner’s presentation was followed by a panel of reactors that included Assembly Transportation Committee Chair John Wisniewski, Assemblyman Guy Gregg, Infrastructure Consultant Steve Steckler and NJ SEED President Joe McNamara. The panel discussed New Jersey’s transportation dilemma and potential solutions and the lack thereof.

 The Seminar presentations and panels were followed by a cocktail reception at which time NJ SEED honored former Governor Jim Florio with its John Maddocks Life Time Achievement Award, former New Jersey Labor Commissioner Al Kroll with the Peter J. Smith Labor Award and PSE&G CEO Ralph Izzo with the Lewis R. Applegate Business Award.

Once again NJ SEED members and friends had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with many of the state’s most influential leaders.