• Paid Family Leave [A-3049 (Friscia)/S-1923 (Sinagra, Lynch)]-This legislation would make New Jersey thefirst and only state in the nation to provide up to 12 weeks of unemployment benefits to both parents of a newborn infant or adopted child. NJBIA is leading a coalition of business organizations working to defeat this bill. Unlike unpaid leave laws, this proposal contains no small business exemption. Employers with two or more employees would be affected. The bill would disrupt virtually every workplace in the state as businesses would be without key employees for extended periods.
• The Assembly Health Committee has approved legislation allowing health plans to be sued, but included an NJBIA-backed amendment that will require litigants to first seek relief through New Jersey's independent appeals process before going to court. The committee released the amended bill, A-3136/S-1333 (Corodemus, Talarico, Connors, Singer)/A-724 (Talarico, Corodemus)/A-2055 (Kelly, Gusciora), on May 17. The amendment means that if New Jersey enacts right-to-sue legislation, expensive lawsuits will be a last resort, not a first resort, in resolving disputes between individuals and their health plans. This amendment is critical to limiting soaring health insurance costs. For more information, contact Bryan Markowitz at 609-393-7707, ext. 225, or bmarkowitz@njbia.org.
• Employer Liability for Payroll Taxes (A-2889/Geist)-Under this measure, businesses that employ the services of a temp agency could be held liable if the agency does not pay payroll taxes for the temporary employee. The employer would then have to pay the agency's taxes even though they have no knowledge or control over the agency's actions. An unrelated provision in the bill also would prevent employers hit by a strike from using temporary workers to keep operating. This provision has nothing to do with enforcement of wage and hour laws and should not be included in the bill.
• Corporate Business Tax Reform [S-2314 (Kyrillos, Kenny)/A-3420 (DeCroce)]-This proposal would reform New Jersey's Corporate Business Tax (CBT) to stop penalizing companies that have employees and property in New Jersey. Under current law, companies with operations in New Jersey pay a CBT tax rate based on the number of employees they have, the size of their physical plant, and their sales. Companies located in some competitor states are taxed only on their sales. NJBIA supports legislation that would adopt a "single sales factor," basing the CBT rate only on the amount of a company's in-state sales. This will encourage employers to hire staff and locate facilities here, not penalize them for doing so.
• Allowing Small Businesses to Group Together to Self-Insure [A-2386 (Myers, Farragher)/S-197 (Bassano)]-This key legislation would allow small groups to combine together to self-insure. Larger groups cost less to insure on a per capita basis because the risk is spread over a greater number of people. Allowing small businesses to group together to self-insure would give small employers the same cost advantages as large corporations. NJBIA also supports allowing small employers to band together to get group discounts when purchasing health insurance.

Court Upholds Redistricting Map Opposed by GOP
Three federal judges on May 2 unanimously upheld New Jersey's Democratic-backed legislative redistricting plan, rejecting a GOP challenge that the map violated the US Constitution and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Republicans said they would appeal to the US Supreme Court.

US Circuit Judge Leonard I. Garth said the Republicans "have not satisfied their requisite burden of proof."

The redistricting map, which uses the 2000 census to redraw all 40 legislative districts, is viewed as being favorable to Democratic candidates. It alters some traditionally Republican districts by adding Democratic-leaning towns, and creates districts with more incumbents than seats by moving legislators' hometowns

Senator Corzine Speaks To Camden ELC
Seventy-five employers turned out to hear US Senator Jon Corzine speak at the Camden County Employer Legislative Committee on April 18. Corzine focused on President Bush's tax cut proposals, their prospects in the Senate and his views on taxation in general.Eighteen ELCs meet every month throughout the state to exchange ideas with legislators and government officials. The Corzine meeting represented the largest attendance at an ELC this year, Camden ELC Chair Lendel Jones said.

More than 350 Attend NJBIA'SLegislative Briefing Breakfasts
With most legislators out of Trenton during the annual April "budget break," NJBIA took its probusiness message to their districts with six Legislative Briefing Breakfasts between March 30 and May 4.

Over 350 employers joined NJBIA to press its legislative agenda to the 42 legislators who attended. Legislators got an earful about paid family leave and the rising costs of health insurance. But they also heard about positive proposals, like reforming the Corporate Business Tax and allowing small businesses to band together to self-insure or get volume discounts on insurance premiums.

"One of the good things to come out of the whole paid family leave issue was getting employers more involved in the legislative process," NJBIA Executive Vice President Philip Kirschner said at a recent breakfast meeting. "Legislators have been bombarded with letters and faxes and phone calls opposing this bill, and it is really having an effect. Talking one-on-one with employers in their districts is one of the most effective ways to communicate the business community's concerns."

Although the Briefing Breakfast series is over for 2001, 18 Employer Legislative Committees (ELCs) meet monthly throughout the state to hear from legislators and state government officials. For more information about ELCs, contact Libby Vinson at ext. 201.

An Ounce of Prevention Takes 'Prevention First' a Long Way in 53 Monmouth County Communities
If, as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, then Prevention First of Oakhurst is saving tons for Monmouth County residents. With a $1.8 million budget, Prevention First works proactively to prevent some of the most intractable social problems before they take hold in 53 Monmouth County communities.

They teach children how to say no to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. They help individuals manage their anger and avoid violent behavior. They also are home to one of the largest libraries on drug abuse, alcoholism and violence prevention in the area.

"Studies show that every dollar spent on prevention efforts means $15 saved in future societal costs," says Barbara T. Sprechman, coordinator of business development.

Recently, Sprechman and Mary Pat Angelini, executive director of Prevention First, took state Senator Joseph Palaia on a tour of their facility as part of NJBIA's Site Visit Program. The program familiarizes legislators with businesses in their districts and the legislative and regulatory issues that affect them. Since 1997, NJBIA has organized 94 site visits across the state.

Prevention First operates programs for all ages from pre-kindergarten school children, teaching them how to resist peer pressure, to senior citizens, informing them about the adverse effects of mixing certain prescription drugs. Prevention First distributes 65,000 pieces of literature and several video tapes a year and makes its information library available to anyone who needs it.

Palaia, who was principal of the Wannamassa Elementary School in Ocean Township before retiring, praised the organization's school-based violence prevention programs, singling out the bullying prevention efforts as being especially important.

"I've been an educator for 33 years," Palaia said. "Bullying prevention is number one. It's unbelievable what goes on at these playgrounds and what it leads to later. It all starts right there with bullying."

Angelini explained that their school-based violence prevention programs, which Prevention First initiated in 1996, grew out of concern about the increasingly antisocial behavior of children.

The program is conducted over several weeks-"None of our programs are one shot deals," Angelini said-and includes life skills training and media violence education in addition to bullying prevention.

"If a school wants to start a program, we will sit down with them and create a program especially for them," Angelini explained. "We do not use a cookie-cutter approach. Integrity is at the heart of everything we do."

Prevention First's largest program is called Strengthening Families. The program identifies families at risk for alcohol or drug abuse and works with them before problems explode. Strengthening families is part of several community-service programs Prevention First offers, which also includes parenting programs, grand-parenting support and peer leadership in schools.

Prevention First also provides a comprehensive "Drug Free Workplace" program. Any Monmouth County business that would like more information should contact Prevention First at 732-663-1800. For details on NJBIA's Site Visit program, contact Libby Vinson at 609-393-7707, ext. 201.

Friday, June 1
Hot Legal Topics Seminar
Some of the state's foremost attorneys will address a host of current legal issues at NJBIA's Hot Legal Topics seminar on June 1 at the Holiday Inn in Monroe Township (Exit 8A, NJ Turnpike). Learn about hiring issues, sexual harassment, employee privacy issues, employee handbooks, and family and medical leave. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 12:15 p.m. The cost per person is $99 for NJBIA members and $129 for nonmembers. To register, call Lisa Figatner at 609-393-7707, ext. 239.
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Tuesday, June 5
New Good Neighbor Awards Luncheon
Tuesday, June 5New Good Neighbor Awards LuncheonNJBIA's 41st Annual New Good Neighbor Awards Luncheon will be held at the Sheraton at Woodbridge Place in Iselin. Awards will be presented to New Jersey businesses that have made an outstanding contribution to their communities through job creation, the quality of their architecture, and community involvement. The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cost to attend is $55 per person. For more information, contact Stacy Wichner at 609-393-7707, ext. 213. For sponsorship information, call Sherry Esteves at ext. 219.
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Wednesday, June 20
NEW JOBS Morris County Fund-Raiser
Sponsored by the New Jersey Organization for a Better State (NEW JOBS), this great networking event will honor outstanding legislators of Morris County and raise funds for probusiness candidates for the state Legislature. The reception will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at American Home Products Corporation in Madison. Admission is $100 per person. All funds raised from this event will be used in this year's general election to support candidates who are concerned about the retention of private-sector jobs and promoting economic growth. To register, contact Stacy Wichner at 609-393-7707, ext. 213.
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Wednesday, June 27
2001 Employer Legislative Committees Dinner
Every two years the 18 county ELCs unite to host the Biennial Dinner. This year's dinner will feature New Jersey's gubernatorial candidates. Don't miss this opportunity to swap cards with over 500 business leaders from all over the state, mingle with legislators and hear firsthand what the candidates have to say. The ELCs are a statewide grassroots network founded by NJBIA in 1959 to bring lawmakers and businesspeople together. This event will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton. Cocktails are at 6:00 p.m. and dinner is at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $99 per person, with tables of 10 available for $990. Contact Sherry Esteves at 609-393-7707, ext. 219, for more information.
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Thursday, July 12
How to Participate in New Jersey's Multi-Billion $$ School Construction Program
THIRD & FINAL SESSION! New Jersey has already kicked off the nation's largest school construction program. Every school district across this state is eligible for generous grants and low interest loans to finance an estimated $12 billion in new and renovated facilities. The workshop will be held at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township (Exit 8A, NJ Turnpike) from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The cost is $95 per person for NJBIA members and $120 for nonmembers. For more information, contact Sherry Esteves at 609-393-7707, ext. 219.
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TUESDAY, MAY 15
Tuesday, July 17
Golf & Tennis Day
NJBIA will hold its 31st Annual Golf & Tennis Day at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township (Exit 8A, NJ Turnpike). The event is one of the state's major business outings and one of New Jersey's largest amateur golf tournaments. Cost per person: $250 for golf and dinner, $140 for tennis and dinner and $95 for dinner only. Sponsorships are available by contacting Sherry Esteves at 609-393-7707, ext. 219. To register or for more information, call Stacy Wichner, ext. 213.
Read about Golf & Tennis Day 2000.
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Thursday, July 25
Looking for Answers in Purchasing Health Insurance?This seminar will help you evaluate and compare health insurance plans. Industry professionals will cover critical issues, such as how to comply with health insurance market laws, understanding small employer market laws, questions to ask when buying health insurance, assessing the quality of different plans, and deciphering self-insurance laws. The half-day seminar will be held at the Holiday Inn in Saddle Brook. The cost is $99 per person for NJBIA members and $129 for nonmembers. For details, call Lisa Figatner at 609-393-7707, ext. 239.

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