DEP Demands Natural Resource Damages from 66 Companies
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking what could ultimately be tens of millions of dollars in so-called Natural Resource Damages (NRDs) from 66 New Jersey companies and is evaluating more than 4,000 additional cases for possible future action.
NRDs are payments over and above the millions of dollars companies have already spent to clean up contaminated sites and are designed to compensate residents for damage to natural resources such as wetlands, wildlife or groundwater, as well as human use damages such as the closure of a waterway to fishing or swimming. Companies that have spent millions of dollars on remediation projects could still be liable for NRDs even though they have already settled and cleaned up their properties.

DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell said the 66 companies are required to assess the damage they did to the Passaic River environment and develop a plan for compensation. If they fail to comply, the DEP said it will implement an assessment of the damages using public funds and may sue uncooperative parties to seek reimbursement for implementing the assessment and as much as triple the damages.

NJBIA is deeply concerned that seeking NRDs on such a broad scale will hurt urban brownfield redevelopment efforts, hurt manufacturing expansion and retention, and discourage cleanups in the future. For more information, contact Jim Sinclair at ext. 236 or jsinclair@njbia.org.

NJBIA Urges Governor to Sign Healthcare Bill
NJBIA has called on Governor McGreevey to sign legislation that would help limit soaring health insurance costs by putting controls on healthcare mandates imposed by the state Legislature. S-2275 (Bennett, Codey)/ A-3137 (Roberts, Weinberg, Vandervalk) has languished on the Governor's desk since receiving final legislative approval in late June.

If signed into law, the bill would create a Healthcare Mandates Advisory Commission to review the financial impact of all proposed bills mandating specific healthcare coverages before they are voted on by the Legislature. The commission would give legislators an important tool for controlling mandates that require employers to provide coverage for an expanded list of medical conditions, whether employees want them or not. Estimates show that such mandates account for as much as 20 percent of the cost of insurance premiums. For the average NJBIA member, that comes to more than $1,200 per employee.

Controlling the cost of health insurance is the top issue for NJBIA member companies. Companies participating in NJBIA's 2003 Health Benefits Survey reported paying an average premium increase of 15 percent last year, raising their average premium to $6,325 per employee.

For more information, contact Melanie Willoughby at mwilloughby@njbia.org or ext. 205.

Minalex Corporation: Small Whitehouse Station Manufacturer Meets Big Demands
"Have you ever seen a kid's toy called the Play-Doh Fun Factory?" asks President Jim Casey. "That's pretty much what we do."
Casey is president of Minalex Corporation in Whitehouse Station and he is explaining to state Senator Leonard Lance and Assemblywoman Connie Myers how his company makes aluminum extrusion products. With him are his sons, Michael and Chris, who also work at Minalex. The occasion is an NJBIA Site Visit.

"We heat up the aluminum . then we push it through an extrusion press" to shape it according to a customer's requirements, Casey said.

"But we do tolerances that are 10 to 15 percent tighter than commercial; so we get to do the things that other companies won't do."

Extruded aluminum is a base product that is used to make other goods, such as bicycle rims or tennis racquet frames. Because Minalex creates extruded products within 1/1,000 of an inch of specifications, they are in a manufacturing class almost by themselves. (Their lone competitor is in Oregon.)
At Minalex, aluminum is loaded into a hydraulic press and then rammed through a die to shape it to the product specifications.

The resulting extrusions are drawn out along the "runout" table where they are cut down to specific sizes. Then they are machined and colored according to the customers' specifications.

This specialization has helped propel Minalex's success. Casey said the company is "at a good level," doing about $7 million in sales per year. Minalex peaked in 1998, hitting $11 million in sales and running two 12-hour shifts a day.

"You had the feeling at that level that the plant was running us," Casey said.

Minalex started in New Brunswick in 1965 and moved to its current location in Hunterdon County in 1969, where it has undergone a number of expansions.

Like many small manufacturers, Minalex struggles with rapidly escalating healthcare costs. The company also is worried that the state might impose workplace mandates like paid family leave.

Senator Lance explained that as co-chairman of the Senate Labor Committee, he has fought against paid family leave and other proposals.

"I am unwilling to make New Jersey more uncompetitive with neighboring states," Lance said. "You have my commitment on that for as long as I have any control of labor issues."

Minalex is proud of the way employees are treated. Most jobs require no specialized technical training. Starting pay is $15 per hour and employees are automatically enrolled in a profit sharing plan.

To learn about NJBIA's Site Visit Program contact Frank Robinson at frobinson@njbia.org or ext. 225.

HOLD THE DATE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Seminar: Developing an Employee Handbook and Policies
Experienced employment attorneys will explain how employee handbooks and policies can be written to help you manage your human resources more effectively and avoid costly legal disputes. Topics include harassment, discipline, leave policies, benefits and more. This event will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township. Cost is $105 per person for NJBIA members and $139 for nonmembers. Contact Katie Wittkamp at 609-393-7707, ext. 239, for registration information.

NJBIA Presents...
2003 Public Policy Forum
New Jersey at the Crossroads...Creating Jobs in a Post-Recession Economy
Tuesday, December 9, 2003
Sheraton at Woodbridge Place, Iselin
7:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Go here to see program details and names of speakers

NEW JOBS NEWSLETTER

NEW JOBS Urges Employers to Help
Elect Probusiness Lawmakers on Nov. 4
NEW JOBS, the largest and most influential political action committee for business, is encouraging employers throughout the state to cast their votes on Tuesday, November 4, in favor of probusiness candidates for the state Legislature. These candidates will counter a growing antibusiness bias in some corners of state government.

This is the most critical election in years. Nine in ten private-sector employers are unhappy with the way things have been going in Trenton. Employers who aren't happy with the current political climate can do something about it-they can vote, they can get others to vote, and they can directly help local NEW JOBS-endorsed candidates who will work for a better business climate.

All 120 seats in the Senate and Assembly are up for grabs in this off-year election in which no statewide candidates are on the ballot. But just a handful of races in critical districts throughout the state could well determine who controls the legislative agenda.

There is also still time for employers to contribute to NEW JOBS, which is still making contributions to candidates with probusiness records who need the most help. These legislators, listed below, are fighting against millions of dollars in negative campaign ads funded in part by labor unions, radical environmentalists, and other antibusiness interest groups who don't have the economic good of the larger citizenry on their agenda.

NEW JOBS is attempting to level the playing field by making generous contributions to legislative candidates of both parties who are friends of business. But to win, they need our contributions, they need our vote, and they need our help.

What follows is a brief synopsis of some of the legislative districts that are the key battlegrounds in the November 4 elections, districts where the trustees of NEW JOBS are focusing the maximum level of effort and resources. The candidates endorsed by NEW JOBS are in bold.

District 4 (Parts of Camden and Gloucester counties)-The resignation of long-time Senator John Matheussen elevated Republican Assemblyman George Geist to the upper house. The Democrats are running former State Police Acting Superintendent Fred Madden and have committed a huge war chest to the cause. The two Republican candidates, Assemblyman Stephen Altamuro and Patrick Dougherty, who have been endorsed by NEW JOBS, are in a very tough, competitive race.

District 12 (Parts of Monmouth and Mercer counties)-Senate Co-President John Bennett, endorsed by NEW JOBS, faces a stiff challenge in what normally should be a safe district. Bennett is being challenged by Democrat Ellen Karcher, daughter of former Assembly Speaker Alan Karcher. The Democrats are also targeting probusiness

Assemblywoman Clare Farragher and Assemblyman

Michael Arnone. These NEW JOBS-endorsed candidates face a real challenge, perhaps the biggest of their political life.

District 14 (Parts of Mercer and Middlesex counties)- Popular GOP Senator Peter Inverso is being challenged by former Assemblyman and state Personnel Commissioner Skip Cimino. The Republicans believe Inverso, endorsed by NEW JOBS, will prevail. An Inverso victory could help defeat the Democratic Assembly incumbents, Linda Greenstein and Gary Guear. Their GOP challengers, NEW JOBS-endorsed candidates Bill Baroni and Sidna Mitchell, are mounting a strong campaign against the incumbents, who have a very poor record on issues important to employers.

District 19 (Middlesex County)-Assemblywoman Arlene Friscia, the incumbent with the worst voting record on business and economic development issues, has "morphed" from a defeated antibusiness Democrat into a Republican. NEW JOBS is not taken in by the transformation and continues to endorse and support her probusiness Democratic opponents, Assemblyman John Wisniewski and Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas. They defeated her in the primary election and hopefully will do so again on November 4.

District 36 (Parts of Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties)- Incumbent Assembly Minority Leader Paul DiGaetano and running mate Richard DiLascio, both of whom are Republicans endorsed by NEW JOBS, are waging an aggressive campaign to win the two Assembly seats in their district.

District 38 (Part of Bergen County)-The outcome of the Senate race in this Bergen County district could well decide if the Senate remains split 20-20 along party lines. NEW JOBS-endorsed candidate Rose Heck, who is leaving her Assembly seat, is challenging freshman incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Coniglio, a candidate with one of the worst records on taxes and jobs. A strong victory by Heck could help the election of her running mates, Edward Trawinski and Louis Tedesco.

Contribute to NEW JOBS! Make a Difference!

If you would like to find out more about NEW JOBS, educate your employees or make a contribution to NEW JOBS, visit www.NEWJOBSPAC.com, where credit card contributions can be made online. Contributions can also be made using the form below. You can also call Jim Sinclair, NEW JOBS executive director, at 609-393-7707, ext. 236.

NEW JOBS ENDORSEMENTS For New Jersey State Legislature
The NEW JOBS trustees have endorsed the following candidates for the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly in the Tuesday, November. 4 election. (An asterisk indicates that the candidate is an incumbent. "R" designates Republicans and "D," Democrats.)

DISTRICT 1...
     Assembly: Jack Gibson, R
     Assembly: Drew McCrosson, R

DISTRICT 2...
     Senate: *William Gormley, R
     Assembly: *Frank Blee, R
     Assembly: *Kirk Conover, R

DISTRICT 3...
     Assembly: Susan Bestwick, R
     Assembly: Douglas Sorantino, R

DISTRICT 4...
     Assembly: *Stephen Altamuro, R
     Assembly: Patrick Dougherty, R

DISTRICT 5...
     Senate: *Wayne Bryant, D
     Assembly: *Joseph Roberts, D
     Assembly: *Nilsa Cruz-Perez, D

DISTRICT 6...
     Senate: *John Adler, D
     Assembly: *Louis Greenwald, D
     Assembly: *Mary Previte, D

DISTRICT 7...
      Senate: *Diane Allen, R
      Assembly: *Jack Connors, D
      Assembly: *Herb Conaway, D

DISTRICT 8...
      Senate: *Martha Bark, R
      Assembly: *Francis Bodine, R
      Assembly: *Larry Chatzidakis, R

DISTRICT 9...
     Senate: *Leonard Connors, R
     Assembly: *Christopher Connors, R
     Assembly: *Brian Rumpf, R

DISTRICT 10...
      Senate: *Andrew Ciesla, R
     Assembly: *James Holzapfel, R
     Assembly: *David Wolfe, R

DISTRICT 11...
     Senate: *Joseph Palaia, R
     Assembly: *Steve Corodemus, R
     Assembly: *Sean Kean, R

DISTRICT 12...
      Senate: *John Bennett, R
     Assembly: *Clare Farragher, R
     Assembly: *Michael Arnone, R

DISTRICT 13...
     Senate: *Joe Kyrillos, R
     Assembly: *Joseph Azzolina, R
     Assembly: *Samuel Thompson, R

DISTRICT 14...
     Senate: *Peter Inverso, R
     Assembly: Bill Baroni, R
     Assembly: Sidna Mitchell, R

DISTRICT 15...
     Assembly: *Reed Gusciora, D

DISTRICT 16...
     Senate: *Walter Kavanaugh, R
     Assembly: *Christopher Bateman, R
     Assembly: *Peter Biondi, R

DISTRICT 17...
     Assembly: *Upendra Chivukula, D

DISTRICT 18...
     Assembly: *Patrick Diegnan, D

DISTRICT 19...
     Senate: *Joseph Vitale, D
     Assembly: Joseph Vas, D
     Assembly: *John Wisniewski, D

DISTRICT 20...
     Senate: *Raymond Lesniak, D
     Assembly: *Neil Cohen, D

DISTRICT 21...
     Senate: *Thomas Kean, Jr., R
     Assembly: *Jon Bramnick, R
     Assembly: *Eric Munoz, R

DISTRICT 22...
     Assembly: *Linda Stender, D

DISTRICT 23...
     Senate: *Leonard Lance, R
     Assembly: *Connie Myers, R
     Assembly: *Michael Doherty, R

DISTRICT 24...
     Senate: *Robert Littell, R
     Assembly: *Guy Gregg, R
     Assembly: *Alison Littell McHose, R

DISTRICT 25...
     Senate: *Anthony Bucco, R
     Assembly: *Michael Patrick Carroll, R
     Assembly: *Rick Merkt, R

DISTRICT 26...
     Senate: *Robert Martin, R
     Assembly: *Alex DeCroce, R
     Assembly: *Joseph Pennacchio, R

DISTRICT 28...
     Senate: *Ronald Rice, D
     Assembly: *Craig Stanley, D

DISTRICT 30...
     Senate: *Robert Singer, R
     Assembly: *Ronald Dancer, R
     Assembly: *Joseph Malone, R

DISTRICT 32...
     Senate: *Nicholas Sacco, D
     Assembly: *Anthony Impreveduto, D
     Assembly: *Joan Quigley, D

DISTRICT 33...
     Assembly: *Albio Sires, D

DISTRICT 34...
     Senate: *Nia Gill, D

DISTRICT 35...
     Senate: *John Girgenti, D
     Assembly: *Alfred Steele, D

DISTRICT 36...
     Assembly: *Paul DiGaetano, R
     Assembly: Richard DiLascio, R

DISTRICT 37...
     Senate: *Byron Baer, D

DISTRICT 38...
     Senate: *Rose Heck, R
     Assembly: Edward Trawinski, R
     Assembly: Louis Tedesco, R

DISTRICT 39...
     Senate: *Gerald Cardinale, R
     Assembly: *John Rooney, R
     Assembly: *Charlotte Vandervalk, R

DISTRICT 40...
     Senate: *Henry McNamara, R
     Assembly: *David Russo, R
     Assembly: *Kevin O'Toole, R