NJECPAC / NJ-IEC Continuing Political Committee

Join Us For Our 2014 Family Fun Summer Networking Event

2014-07-16T06:31:00.001-04:00

Missed Our 2013 Summer Fun Family Picnic?

There is Still Time To Register For Our July 17, 2014 Event

Email Us that you will be attending, njecpac@comcast.net

Bring Your Check to the Event, And See Us At The Gate For Your Ticket

Join Us For An Evening Of Summer Family Fun

July 17, 2012 6:00PM

Bring Your Family, Friends, Colleagues, Neighbors & Clients

The Picnic Packages Includes All Of These GREAT Features!

Ticket to the game
Private picnic area for the whole game, with your OWN party host.
Complete BBQ grill for approx. 90 minutes featuring delicious baseball fare. ~ Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Grilled Chicken, Pasta Salad, Chips, Cookies, and more!
Unlimited Draft Beer, Soda and Bottled Water until the 7^th Inning
10% discount coupon for the Strike Zone gift shop.
Group recognition during the game.

Adults: $65.00

Children: $30.00

Corporate, Association, and Individual Sponsorships

Are Also Available

For more information,

please contact:

Joe Coviello - 201-410-5487 or

Email the NJECPAC at njecpac@comcast.net

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Congress Moves Job Training Reform and Higher Education Bills

2014-07-12T11:27:00.001-04:00

Congress Sends Job Training Reform Bill to President's Desk

Legislation to update the Workforce Investment Act, overdue for reauthorization for more than a decade, is headed to the president’s desk following overwhelming bipartisan support from both houses of Congress. The Senate and House authors of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) applauded the passage of the bill, which seeks to update and improve the nation’s workforce development system. The legislation was approved this week by a vote of 415 to 6 by the House of Representatives; it was approved by the Senate last month by a vote of 95 to 3 and will be signed into law by President Obama.

"There is longstanding, bipartisan agreement that the current workforce development system is broken, and this bill turns that consensus into action,” said Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC). “The bipartisan, bicameral process through which the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was developed serves as an example of what we can accomplish when we work together. This legislation is important for the millions of Americans who are looking for work and for the employers who have 4.6 million job opportunities that remain unfilled due to the skills gap."

Supreme Court strikes down NLRB appointments

2014-06-27T12:03:00.000-04:00

The Supreme Court handed the Obama administration a major defeat on Thursday, striking down three of the president's recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board.

In a unanimous 9-0 ruling, the Supreme Court justices found the president had overstepped his powers by making recess appointments while the Senate was not in recess, rather than waiting until they adjourned to a true congressional recess.

This is a huge win for all those that understood that the Presidents action were a clear Executive over reach and worked diligently to bring this issue to the Supreme Court. We especially want to thank our member Association The Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC) for their diligent work on this very important case Read More Here

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Memorial Day 2014

2014-05-26T05:00:00.000-04:00

A Soldier Is Someone Who, At One Point Wrote A Blank Check Made Payable To The United States of America For An Amount Up To And Including Their Own Life

A True Soldier Fights Not Because They Hate What Is In

Front Of Them, But Because They Love What Is Behind Them

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Where Liberty Dwells

2013-07-04T06:05:00.000-04:00

Our Lives, Our Fortunes, and Our Sacred Honor

Two hundred thirty seven years ago, our forefathers sat in a hot room with closed windows arguing over the future of the thirteen colonies they represented. For a while they had thought of reconciliation with their motherland. But over time it became clear that neither King nor Parliament were interested in anything other than submission.

These fifty-six men did what had not been done before them.

They outlined their grievances on paper, declared their independence, and signed their names so both King and Parliament would know who the traitors were. The act was treason punishable by death. Some of them did die. Some were bankrupted. Many lost their homes and property. Some saw their wives and children taken and abused. But none recanted. All held firm.

237 years later we view the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the abstract. The grievances are distant if not surreal. But it was very real to them.

The United States of America today stands 69 years removed from D-Day.

D-Day was 79 years from the end of the Civil War, and 81 years removed from Gettysburg, which we are now 150 years separated from in time and history.

The beginning of the Civil War was 85 years from 1776 and only 72 years from the constitution being enacted.

The Revolution was only 88 years from the Glorious Revolution — a revolution from which we are separated by a chasm of 325 years.

It was the Glorious Revolution that so influenced our founders. It was not abstract to them. It was not far removed. It was an event in the lifetimes of some of their grand parents. Parliament’s supremacy was asserted. The British subjects became citizens and acquired certain rights under the Bill of Rights of 1689 while others from the Magna Carta were reinforced. Among the rights derived from the Glorious Revolution were prohibitions on taxation without representation in Parliament, prohibitions on a standing army, the right to petition the King without prosecution, the prohibition on dispensing with Acts of Parliament, and the prohibition of fines and forfeitures before convictions of crimes.

Have a wonderful Independence Day. Click Here For The Rest Of The Post

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Unions To Accompany OSHA Inspectors On Non Union Job Sites

2013-06-23T15:07:00.000-04:00

IEC Strongly Opposes Rule Sanctioning Union Participation on OSHA Inspections

On February 21, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a letter of interpretation addressed to Mr. Steve Sallman of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW) explicitly endorsing union representatives and other non-employee third parties to accompany OSHA inspectors on walk-around inspections at non-union workplaces.

The Coalition for Workplace Safety believes the interpretation is inconsistent with the statute and regulations. This letter of interpretation is bad policy implemented through a non-transparent closed process. IEC joined 56 organizations to send a letter to OSHA communicating our displeasure that such a policy did not go through the normal rule-making process and was issued as a letter of interpretation. IEC will continue to monitor this situation closely.

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2013-06-22T08:56:00.001-04:00

A Bill to stop a hike in unemployment insurance taxes is headed to Gov. Chris Christie's desk.

The legislation S2404 / A3675, which would stop a 10% unemployment insurance surcharge that would otherwise take effect on July 1st was passed unanimously by the Assembly and Senate.

The increase is intended to replenish the States Unemployment Trust Fund, Business Organizations such as NFIB and New Jersey IEC say but now is not the time to increases taxes on businesses still struggling to pull their business out of the effects of the great recession.

"The addition of the pending Unemployment Insurance Surcharge would prevent businesses including IEC member Electrical Contractors and our Partners throughout the State from adding the employees and equipment they need to grow their businesses in this still fragile economic climate," said Independent Electrical Contractors National Vice President Joseph Hovanec Jr.

"The fund is headed toward solvency, so this will maybe slow it down a little bit, but it's not going to stop it from getting to that point," said Laurie Ehlbeck, New Jersey Director of the NFIB and a member of the state's UI task force.

Ehlbeck said businesses already have been hit with other fees and cost increases, including health insurance rates, "The more money that is in employers' pockets, the more money they can use to either retain the employees they have or to possibly hire new ones," she said.

Alison Littell McHose (R-Sparta), one of the sponsors of the bill in the Assembly, noted that unemployment has been falling in recent months. "This bill recognizes the need to work with the business community that creates the jobs in New Jersey," she said, in a statement. Read More

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Republicans Introduce NLRA Reforms to Protect Secret Ballot

2013-06-15T12:45:00.001-04:00

Republicans Introduce NLRA Reforms to Protect Secret Ballot

and Roll Back Micro-Union Scheme

Republicans yesterday introduced two legislative proposals that would protect workers’ right to secret ballot union elections and roll back the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) micro-union

Secret Ballot Protection Act (H.R. 2346) Introduced by Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN)

“As members of Congress, it is our job to prevent any assault on workers’ rights,” said Rep. Roe. "I believe it’s time we permanently strengthen workers’ freedoms, and that is why I introduced the Secret Ballot Protection Act. This legislation sides with every American worker because it protects his or her right to a secret ballot during union elections. This has nothing to do with whether you are pro- or anti-union; this is simply about giving workers the protection and freedom they deserve to make the best decision for themselves and their families without fear of retribution.”

Representation Fairness Restoration Act (H.R. 2347) Introduced by Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)

“In efforts to placate the Obama administration’s allies in organized labor, the NLRB has forfeited economic growth and forsaken the American worker,” said Rep. Price. “The Representation Fairness Restoration Act would reverse this harmful practice and restore the rights of America’s job creators and their employees. This sweeping federal regulation seeks only to satiate the interests of organized labor without regard for the welfare of the worker or the rights of the business owner.”

“The last thing workers need is special interests and government bureaucrats advancing policies that create division in workplaces and undermine their fundamental freedoms,” said Chairman John Kline (R-MN). “The legislation will protect workers’ right to a secret ballot election and end job-destroying micro-unions. Republicans will continue to advance solutions that promote the best interests of America’s workers and job creators.” Read More.

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The Presidents NLRB Recess Appointments Struck Down Again

2013-05-16T14:44:00.000-04:00

NJECPAC Chairman
Joe Coviello

CDW: Third Circuit Deals Another Blow To NLRB

A Second Court Finds Presidents “Recess” Appointments Illegal

NJECPAC applauds the Third Circuit US Court of Appeals' decision that declares the Presidents National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recess appointments illegal. The Third Circuit is the second court to do so.

The decision in New Vista Nursing and Rehabilitation v NLRB is the second such to deal a blow to the Obama administration. The other, Noel Canning v. NLRB was supported by business organizations, including CDW of which NJECPAC Sustaining Member New Jersey-IEC is a Member.

Coalition for a Democratic Workplace chairman Geoffrey Burr said, “This is yet more evidence the President went outside his constitutional authority and wrongly circumvented the role of the Senate as the administration attempted to stack the deck in favor of organized labor. Simply calling a long weekend a ‘recess’ in order to pack the NLRB was wrong, and so is the President’s effort to renominate those individuals who illegally held posts within the Board.”

Now that two courts have ruled against the Presidents illegal NLRB appointments, New Jersey IEC will also urged the President to withdraw his current nominations and provide new more qualified nominees for consideration by the US Senate.

The decision in this case can be viewed here:

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Feds Accept Governors Sandy Disaster Recovery Action Plan

2013-04-29T14:25:00.002-04:00

Stronger New Jersey Business Grants Available Soon!

Today, Governor Chris Christie and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced HUD's approval of New Jersey's Disaster Recovery Action Plan. The Action Plan outlines how the State will utilize $1.8 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help homeowners, renters, businesses and communities impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

Governor Christie has called on the EDA to advance the CDBG-funded programs that will support the recovery of New Jersey's storm-impacted businesses and communities. As a result of today's HUD approval, in the coming days EDA will be launching the first of its CDBG-funded business recovery programs - the Stronger New Jersey Business Grant Program. This program will provide up to $50,000 to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that sustained physical damage from Superstorm Sandy.

For more information regarding this grant program, please visit

http://application.njeda.com/strongernjbusiness.

Help spreading the word about these programs will be instrumental to business recovery in New Jersey, Please share this information with your membership and encourage them to register for program updates so they can be the first to know as these programs launch. More Info Here The EDA Office of Recovery can be reached at 1-855-SANDY-BZ (1-855-726-3929).

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Contracting and Tax Accountability Act Heads To Senate

2013-04-22T08:35:00.000-04:00

113TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 882

"To prohibit the awarding of a contract or grant in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee has no seriously delinquent tax debts, and for other purposes".

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 882, Titled the Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2013.” The bill would ban the government from awarding contracts and grants unless the bidder certifies in writing that the individual or company does not have “seriously delinquent tax debts.” Rather than focusing on any tax debt of the company, the certification also focuses on the tax debt(s) of the individuals running the company.

The Legislation would ban the award of a contract to a “person with a seriously delinquent tax debt.” A corporation violates this standard if an officer or shareholder with a controlling interest in the company has an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed. A tax debt will not be considered “seriously delinquent” if it is being paid in through a payment agreement with the IRS or if there is a hearing request pending.

The full text of the Legislation can be found here.

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Insurers Warn of Obamacare-Induced Sticker Shock

2013-04-19T08:19:00.000-04:00

Health Actuaries: Obamacare Rates Expected To Soar

Few aspects of the Affordable Care Act are more critical to its success than affordability, but in recent weeks experts have predicted costs for some health plans could soar next year.

Health law supporters are pushing back noting close ties between the actuaries making the forecasts and an insurance industry that has been complaining about taxes and other factors it says will lead to rate shock for consumers. The laws supporters ignore one elementary and simple fact. When costs rise for insurers those costs are passed along to consumers in the form of higher premiums. Read More

There is some good news for Electrical Contractors and some Businesses

Electrical Contractors and Businesses that are partnered with them have an opportunity for significant savings on their health care benefits. NJECPAC Partner Association New Jersey IEC has joined Association Master Trust (AMT). AMT is an unique not for profit multi-Association Health Benefits Plan offering a multitude of Medical and Dental plans at group rates.

Even one person Companies that would not otherwise qualify for group rates under NJ Law are eligible for Group Rates on their Health Insurance through AMT. AMT utilizes the Blue Cross Provider Network and includes 'Blue Card' which includes the Blue Cross World Wide Network of Service Providers.

AMT for Electrical Contractors is available exclusively through New Jersey IEC. Participants in AMT have seen Group plan savings in the hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

For more information visit www.NJ-IEC.org or contact New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors by phone at (973) 467-0027, fax: (973) 467-4066, email: executivedirector@nj-iec.org

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Tell Governor Chris Christie To Veto Expansion If Project Labor Agreements

2013-04-13T08:36:00.000-04:00

Urge Gov. Christie to Oppose Project Labor Agreements (PLA's) on Hurricane Sandy Relief Projects. PLA's mandate union only labor on public and private projects reducing fair market competition by 80%. A bill currently on Governor Christie’s desk would expand project labor agreements (PLAs) to bridges, roads, and water and sewer treatment plants that were damaged in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

PLA's have been proven to add an additional 30% to the cost of Public and private construction. This is particularly troubling with the limited amount of funding to go around to make the repairs caused by Super Storm Sandy. PLA's will cause a funding shortfall that could leave some areas in ruins or at the very least cause long delays in repairs until an increase in taxpayer funding can be secured.

The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) National Association (www.ieci.org) and New Jersey-IEC (www.nj-iec.org) have established a quick and easy way for you to voice your opposition to this Legislation to the Governor. Please personalize the email to your company. For example, where you are located, how many employees, how long you have been in business, etc.

Special thanks to IEC VP of Government Affairs Alexis Moch for facilitating this easy way for anyone to make their voice heard.

Click Here to log in and send your message:

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CDW RESPONDS TO OBAMA NLRB NOMINATIONS

2013-04-12T14:00:00.004-04:00

National Coalition Disappointed In President’s NLRB Selections

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace has issued the following statement on behalf of Chairman Geoffrey Burr in response to reports that President Obama will add nominations that would create a National Labor Relations Board that includes Mark Pearce, Richard Griffin, Sharon Block:

“Today, the President failed workers and employers alike with his insincere proposal to reconstitute the National Labor Relations Board, an important workplace-related federal agency. If the President actually was serious about establishing a functioning NLRB for workers and employers, he would not have nominated Richard Griffin and Sharon Block, who accepted unconstitutional appointments and then chose to remain in those illegal appointments after a federal court vacated their tenure. Ms. Block and Mr. Griffin’s actions have caused unnecessary uncertainty in labor relations and our economy and, as a result, they are not suitable candidates. Read More

Make Your Voice Heard, Write Your Legislators Here

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace is a coalition of workers, employers, associations and organizations who are fighting to protect the right to a federally supervised private ballot when workers are deciding whether or not to join a union. We are opposed to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act because it would strip Americans of that right and replace it with a system where your vote is no longer private, and it is made public to your employer, the union organizers and your co-workers.

More recently, appointees on the National Labor Relations Board have pushed Big Labor’s agenda to enact key portions of EFCA and EFCA-lite replacements through executive action and regulation. The aim of these efforts is to decrease the ability for employers to speak to employees, to decrease the ability of employees to access information from both sides and make an informed choice, and thereby increase the number of dues-paying union members.

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Small Businesses Misunderstand Health Care Mandate

2013-03-23T16:58:00.001-04:00

Survey: Small businesses misunderstand health care mandate

A new survey shows that many small businesses misunderstand the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act, which affects only businesses with the equivalent of at least 50 full-time workers. More than half of the 259 survey respondents -- all of whom do not meet the mandate threshold -- mistakenly thought they would be subject to the mandate. Read More On Bloomberg Businessweek | Read More At Entrepreneur online

The mandate is just the beginning of what is ahead for small businesses. Just one repercussion is every business will have to pay $63 per year for each employee and employee dependent on their company health care plan for each of the next three years. This is to pay for preexisting conditions that are now mandated to be covered under the law.

The question remains how could these businesses not know how this law will effect them. One reason is many small business owners could not be bothered to belong to a credible Business Association within their field that would have provided them with National Regulatory and Legislative info important to them and their businesses. That is really the only viable explanation how these business owners could possibly be unaware of what Obamacare would mean to them and their businesses.

They chose not to belong to save a few bucks on Association Dues, or perhaps because they believe they don't have the time or they believe that they do not need to belong to a National Association and prefer to belong to their local social club. They are full of Excuses, we have heard them all but now, they will pay for their isolation. Unlike Business Associations, Government laws and regulations offer NO Return on Investment.

In addition to offering Association Group Healthcare for Electrical Contractors, The only Electrical Contractors Association in New Jersey offering State and National Regulatory and Legislative Affairs exclusively for Merit Shop Electrical Contractors is New Jersey IEC.

New Jersey IEC has retained a Lobbyist in New Jersey and is represented by IEC's Vice President of Government Affairs on Staff at the IEC National Office in Alexandria Virginia.

NJECPAC has partnered with New Jersey IEC to provide the most important of the myriad of Regulations and Legislative mandates effecting Electrical Contractors to NJECPAC member Organizations.

Find more information on New Jersey IEC and Association Group Health Benefits for Electrical Contractors Here

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NJECPAC Member Organization Named Legislative Chapter of the Year

2013-02-28T07:17:00.000-05:00

NJECPAC Member Organization New Jersey IEC Awarded the Coveted IEC National Legislative Chapter of the Year Award for The Fourth Consecutive Year

2012 National President Bobby Tutor
NJ-IEC VP Joseph Hovanec Jr.
IEC Board Member Janet Martin

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC) is pleased to announce that New Jersey IEC (NJ-IEC) received the Legislative Chapter of the Year Award during the 55^th Annual IEC National Convention & Electric Expo in Fort Worth, Texas.

NJ-IEC was recognized for its work with the Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Licensing Board to affirm that solar installations qualify as electrical work that requires proper licensing and permits. In addition, legislative bills providing much needed tax relief to New Jersey businesses were passed and the Chapter, working with the Governor’s office, is looking ahead for additional tax relief bills to be passed.

“I congratulate New Jersey IEC for its prestigious IEC Legislative Chapter of the Year Award,” said Thayer Long, IEC National Executive Vice President/CEO. “Their strong and diligent presence in the legislative arena work to keep IEC contractors competitive and strong in the marketplace.”

The Legislative Chapter of the Year Award is presented each year during the IEC National Convention & Electric Expo to recognize an IEC chapter that has made significant strides in achieving IEC’s legislative goals by pursuing legislative and regulatory initiatives that seek to promote and support the merit shop philosophy. For more information, please visit www.ieci.org.

Established in 1957, IEC is a trade association representing nearly 3,000 members with 60 chapters nationwide. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., IEC is the nation’s premier trade association representing America’s independent electrical and systems contractors. IEC National aggressively works with the industry to establish a competitive environment for the merit shop – a philosophy that promotes the concept of free enterprise, open competition and economic opportunity for all.

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House GOP Leaders Urge President to Fix Broken NLRB

2013-02-19T09:22:00.000-05:00

House Republican Leaders Urge President Obama to Fix a Broken National Labor Relations Board

House Republicans leaders this week urged President Obama to work with the U.S. Senate to confirm four qualified individuals to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The letter is in response to a unanimous decision by a federal appeals court that ruled President Obama’s controversial recess appointments to the board unconstitutional. The Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing Wednesday on the NLRB appointments, during which witnesses described how the president’s action has tainted the board’s work. Read More.

The Republican leaders also sent a letter to NLRB Chairman Mark Pearce, insisting the board cease all activity until members sufficient to meet a quorum are confirmed by the U.S. Senate or the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the appointments. The letters from Republican leaders are part of a broad effort to mend a dysfunctional federal labor board. To read the full letters, click here and here.

Kline: Unconstitutional NLRB Appointment Scheme
Creates Uncertainty for All Americans

BACKGROUND: In January 2012, President Obama installed three recess appointments to the board while Congress was regularly meeting in pro forma session. The president’s appointments were unprecedented and legal challenges were filed in federal court questioning whether they were constitutionally valid. In January, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia determined that intrasession recess appointments – including the president’s NLRB appointments – are unconstitutional. Actions by the board are now under a cloud of legal uncertainty that will negatively affect America’s workers and job creators.

More from E&W Republicans: Kline Op-Ed: Obama's tactics taint labor board

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2013-02-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

IEC Presence on DOL’s Advisory on Apprenticeship Sways PLA Discussion

During a recent Working Group conference call with the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Advisory on Apprenticeship, a discussion emerged on the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) and Community Labor Agreements (CLA).

The proposal was issued during the call, stating that language should be included in communications between the DOL and Housing and Urban Development that would favorably mention the use of PLAs and CLAs as the best way to promote job growth in Job Corps related programs and their ties with apprenticeship programs.

IEC’s Vice President of Training & Education Bob Baird was on the call and was able to voice his concerns on this proposal, stating that the biased perspective would not benefit apprentices of merit shop contractors, thus hurting job growth. After this discussion, it was agreed upon to consider incorporating more balanced language to benefit both union and non-union apprenticeship programs and their support for pre-apprenticeship programs such as Job Corps.

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Governor Christie Opts For Federally Administered Health Exchange For NJ

2013-02-16T06:50:00.002-05:00

Governor Christie Outlines Path Forward to Best Maintain New Jersey's Delivery of Excellent Healthcare to Residents

Federally Administered Health Exchange Is Most Responsible Choice

Trenton, NJ – Continuing with his commitment to comply with the mandates of the Affordable Care Act in a manner that protects the best interests of New Jersey and its Citizens, Governor Christie has given formal notice to the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that New Jersey is opting to put in place a federally administered Exchange for Plan Year 2014.

Read Letter to Kathleen Sebelius Here

Under the Christie Administration, New Jersey has already taken numerous significant steps to comply with the federal mandates under the Affordable Care Act,

· In December of 2012, New Jersey selected an Essential Health Benefits Benchmark plan, as required under the Affordable Care Act.

· New Jersey has successfully implemented NJ Protect, a federally subsidized health insurance program for individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

· New Jersey is in the final stages of modernizing our Medicaid and social service eligibility information systems, which will work with the federal exchange, through the Consolidated Assistance Support System (CASS).

· In 2011, New Jersey was certified as operating an “Effective Rate Review Program” in all insurance markets. The certification meets a requirement of the Affordable Care Act and confirms that consumers are paying reasonable rates.

·The State of New Jersey worked with the Obama Administration to protect access to the state’s most affordable insurance coverage, “Basic and Essential” coverage utilized by approximately two-thirds of the 145,000 New Jerseyans covered by individual insurance in New Jersey, a coverage option threatened under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

· In October of 2012, New Jersey secured approval of our Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver in order to preserve New Jersey’s Medicaid program for the most vulnerable. The waiver allows the Christie Administration to move forward with bold, innovative reforms to decrease the cost of care, improve quality and delivery through integrated, managed care, and offer premium payment assistance for needy families. Read More Here

· Previously, Governor Christie declined to establish a state run exchange citing the many critical, open policy questions before states – even as federally imposed deadlines loomed to make far-reaching and significant decisions with respect to implementation of provision of the Affordable Care Act. View The Governors concerns detailed in his S-2135 Veto Message Here.

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What Court? NLRB To Ignore Court Ruling

2013-01-29T16:49:00.002-05:00

The National Labor Relations Board says it will continue to press forward in deciding new cases even in the wake of a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that invalidated three recess appointments to the board in January 2012.

A three-judge panel from the federal appeals court ruled on Jan. 25 that President Obama’s recess appointments of Democrats Sharon Block and Richard Griffin and Republican Terence Flynn were invalid because they were not made during a true congressional recess. The ruling, if upheld, should nullify all rulings made since the president made the appointments.

“Considering the text, history and structure of the Constitution, these appointments were invalid from their inception,” the panel concluded. “Because the Board lacked a quorum of three members when it issued its decision in this case on Feb. 8 2012, its decision must be vacated.”

But in a statement, NLRB Chairman Mark Gaston Pearce, a Democrat, said, the board will ignore the Court and continue to issue decisions.

Nevertheless, pro-business groups cheered the ruling. Geoff Burr, Chairman of The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) said, “The president’s decision to bypass the U.S. Senate and appoint pro-union activist members to the NLRB was a political, partisan act that had to be challenged.”

The CDW is a coalition of business organizations that include IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors) and ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) that legally challenged the recess appointments. The ruling “will invalidate decisions unlawfully made over the past year by the NLRB and allow them to be heard by an unbiased panel,” Burr said. Read More

Although he often talks as if Congress is an inconvenient distraction, the president has been reminded that he does not reign supreme and must actually share power with the legislature. The decision throws into doubt the validity of a slew of egregiously pro-union decisions by the board. Read more

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N.J. Democrats Fear A Christie Landslide Could Sweep Away Their Control of States Legislative

2013-01-28T06:01:00.004-05:00

Gov. Chris Christie’s popularity is showing no signs of declining, Democrats in New Jersey are worried about more than just their uphill struggle in their quest to win the State House. They are concerned about what is shaping up to be a blowout at the top of the ticket in November. It is no wonder Democrats want to do all they can to minimize the damage by concentrating on retaining majorities in the States Senate and Assembly. Christie's approval rating was 74 percent in the latest Quinnipiac University poll. Democrats worry that Christie’s coat tails have the potential to sweep the Senate and possibly even the Assembly out from under them. Read More

We wonder if that would really be a bad thing for the Citizens of New Jersey. Under this Democrat controlled Legislature and former Governor Corzine, taxes were raised on New Jersey's Taxpayers over 130 times. When Chris Christie took office the State was only a few months from insolvency. Chris Christie and his team have worked tirelessly since he took office to balance the budget without increasing taxes. He is currently the only one standing between New Jersey's already overburdened taxpayers and the return to this Democrat controlled Legislatures penchant for tax increases and budget deficits.

Meanwhile Democratic candidate Barbara Buono is the only Democrat Currently declared as running for Governor after State Senator Richard Cody and Newark Mayor Cory Booker both indicated they will not run. Buono has garnered an endorsement from the Ocean County Democrat organization. Buono has also been endorsed by the Democratic Party organizations in Somerset and Monmouth counties. Democrats in Middlesex County, and Sussex County Democratic Chairman have informally pledged their support. If she wins her party's nomination, she would face an uphill battle against Chris Christie in November. Read More

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Court Rules Obama's NLRB Recess Appointments Were Unconstitutional

2013-01-25T11:31:00.002-05:00

A federal appeals court has ruled that President Obama violated the Constitution when he bypassed the Senate to fill vacancies on a labor relations panel. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit says Obama did not have the power to make recess appointments earlier this year to the National Labor Relations Board.

Obama claims he acted properly because the Senate was away for the holidays. But the court says the Senate technically stayed in session when lawmakers gaveled in and out every few days for so-called "pro forma" sessions.

GOP lawmakers used the tactic specifically to prevent Obama from using his recess power to fill vacancies in an agency they claimed was too pro-union.

It is expected that the Obama administration will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, stay tuned. Read More Here

We have known from the beginning that the action was not legitimate but as always it takes a court to decide these things definitively The big question is, if upheld, will the rulings that those illegitimate appointees made be thrown out?

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Cardinale Urges NJ Assembly to Prevent PLA Expansion, Cost Increases

2013-01-23T08:28:00.003-05:00

The following is an excerpt from an editorial by Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen) published in the Bergen Record urging the State Assembly to vote against a costly and destructive expansion of Project Labor Agreements.

On January 14 many of my colleagues and I voted against S2425, an expansion of project labor agreements, which allow elected officials to funnel more public projects to labor unions of their choice. Both the motivation and consequences of this bill are equally destructive Sandy recovery efforts. Senate Democrats called a vote on this measure because Governor Christie recently received a labor union endorsement that they felt entitled to, and that union justly opposes this bill.

I oppose this bill because it tilts the playing field in favor of 14 percent of the workforce that is unionized and against 86 percent of non-unionized workers struggling in the aftermath of the Great Recession and Super Storm Sandy.

It is appalling that this is the only Sandy recovery bill that the Senate Democrats posted for a vote. Ironically, it increases the cost of recovery projects; it is a direct burden to Sandy victims, New Jersey families and their communities. Plus, the added cost of PLAs may eliminate other necessary public projects and the jobs that they create.

The public is gravely misled by legislative Democrats, who deny political motivations and refuse to acknowledge even the possibility that PLAs make projects more expensive.

The fact is that PLAs increase the cost of construction projects by between 10 and 35 percent, a recent state Department of Labor report determined increases at 30.5 percent. Even former Gov. Jon Corzine’s Labor Department, reported PLAs hike project costs by as much as 34 percent.

This Legislature should not make it more expensive and burdensome for our overtaxed residents to recover from Sandy. I urge Assembly members to consider common sense above politics and vote no on this bill. See full Editorial published in the Bergen Record Here

Read Full Text of S2425 Here

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Legislation Would Require Standby Generators

2012-12-17T18:16:00.004-05:00

Legislation Would Require Standby Generators for a Variety of Businesses and Facilities

The widespread power outages resulting from Hurricane Sandy crippled many businesses which serve the public by providing essential services. To prevent that situation from recurring, a number of bills have been introduced in the New Jersey legislature which would require a variety of private businesses and facilities to install standby generators.

The most comprehensive of the bills, called the New Jersey Residents’ Power Protection Act and designated as A-3495, requires that "facilities and businesses...which provide critical and unique services that are vital to public safety and economic recovery during times of widespread power loss due to a natural disaster or other catastrophic event...have secondary sources of power.” They include new grocery stores, gas stations; nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation facilities; first aid, ambulance, and rescue squads; pharmacies; firehouses; and boarding houses. To offset the cost of implementation, the bill establishes a corporation business tax deduction and gross income tax deduction (maximum of $10,000), and a sales tax exemption, for the purchase of equipment.

A similar bill, designated as A-3064, would require installation and use of generators by specified eligible businesses, defined to encompass retail motor fuel dealers, motor fuel wholesalers, motor fuel terminal facilities, motor fuel refineries, and many of the facilities listed under A3495 The New Jersey Economic Development Authority would be required to offer low-interest loans to these businesses to facilitate acquisition and installation of generators.

A number of other pending bills apply to only specific facilities and businesses:

Grocery and convenience stores (newly constructed stores only) (A-3486 and S-2357);
Gas stations (existing and newly constructed stations) (A-3473 and S-3484, also A-3563 and S-2361);
Senior housing and/or disabled housing (newly constructed only) (A-1632 and S-402, also S-2372);
Senior residential multiple dwellings (existing and newly constructed) (A-3569);
Retirement community (existing and newly constructed) (A-3479 and S-2341);
Assisted living residences and certain other licensed residential health care facilities (existing and newly constructed) (A-2860, A-3514).

Newark passes ban on pre-employment criminal background checks

2012-11-12T08:11:00.000-05:00

Employers beware:

Newark Passes Law Limiting Pre-Employment Criminal Background Checks

The City of Newark has passed municipal ordinance that limits background checks on potential employees, The City joins more than 40 other municipalities around the country in limiting an employer's right to inquire into a job applicant's criminal history.

The Law prohibits criminal background checks before extending an offer offer of employment, the Ordinance limits the criminal background information about which an employer may inquire and that an employer may use in making a hiring decision.

This limitation on employer hiring practices has been referred to as the "ban the box" movement and has been gaining momentum nationwide. Newark's Ordinance is one of the most expansive and one of just two "ban the box" ordinances to cover nearly all private employers doing business in the city.

Covered "Employers"

The Ordinance applies to any "employer" that "does business, employs persons, or takes applications for employment within the City of Newark" and has at least five employees. The Ordinance includes job placement, referral agencies, and "other employment agencies" within the meaning of "employer."

The law is scheduled to become effective November 18, 2012. Read More Here

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NJECPAC / NJ-IEC Continuing Political Committee

Join Us For Our 2014 Family Fun Summer Networking Event

Congress Moves Job Training Reform and Higher Education Bills

Supreme Court strikes down NLRB appointments

Memorial Day 2014

Where Liberty Dwells

Unions To Accompany OSHA Inspectors On Non Union Job Sites

IEC Strongly Opposes Rule Sanctioning Union Participation on OSHA Inspections

Republicans Introduce NLRA Reforms to Protect Secret Ballot

The Presidents NLRB Recess Appointments Struck Down Again

Feds Accept Governors Sandy Disaster Recovery Action Plan

Contracting and Tax Accountability Act Heads To Senate

Insurers Warn of Obamacare-Induced Sticker Shock

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Tell Governor Chris Christie To Veto Expansion If Project Labor Agreements

CDW RESPONDS TO OBAMA NLRB NOMINATIONS

Small Businesses Misunderstand Health Care Mandate

NJECPAC Member Organization Named Legislative Chapter of the Year

House GOP Leaders Urge President to Fix Broken NLRB

House Republican Leaders Urge President Obama to Fix a Broken National Labor Relations Board

IEC Presence on DOL’s Advisory on Apprenticeship Sways PLA Discussion

Governor Christie Opts For Federally Administered Health Exchange For NJ

What Court? NLRB To Ignore Court Ruling

N.J. Democrats Fear A Christie Landslide Could Sweep Away Their Control of States Legislative

Court Rules Obama's NLRB Recess Appointments Were Unconstitutional

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Cardinale Urges NJ Assembly to Prevent PLA Expansion, Cost Increases

Legislation Would Require Standby Generators

Legislation Would Require Standby Generators for a Variety of Businesses and Facilities

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Newark passes ban on pre-employment criminal background checks

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