Three of four legislators speaking at NJBIA’s recent Meet the Legislative Leaders breakfast said they oppose the current paid-family-leave bill, and a fourth said he had concerns. In the course of the April 17 breakfast meeting, Senate Health Committee Chairman Joseph Vitale, Senate Republican Leader Leonard Lance, Assembly Transportation Committee Chair John Wisniewski and Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce also tackled health insurance reform and took questions from NJBIA members.

Lance started off the session by stating he opposed the paid family leave bill. “If we were to do that in New Jersey, in my judgment it would be very damaging to our competitiveness,” he said. Wisniewski concurred, adding that if he were to lose key people in his law firm for up to 12 weeks “I would have a very difficult time.” Vitale stopped short of opposing the bill, saying that he was still studying it. He did say he had concerns, particularly about how it would impact small businesses with as few as two employees. DeCroce, a long-time opponent of the bill, contended that if the measure were to be brought up for a vote, a good number of Democrats would vote for it, and it would probably pass.

NJBIA opposes the bill, S-2259 (Sweeney, Buono), which would mandate 12 weeks of paid family leave for employees at all businesses.

On health insurance reform, Vitale said he is working on a plan that would focus on the small and medium-size companies that are getting hit the hardest by skyrocketing costs, and he pledged to take into account all aspects of healthcare. “If we’re going to have healthcare reform, we also have to address the issues of quality and error reduction,” he said. DeCroce said the business community should beware of so-called universal health insurance programs. “There are unlimited costs in there, and you as businesses will pay the freight. I think that’s unfair,” he said. Wisniewski said he supported providing “incentives to encourage small employers to provide health benefits.” Whatever changes are ultimately proposed, Lance said, the business community must be consulted. “I would hope that it would not be another rush to judgment,” Lance said.

Clean Energy Program Should Focus More on Business Projects, NJBIA Tells Senate Panel—New Jersey should take care to balance economic and environmental concerns by providing more assistance to businesses for the clean-energy projects they undertake, NJBIA Assistant Vice President Sara Bluhm said on April 17. Testifying at a Senate Environment Committee hearing on climate change, Bluhm said the State could do that by supporting more clean energy projects such as installing solar panels at commercial and industrial facilities.

Commercial and industrial users are among the State’s largest electricity consumers. They are also the largest financial contributors to the State’s Clean Energy Fund, which finances renewable energy projects. Yet, the Clean Energy Program has budgeted twice as much money ($79 million) for residential efficiency programs than it has for commercial and industrial projects ($39 million). “Energy efficiency is no different than any other economy of scale—you achieve a bigger bang for your buck when you make a commercial space more efficient than you do with a residence,” Bluhm told the committee. For more information, contact at ext. 204. To receive regular e-mail updates about energy issues, sign up for NJBIA’s Energy Issues Network.

Save 20-60% of Your Company’s Shipping Costs with NJBIA’s Discount Shipping Program—NJBIA member companies can save 20 percent to 60 percent on their shipping costs by taking advantage of discount prices through the NJBIA Shipping Program. Lower your costs whether shipping overnight letters, single packages, truckloads or overseas. (The discounts apply to inbound, outbound, and third party shipments.) Get discounted shipping services with DHL Express, USF Companies, New Penn, Roadway and Yellow Transportation. To learn how much you can save on shipping as an NJBIA member, visit our Member Resources Center. You can also call 1-800-Members to receive personal assistance in deciding which shipping services are best suited to your company.

Don’t Miss the Last Meet the Legislative Leaders Event, April 25 in North Jersey—NJBIA’s Meet the Legislative Leaders breakfasts will conclude with key North Jersey legislators on Wednesday, April 25, at the Holiday Inn in Newark. The panel discussion will feature Senate Economic Growth Committee Chairman Joseph Doria, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, Senate Republican Whip Tom Kean, Jr., and Assembly Majority Conference Leader Joan Quigley.

The event runs from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. and includes breakfast. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask the panelists questions, as well as time to network with their colleagues. The cost is $69 per person per event for NJBIA members, $105 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 239.

Meet The Decision Makers: Meet State Treasurer Bradley Abelow—At this May 1 event, you will hear from State Treasurer Bradley Abelow. The breakfast will run from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Holiday Inn, East Windsor. The cost for the breakfast is $69 per person for NJBIA members and $105 for nonmembers. For more information, or to register, contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 239. Contact at ext. 219 to become a sponsor.

NJBIA-Merrill Lynch Economic Forum: CEOs Speak Out, May 4—NJBIA has teamed up with Merrill Lynch to bring you the NJBIA-Merrill Lynch Economic Forum: CEO's Speak Out. The Forum will bring together some of the State’s leading business people to talk about the direction of New Jersey's economy and some of its major industries.

This early morning event will feature a keynote address by Michael Santoli, Associate Editor for Barron's, The Dow Jones Business and Financial Weekly followed by a panel of industry leaders including Douglas Conant, President & CEO of Campbell Soup Company; William Marino, President & CEO of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield; and Ara Hovnanian, President & CEO of Hovnanian Enterprises.

The Forum will be held at the Sheraton at Woodbridge Place, Iselin from 8:30-11:00 a.m. The cost is $69 per person for NJBIA members and $105 for nonmembers. For more information, contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 219, or register online.

Taking Charge of Your Workers’ Comp Costs: Employer Safety Strategies That Work, May 16—This half-day seminar will be held at the Pines Manor, Route 27 in Edison. It will feature a panel of business owners who have successfully lowered their workers’ compensation insurance premiums by improving safety at their workplace. They will share their success stories and offer real-world solutions that have already been proven to be effective in reducing costs.

Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. The program runs from 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. The cost is $109 per person for NJBIA members, $139 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 239.

New Good Neighbor Awards Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities—The New Good Neighbor Awards annually recognize the best and most exciting commercial and industrial development projects in the State of New Jersey.

Capitalize on the high visibility of this prestigious award by taking advantage of the Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities we are offering for 2007.

• Co-sponsor the June 1, 2007 luncheon honoring the winners.

• Advertise in the June 2007 issue of New Jersey Business Magazine.

• Maximize your visibility and save money by signing up for both.

For more information on sponsorship contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 219. For more information on advertising opportunities, contact at 973-882-5004, ext. 110.

Raise Your Visibility. Become an Event Sponsor—Golf & Tennis Day. NJBIA's Meet the Decision Makers series. First-rate events like these offer your company an excellent opportunity to reach their target audiences and heighten their visibility as an event sponsor. Learn more about becoming an NJBIA sponsor online or contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 219.