Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts predicted that the issue of paid family leave would be "discussed in some detail" this fall, but he and Senate President Richard Codey made it clear that the current bill would have to be scaled back before a vote could be scheduled.

It is the clearest indication yet that legislation mandating ten to 12 weeks of paid family leave for employees at all businesses in New Jersey would be scheduled for a vote during the lame duck session, sometime between November and January. NJBIA strongly opposes the bill, S-2249 (Sweeney, Buono)/A-3812 (Albano, Panter), and urges its members to continue contacting legislators with their opposition using NJBIA's easy online Membership Alert.

The State's top two legislative leaders were responding to a question about paid family leave at NJBIA's Meet the Legislative Leaders breakfast on September 26. Speaking before nearly 200 NJBIA members, Codey and Roberts also discussed the property tax reforms enacted earlier this year, shared their thoughts on health insurance reform, and fielded questions for about 45 minutes on a wide range of topics.

The biggest issue was paid family leave. Both Codey and Roberts stressed that the current bill goes too far and would place too much of a burden on business. As currently written, the Senate bill would provide ten weeks of paid family leave, and the Assembly bill, 12 weeks, making New Jersey only the second state in the nation to impose a paid family leave mandate on businesses. (California, the only other state with a paid family leave program, provides six weeks.) Both measures would apply to all small businesses, even those with as few as two employees, and be funded by an increase in employee contributions to the Temporary Disability Insurance Fund. Businesses would struggle to find replacement workers and meet customers' demands.

Roberts said he believes the number of weeks in the current bill is too high and the inclusion of all small businesses is too severe. He also said a provision should be added so employees could be required to use the time off they already have accrued before becoming eligible for paid family leave. Nevertheless, Roberts said he saw the bill gaining support, even as he reassured the crowd that he was sensitive to businesses’ concerns.

Codey added that he has spoken directly with State Senator Stephen Sweeney, the bill's sponsor, about scaling back its scope. "I think it is too onerous on businesses and several modifications must be done to the bill before I would post it for a vote," he said.

On the issue of healthcare, both Codey and Roberts said they believe health insurance reforms will be driven by what happens nationally and the outcome of the presidential election. Whatever the solution, the growing population of the uninsured is adding to the problem. "There's no question, we need to get more people on the insurance rolls," Codey said. Roberts added that he believed federally qualified healthcare centers would play a larger role in healthcare, offering the uninsured and the under-insured a better alternative to expensive emergency-room care that does not provide the follow-up patients need.

On the issue of health insurance coverage mandates, Codey said that whenever a mandate bill has been proposed, health insurance companies say it will make health insurance cost more, but healthcare providers say it will save money in the long run by treating the disease earlier. Obviously, he said, there needs to be a balance. "Every time there is a mandate bill, there is a split," Codey said.

Roberts said the Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission is helping legislators decide what’s needed and what's effective. He added that the Legislature should be "mindful of the need to capture more people into the system." Keeping costs low will help attract younger, more healthy people in the system because they will see insurance as an affordable option instead of an expensive burden.

Non-Profits Get Extra Month to File Pay-to-Play ELEC Report

Nonprofit organizations that received $50,000 or more from government entities will be given an extra month, until October 30, to file pay-to-play political contribution disclosure forms, according to an Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) ruling issued September 25. For-profit businesses that had more than $50,000 worth of contracts with government entities in 2006 had until Friday, September 28, to file disclosure forms.

The ruling impacts thousands of nonprofit organizations, including hospitals, community groups and service providers that will now have an extra month to track down political contributions of their board members, top executives and their spouses. Nonprofits could even wind up being exempt from the regulations. On October 26, ELEC will review an Attorney General’s interpretation of the law upon which the regulations are based. That interpretation could determine whether nonprofits are included in the scope of the law in the first place. If the interpretation supports exempting nonprofits, ELEC could act on it at that meeting. NJBIA believes that nonprofits should be exempt from the law, and that the regulations' scope should be narrowed significantly. To learn more about complying with New Jersey's pay-to-play law, visit our Web site, or contact John Rogers at ext. 209.

NJBIA to Honor 10 at Awards for Excellence Dinner, Oct. 16

Join NJBIA on October 16 as we recognize the exceptional achievements of this year’s Awards for Excellence winners. At this outstanding networking event, you will meet NJBIA members whose energy and vision has distinctly improved the quality of life enjoyed by the citizens of New Jersey. The winners will receive awards in four categories: job creation, outstanding employer, environmental quality and community service. The program begins at 6:00 p.m. and will include a reception, dinner and the awards presentations. Tables of ten are available. For additional information, call at 609-393-7707, ext. 239, or register online now.

Other Upcoming Events

How to Get the Best Deal on Health Insurance, Oct. 30 - At this half-day seminar, learn what to look for when buying a company health plan. Register today whether you are a small or medium-size business owner, human resource manager, benefits specialist, or anyone else involved in managing healthcare costs. This is one seminar you should not miss. The seminar will run from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township. The cost is $109 per person for NJBIA members and $139 for nonmembers. For more information or to become a sponsor, contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 213, or register online now.

Protecting Your Business from Workplace Discrimination Liability, Nov. 16 - At this half-day seminar, learn strategies that can help your workplace avoid needless litigation and liability. Each year, businesses of all sizes lose millions of dollars from workplace discrimination lawsuits. Hear from top human resource lawyers about their experience utilizing the most effective policies to protect your business, and your employees, from discriminatory behavior. The seminar will run from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Eatontown in Eatontown. The cost is $109 per person for NJBIA members and $139 for nonmembers. For more information, to register, or to become a sponsor, contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 213.