In what was supposed to be a ho-hum mid-term election, voters surprised campaign watchers across the State by voting down two referendums—one on bonds for stem cell research and one for property tax relief—that were expected to pass. In the legislative election, Democrats picked up one Senate seat, increasing their majority to 23-17, while Republicans netted two Assembly seats to cut the Democrats advantage in that house to 48-32.

But the big surprise was the referendums. Historically, bond issues and dedicated funds pass easily in New Jersey and the money-related issues on the ballot this year were expected to follow suit. One measure asked voters to approve $450 million to build stem cell research facilities, the other asked voters to dedicate a half-penny of the recently increased sales tax to property tax relief. Both measures were defeated by a 53 percent- to 47 percent-vote margin.

Voters sent a message to Governor Jon Corzine and legislators to stop the borrowing and fiscal gimmicks. While polls showed strong support for the idea of stem cell research, voters rejected adding $450 million to the State’s astronomical debt. Likewise, voters are not buying the raise-the-sales-tax-and-give-me-a-bigger-rebate plan. Voters want taxes cut and spending curbed.

Voters spoke eloquently about the need for the State to spend within its means. They realize that the State is deep in debt and that eventually, they will be the ones asked to pay when the credit card bills are due. They know that people and businesses are leaving the State because it has become too expensive. Hopefully, legislators will get the message that voters are overtaxed and do not want more spending, taxes, borrowing or other fiscal gimmicks that are going to make it more expensive for them to live in New Jersey.

In the legislative elections, Democrats remain firmly in control of both houses, but Republicans can point to some gains, beginning with District 12 (Monmouth, Mercer counties). Republican Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Ellen Karcher 54 percent to 46 percent and swept in her Assembly running mates Declan O’Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande, ousting Democratic incumbent Michael Panter.

Democrat James Whelan won in the traditionally Republican 2nd District (Atlantic county), defeating incumbent Sonny McCullough 57 percent to 43 percent. Whelan becomes the first Democrat to represent the district since 1982, but Republicans were able to recapture Whelan’s open Assembly seat. Republicans Vince Polistina and John Amodeo are the new Assemblymen.

Democrats won big in the 1st District (Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic counties) as Democrat Jeff Van Drew knocked off long-time Republican incumbent Senator Nick Asselta 56 percent to 44 percent. Democratic Assemblyman Nelson Albano and running mate Matt Milam also won. This is the first time since the Legislature was reorganized in the 1940s that Democrats won all three legislative seats in the 1st District.

In the 14th District (Mercer, Middlesex counties), Republican Bill Baroni handily defeated Democrat Seema Singh in the Senate contest, but Democrats gained an Assembly seat. Democrat Wayne DeAngelo will join incumbent Democrat Linda Greenstein in the Assembly.

Finally, Republicans swept the 8th District (Burlington County), knocking off incumbent Democrat Fran Bodine, who had switched party affiliation earlier this year. Phil Haines will be the new Senator and Scott Rudder and Dawn Addiego the Assembly members.

Membership Alert: Contact Your Legislators and Speak Out Against Paid Leave on Dec. 6

The Assembly Labor Committee is expected to consider legislation on December 6 that would provide up to 10 weeks of paid leave for employees at every business in the State. Organized labor and Governor Jon Corzine are trying to ram S-2249 (Sweeney, Buono)/A-3812 (Albano, Panter) through the lame duck session, which ends in early January. NJBIA needs your help. Visit our Membership Alert to send your legislators a message to oppose paid leave. It is fully automated and will only take a couple of minutes.

Then come to Trenton on December 6 and show your opposition to this paid leave mandate! A Briefing Breakfast will be held at the Trenton Marriott at 8:00 a.m., with legislative leaders addressing the group. Then we will walk to the Assembly Committee room by 9:30 a.m. to talk to legislators and testify before the Assembly Labor Committee. Registration is free.

Legislators still don’t get it. One month after an election where voters said enough, as people and businesses are leaving the State because of high costs, lawmakers are trying to hit us with another costly mandate. Don’t let them get away with it. Speak out against paid leave on December 6. For more information, contact John Rogers at ext. 209.

Corzine Conditionally Vetoes Business Closing Bill

Recognizing the burden it would put on financially strapped companies, Governor Jon Corzine on November 8 conditionally vetoed legislation that would expand notification requirements of layoffs. The bill, A-1044 (Van Drew, Johnson)/S-472 (Sweeney, Doria), would require employers with 100 or more employees to provide 90 days notice before closing a business or laying off 50 or more employees within a 30-day period. Corzine has recommended that the notification period be reduced from 90 days to 60 days, which is the same time-period required by federal law.

NJBIA supports this change, but remains opposed to the bill because it still contains huge severance payment requirements that could cost an employer hundreds of thousands of dollars. Businesses that lay off workers because they are struggling financially could be pushed into further financial trouble by these provisions, ultimately costing New Jersey more jobs in the long run. The measure now goes back to the Legislature, which can vote to agree to the change, override the conditional veto, or not vote on the bill. For more information, contact John Rogers at ext. 209.

Top Government & Legislative Leaders to Speak at Policy Forum, Dec. 11

At this great networking event, hear from top leaders in business and government and learn about the biggest issues facing your business including paid leave. The theme of this year’s Forum is: “Election Year Watershed: How Will the 2007-2008 Elections Impact Your Business?” Register online now, or contact Katie Wittkamp at 609-393-7707, ext. 239, for more information. To become a sponsor, contact Sherry Esteves at ext. 219.