Governor Jon Corzine said at NJBIA's Public Policy Forum this week that he supports paid family leave and does not believe it would hurt businesses.

He has been pushing to get a paid family leave bill enacted before the Legislature wraps up the legislative session on January 8. Two days later, however, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts said that while he supports paid family leave, the Assembly needed more time to work on the bill. "It was clear... that we will need more time to work through some issues, such as the bill's impact on small businesses, the potential for abuse, and the timing of some of the bill’s provisions," Roberts said in a written statement.

It is unclear whether the Legislature will vote on a bill to require 10 weeks of paid leave for all businesses before the legislative session ends on January 8. Contact your legislators through our membership alert and tell them to oppose paid leave. This automated system will allow you to send a message to your elected representatives.

The Governor and the State's four top legislative leaders shared their thoughts on paid family leave and a number of other issues with 300 members at NJBIA's Public Policy Forum on December 11.

For his part, Corzine said he believes that paid family leave is right for New Jersey and tried to convince Forum attendees that it would not have a big impact on their workplaces.

All four legislative leaders expressed concerns during the morning panel discussion, moderated by Joe Bisicchia, host and producer of Comcast Newsmakers public affairs television program. Senate President Richard Codey supports the concept of paid family leave, but thinks the bill should be amended to pay only six weeks of leave and do more to protect small businesses. "I've spoken to (bill sponsor) Steve Sweeney," Codey said. "I said 'Steve, ten weeks, too much. Take it to six.' He said 'yes.' "

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, who opposes paid family leave, warned the business community to beware, because it will eventually be funded by the business community. As currently written, the bill would finance benefits through a $150 million payroll tax on employees.

"The way it's being presented right now is that the workers will pay for it," DeCroce said. "I frankly believe that in the long run, the business community will end up with the bill."

Senate Republican Leader Leonard Lance, who opposes the current legislation, added that if any paid family leave program is adopted, it should be done on a national level so New Jersey businesses are not put at a competitive disadvantage with those in other states.

"My view on paid family leave is that if we are to do this, we should do this as a society, and it should occur at the national level and not at the state level," Lance said.

On broader economic issues, Corzine said New Jersey was in better shape than many other states in the diversification of its economy, the quality of its employees, and the dynamism of its private sector. New Jersey has maintained a lower unemployment rate than the nation for all but two months of the last two years. He expects close to 60,000 new jobs will have been created over the past two years by the end of December, with 81 percent of those jobs coming from the private sector. "There's a lot going on out there among all of you that is really good," the Governor said.

He also noted that the State's economy has a good balance of pharmaceuticals, bio-technology, finance and logistics, making New Jersey less susceptible to downturns in any one industry. "We're not as dependent on one area or another as a lot of places," he said.

He also noted that New Jersey makes a tremendous commitment to workforce training to maintain one of the best labor pools of any state in the nation. The State has committed $60 million to workforce training, including a $1.9 million grant for a partnership with NJBIA and the Consortium of Community Colleges. "We're trying to make sure (training programs) match up with what the demands of business are, not just us ginning up some government program that doesn't relate to what the business needs are."

The Forum also featured: 1) a political outlook panel moderated by NJN Senior Political Correspondent Michael Aron with State Democratic Party Chair Joe Cryan, Republican State Party Chair Tom Wilson, Roger Bodman of the Giuliani for President campaign, and Harold Hodes of the Clinton for President campaign; 2) an economic panel featuring Roma Bank President and CEO Peter Inverso, Unex Manufacturing Inc. President Brian Neuwirth, Commerce Bank Chief Economist Joel Naroff and AT&T New Jersey President Michael Schweder; and 3) comments from former US Congressman Robert Franks, on behalf of the Rudy Giuliani for President Campaign. NJBIA also presented the Paul L. Troast Award to Anthony Dickson, president and CEO of NJM Insurance Group; Distinguished Public Service Awards to Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria and State Senator Peter Inverso; and the Leonard C. Johnson Award to Julie Holman of JCP&L, A First Energy Company.

Expansion of Wrongful Death Lawsuits Clears Committee

New Jersey would be one of only seven other states to allow for unlimited emotional damages in wrongful death lawsuits under legislation released December 10 by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The bill, S-176 (Scutari), could lead to huge financial awards because emotional damages, unlike economic damages, are difficult to calculate. All companies could feel the effects of such lawsuits in the form of higher liability insurance premiums. The bill awaits action in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. For more information, contact Christine Stearns at ext. 260.

Nominate Your Candidate for a New Good Neighbor Award

The 48th Annual New Good Neighbor Awards competition recognizes companies that have worked to bring about an improved business climate in New Jersey by building or renovating a commercial facility. Winners will be chosen based on economic benefit and job creation, architectural merit, and community involvement. Plants, offices and commercial buildings, plus shopping centers may be nominated. Deadline for nominations is February 4. Download the nomination form.