FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Timothy McDonough, Mayor, Hope

At the recent budget hearings I delivered the concerns of our mayors and colleagues across the State.  These are extraordinary times and we require extraordinary response from the state.  I explained the need to address both revenue and expenses, and detailed several specifics.  You can review my full comments at NJSLOM.com. 

On the expense side we are seeking to repeal or relax local mandates that incur burdensome costs such as:

• Reform the binding arbitration law.  Studies and surveys have consistently identified binding arbitration as the biggest driver of municipal costs.
• In keeping with quick start goals of the Federal stimulus package, State permit application not denied for specific reason within 90 days of submission should be deemed approved. And a municipal engineer’s certification of the subsequent remedy of defects should be sufficient for permit approval.
• Substitute certain training and certification requirements with local risk assessments and plans to meet individual needs.

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From the President (continued)

• We ask the State to postpone enforcement of certain land use and environmental  mandates such as the six year master plan review, until such time as the State can meet its statutory responsibility to fully fund CMTRA and the Energy Tax.
• The League seeks relaxation of the inordinate steps and time limits with which municipalities must comply to institute layoffs. If this is the last means of compliance with the tax levy cap and loss of revenues, the State should streamline the process
• We asked that the Public Contracts Law be amended to allow “design and build” projects for municipal buildings.

FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE
Contact Jon Moran
JMoran@njslom.com

Governor Jon S. Corzine announced the launch of a comprehensive Web site outlining the allocation of New Jersey’s share of economic stimulus funds under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the members of a task force to ensure the funds are properly spent. Visit the site at www.recovery.nj.gov

FUTURE MUNICIPAL LEADERS
SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION DEADLINE
-Contact Michael Darcy ext.116 or
mdarcy@njslom.com

In January, all mayors received information on the Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship competition.

By April 1, you should submit your local winner to the League office along with a tally of your local entries. The League judging panel includes Mayor Chuck Chiarello of Buena Vista Township, Mayor Janice Mironov of East Windsor and League staff members Michael Darcy, Helen Yeldell, and Deborah Kole. Mayor Chuck Chiarello of Buena Vista Township also serves as Scholarship Chairman.

On May 8, winners are announced and checks are sent to the respective winners’ mayors for formal presentations. The top three winners each receives $1,000 scholarships provided by the League for presentation by the hometown mayors.

HIGHLAND PARK MAYOR
LEADS U.N. COMMISSION

Mayor Meryl Frank led the United States delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.  The Commission’s work in March examined gender equality issues and policies focused on advancing women’s issues worldwide.  Mayor Frank is also co-chair of the League’s Mayor Committee for a Green Future and serves on the League’s Women in Municipal Government Steering Committee.

EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION TACKLES
STATE'S HOUSING QUESTIONS
-Contact Mike Cerra
MCerra@njslom.com

The NJLM Educational Foundation held a housing summit March 31 with more than 250 people attending.  Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia gave the keynote remarks.  Six sessions covered a full range of housing topics including affordable and workforce housing; abandoned properties; foreclosure mitigation; and a roundtable Q&A session with experts.

SEEKING MAYORAL CONFERENCE
SUGGESTIONS
-Contact Bill Dressel ext.122
bdressel@njslom.com or fax 609-695-0151

Your League staff will shortly begin preparing the schedule of educational sessions for the 94th Annual League Conference. To make sure this schedule accurately reflects your needs, we need your input.

Please fax or e-mail your suggested topics and speakers so we may coordinate your ideas into an informative and thought provoking conference. Most conference sessions are based on the input and responses from mayors and elected officials.

NJLM HELPS MAYORS
ACCESS THE LEADERS
-Contact Bill Dressel ext.122
bdressel@njslom.com

If you need help accessing state leaders and agencies contact the League.  Your staff in Trenton interact daily will all State leaders and agencies and regularly facilitates mayors’ communication in our Capitol.