March 12, 2010

Re:      Red Tape Review

Dear Mayor:

On Tuesday, we presented testimony before Lt. Governor Guadagno’s Red Tape Review Committee on unfunded mandates.  We provided testimony on various unfunded mandates including stormwater management, 4% tax levy cap, pension cost, OPRA, NJDEP regulations and administration of State tax rebate programs.  In addition, we took the opportunity to outline the problems with Civil Service and make suggestions on shared services. These presentations were coordinated by League Legislative Analyst Lori Buckelew.

We would like to thank the following Mayors and Administrators for presenting testimony:

League Executive Board Member Art Ondish, Mayor of Mount Arlington
Stephen Acropolis, Mayor of Brick
Gerard Scharfenberger, Mayor of Middletown
Fred Carr, Administrator of Bloomfield
Tim Gordon, Administrator of Millburn
Tony Mercantante, Administrator of Middletown
Marianne Smith, Municipal Manager of Hardyston

We also thank League Second Vice President Dan Coranoto, Deputy Mayor of Hampton Township for submitting written testimony. And, we appreciate the testimony that had been presented at the Committee’s first hearing in Glassboro, by host Mayor Leo McCabe and League Staff Attorney Matthew Weng. If you have submitted comments to the Red Tape Review Committee, or if you do in the future, please forward a copy to us at the League.

The testimony was well received and we are optimistic we will see relief in the near future.   If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Lori Buckelew at lbuckelew@njslom.com.

Very truly yours,

 

William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director