Bette Davis Was Right on the Seat Belt Issue

Buckle your seat belts: with federal and state budget deficits soaring at the federal and Tri-state levels, 2010 is going to be a pretty bumpy ride! Major federal health care legislation and a massive jobs bill continue to dominate the Washington scene, with Printing Industries of America, advocating on the industry’s behalf. The Employee Free Choice Act is still hovering and finding “back doors” to go through that may not necessarily require congressional approval.

On the regional front, Printing Industries Alliance (PIA) is keeping in close contact with the Legislatures as well as the Paterson, Christie and Rendell administrations to ensure that key initiatives protect your interests.

Gov. Chris Christie has made “reform” his middle name and to date has been initiating and/or implementing his campaign promises. Gov. Paterson, who has had his share of controversies lately, has given new meaning to the 1960’s phrase, “hell no, I won’t go.”

Numerous incumbent U.S. Senators and Representatives are not planning to run for re-election—which could spell future opportunity or disaster on the Congressional scene, dependent upon one’s political persuasion.

Makeup of current state landscapes is a mixed bag. Even with depleted unemployment insurance funds all around and the NYC paid sick leave bill of critical concern, there is still some good news. Here are a few activities of immediate interest to Printing News readers:

NEW JERSEY
Gov. Christie’s New Red Tape
Review Group
Printing Industries Alliance is making suggestions to Gov. Christie’s new Red Tape Review Group, outlining those regulations which our members feel are unduly burdensome on their operations and profitability. The Group is charged with making recommendations to the governor by April 20 on which rules to modify or eliminate.

New Jersey also has more than 700 boards, authorities, departments and commissions—what is commonly referred to as the state’s “shadow government.” Positions within these public organizations are often accompanied by exorbitant salaries and perks, all on the taxpayer’s dime. The new governor hopes to rein these and unnecessary regulations in significantly.

New Corporate Environmental
Recognition Program
During the recent lame duck session, the Senate passed 32-2, and Gov. Corzine signed into law, A-795 (Guscirora/D-15; Fisher-D/3), the Corporate Environmental Recognition Program. Its administrator, NJDEP, will establish a list of environmentally responsible businesses within the state, recognizing those that have exhibited “exemplary attention and concern for the environment.” The DEP Commissioner will on occasion provide public recognition in the forms of press announcements, citations and awards to highlight their achievements. For more information, contact PIA at (908) 233-4124.

Regulatory Relief Act for Small Business Redefines “Small Business”

Gov. Corzine signed into law a PIA-supported bill, A-832 (Chivukula/D-17; Schaer/D-3; Love/D-4), which updates the N.J. Regulatory Flexibility Act by requiring that an agency must conduct a review of rules that are up for re-adoption to ensure they have minimal impact on small business. Most importantly, the measure changes the definition of small business from one that employs fewer than 100 full-time employees to one which, along with its affiliates, employs fewer than 100 full-time employees or has gross annual sales of less than $6 million.

New BPU Program Pays
for Energy Updates
The NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) launched a new program called Direct Install to pay for energy-efficient upgrades at small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a free energy audit and pays for 80 percent of upgrades recommended by the audit including lighting, motors, HVAC equipment and more, as well as labor and material costs. BPU pays the contractor directly so no rebates are involved. Your facility must have a peak electric demand of 200 KW or less. It may not be applicable to many printing firms, but pre-press, design or other facilities may find it of interest. For more information, visit the New Jersey Clean Energy Web site at www.njcleanenergy.com/commercial-industrial/programs/direct-install.