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Under the Dome: Senate and Assembly Committees

by: Jason Springer

Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 09:30:00 AM EST

It will be a busy day in Trenton as the Senate and Assembly have a full slate of commitees packed with legislation for consideration and testimony heard on a variety of issues.

The Assembly Budget Committee will meet to hear testimony on the status of several state pension systems. The Housing and Local Government Committee will meet to discuss the future of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). The Health committee will take testimony about the supply and demand for physicians.

The Telecommunications Committee will take testimony from the BPU and invited representatives of business ratepayers on the Administration's proposal, as one of its FY 2010 budget solutions, to divert $158 million in funds from the Retail Margin Fund and Clean Energy Fund.

Along with the testimony, there is a full list of legislation up for consideration and discussion. I'll put the full agenda below the fold. If you're not in Trenton, you can listen along to the hearings here.

Jason Springer :: Under the Dome: Senate and Assembly Committees

Senate Budget and Appropriations Meeting 1:00 PM

S762 [Beck, Jennifer/Kyrillos, Joseph M.+1], Earle Naval Weapons Station-housing

S922 [Kean, Thomas H./Turner, Shirley K.+1], Dam restoration proj.-approp.

S935 [Sweeney, Stephen M./Madden, Fred H.+1], Workers' comp. suppl. benf.-concerns

For Discussion Only:

S692 [Sarlo, Paul A.], Homebuyer Tax Cred. Prog-.estab.

Senate Commerce Meeting 1:00 PM

S375 [Weinberg, Loretta/Gordon, Robert M.+5], Health svc. corp.-concerns conversion

S940 [Lesniak, Raymond J.], Surplus lines producer fees-concerns

S1525 [Gill, Nia H.], Money orders-clarify fees

S1625 [Kyrillos, Joseph M.], Auto insur., cert.-concerns availability

*Senate Community and Urban Affairs Meeting 10:30 AM

S286 [Stack, Brian P.], Constr. code fees, loc.-concerns

S874 [Connors, Christopher J.], Mun. fees, cert.-permits cancelation

S1063 [Beck, Jennifer], Loc. govt. ethics-concerns

S1141 [Van Drew, Jeff], Fire dist. budgets-concerns

S1195 [Van Drew, Jeff], Wheelchair ramps, resid.-permit req.

Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Meeting 1:00 PM

S204 [Whelan, Jim+1], Med. transp. svcs.-concerns

S799 [Vitale, Joseph F./Allen, Diane B.+6], Adoptees birth cert.-permits access

S1333 [Vitale, Joseph F./Ruiz, M. Teresa], Child, resource family home-ed stability

S1399 [Weinberg, Loretta], Adoptees-allows access, cert med history

SJR14 [Beach, James], Childhood Cancer Awareness Wk.

Senate Labor Meeting 10:00 AM

S427 [Turner, Shirley K.], Emp. practices-concerns devel. subsidies

S566 [Cunningham, Sandra B.], Pub. contractors benf.-concerns

S977 [Allen, Diane B.], Plant closings, layoffs-prenotification

S1395 [Weinberg, Loretta], Pay equity in workplace-concerns

Senate Law and Public Safety Meeting 1:00 PM

S508 [Girgenti, John A./Sacco, Nicholas J.+1], Youth mentoring prog.-estab. grant prog.

S1151 [Kyrillos, Joseph M./Girgenti, John A.], Nuclear power plant, trespassing-crime

S1417 [Cunningham, Sandra B./Lesniak, Raymond J.], Juv. Justice Comm-transfer

S1429 [Madden, Fred H./Girgenti, John A.], Hand-held device-exemp two-way radios

S1537 [Rice, Ronald L.], Gang related off. report-concerns

Senate Transportation Meeting 10:00 AM

S103 [Rice, Ronald L.], Transp.-related infrastructure proj.

S637 [Ciesla, Andrew R.+2], NJT Corp. emp-crim. background checks

S736 [Sacco, Nicholas J.], Motorcycle safety provisions-estab. new

S820 [Vitale, Joseph F.], Specialty lic plate-changes approval sys

S1220 [O'Toole, Kevin J.], Gregory F. Velardi Sr.-desig. rt 23 ramp

Assembly Appropriations Meeting

The Committee will not meet.

Assembly Budget Meeting 9:30 AM

The Committee will hear testimony from invited speakers on the status of the various State pension systems.

Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Meeting

The Committee will not meet.

Assembly Consumer Affairs Meeting 10:00 AM

A1064 [Gusciora, Reed+3], Attorneys' fees-concerns awarding

A1174 [Addiego, Dawn Marie/Rudder, Scott], MV dealer-concerns trade-in pay off

A1700 [Burzichelli, John J./Milam, Matthew W.+5], Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

AJR32 [Vainieri Huttle, Valerie/Diegnan, Patrick J.], Children's Product Safety Mo-desig Sept.

Pending Introduction and Referral:

A2465 [Milam, Matthew W.], Requires motor vehicle dealer to pay off loan on trade-in within 21 days.

Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Meeting 10:00

A359 [Schaer, Gary S./Burzichelli, John J.+21], Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prev. Act

A368 [Schaer, Gary S./Greenwald, Louis D.], Auto. Insur. Risk Exchange- concerns appt

A483 [Rodriguez, Caridad/Schaer, Gary S.+1], Interst. Insur Product Reg Compact-estab

A586 [Cryan, Joseph], Surplus lines producer fees-concerns

A1017 [Spencer, L. Grace/Schaer, Gary S.+2], Banking-concerns

A2219 [McKeon, John F.], Tax collectors-issue blanket bonds

A2360 [Schaer, Gary S.], Captive insur.-reg.

Assembly Health and Senior Services Meeting 10:00 AM

The Committee will take testimony on the recent report by the New Jersey Council of Teaching Hospitals regarding physician supply and demand.

A330 [Gove, DiAnne C./Rumpf, Brian E.+1], Finan. exploitation of elderly-offense

A1505 [Chiappone, Anthony/Ramos, Ruben J.+16], Colon Cancer Research Fd.-vol. contrib.

A1995 [Conaway, Herb/Wagner, Connie], Epilepsy drugs-concerns substitution

AJR11 [Voss, Joan M./Polistina, Vincent J.+3], Asperger's Syndrome Awareness Wk.-April

AJR23 [Evans, Elease/Vainieri Huttle, Valerie+3], Colorectal Cancer Awareness Mo.-March

For Discussion Only:

A1927 [Conaway, Herb/Wagner, Connie], Psych. svc, inpatient-concerns beds

Assembly Higher Education Meeting 10:00 AM

The Committee will conduct a discussion with invited guests concerning the increased need for mental health services at institutions of higher education and recommendations for the improvement of existing mental health services.

Assembly Housing and Local Government Meeting 2:00 PM

The Committee will receive testimony from invited guests concerning recent developments regarding the Council on Affordable Housing, and possible avenues for reform.

A437 [Green, Jerry/McHose, Alison Littell+3], Devel. application-concern approval

A1708 [Burzichelli, John J./Milam, Matthew W.+2], Prop. tax info.-concerns confidentiality

Assembly Law and Public Safety Meeting 2:00 PM

A1452 [Wisniewski, John S./Lampitt, Pamela R.], Driv. distraction-noted in accident

A2060 [Spencer, L. Grace/Evans, Elease], Sentencing-auth. courts to revoke fees

AJR17 [Albano, Nelson T./Barnes, Peter J.], Crime Victims' Rights-desig April 22-28

Pending Introduction and Referral:

A2372 [Albano, Nelson T./Milam, Matthew W.], Victim claim-estab exception, 5 yr limit

**Assembly Regulated Professions Meeting 1:00 PM

A463 [Voss, Joan M.+1], Notaries Pub. Act of 1979-revises

A1650 [Greenwald, Louis D./Johnson, Gordon M.+2], Cosmetologist-operate mobile fac.

A1756 [Watson Coleman, Bonnie/Biondi, Peter J.], Contact lense dispensing-concerns

A2297 [Prieto, Vincent], Consumer complaints, cert.-concerns

S936 [Cardinale, Gerald/Sarlo, Paul A.], Consumer complaints, cert.-concerns

**Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Meeting 2:00 PM

The Committee will hear testimony from the public concerning the feasibility of prohibiting a State agency from filing with the Office of Administrative Law a notice of proposal or notice of adoption for any rule that would exceed federal standards or requirements unless specifically authorized by State law.

Pending Introduction and Referral:

A2464 [Burzichelli, John J.], Req all State agency rules be published in NJ Register,

ACR116 [Burzichelli, John J.], St Intersch. Athletic Assoc-investigate

Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Meeting 10:00 AM

The Committee will take testimony from the BPU and invited representatives of business ratepayers on the Administration's proposal, as one of its FY 2010 budget solutions, to divert funds from the Retail Margin Fund and Clean Energy Fund.

A912 [Chivukula, Upendra J.], Electric pub util costs-concern recovery

A915 [Chivukula, Upendra J.+2], Advanced metering standards-concerns

A917 [Chivukula, Upendra J.], Energy efficient outdoor lighting-St use

Assembly Tourism and the Arts Meeting

The Committee will not meet.

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Under the Dome: Senate and Assembly Committees | 14 comments

Pension systems (0.00 / 0)

"The Assembly Budget Committee will meet to hear testimony on the status of several state pension systems. "

They're effectively broke. In fact in the reports the state released the pension actuaries have given an expected date that the money will be gone. It's going to costs BILLIONS every year, 7 to 10 billion yearly are the numbers I've seen floated, and that money can only come from new taxes or from cuts in existing spending.

by: HobokenSchmo @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 14:48:30 PM UTC

Numbers? (0.00 / 0)

Where do you keep getting this 7 -10 billion dollar figure from? There was a discussion of the pension fund on NJN last night (I think) and their experts quoted a $2.5 billion annual cost this year to meet obligations.

by: princetonblue @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 15:17:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pension Actuary (0.00 / 0)

From the pension actuary John Bury. He's been writing about these specific pension programs.

Who has been suggesting that the annual tax payer pension contribution, for all pension plans, will be 2.5 billion? I'd love to read their take.

by: HobokenSchmo @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 15:50:10 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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John Who? (0.00 / 0)

No disrespect, but a guy with a blog is not an expert. Surely if his facts were correct, there would be a legislative report with those facts. I'm certain Christie would have commissioned one by now.

by: princetonblue @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 16:02:58 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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expect (0.00 / 0)

With respect he's a pension actuary, that is an expert. In fact that is the specific type of expert you'd consult on this.

Not to mention he is sourcing his numbers, see the excel sheets he attaches to some of his articles; gives his assumptions; and takes questions on his points.

Can you provide the source for your 2.5 annual tax payer contribution number? I'd love to see how the numbers differ.

by: HobokenSchmo @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 16:08:16 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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He's a Guy with a Blog (0.00 / 0)

There are a lot of "scientists" with blogs who say global warming is a hoax (they have facts too), "scientists" with blogs who promote intelligent design (they have evidence!), as well the 9/11 conspiracy theorists (lots of facts there).

Your guy might be right. But until someone with authenticated qualifications also agrees, he's just a guy with a blog.

Sorry, but in my profession, there are lots of people with "qualifications" who are just plain wrong. Actuarial science also has a lot of subjectivity to it. So your guy might have some correct calculations based on wrong assumptions.

How about sending his figures to Christie and Sweeney? I'm sure if the figures are legit, they'll use them.

by: princetonblue @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 16:21:32 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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Okay (0.00 / 0)

"Your guy might be right. But until someone with authenticated qualifications also agrees, he's just a guy with a blog. "

Then we'll agree to disagree that a pension actuary who is sourcing his numbers from government reports has a valid take on pension numbers. I don't agree but there's nothing left to argue on that point.

You did mention a 2.5 Billion annual tax payer pension contribution and I'd like to see who put that forward and how they sourced their numbers. Can you give me a link to where you found it?

by: HobokenSchmo @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 16:29:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

NJN News (0.00 / 0)

I think it was NJN News from Tuesday. My guess was that it was a Treasury spokesman.

The beauty of the internet is that there is always someone out there with qualifications who supports a given position. The real challenge is deciding which ones should be trusted. I just did an internet search on Mr. Bury and he seems like a crackpot. Certainly, some of his proposed solutions to our nation's problems ("we should print money to pay for health-care") do not make him out to be a reasonable person.

by: princetonblue @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 16:41:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Umm (0.00 / 0)

You do realize that we ARE currently printing money to pay for health care, medicare and medicade?

But sure, agree to disagree. For the purposes of this conversation I'll stipulate John Bury is an uneducated albino from the planet Xenu. So let's agree to disagree and move forward.

I can't find ANYONE going on the record about your 2.5 billion contribution ANYWHERE. Can you provide any article, blog post, or random musing by a state official, actuary, or anyone in finance stating the 2.5 billion dollar number?

by: HobokenSchmo @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 17:00:13 PM UTC

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Silly (0.00 / 0)

If you believe we really are printing money to pay for health care, then you and Mr. Bury are soulmates. It might seem like we are, but we aren't.

I gave you the source. NJN News on Tuesday (maybe Monday, but I think Tuesday). You can find it. If you can't that's ok. I'm sure the Christie administration will have a similar figure in their budget speech in a few weeks.

by: princetonblue @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 17:04:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

okay... (0.00 / 0)

Well you have a nice day now.

by: HobokenSchmo @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 17:58:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Then we are also (0.00 / 0)

printing money to pay for Bush's Illegal War and his Useless Tax Cuts For The Top 1% that did nothing but nearly undo the entire national financial system.

Please show us the forum where you were bitching and moaning about that, at the time.

As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand.

by: Jersey Shore John @ Sun Mar 07, 2010 at 13:10:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The 2.5 billion dollar question (0.00 / 0)

The $2.5 billion estimate is from the NJ State Pension Director and represents the amount required for 2010.

See my diary on Pension Reform.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

by: Bill Orr @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 17:41:37 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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I looked at your blogger (0.00 / 0)

and one of the reasons he gives for the pension fund running out is that he thinks it will return everyone's contributions+interest. Uh, okay.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 17:19:31 PM UTC

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Under the Dome: Senate and Assembly Committees | 14 comments