Dear Mayor:

I. Gang Deterrence

Yesterday, the General Assembly released a package of bills that are the first significant step at curbing gang and gun violence that plagues communities across the State. The 17 bill legislative package will give municipalities, schools and law enforcement new tools to help mitigate gang violence. This is an encouraging demonstration of determined action to support State and Local efforts.

The League has been actively engaged in seeking legislative relief as an important part of a comprehensive approach to this increasingly difficult problem. Last Thursday, a delegation of mayors, led by Mayor Bob Bowser of East Orange, League 3rd Vice-President and Chairman of League's Gang Prevention and Youth Violence Task Force, testified in overwhelming support of the legislative package. The Task Force expressed gratitude for the aggressive action embodied in the bills.

An example of a few of the bills in the package would upgrade the crime of recruiting for gangs, improve gang related crime data collection, protect witnesses from threats and intimidations from gang defendants, increase penalties for giving guns to minors, require gang and gun prevention educational seminars for school children.

The bills received bi-partisan support in the General Assembly and are presently assigned to the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee for consideration. For further information call Helen Yeldell at (609) 695-3481 ext.12 or by email at hyeldell@njslom.com.

II. Public Contracts Law

The General Assembly, by a vote of 72-6, released A-2527 which seeks to amend the Local Public Contracts Law and the Public School Contracts Law to prohibit the date fixed for receiving bids to fall on Mondays or any day directly following a State or Federal holiday.

In accordance to the Local Public Contracts Law, all bids are advertised "sufficiently in advance of the date fixed for receiving the bids" in order to promote competitive bidding. Vendors should be prepared no matter the day or time for submission. The Public Contracts Law certainly allows the vendor sufficient time for the preparation and submission of bids.

The League is disappointed the General Assembly felt it necessary to change the Law to accommodate vendors who seemingly are not interested in working on Mondays or the day after a holiday. There is no value added by this legislation. It is an inconvenience to municipal operations and will complicate the process.

A-2527 is adamantly opposed by the League and the Governmental Purchasing Agents Association of NJ.

We urge you to contact all members of the Senate and express opposition to A-2527.

Questions can be directed to Helen Yeldell at (609) 695-3481 ext.12 or by email at hyeldell@njslom.com.

III. System-wide Cable Franchises

By a vote of 61 yeas, 13 nays, 4 abstentions and 2 not voting, the General Assembly released the ACS for A-804 which authorizes a competitive system-wide franchise for certain providers of cable television service.

The League believes this type of franchise will create competition to the ultimate benefit of the consumer and it may benefit municipalities by enumerating specific franchise commitments which would otherwise be subject to negotiation. Most important, the bill now creates a competitive cable TV environment.

The bill now heads to the Senate for action which is not expected until mid-June. A copy of the voting record is available by calling (609) 695-3481 ext. 14.

Contact Mike Darcy at ext. 16 or mdarcy@njslom.com for further information.

For a copy of the bills, contact Donna Baltz at (609) 695-3481 ext.14.

Thank you.