Dear Mayor:

On Tuesday, November 13, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-5), Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-15) and Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-22), Chair of the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee (AHO), unveiled a series of affordable housing proposals.  Their plan is to for the AHO Committee to hold a hearing on Monday, December 10 and they hope for legislative action sometime next year, after the new Legislature convenes.

The press release outlining their proposal is online at: http://www.assemblydems.com/pdf/prroberts111307.pdf

Much of the press attention has centered on the proposal to eliminate regional contributions agreements (RCAs.)    As you know, the League has already articulated our concerns with the introduced legislation to do this (see our Dear Mayor letter of June 7, 2007 for more information.)

In fairness, however, this proposal goes beyond the elimination of RCAs, including incentives in school funding formulas for communities that accept affordable housing.   It would be unfair to comment yet on any other portion of the proposal without giving it a thorough and thoughtful review. The League’s committees on housing will convene shortly to review the proposal and prepare our statements for the December 10 hearing.  

Comments on the proposal can be directed to Speaker Roberts and Chairman Green:

Questions on the League’s response can be directed to Mike Cerra at mcerra@njslom.com or at (609) 695-3481 x120.

                                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                                        William G. Dressel, Jr.
                                                                        Executive Director