Dear Mayor:

Here is an update on two timely Legislative Developments.

I.   League Testifies on Affordable Housing Reform Package

Yesterday League President Robert Bowser testified before the Assembly Housing Local Government Committee on Assembly Speaker Roberts’ affordable housing reform package.   He was joined by League Associate General Counsel Edwin Schmierer and Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer, on behalf of the Urban Mayors Association.

The League offered commentary on the entire package, but the focus of much of the testimony was on the Speaker’s bill to eliminate regional contribution agreements (RCAs). The Mayors expressed concerns with legislation that would eliminate these voluntary agreements.

Perhaps the most interesting development of the day were statements made by DCA Commissioner Joseph Doria and Assemblyman Jerry Green, Chair of the Committee, regarding the interdependence between environmental regulations and the availability of developable land for affordable housing.  For more information on yesterday’s hearing, please see Tuesday’s Star-Ledger article.

Speaker Roberts indicated his intention to introduce legislation to implement his housing reform package, on January 8, the start of the new legislative term.  He also indicated his intention to move legislation soon after.  For these reasons, we would advise contacting your legislative representatives on these issues.  

For more information, please see our Dear Mayor letters of November 21 and June 7, 2007.

II.   Regulation of Off-Road Vehicles

League Conference Resolution 2007-19 was approved at the League’s annual business meeting, and calls for the State Legislature to approve legislation to regulate off-road vehicles. The resolution can be viewed online at http://www.njslom.com/2007-Approved-League-Resolutions.pdf

Last week, the Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee approved A-4172, which addresses the majority of the concerns expressed in the resolution. The bill is sponsored by Assemblymen Reed Gusciora, Paul Moriarty, Michael Panter and John Wisniewski.  The bill now stands at 2nd reading, and can be scheduled for a vote by the General Assembly. We ask that you contact your Assembly representatives and them to support A-4172.

Senator Bob Smith sponsors the Senate companion, S-3024, which was proposed for introduction yesterday.   We hope to see action on both bills before the end of the legislation session.

For further information contact Michael Cerra, Senior Legislative Analyst at (609) 695-3481 ext. 120 or mcerra@njslom.com.

                                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                                        William G. Dressel, Jr.
                                                                        Executive Director