STEPHEN M.

SWEENEY
Senate President

LORETTA WEINBERG
Majority Leader

NIA H. GILL
Senate President Pro Tempore

New Jersey: By The Numbers

0 2 National ranking in terms of foreclosure rates 3 Percent the middle class has shrunk in New Jersey 7.7 Percent of New Jersey homeowners currently in foreclosure Dollars the governor refused from the federal government for every 9 $1 New Jersey spends on Medicaid-eligible womens health care New Jersey's poverty rate, a rate that has increased every year that 11.4 Christie has been in office States and the District of Columbia that have a higher minimum 18 wage than New Jersey Years it had been until New Jersey reached 9.9 percent 35 unemployment, in August 2012 45 National ranking in terms of personal income growth 47 National ranking in terms of unemployment rate 1,349,700 Uninsured New Jerseyans
Comprehensive plans the governor has put forward to create jobs
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http://www.corelogic.com/research/national-foreclosure-report-october-2012.pdf http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/09/njs_middle_class_is_shrinking.html http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2012/12/new_jersey_still_lags_in_forec.html 4 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp?BillNumber=S788 5 http://www.northjersey.com/news/Poverty_rate_in_NJ_rises_for_4th_straight_year.html?page=all 6 http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/labor/state-minimum-wage-chart.aspx 7 http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/09/nj_unemployment_rate_rises_to.html 8 http://blogs.app.com/inthemoney/2012/09/25/new-jersey-personal-income-slips-to-45th/ 9 http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm 10 http://www.statehealthfacts.org/profileind.jsp?ind=125&cat=3&rgn=32

Unemployment Rate
New Jersey vs. United States January 2010 - Present
10.5 10 9.5 9 8.5 8 7.5 7
Ja n10 Ap r- 1 0 Ju l-1 O 0 ct -1 Ja 0 n1 Ap 1 r- 1 1 Ju l-1 O 1 ct -1 Ja 1 n1 Ap 2 r- 1 Ju 2 l-1 O 2 ct -1 2
New Jersey Unemployment Rate US Unemployment Rate

Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

JOBS
What The Legislature Has Done

Passed legislation to provide incentives for angel investors Offered proposals to create public/private partnerships Supported job training programs Encouraged tax credits for those that hire the unemployed Approved bills to offer tax credits and exemptions for wind energy equipment Advanced measures to provide small businesses with low interest EDA loans

What The Governor Has Done

Vetoed nearly all job creation bills Reduced the Earned Income Tax Credit1 Cut property tax relief2 Cancelled the ARC tunnel

Result

Highest Unemployment Rate in 35 years3 Hundreds of thousands still without work

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http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0807/2151/ http://www.factcheck.org/2011/09/christies-tax-tale/ http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/09/nj_unemployment_rate_rises_to.html

Jobs

Legislative Action In the last two years, the Legislature has passed dozens of bills aimed at creating jobs and spurring economic growth in New Jersey. Among them are: S-3055 (Madden/Weinberg)* New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act; provides credits against corporation business and gross income taxes for investing in New Jersey emerging technology businesses; S-3072 (Madden/Buono)* Directs New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Commission on Higher Education to promote the establishment of higher education and business partnerships; S-3080 (Greenstein/Gordon/Madden)* Establishes "Back to Work NJ Program" S-2005 (Smith/Bateman)* Provides sales and use tax exemption for wind energy equipment; S-3052 (Whelan/Sarlo)* Establishes Small Business Loan Program in EDA allowing certain small businesses to be eligible for low interest rate loans of up to $250,000 to expand their businesses.

The governor has vetoed, either absolutely, conditionally, or by pocket veto, dozens of job creation and economic growth legislation that has been sent to him, including: A-1676, A-1678, A-1851, A-2215, A-3143, A-3195, A-3308, A-3353, A-3359 A-3513, A-3584, A-3596, A-4332, A-4337, S-483, S-690, S-1216, S-1540, S-1794, S-1968, S-2065, S-2126, S-2345, S2373, S-2394, S-2398, S-2454, S-2888, S-3052, S-3054, S-3072 Governor Christie slashed the Earned Income Tax Credit in his FY11 budget and vetoed legislation that would have restored it twice. Those actions essentially resulted in a tax increase on the working poor. That money would have gone directly into the economy, helping create jobs and spur growth.17 Governor Christie, in his first year in office, slashed funding for property tax relief programs. Not only has that resulted in increased property taxes, but that funding would have been spent by middle class New Jerseyans to help bolster the economy18 Governor Christie canceled the ARC tunnel, which would have created thousands of jobs here in New Jersey.19

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http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0807/2151/ http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0130/0238/ http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/gov_christie_cancels_arc_tunne.html

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* From the 214 Legislative Session

HOUSING
What The Legislature Has Done

Created expedited process for lenders to foreclose on abandoned homes Directed HMFA to use federal funding to help keep people in foreclosed homes Helped transform abandoned properties in affordable/market rate housing

What The Governor Has Done

Mismanaged $300 million in funding meant to keep people in their homes Vetoed legislation that would provide affordable/market rate housing Cut legal services intended to help the poor

Result

Second highest foreclosure rate in the country1 Over 7 percent of New Jersey homeowners in foreclosure2

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http://www.corelogic.com/research/national-foreclosure-report-october-2012.pdf http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2012/12/new_jersey_still_lags_in_forec.html

Housing

Legislative Action on Foreclosure Crisis The three measures below, taken together, represent a multi-pronged approach to resolving New Jerseys foreclosure crisis. S-2156 (Lesniak) The law establishes an expedited foreclosure procedure for abandoned residential properties that have fallen into disrepair. Lenders would be able to bring summary actions to foreclose mortgages on vacant and abandoned residential property. The goal is to transform a process that can take over a year in most foreclosure cases, and compact it to a few months for abandoned properties that have fallen into disrepair. Final Legislative Approval: 10/18/12, Signed 12/3/12 S-2202 (Lesniak/Greenstein) Requires HMFA to expand the NJ HomeKeeper Program in order to help more homeowners at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. Final Legislative Approval: 12/20/12 S-2157 (Lesniak) Establishes the New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act facilitate the transformation of abandoned, run-down properties into affordable and marketrate homes. Final Legislative Approval: 12/3/12

Governors Action Several media outlets reported on the administrations failure to adequately expend $300 million in federal Hardest Hit funds to help struggling homeowners.15 Last July, the governor vetoed S-1566 (Lesniak/Buono) which establishes the "New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act," which would have helped to transform abandoned properties into affordable/market rate housing. As part of his FY2013 budget, Governor Christie slashed funding to the poor through legal services. As a result, many low-income residents facing foreclosure will not have access to legal assistance.16

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http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20121024_Christie_administration_acknowledges_foreclosure_lapses.html http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/gov_chris_christie_veotes_eigh.html

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Health care
What The Legislature Has Done

Created framework for state-based health exchange Passed legislation to restore health care coverage for the working poor Urged Medicaid expansion through legislation

What The Governor Has Done

Twice vetoed health exchange bills Left exchange subject to federal control Slashed FamilyCare eligibility Failed to commit to Medicaid expansion

Result

Hundreds of thousands of uninsured left vulnerable1 234,000 Medicaid-eligible unprotected2 39,000 low-income parents denied access to NJ FamilyCare3

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http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0629/0010/ http://www.cshp.rutgers.edu/Downloads/8970.pdf http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/nj_democrats_call_on_gov_chris.html

Health Care
Health Exchange The federal Affordable Care Act requires the creation of health exchanges, marketplaces where both individuals and small employers can purchase affordable quality health insurance. These new marketplaces, sometimes referred to as the Travelocity of health insurance, will provide consumers with clear and concise information to enable them to choose among plans. Federal subsidies will be available to many consumers to make coverage more affordable. Hundreds of thousands of uninsured New Jerseyans would be covered by insurance that may be purchased on the Health Exchange.5 A state-based exchange would better protect New Jersey consumers as it would allow the state to create coverage standards for insurance companies and mechanisms to respond quickly to changes in local insurance market. However, the governor twice vetoed legislation approved by the Legislature to create a strong, state-based health exchange.6 He has left the exchange subject to federal control, essentially giving up the opportunity to create an exchange to fulfill the unique needs of New Jerseyans. 7

Legislative Action on Health Exchange A-2171/S1319, sponsored by Senators Nia Gill and Joe Vitale, The Health Benefit Exchange Act passes both houses on 3/15/12. It was vetoed on 5/10/12 with the Governor citing pending U.S. Supreme Court Case and specific provisions in his veto message.8 S-2135/A-3186, sponsored by Senators Gill and Vitale Second Health Benefit Exchange Act Addressing Governors concerns9 passes both houses on 10/18/2012; Governor delays decision on Health Benefit Exchange Act, citing Presidential Election as outstanding factor10; The Governor vetoed it on 12/17/12 citing lack of information from federal government11

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0629/0010/ http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/christie-nixes-state-run-insurance-exchange-84718.html? http://statehealthfacts.kff.org/comparemaptable.jsp?ind=962&cat=17 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A2500/2171_V1.HTM

(Note: Legislation removes $50,000 annual salary for board members; sets compensation for board executive director at same level as NJ cabinet officials ($141,000 annually); adds two public members to the board of directors of the exchange to allow for additional stakeholder input; clarifies that the exchange may, but is not required to, create and offer a Basic Health Plan) http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/10/nj_legislature_approves_health.html http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/12/07/citing-new-concerns-about-costs-christie-vetoes-health-benefit-exchange-bill-again/

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Medicaid Expansion The Affordable Care Act provides for the expansion of Medicaid to individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level based on modified adjusted gross income ($15,415 for individual, $31,809 for family of four). The expansion creates a new minimum Medicaid eligibility level for adults and eliminates a limitation of the program that prohibits most adults without dependent children from enrolling in the program.12 Federal and state governments currently share cost of Medicaid, with each entity paying 50 percent of the cost. Federal government would pay 100 percent of Medicaid expansion for first three years, from 2014 to 2016. In later years, the federal government would pay 90 percent of the cost.7 234,000 New Jerseyans would be covered by the Medicaid expansion, according to the Rutgers Center on State Health Policy.13 On Nov. 29, the Senate passed SCR-132, sponsored by Senators Vitale and Weinberg, urging the governor to accept the offer from the federal government to pay the full cost of the Medicaid expansion the first three years, followed by a three-year phase down to a permanent 90 percent reimbursement. To date, Governor has refused to commit to the expansion.

New Jersey FamilyCare Governor Christie froze enrollment in FamilyCare in the FY2011 Budget, which denied access to the program to 39,000 adults. In response, the Legislature passed S-2134 (Vitale) (214th Session) to restore funding for the program which would have enabled adults with incomes between 134% and 200% of the federal poverty level to continue to be enrolled in the NJ FamilyCare program. The funding also would have generated approximately $45.7 million in federal funds on behalf of adults with incomes between 134% and 200% of the federal poverty level. The governor vetoed the legislation, denying access to tens of thousands of residents.14

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http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8023-R.pdf http://www.cshp.rutgers.edu/Downloads/8970.pdf http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/S2500/2134_V1.HTM

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WomenS ISSUES
What The Legislature Has Done

Prioritized health care funding for women Repeatedly offered proposals to restore funding to womens health care Laid groundwork for 9-to-1 federal funding match for family planning Advanced measures to create pay equity for women

What The Governor Has Done

Eliminated family planning funding Blocked critical funding restorations Refused to pursue $9 federal match for every $1 spent on womens health care for Medicaid-eligible residents1 Vetoed gender equity bills

Result

Dramatic decline in health services for women, families2 Women remain vulnerable to pay discrimination3

1 2 3

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp?BillNumber=S788 http://www.politifact.com/new-jersey/statements/2011/jun/10/loretta-weinberg/state-sen-loretta-weinberg-says-6-new-jerseys-58-f/ http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A3000/2649_V1.HTM, http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A3000/2650_V1.HTM, http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A3000/2648_V1.HTM

Womens Issues
Family Planning In 2010, Governor Christie completely eliminated the state family planning budget line that allocated $7.4 million for basic reproductive health care services. Six family planning centers closed and numerous others cut service hours as a result. 1 In 2011, New Jerseys family planning providers saw at least 26,000 fewer patients compared with 2009 a 19% drop in patients served, according to Planned Parenthood of New Jersey. During that period, the number of breast exams provided dropped by nearly 20,000, and fewer tests were performed for sexually transmitted infections: From 2009-2011, the number of gonorrhea and chlamydia tests both decreased by 24%, while syphilis and HIV tests decreased by 5% and 6%, respectively, according to Planned Parenthood of New Jersey. The Legislature has sent numerous bills to the governors desk to restore funding, only to see them vetoed. 2

Federal Match The governor withdrew an application for a family planning waiver that could have provided coverage to New Jersey residents in need and saved the state over $73 million3 In doing this, the governor left millions in federal funding on the table in Washington. He refused $9 in federal funding for every $1 spent in New Jersey on family planning services for Medicaid-eligible women. The governor blocked legislation that would restore the funding, most recently vetoing legislation that would require the filing of a State Plan Amendment to extend Medicaid coverage for family planning services to people with incomes of up to 200% of the federal poverty level. The Medicaid language change would have made New Jersey eligible for a 9-to-1 federal match on funds to support family planning for Medicaid-eligible women.4 As a result, more women have gone without critical preventive health care.

http://www.plannedparenthoodnj.org/library/consequences

http://www.northjersey.com/news/health/072310_NJ_Gov_Chris_Christie_vetoes_75_million_family_planning_grant.html http://www.nationalfamilyplanning.org/document.doc?id=181

S-788 Supplemental appropriation to DHSS for $7,453,000 for family planning services, and requires filing of State Plan Amendment to extend Medicaid coverage for family planning services to persons with incomes up to 200% of federal poverty level. Final Legislative Approval: 6/25/12, Vetoed: 7/26/12

Equal Pay Women are nearly half of the workforce and are the equal, if not main, breadwinner in four out of ten families, according to research from the Washington D.C.-based Institute for Women and Policy Research. In addition, they receive more college and graduate degrees than men. Yet, women on average earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to the Institute. The Legislature acted to address this dramatic disparity. In June, the Legislature gave final approval to four bills intended to create an environment in which men and women were more likely to be paid an equal wage for an equal days work. The bills sought to expand wage transparency, educate employees of their right to equitable treatment, and ensure that valid claims of pay discrimination were not tossed out as a result of a technicality. Another measure (SR-50) urged Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, in order to combat the persistent income gap attributable to systemic gender discrimination nationwide.

The governor vetoed 3 of the 4 bills as indicated below: S-1933/A-2650, sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Loretta Weinberg, which would have applied provisions of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 namely, the ability to restart the statute of limitations every time an employee receives a paycheck that violates discriminatory pay practices to the State Law Against Discrimination. The goal of the legislation was to ensure that people who were subject to pay discrimination for an extended period of time wouldnt have their claims thrown out in court on a technicality. Final Legislative Approval: 6/21/12, Vetoed: 9/24/12 S-1935/A-2648, sponsored by Senators Weinberg and Linda Greenstein, which would have prohibited employers from retaliating against any employee who discusses information regarding job title, occupational category and rate of compensation with a fellow or former employee. The intent, according to the bill sponsors, was to create a more open environment in which pay disparity based on gender discrimination was uncovered and dealt with appropriately. Final Legislative Approval: 6/21/12, Vetoed: 9/24/12 S-1932/A-2649, sponsored by Senators Weinberg and Greenstein, which would have required public contractors to report the gender, race, job title, occupational category and rate of compensation of every person employed in New Jersey in association with a public contract to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Final Legislative Approval: 6/25/12, Vetoed: 9/24/12 S-1930, sponsored by Senators Weinberg and Linda Greenstein, which requires employers to post notice of worker rights particularly the right to be free of gender inequity or bias in pay in the workplace, and to provide written or electronic notification to workers of their rights under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Final Legislative Approval: 6/25/12, Signed 9/19/12