At a State House press conference on September 24th, Senate President Steve Sweeney unveiled a package of legislative proposals that will empower county government to operate more effectively and efficiently. The Senate President spent the summer months meeting with county officials from across the State and on both sides of the aisle to hear first-hand about our many challenges, and proactively addressed several key issues with this critical package of bills that NJAC endorses and of which are summarized below.  As county governments continue to struggle with managing a 2.0% property tax cap ...

County Government Works Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-Bergen) recently introduced legislation that would dissolve county government and require the State and municipalities to perform the functions of the State’s only true regional form of government.  Although we commend the Assemblyman for putting forth a proposal to reduce the State’s multiple layers of bureaucracy and overwhelming property tax burden, this legislation does not take into consideration the fact that neither the State nor its 565 municipalities have the resources available or subject matter expertise to provide the essential s...

Environmental Infrastructure Trust Financing Program On August 25th, Governor Chris Christie signed into law as P.L. 2015, c.106, legislation that makes some positive changes to the Environmental Infrastructure Trust Financing Program (EIFP). In summary, this new law extends the possible term of bonds, notes, or other obligations of the EIFP from 20 years from the effective date to 30 years from the effective date or a shorter period of time as may be applicable pursuant to federal law or regulation. The measure makes several changes to the short-term loan financing programs as it permits fu...