NJN News; Tuesday June 11, 2002

NJN News is made possible by PSENG, serving customers, strengthening the business community and investing in New Jersey's future. This union, serving the financial needs of individuals and businesses from Connecticut to Florida, Verizon, communication solutions designed for the people and businesses of New Jersey, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, making healthcare work for New Jersey's businesses and individuals, the New Jersey Education Association, people who care about your kids, and by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. As the clock ticks to balance the state budget, momentum builds from business groups and others to battle a proposed corporate business tax. Camden's mayor says she'll fight any legislation to help the state's forest city if it requires

her to give up power. Members of the Black clergy endorse the Republican in the 12th Congressional District Race. The Port Authority honors officers and civilians for their heroism September 11th. And well-monitoring shows parts of the state are still high and dry. NJN News for Tuesday, June 11th. With two and a half weeks to go before the new state budget must be adopted, there's still no consensus on key legislation designed to bridge a $5 billion budget gap. As statehouse correspondent Jim Hooker reports, momentum is building among opponents to the corporate business tax. With time running down on a budget deadline, lobbyists for leading business organizations are scrambling for changes in an $800 million business tax package that's key to balancing the proposed budget. Absolutely. In urgency, we know that by June 30th, there will be decisions made. But on the other hand, we have legislators who understand that the decisions they make

now will be in effect possibly for years. This advocacy group say the complex tax package, as it's written, will cripple the state's economy and cost thousands of jobs. The groups are working on several fronts to win changes in the legislation, including negotiating with lawmakers and administration officials behind the scenes and launching ad campaigns to build public support for their position and bring outside pressure to bear on Trenton decision-makers. The BIA State Chamber of Commerce and other business leaders here are preparing to launch on Thursday a radio ad campaign called Save Sally's Job. The Washington D.C. based conservative business group, Americans for Job Security, is already on the air. What's the matter, honey? My company is talking about moving out of states. Oh, no. Why? Governor McGreevy is proposing to double or triple taxes on our company. Better late than never. Senator Joe Carillo, the state Republican chairman and a vocal opponent of the business

tax overhaul from his seat on the Senate Budget Committee, says business groups have been late making their voices heard. I've been sending the alarm gym on this employer tax for a long time now. Several months, it seems, since the governor's budget message was unveiled. And it is amazing to me the lateness with which the employer community is coming to the table to put up a flag and say, hey, wait. The McGreevy administration says the business tax is closing loopholes that result in many major companies headquartered or with facilities here, paying as little as $200 a year in taxes. All that we're trying to do is to raise the same amount of revenue that the then Republican governor legislature said fourth in 2002, $1.8 billion, not a single dime more, not a single dime less. Business groups and Republican lawmakers say they're open to closing loopholes, but they say the Democratic plan goes well beyond that.

Carillo says the Republican state committee is considering launching its own ad campaign opposing the changes. Maurice of the BIA says the business community is concerned that time is running short to effectively battle the administration's plan and offer alternatives. We can't add time when the calendar. June 30th is the finale on this issue. We wish we had more time. Jim Hooker, NJN News. Brandon Mayer, Gwendolyn Faeson says she'll fight the McGreevy administration's plan to revitalize the city, even though she hasn't seen the proposal. Faeson says her administration's exclusion from the planning process undermines her leadership. Adrienne Sapino has the story. Camden Mayer, Gwendolyn Faeson, will learn about the McGreevy administration's plan for reviving the city for the first time tonight. This two days before the legislation is to be finalized and released to the public. I am the mayor, whether you like it or not, and I am not corrupt. I was elected by the people.

I was promised by the government and have a seat at the table. I haven't given that seat. Faeson claims her input has not been called for. The importance is to making not only a thoughtful investment, but have the necessary financial safeguards. In January, state lawmakers ended their session without agreeing on a bill that would funnel about $180 million of state aid into Camden. Faeson opposed that legislation because she thought it would undermine her power. It called for the creation of a chief operating officer that would oversee planning, zoning and development, and who could veto the minutes of city meetings. Faeson expects similar constraints in this bill. Governor McGreevy says this bill is different because of the state's current budget crisis. He says there will be less direct financial aid to Camden. He wouldn't commit to a specific dollar amount, but says this time he's promoting private investment in the city. If money was a solution, Camden would have been solved, you know, 50 years ago. It hasn't been. So it's bringing all the necessary players to spur increased private economic development

while tackling some of the systemic problems. Faeson, who says she is resolute in her opposition to the concept of state control, is scheduled to meet with McGreevy tonight. Adrienne Sapino, NJN News, Camden. The state can continue to freeze funding for New Jersey's poor school districts for the next year. The State Supreme Court and its ruling today also said urban districts have the right to appeal funding levels. The ruling upholds the State Department of Education's decision to freeze funding while New Jersey deals with a budget crisis and decides if education reforms in the habit districts have worked. Camden, Neptune, Paseyek and New Brunswick argued the freeze would be difficult to uphold the state mandate of providing a thorough and efficient education. Members of the Black clergy from local state and national organizations today threw their support behind Republican congressional candidate Buster Sories. The group, all Democrats, points to Sories' record as New Jersey Secretary of State and his work with young people.

Jerry Henry reports. Claiming that Democrats often take the Black vote for granted and that Republicans often discount it, several Black ministers, all Democrats, endorsed Sories today, a fellow minister and former Secretary of State. He's running against two-term incumbent Democrat Rush Holt in the 12 Congressional District. The clergy included Reverend Reginald Jackson, Executive Director of the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey. He knows the trenches, he knows the neighborhoods, he knows the people. He's familiar with their problems. He's no stranger to the experience which many people have to go through. Time has ended for us just to be voting along part of the lines of being Democrat and Republican. And I know that Republicans feel like all Republicans all are Republican and Democrats feel like all Democrats all to vote Democrat. But I know, I believe in the man or the woman, the person whom best can do the job. Sories also got support from former DC Congressional delegate and civil rights leader Reverend Walter Fortroy. I am a Democrat and support Democrats all over the country except the 12 Congressional

District of New Jersey because Buster Sories is an answer to Joshua Holland's prayer. God give us men. Sories announced a platform strong on protecting and educating young people and he says his campaign is not about running against Rush Holt and vowed not to spend the next five months slinging mud at his Democratic opponent. High contrast to I am with who he is by offering a leader who has taken action. Rush Holt cares about affordable housing. I've built affordable housing. Rush Holt cares about at-risk youth. I've touched and helped transform the lives of at-risk youth. So let me say that today is historic. This is the first time in New Jersey an African-American who happens to be Republican has launched a campaign with the support of African-American clergy, not based on racial issues, nor based on party lines, but based on practical experience in solving problems.

Ministers here from the 12th District represent an estimated 7 to 10,000 voters. Jerry Henry, N.J. and News, Trenton. A week after the U.S. Senate primary election, a poll shows Democratic incumbent Senator Robert Toracelli with a double-digit lead, a star ledger Eglton survey shows Toracelli is supported by 43 percent of those polls. Republican nominee Doug Forester has 29 percent, 21 percent are undecided. The poll also found that nearly three-quarters of those surveyed knew nothing about Forester who won the GOP primary over state senators Diane Allen and John Matheson. Election day is November 5th. It's been nine months since the World Trade Center was attacked. In a ceremony this morning, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey held an award ceremony for its employees, where family members of victims accepted recognition on behalf of the fallen. Zachary Fink reports. Inspector Anthony P. Infante, Jr.

Port Authority employees who risked their lives during the September 11th attacks were presented with awards for their bravery and heroism. The by-state agency lost 84 employees, 37 of whom were Port Authority police officers. The Port Authority had offices in the Twin Towers, a property it owned, but least, to private developers. While some of those Port Authority employees were trapped inside the buildings after the planes hit, others evacuated and then went back in or stayed inside to help others. Senator McGrevy was not at the ceremony but sent the attorney general in his place. We recognize that of the 84 persons who lost their lives on that terrible day. Those 84 we honor and remember today, 51 of them were from New Jersey. The Twin Towers symbolized the spirit of America and not just the strength of New York. But the Twin Towers also symbolized the tremendous strength of this family.

The Port Authority family. It's now been nine months to the day since the attacks and victims' families say the healing process has only just begun, but they say the Port Authority has helped make things a little bit easier. The people from the Port Authority were absolutely phenomenal in the first week and ever since to us and to other families. The Port Authority has been extremely sensitive and supportive to all the families of the surviving victims and it is to their credit for all that they have done. In many cases, family members of victims accepted awards on behalf of relatives who lost their lives. Over 2,200 awards were handed out during a three-hour ceremony. Victims' family members say they welcome these kinds of ceremonies which remind people never to forget. Zachary Fink and JN News, New York. The heavy rains that have fallen across New Jersey recently have helped recharge reservoirs,

rivers and streams, but there are some signs the drought is still with us. Environment reporter Ed Rogers has the story. This is how New Jersey measures the level of the state's underground water supply. The data is recorded every hour and then once every four hours it is transmitted through that satellite. The US Geological Survey maintains seven observation wells like this across the state. These wells provide real-time data on groundwater levels. The information is transmitted via satellite. The survey says that recent rains have helped push water levels to normal or above normal at five monitoring wells in central and northern New Jersey. In South Jersey though, record low levels for the month of June have been recorded. Researchers say that's because of the rocky northern geology compared to the more sandy terrain in South Jersey. In northern New Jersey the groundwater can go up and down a couple of feet in response to rainfall. Where in southern New Jersey it's more maybe inches that it comes up and down.

State environmental officials say the below normal groundwater levels in South Jersey is one of the reasons mandatory water use restrictions remain in place. In March the DEP also suspended issuing any new water allocation permits during the ongoing drought emergency to help conserve groundwater. The Geological Survey says one reason parts of South Jersey are still seeing low groundwater levels is that the region is still experiencing the effects of the drought of 1998 and 1999. That's a question we've been thinking about with you know talking with the EP about is exactly when did this drought begin and I think a lot of people are saying that it is a longer-term drought that especially on some of these groundwater wells they really never recovered from the 98-99 drought as much as they as other wells did. The DEP says the current restrictions remain in place. Ed Rogers and Jay-N News Trenton there's more to come on and Jay-N News. Governor McGreevey promotes his corporate tax plan at an AFL-CIO conference in Atlantic City.

I'm Sarah Lee Kessler at a celebration of life with New Jersey's press-counsel survivors. I'll have the story. American women have a one-in-eight lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Today there are two million survivors, last night 700 of them gathered in New Jersey

for a celebration of life, health and medical correspondent Sarah Lee Kessler reports. This woman, this woman and this woman all have something in common, breast cancer. They were among the more than 700 survivors who turned out last night for the third annual Susan G. Coleman celebration of life event in Patterson. It is the largest gathering ever ever of breast cancer survivors in the state of New Jersey. What brought all these survivors together, they're shared experience with other women who instinctively understand what they've endured. You know I'm still sort of in that early stage of feeling nervous about it and it's nice to see a lot of people around and happy and smiling and looking healthy. I look around at all these women and I say, God bless them, you know, all by the grace of God we're here. The event drew survivors and celebrities, including the current Miss America, and I have seen

the women in my family deal with breast cancer, deal with the scaror breast cancer. Governor McGreevy, who is named honorary champion for the Cure, called this celebration of life evening significant. I think it sends an important signal that women are empowering themselves at the understanding the importance of coming together in the battle against breast cancer. The main risk factor for breast cancer is gender, simply being a woman. The key message here is to try to raise awareness about the importance of self examination and of yearly mammograms early diagnosis is the key to survival. New Jersey today ranks fifth in the nation in terms of breast cancer mortality rates, but we have the capacity to battle this cancer. Life is all about hope. Women are taking charge and they're surviving. Sarah Lee Kessler, NJN News, Patterson. Rich is here with a preview of what's coming up in his business report.

Rich? Can the governor's on the road talking about the need to overhaul the corporate business tax? Well, here would he add to say, and to crack down on internet gambling in New Jersey, details when we come back. Business news, Governor McGrivy was in Atlantic City today pushing his plans to overhaul the corporate business tax, he presented his case to a generally favorable audience at the

New Jersey State AFL-CIO annual conference, Ken St. John was there. Hundreds of delegates representing 1 million union members and 1,000 unions converged on Atlantic City for their two-day legislative and political conference. Governor McGrivy wasted no time in reminding delegates of his push for corporate business tax. This administration is asking, and we are strongly pro-business, is that business pay its fair share. I've said this time and time again, of the top 50 employers in the state of New Jersey last year, 30 of them paid only $200 a year. The union president says they support the push for corporate business tax. Again it's an issue of fairness. The governor also took the opportunity to sign an executive order which commits the state to buy apparel in uniforms for state employees that are manufactured in the United States.

That when we expend valuable tax dollars, we have a moral responsibility that those tax dollars are not spent in securing items made in sweatshops that all apparel purchased by the state of New Jersey must be produced in the United States of America. Union leaders also passed a resolution in support of the governor's plan to build a sports arena in Newark. Tomorrow union leaders will review and endorse candidates for US Senate, Congress, and local government offices. Ken St. John and JN News at Atlantic City. The state assembly is set to vote on a bill Thursday that will make it more difficult for school districts to subcontract services such as transportation, cafeteria, and school maintenance. Today a group of led by the New Jersey School Board's Association met at the state house to criticize the proposal. The group says public schools saved more than $40 million subcontracting services between 1999 and 2002.

They believe new limits on subcontracting will eventually cause taxpayers more money. The Tintin Falls school district in Mammoth County saves $100,000 by subcontracting transportation, maintenance, and cafeteria services. It applies the savings to teacher salaries and benefits. Supporters of the bill say it will help protect workers by ensuring employees collective bargaining rights. It would also mandate negotiating with workers before a unit is privatized. Two internet gambling sites have agreed to stop accepting bets from New Jersey as part of a settlement with the state attorney general's office. Internet sites intercocino.com and intertops.com have agreed to stop taking wagers from people in New Jersey. The sites also agreed to stop sending winnings to addresses in the state. Law suits against five other sites are still pending. U.S. airways has taken another step to avoid bankruptcy. The airline has filed for a billion dollars in federally guaranteed loans. The struggling carrier says the loans are needed to keep planes in the air.

The airline still needs to submit a restructuring plan to the government to demonstrate its ability to repay the loans. U.S. airways is the second major carrier to apply for the loans, which were approved last year after September 11th. Another losing day on Wall Street. Like many recent days, the street started out with a rally. Stocks moved higher after decent earnings outlooks from cell phone maker Nukia and wireless phone company Nextel. But once again, the bulls retreated in the afternoon. We finished with another triple-digit loss for the Blue Chips. At the close, the Dow industrials fell 128 points to 9,517 among the broad markets. The AMX lost six, NASDAQ dropped 33 points, S&P 500 lost 17. With stocks off, treasuries gained, the 10-year note is up 12-30 seconds, it's yield dropping below 5%. Ken, that's business. Thank you, Rich. A campaign designed to help young people develop a love of reading was launched in New Work today. NBA officials, players, past and present and the governor visited the West Side Boys and

Girls Club to kick off, read to achieve. Under the program, the league will create a reading and learning center at the club, which will provide the community with a library of books, literacy programs, educational workshops, and access to online learning. New Jersey already has three other sites. The program helps an estimated 50 million children nationwide each year. Still to come on in JN News, House September 11 has motivated many communities to establish hazmat teams to tell us next. New warnings of possible terrorist attacks, including biological and chemical warfare,

have prompted several communities around the state to train hazmat teams. Today, Hoboken graduated its first recruits. Desiree Taylor has the story. The Hoboken Fire Department was one of many New Jersey communities that answered the call on September 11, but despite their efforts, Chief John Kaseysa says they soon learned that our training and equipment would be needed. We were ill equipped for that day and even though our department did a great job, we didn't, we just didn't have a hazmat unit. Today, 25 members now make up the Hoboken Fire Department's first official hazmat team. After completing 80 hours of training, fire officials say they're prepared to handle a variety of chemical and biological materials. The equipment we have will handle biological detection, chemical detection, as well as radiological detection. Hazmat training and equipment is a huge expense, especially for a small community like Hoboken.

Each hazmat suit cost about $1,200, but with the help of state funding, legislators and Trenton are hoping other communities across the state will also be able to create their own hazmat teams. I would expect that other communities will become eligible. I think that, you know, Hoboken, as I said earlier, is in a particularly important place because of our transportation network and our hub. Officials say recent threats to subways and ports have reinforced the need for hazmat units, especially in Hoboken, which is close to New York City. Hoboken is one of several communities in the area to apply for the state grant. Money which five officials say will help them purchase more hazmat equipment, so they're ready to respond to any emergency. Does Ray Taylor and JN News Hoboken? That's NJN News. I'm Kat Madaghan for Rich and all of us here. Thank you for being with us. We'll see you again tomorrow.