Dear Colleague,
I would like to update you on some of the important work being done by founding partner, Governor Jim Florio, regarding the current economic times. Businesses and governmental agencies across the country are seeking to secure stimulus monies for projects that will rejuvenate their local economies. This can prove to be a daunting task for those unfamiliar with the processes and channels through which these monies get from the Federal Government to local governments and businesses. Our firm is well-versed in determining the appropriate programs and taking our clients through the proper steps to secure funds for their projects.
On this topic, Governor Florio recently delivered the keynote address at a Princeton University seminar entitled, “Sustainability and the Obama Stimulus Agenda: Engaging and Connecting with Government.” His presentation, “A View from the Top – Sustainability and How the Obama Administration Can Connect to Local Governments,” can be viewed by clicking the video below. A review of the event entitled, “Stimulus Seminar Draws Leaders From Around the Region,” by Ellen Gilbert which originally appeared in the Princeton newspaper Town Topics on September 23, 2009, is included below. Also included here is an article which appeared online NewJerseyNewsroom.com on October 6, 2009 entitled “Experts say it could take years for N.J. economy to recover,” by Jen Calantone. This article notes Governor Florio’s contribution of positive views of the economic recession.
Regards,
Paul T. Fader
Stimulus Seminar Draws Leaders From Around the Region
By Ellen Gilbert
TownTopics.com Wednesday, September 23, 2009
“The government may be throwing its money in the right place this time,” said Columbia University Earth Institute Executive Director Steven Cohen in his opening remarks at the symposium on “Sustainability and the Obama Stimulus Agenda: Engaging and Connecting with Government,” held at the Woodrow Wilson School last week.
“There is strong evidence that the government’s $800 billion commitment to good management vs. waste, as we rebuild our economy and our cities, is well-informed,” added Mr. Cohen who is also director of the M.P.A. Program in Environmental Science and Policy at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia.
The public conference, sponsored by the Princeton University Policy Research Institute for the Region (PRIOR) and The Earth Institute of Columbia University, brought academic scholars, government officials, and representatives from the business and non-profit communities together to address key issues surrounding local government, sustainability, and related employment in the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania area.
Former N.J. Governor Jim Florio drew raves for his keynote speech. Panelist Mark Hughes, a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design, commented on “the governor’s extraordinarily understanding comments,” and Columbia Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science Ester Fuchs exclaimed, “You just get better and better all the time,” as she assumed her role as chair of a panel that discussed “Local Government and Sustainability in the Region.” As for Ms. Fuchs’s accomplishments, Mr. Cohen noted in introducing her that she might be eclipsed that day by a front-page New York Times article about her father, Max Fuchs, the cantor who conducted the first Jewish religious service that was broadcast from occupied German territory in 1944.
“Longevity has some virtues,” observed Mr. Florio, noting that his 40 years of experience — he was first elected to the N.J. State Legislature in 1969 — have given him considerable perspective on energy-related issues. The goal now, he said, is “sustainable prosperity” through growth that creates jobs and revenue, and energy sources to fuel that growth that will maintain “environmental sensitivity” to “insure that growth is sustainable.”
“These are not normal times,” he observed, citing “rapid, dramatic, and complex changes” that result in “great dislocation, stress, and anxiety.” He emphasized the importance of making new policies that will address the “alienation” people feel as they “see that things are not working.” Describing “tea parties” and the current “craziness,” in response to proposed health care reforms, Mr. Florio emphasized the need to manage change and “minimize disruption.” He cited the conference that day as a good example of the effort to identify current problems.
“There is a need for all of us to be more involved,” said Mr. Florio, who was governor from 1990 to 1994 after serving 15 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was best known as the author of the Superfund legislation to clean up heavily polluted sites across the nation. He noted that global concerns, like mass migration due to the consequences of global warming, as well as local efforts, like controlling greenhouse gas emissions, need to be addressed in today’s world. New Jersey, he said, is “in the front ranks of trying to focus attention on these issues,” with Governor Corzine updating the state’s energy master plan for the first time in 17 years. He noted the state’s programs, “especially in urban areas,” for training people to fill jobs of the future.
After apologizing for his New Jersey-centric focus, Mr. Florio concluded by saying that with the “well being and health of the nation at stake, the President is very much on target.”
Ms. Fuchs began her panel by noting how “local and state governments stepped in” when the Federal government, under the last administration, “dropped the ball. Mayors across the country are thinking about linking things like transportation and sustainability.”
“I thought the conference was informational and inspiring,” said Princeton Township Committee member Liz Lempert who attended the event along with Township Mayor Bernie Miller. “This is an exciting time for governments like Princeton Township that are working towards sustainability,” she added. “Several speakers made the important point that today’s difficult economic times make sustainability initiatives like energy efficiency even more critical because of the money they save. Hearing what other communities are doing is always useful, and I came away with a lot of great ideas.”
Experts say it could take years for N.J. economy to recover
Former Gov. Florio contributes positive view
By Jen Calantone
NewJerseyNewsRoom.com Tuesday, October 6, 2009
It could be years before New Jersey's economy reaches the peak revenues it had in FY2008, according to a panel of economic experts speaking Oct. 2 at Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Even with $1.6 billion in federal stimulus dollars that were worked into the 2010 budget, there is still a tough road ahead. In order to balance the budget in upcoming fiscal years, New Jersey will have to either add a new source of revenue or cut significant government functions, according to David J. Rosen, the state's legislative budget and finance officer at the forum.
Still, even though residents leaving New Jersey due to rising taxes, Former Gov. Jim Florio told the forum that there are still major advantages, including it's location in the "mega-market from Boston to D.C.," the Asbury Park Press reported.
This dim outlook matches the August report that the state's credit rating has slipped since the recession began in December 2007. The report from Moody's Investors Service dropped the state's rating from "stable" to "negative."
Edith Behr, vice president of Moody's state credit rankings team, warned the forum that recovery would be gradual. "The housing sector issue is not over," she said. "We still have high unemployment and very low growth in wages."
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SPOTLIGHT ON:
James
J. Florio
 Governor James J. Florio is a
founding partner of Florio Perrucci Steinhardt and Fader. In
that capacity, he is the chair of the firm's Environmental
Group as well as the Government and Regulatory Affairs Group.
Governor Florio has been a University Professor for Public Policy and Administration
at the Edward J. Bloustein School at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan
Bank of New York and as Chairman of The Pinelands Commission in New Jersey.
Governor Florio currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey
Health Care Quality Institute.
As the Governor of New Jersey from 1990 through 1994, he was responsible for
signing into law the Clean Water Enforcement Act (1990), one of the strongest
Environmental laws of its type in the nation. He also signed the Quality Education
Act, which provided greater equity in New Jersey's school finance system, a
landmark welfare reform package, a health care cost-reduction program and the
nation's toughest assault weapons ban.
While in Congress from 1974 through 1990, representing the 1st District of
New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives, Governor Florio authored the
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, known
as the "Superfund" law, our nation's primary program for cleaning up hazardous
waste sites. As Chairman of the House Subcommittee with jurisdiction over environmental
matters, he was involved in the drafting or passage of virtually every major
piece of federal environmental legislation. Governor Florio also wrote the
legislation that privatized Conrail and served on the U. S. Secretary of Energy's
Advisory Board.
Governor Florio entered public service in 1969, serving three terms in the
New Jersey General Assembly. Previously, he was an attorney in private practice
in Camden County. Governor Florio received his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers
University Law School in Camden. He graduated magna cum laude from Trenton
State College and attended graduate school at Columbia University, where he
received a prestigious Woodrow Wilson Fellowship.
Governor Florio holds numerous honorary degrees and was the 1993 recipient
of the Profile in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
jflorio@florioperrucci.com
PRACTICE
AREAS
BANKING & COMMERCIAL
LENDING - Working on commercial loans,
real estate transactions, foreclosure and all types of collection.
CONSTRUCTION & PUBLIC CONTRACTING
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Managing all phases of construction projects
and assisting with procurement of business with public entities.
CORPORATE & BUSINESS -
Providing comprehensive corporate and business law counseling to individuals
and organizations from early stage start-up to established multi-national companies.
EDUCATION - Advocating for school
districts and colleges to create and maintain outstanding educational
opportunities.
ENERGY - developing business plans, providing
government affairs services, counseling, planning, assisting with
implementation, and sales/acquisitions of major generation facilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL - Counseling and litigating issues of federal, state and local
environmental law.
FAMILY - Resolving simple and complex issues such
as divorce, custody, support, paternity and pre nuptial agreements
GOVERNMENT & REGULATORY AFFAIRS - Gaining access through research
and relationships to produce results in public policy formation.
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT - Handling labor and employment issues including
wage and benefit matters as well as discrimination and harassment cases
LITIGATION - Including general business,
condemnation, product liability, medical malpractice, toxic tort, class
actions and insurance coverage.
MUNICIPAL - Advising clients on complex matters including
bidding procedures, smart growth development, zoning restrictions and election
laws.
REAL ESTATE & LAND USE - Strategic planning for smart
growth and managed development for municipalities,
developers and land owners.
REDEVELOPMENT - Overseeing large scale redevelopment of urban areas
and parcel-specific suburban redevelopment, representing national and local
private developers seeking approvals.
OUR SERVICE-DRIVEN
APPROACH TO
LAW IS
THE FOUNDATION OF OUR
FIRM'S SUCCESS AND HAS
FOSTERED A
REPUTATION
FOR EXCELLENCE AND
CLIENT SATISFACTION.
Our objective is to be a Partner in
Our Clients' Success.
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