Thoughts on the VP Search

During the past few weeks, both John McCain and Barack Obama have begun speaking with possible candidates for the Vice Presidency. They are presumably looking at a variety of factors as well as a background dossier on each individual to ensure to the greatest degree that there are no skeletons in the candidate's closet. What should McCain and Obama each be looking for in a Vice-Presidential running mate?

McCain needs to choose someone who is younger and well-schooled on the economy and other domestic issues. This person should also be acceptable to the religious right and, ideally, be a member of a minority group. Some names that come to mind are Bobby Jindal, the young Governor of Louisiana who is very conservative, has domestic policy experience, and is non-white; Mike Huckabee, the former Presidential candidate who has evangelical backing and comes from a humble, southern background; Charlie Crist, the charismatic Governor of Florida, who has a good grasp of domestic politics, is acceptable to the religious right, and is twenty or so years McCain’s junior; and finally, Mitt Romney, a Morman with strong backing from the right-wing of the Party and solid domestic experience.

Continue reading ShapTalk.com: Thoughts on the VP Search.

Michael M. Shapiro, founder of ShapTalk.com, is an attorney who resides in New Providence, New Jersey. He currently serves as the Editor of The Alternative Press Contact Mike at mike@shaptalk.com

The Energy Master Plan

The Energy Master Plan
By: Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula

OVERVIEW

Governor Jon Corzine released the Energy Master Plan (EMP) to project the State’s energy outlook. The EMP evaluates a high-level view of energy issues - supply, demand, challenges associated with both supply, demand through the year 2020. Governor’s plan describes two alternatives that the State has on the road to energy issues - the “Business As Usual” scenario and the “Alternative Scenario” scenario.

TWO SCENARIOS

Within the “Business As Usual” scenario, the EMP has listed four substantive challenges:

1. Electricity supply is not keeping up with demand.
2. Energy prices have risen substantially in recent years and this trend is expected to continue.
3. Global Warming and the emission of greenhouse gases are expected to increase.
4. Today, New Jersey has much less authority over the supply and price of electricity than it did before the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA) of 1999.

New Jersey will have to be overcome the challenges identified above between 2008 and the year 2020. The “Business As Usual” scenario includes no State action in those intervening years.

The consequence of inaction is an estimated 60% increase in the total cost of energy consumed in 2020, as compared to 2005, totaling in excess of $26 billion. Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 are predicted to be 14.5% higher than they were in 2006, thus negating many of the benchmarks established by the recently enacted “Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Act”.

The “Alternative Scenario” however, outlines goals to change the way the State conducts its energy affairs. The “Alternative Scenario” lists five objectives, all involving State action:

1. Maximize energy conservation and efficiency.
2. Reduce New Jersey’s overall peak electricity demand.
3. Stimulate growth in renewable and alternative energy technologies.
4. Develop low-carbon emitting and more efficient power plants in order to close the gap between electricity supply and demand.
5. Invest in clean energy technologies and businesses to stimulate the industry’s growth within the State.

According to the Corzine Administration, implementation of these goals would result in a more secure, efficient, cleaner and safer New Jersey by the year 2020.

While the EMP document does present an alternative to the current state of energy management, decision-makers and key stakeholders need to consider additional avenues:

Financial – The cost of acquiring new technologies, funding rebates and incentives, and providing financing to industry and other economic outlays will be considerable. Further assessing the state of the national economy may also be valuable when formulating future energy policies.

Alternative and Renewable Energy Mix – The EMP document details the Governor’s version of an optimal energy matrix. Is this the right balance of energy options to bring New Jersey safely and efficiently into the second decade of the 21st century?

Green Collar Jobs – As a form of economic stimulation, creating and growing an entire new class of “green” New Jersey-based jobs would universally be considered a positive move. However, ensuring that such an initiative has staying power (either through policy or financial backing) would be of paramount importance.

Less Coal – Moving away from coal-based energy production and instead toward alternative and sustainable sources would help the State meet its commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and alleviate increasing global warming pressures. Currently, this strategy would conflict with PJM Interconnection and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) – the regulatory bodies that most impact the current energy composition of the State. PJM is a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of electricity in 13 mid-West and Mid-Atlantic States and the District of Columbia. Approximately 51 million Americans receive their power through PJM, including New Jersey residents. FERC is an independent federal agency that regulates the interstate transmission of natural gas, oil, and electricity and associated projects. These two organizations have their own thoughts and methods on energy procurement and distribution which at times, have placed them at odds with New Jersey’s best interests.

The Energy Master Plan has the potential to be one of the most influential roadmap for policy making in the State over the next several years.

Upendra Chivukula represents District 17 and serves as Deputy Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly.

A Warning to Those Who Exercise Eminent Domain Powers

Earlier this month, a three-judge panel upheld a decision awarding $18 million to the Halper family, former owners of a farm in Piscataway, New Jersey, which was taken by the Township through eminent domain. The Halpers had argued that they were entitled to the market value of the property when they had exhausted their legal options in 2004 while the Township sought to pay the family $4.3 million, the value of the property when the condemnation complaint was filed in 1999. The Court found that the Halpers were entitled to the market value of the property in 2004, holding that the legal actions undertaken by the family should not be used against them when determining the appropriate market value of the property.

The Panel’s decision sends a clear message to those who have the power to exercise eminent domain: this kind of procedure can be a financial risk. An entity that exercises the power must now worry a great deal more about an aggrieved property owner launching full-scale litigation to block the property’s sale, not only because of the costs of litigation but because, at least in a positive real estate market, the longer a property owner can drag out the litigation proceedings, the higher the payout from the entity exercising the eminent domain power. The corollary to this for property owners whose property becomes the subject of eminent domain proceedings is that a massive litigation fight might be worth it, not only for the principles involved but for the financial benefits that may accrue.

Continue reading ShapTalk.com: A Warning to Those Who Exercise Eminent Domain Powers

Michael M. Shapiro, founder of ShapTalk.com, is an attorney who resides in New Providence, New Jersey. He currently serves as the Editor of The Alternative Press Contact Mike at mike@shaptalk.com

National Breast Cancer Coalition

Recently, I was honored by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) with the Certificate of Excellence for supporting legislation which helps fight breast cancer. I am very proud to have the opportunity to work with organizations like the NBCC in hopes of moving closer to a cure and pleased to have a 100 percent voting record with the NBCC.

Breast cancer is a terrible disease—affecting both men and women. Because of its devastating impact I have been a strong advocate promoting breast cancer research. To this end, I have co-sponsored H.R. 1157, the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act. I am also pleased to be a strong supporter of increased funding for research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

I believe that we have made progress over the last few years fighting breast cancer, but much more can be done. I will continue to work with Congress, the health care facilities in the 5th district of New Jersey and organizations like the NBCC to eradicate breast cancer once and for all.

Rep. Scott Garrett represents the 5th district of New Jersey.

The Debate Over Debates

Congressman Rob Andrews, who is challenging Senator Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic Primary for the United States Senate in New Jersey, has demanded that Senator Lautenberg debate him seven times before the June Primary. Senator Lautenberg has accepted two debate invitations and declined all others, but has indicated he may agree to additional debates with Congressman Andrews before the Primary. Julie Roginsky, Mr. Lautenberg's campaign spokesperson, has said that the Senator is maintaining a full Senate schedule, which precludes him from participating in many debates. Are both Congressman Andrews and Senator Lautenberg playing politics?

The Senator probably should agree to at least one more debate before the June Primary, but the Congressman’s calls for many debates are inappropriate. When Senator Lautenberg was running against Republican Millicent Fenwick for the same Senate seat, he challenged her to a debate in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties. She agreed to five debates, but the Senator said that was insufficient and accused Ms. Fenwick of not being energetic enough, at the age of 72, to represent the State. However, the Lautenberg-Fenwick race was a general election evolving over many months, while the Lautenberg-Andrews race is a Primary election run over a few weeks. While debates are important and should be undertaken in both primary and general elections, having many debates in a Primary that lasts a few weeks is overreaching and would conceivably benefit only Congressman Andrews.

Continue reading ShapTalk.com: The Debate Over Debates

Michael M. Shapiro, founder of ShapTalk.com, is an attorney who resides in New Providence, New Jersey. He currently serves as the Editor of The Alternative Press Contact Mike at mike@shaptalk.com

Why Commend Inclan?

During the recent trial of David Delle Donna, the Mayor of Guttenberg, New Jersey, one of Governor Corzine’s deputy chiefs of staff, Javier Inclan, testified that he passed envelopes from a bar owner to the Mayor, which he believed to be filled with illegal cash campaign contributions. The Mayor and his wife were convicted on extortion and tax-related charges after being charged with accepting $40,000 worth of illegal gifts from that bar owner.

Is Mr. Inclan being charged, fired, or demoted in some manner? No. Instead, the Governor publicly commended him and a day later, Mr. Inclan resigned, with his pension and benefits fully intact. Yes, you read me right. Rather than publicly admonish Mr. Inclan for his role in this political corruption, the Governor, through his spokesman, Lilo Stanton, stated, "The governor commends Javier his effort and he believes it takes courage to testify in this trial…Javier was testifying in the case for the prosecution against someone who was clearly a convicted felon.” While it may take courage to testify in this trial, should the Governor be commending his deputy chief of staff for doing what any citizen should be doing anyway? Given Mr. Inclan’s role in the whole affair, it would seem that testifying was the very least he could do to aid the prosecution.

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Michael M. Shapiro, founder of ShapTalk.com, is an attorney who resides in New Providence, New Jersey. He currently serves as the Editor of The Alternative Press Contact Mike at mike@shaptalk.com

2008 Environmental Quality Awardee Marie Springer

Last week, I recognized my constituent Marie Springer for her environmental efforts and achievements in New Jersey. In recognition of this work, Ms. Springer was recently awarded the 2008 Environmental Quality Award by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Marie Springer has been an influential individual in New Jersey, leading the charge to preserve and protect our natural heritage for generations to come. As the founder of Friends of Wallkill River, Ms. Springer made the conservation of open spaces an important cause to many Northwest New Jerseyans. I appreciate, and am extremely grateful for, the hard work and dedication that Marie has poured into making our community a better place.

As a leading advocate of open space preservation, I believe it’s important to seek a balance between the protection of New Jersey’s natural heritage with the protection of our constitutional heritage of private property rights. I have authored legislation, which became law, which included the Musconetcong River in the national network of Wild and Scenic rivers.

Rep. Scott Garrett represents the 5th district of New Jersey.

Supporting our Nation's Veterans

Last week, I joined U.S. Senator Robert Menendez in supporting our nation’s veterans by pushing legislation which would expand the federal burial benefit to assist veterans’ family members buried in state veterans’ cemeteries. I introduced this bill in November of last year and Sen. Menendez recently introduced it in the Senate.

I believe that this legislation is a commonsense approach to supporting our veterans and addressing their needs. This year, our nation will lay to rest military personnel who have risked their lives for our country and beliefs. The families of these brave individuals should be able to choose their burial based on location, convenience, and peace of mind, not economics.

My bill would enable veterans to receive burial benefits to cover the veteran’s spouse and other eligible dependents when buried in state veteran’s cemeteries. Currently, burial benefits are available for a veteran when he or she is buried in either a federal or state veteran’s cemetery. A veteran’s spouse and dependents are eligible for benefits only when they are buried with the veteran in a federal cemetery. This disparity forces a veteran’s family to bear the burden of financing the burial themselves if they want to keep the family together in a state cemetery. Given that state veterans cemetery space is more abundant than federal veterans cemetery space, and that federal cemeteries are often more regional and less convenient to remote areas of the country, families are frequently left without real options.

Rep. Scott Garrett represents the 5th district of New Jersey.