CAPITOL NEWS AND COMMENT: March 27

The following items are taken from reports issued by legislators and other items of political concern.
Rate hike
   In response to the BPU’s decision to allow JCP&L to recover the $736 million the utility spent on repair and restoration efforts following Superstorm Sandy, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin called the rate hike “unfair and offensive” and said it will have a severe impact on residents who literally were left in the dark in the weeks following the storm.
   It is not yet known how much rates will rise for the company’s 1.2 million customers because JCP&L is involved with a separate rate case, which still is pending. In that matter, JCP&L requested a $31 million rate hike, but BPU staff in January recommended the utility reduce consumer rates by $207 million because it earned a profit above its approved amount.
   Assemblyman McGuckin said the BPU should stay that rate hike decision until it decides the base rate case because “Hopefully, BPU will get it right this time and require JCP&L to refund the money it wrongly earned from excess profits. Consumers shouldn’t have to deal with multiple rate changes.”
   Regarding approval of the $736 million storm recovery request, he noted that, in addition to the Sandy debacle, JCP&L has failed on several occasions to restore power in a timely manner to millions during widespread outages.
   ”JCP&L should have used its 2010 profits to improve infrastructure and its response to major storms,” said Assemblyman McGuckin, R-Ocean. “It’s obvious that didn’t happen. Instead, they responded to Sandy with more misinformation and a lack of communication and preparation, which not only caused undue hardship for millions, but put many at risk. Instead of being penalized, they are being rewarded while those who suffered are literally stuck paying the bill.”
   Last year, Assemblyman McGuckin and his 10th Legislative District colleagues, Sen. Jim Holzpfel and Assemblyman Dave Wolf, requested JCP&L’s president withdraw its proposed increase until BPU determined if the company earned an excessive return in 2010.
   Since the company ignored the request, the lawmakers introduced a bill, S2537/A3698, which prohibits a public utility from filing for a rate increase when a utility company’s authorized rate of return is being questioned by the Board of Public Utilities.
   ”JCP&L customers hold their collective breath every time the rains fall and the winds blow because, based on previous disastrous performances, they fear prolonged loss of their power,” Assemblyman McGuckin said. “Now those same ratepayers are being asked to pay more to an energy provider that is clearly unreliable. It’s shameful, and it’s wrong, and I urge legislative leadership to move this measure to ensure that ratepayers are protected from unwarranted increases in the future.”
OD treatment
   Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee Chairman Herb Conaway Jr. has released the following statement on the Christie administration’s decision to allow EMTs to administer lifesaving treatment in the event of an opioid overdose:
   Dr. Conway is the lead sponsor of a bill (A2770) that cleared his committee last week, which would have provided for the training and certification of EMTs in the administration of opioid antidotes.
   ”I’m relieved the administration has joined us in recognizing the pressing need to address opioid fatalities,” said Dr. Conaway, D-Burlington. “Deaths from prescription pills and heroin overdoses are increasing at an alarming rate.
   ”Opioid antidotes such as Naloxone are as widely used to reverse the effects of overdose as epinephrine is used in severe allergic reactions and, with training, just as simple to administer. Since emergency medical technicians are the first on the scene in many overdose cases, it’s vital that we equip them with this lifesaving ability.
   ”Until we can better address the underlying causes of addiction and provide broader treatment, we must give EMTs the tools they need to do their jobs — saving lives. I’m pleased that the administration feels the same way.”
   Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon also praised Gov. Chris Christie’s decision. Current Department of Health regulations did not permit EMTs to carry or administer Narcan.
   ”This is great news and a smart move by the administration,” he said “With the heroin epidemic raging throughout the state, especially in Monmouth and Ocean counties, we need to equip our emergency personnel with every tool possible to avert a deadly overdose. Narcan can really make the difference in a life-or-death scenario. The waiver requires Narcan training and that the drug be administered in accordance with proper protocols. All the necessary precautions are being taken but the important story here is that we can start saving lives — and that is good news.”
   Sen. Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and prime sponsor of last year’s Overdose Prevention Act, also said:
   ”I want to thank Gov. Christie, Commissioner O’Dowd and the administration for their decision to fully implement the Overdose Prevention Act. By allowing EMTs to administer overdose antidotes when they are helping someone experiencing an overdose, they are likely to be saving their life.
   ”When we passed this legislation last year, we knew that it could provide many overdose victims with a second chance at life and begin to curb an epidemic of overdose deaths in New Jersey. I believe that allowing EMTs to administer this antidote will have a real impact on this crisis.”
Jobs bills
   Assemblyman Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, has introduced a comprehensive legislative package to create jobs and accelerate the state’s economic recovery by reigniting New Jersey’s manufacturing industry.
   ”The manufacturing industry has always been the embodiment of the American ideal that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can provide for your family today and for their brighter future tomorrow,” Assemblyman Singleton said. “Workers in manufacturing jobs earn 22 percent more in annual pay and benefits than the average worker in other industries, which translates into $40,000 more than other nonfarm employees in New Jersey. We need to refocus our attention on the fact that the manufacturing industry has enormous potential, too.”
   Assemblyman Singleton also noted every new manufacturing job created would add another 1.6 jobs to the local service economy, and for every dollar in manufacturing sales, another $1.34 is added to the economy. Additionally, 42 percent of jobs in manufacturing will require some post-secondary education or degree by 2018, according to findings from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
   ”In this vein, investments in manufacturing have a stronger impact than investments in any other economic sector on growing our state’s economy,” Assemblyman Singleton said. “We need a workforce ready and able to accept these positions. By developing jobs in this area, we will be able to narrow the growing income inequality gap that has plagued our state and nation over the last 30 years.”
   His 10-bill package includes:
   • A3019 requires the State Employment and Training Commission to prepare an annual report on the state workforce.
   • A3020 requires the secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with various entities, to design a manufacturing career pathway to provide students with skills necessary to gain employment in the manufacturing sector.
   • A3021 directs the secretary of Higher Education to establish a pilot program to assist certain unemployed and underemployed individuals in completing a career and technical education certificate program in 12 months.
   • A3022 establishes the Higher Education Manufacturing Grant Program for public institutions of higher education to establish or expand programs in manufacturing fields.
   • A3023 clarifies that only products assembled in the United States meet the “Buy American” standards of public contracts laws.
   • A3024 establishes a manufacturing reinvestment account program to incentivize capital investment and workforce training in New Jersey with income tax rate reductions, deferrals and accelerated deductions.
   • A3025 provides either a corporation business tax or gross income tax credits for insourcing business to New Jersey.
   • A3026 creates the New Jersey Advanced Manufacturing Council.
   • A3027 creates a pilot program to fund adult education programs for residents of certain communities.
   • A3028 establishes manufacturing machine and metal trade apprenticeships tax credit program.