Legislative Team Updates Chamber

OCEAN CITY – First District legislators outlined their key legislation and concerns to Cape May County Chamber of Commerce members Aug. 20 at The Flanders Hotel. Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st), Assemblyman Samuel Fiocchi (R-1st) and Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak (D-1st) highlighted what they believed were key points to business leaders.
Van Drew
The senator told the chamber he has gotten “demerits” from some environmentalists for his support of the South Jersey Gas pipeline to the B.L. England generating station, which he believes will bolster 75 jobs in the county, getting someone seated on the Pinelands Commission who favored that pipeline, and for his latest call for a new study by the state Department of Transportation of feasibility to bring Route 55 into Cape May County.
Regardless of detractors, Van Drew said he believes perseverance pays off. He cited the battle to get overpasses on Garden State Parkway to replace three intersections in Middle Township. That job, which is in its final stages, “was brutal,” said Van Drew.
Focusing on business development in the county Van Drew said there are businesses that “would love to relocate but our remoteness hurt us. Route 55 would help that,” he said.
More than accessibility, he noted a ready, trained workforce is vital if that development is to take place. To that end, Van Drew said what is needed is for potential employers to “tell us how many employees are needed, so they can be trained and we will fulfill their requirements.”
Education and technology must link. The technical high school, community college and Workforce Investment Board ought to coordinate efforts to train those who would fill those new jobs, he said.
Among new fields he cited were drones, unmanned aerial systems at the Cape May County Airport, as well as distilleries, breweries and aquaculture, including growing oysters along the Delaware Bay shore.
Andrzejczak
To aid start-up businesses, Andrzejczak is an advocate of a gross income tax credit on new small businesses. That would assist those fledgling businesses to invest more in themselves over the first four years of their existence. They would pay 25 percent the first year, 50 percent the second year, 75 percent the third year, and the full amount in the fourth year of their existence.
“The most risky part of a business is in those first few years,” said Andrzejczak.
He believes the tax credit would rid the county of “empty storefronts are displeasing to the communities and for the tourism industry…Small business is the backbone of Cape May County. This is something I will be pushing for,” he said.
He also cited a bill, conditionally vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie Aug. 10 that would limit the sales tax on boats at $20,000, which was sponsored by Van Drew and Sen. James Whelan (D-2nd).
While opponents believe the tax benefits those who can afford big-ticket vessels, Andrzejczak said those people are “buying boats in New York, Maryland, Delaware and even Florida,” where sales tax is limited. In New Jersey, a $1 million vessel carried a $70,000 sales tax price tag. “We’re missing out on all this revenue,” he continued.
The tax, he believes, hurts not only the state treasury, because of the loss of sales to other states, but also middle-class workers who build and maintain those vessels, the marinas where they are moored and nearby businesses.
He also touched on landscapers. When they purchase material for their businesses for resale, they must pay tax on it. They also must charge tax on their total service, pricing their service out of range of some people. His legislation would remove that tax on material that was to be resold by landscapers, making them more likely to be used by home and business owners, he said.
Andrzejczak also detailed the importance of a series of “bee bills” that became law, which enables beekeepers to be shielded from municipal prohibitions.
Oysters, too, were included in his list of needs to be addressed. While there is great potential for the oyster industry in Cape May County, he cited 11 state agencies that get involved in licensing. Some of them would approve of certain aspects of a project while others would reject the same project. That needs to change in order for the industry to grow, he said.
In conjunction with the oyster industry, Andrzejczak noted the importance of local breweries, wineries and distilleries to tourism.
He cited Cape May Brewery, which started with only two owners, which has expanded into needing a new warehouse because of its growing popularity.
Unified Support for Boat Bill
All three legislators addressed the boat sales tax issue, favoring the lower tax rate. Fiocchi noted that he had sponsored a bill similar to Andrzejczak’s.
Fiocchi
Fiocchi cited his roots to the business community in Cumberland County where his family owned a business for 40 years.
Small businesses and entrepreneurs are among things dear to his heart. He pointed to his vote against the so-called “Millionaire’s Tax” which he believes was detrimental to owners of small businesses and subchapter “S” corporations, taxing them at a personal rate.
He also voted against a corporate business tax because he believes that such taxes deter rather than attract business into the state.
Further he opposed, and voted against paid sick leave. Citing his personal business, he noted his program was better than the state’s program. Imposing such regulations on business is a further deterrent for businesses to stay in, or relocate into, New Jersey, he said.
Bill A4215, which Fiocchi sponsored, would increase the state’s portion of funding beach replenishment from its present $25 million annually to $50 million annually. That mention drew a round of applause from the crowd.
Citing lower-priced boats, Fiocchi said he had proposed a bill that would charge a 3.5 percent sales tax “starting at dollar one, because the majority of boats sold here in the $40,000 range. We need to give a break to small boat owners and recreational fishermen,” Fiocchi said.
Gov. Chris Christie “took my language” in his conditional veto “so the smaller boat owners will get a break on the bill.”
He holds onto hope that the bill will be favorably considered in the next session of the Legislature.
“My thoughts are always with business. If we create a good business atmosphere you create employment and you create revenue for the state,” he said.
Menhaden Not Manhattan?
To prove a point about the different viewpoints of senators from the state’s 21 counties, Van Drew pointed to a piece of legislation that would have protected menhaden, a species of fish.
The Senate president called a special session for a vote, he said.
“My colleague from urban Hudson County came in. She said she thought she was voting for something for Manhattan,” said Van Drew. His comment brought a chuckle to many in the room.
Regarding environmental issues, from menhaden to bumblebees, Van Drew said, “It is important we work, fight and stand together.”
Transit Fare Hike
Chamber President Vicki Clark questioned Van Drew about the recent N.J. Transit fare hike. She said it affects many in the county’s workforce.
“Can you speak as to why we don’t have better public transportation service in Cape May County?” she asked.
“It’s wrong,” replied Van Drew. “We have to get folks to understand our issues. The only understanding they have, they are used to seeing beaches on their vacations. They don’t know how hard it is in winter. It’s one thing we try to convince them, but we are outnumbered.” He added that he had spoken to officials of the South Jersey Transportation Authority. That could mean jitneys providing local transportation, but that discussion would have to begin at the local level, he said.