Storming Back: Post-Sandy Business Seminar; Storm Aid Extended Again; Bill Would Eliminate Pa. Small Business Tax; and More Government Affairs news from Archer & Greiner

Government Affairs e-Newsletter April 2013

Storming Back: Post-Sandy Business Recovery and Rebuilding -
Complimentary Seminar on Rebuilding Resources & Rules

Archer & Greiner, Maser Consulting P.A. and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce will present a seminar to provide important and valuable information on the rules of rebuilding and the resources available to help storm-impacted commercial enterprises and nonprofit organizations come back stronger than ever. The complimentary event, which includes a hot breakfast, takes place on April 22 at Doolan's Shore Club in Spring Lake Heights, N.J.

Joining Archer & Greiner attorneys and Maser engineers as presenters will be Sara Maffey Duncan, Deputy Director of the Office of Recovery of New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which will administer federal disaster recovery funding for storm-affected businesses and nonprofits, and Christopher Dolphin, Section Chief of the Division of Land Use Regulation of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which regulates rebuilding and development in storm-affected areas. Topics include:

Disaster recovery funds available for business and nonprofits
Land use and permitting issues
Insurance issues
Tax issues

Click here for more information and to register.

Deadline to Apply for Storm Aid Extended Again

The deadline to apply for Superstorm Sandy disaster assistance through both the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been extended to May 1, 2013.

FEMA disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. SBA loans are for physical property damage. FEMA logo

Bill Would Eliminate Pennsylvania's Small Business Inheritance Tax

A bill that would eliminate Pennsylvania's inheritance tax on small

Pa. State Senator
Dominic Pileggi

businesses has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee after receiving unanimous support from the Senate Finance Committee.

SB 303, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, would apply to small businesses transferred between members of the same family, when the family owns at least 75% of the business. The legislation requires that the business continue to be operated for seven years following the transfer, or else it would become subject to the inheritance tax. The bill defines a "small business" as one with 50 or fewer employees and a net book value of assets totaling less than $5 million at the beginning or end of the most recent calendar year.

Bill information page (with link to full text)

Sponsor memo to Senate

Pa. House Approves Liquor Privatization; Debate Moves to Senate

Privatization of liquor and wine sales in Pennsylvania moved a major step closer to reality last month when the state House of Representatives approved a bill, HB 790, that would gradually eliminate more than 600 State Stores and instead grant licenses to private businesses. The legislation also expands the sale of packaged beer, currently available only at beer distributors and certain eateries, to other outlets such as grocery and convenience stores.

The privatization debate now moves to the state Senate, where leaders have said they expect the legislation to undergo significant revision if it is to reach Gov. Tom Corbett. The legislative debate breaks down largely along party lines: in the House, all Democrats voted against HB 790, while most Republicans voted in favor. Supporters say privatization would provide consumers with greater selection, better prices, and more convenient access to wine, spirits and beer. Opponents counter that license fees would actually drive prices higher and decry the loss of about 3,500 State Store jobs.

The stakes are high: alcoholic beverage sales in Pennsylvania top $2 billion annually. And battle lines are drawn: privatization is opposed by beer distributors, mostly small businesses that fear the increased competition will put them out of business, but supported by food retailers who stand to gain sales revenue.

Sponsor memo to House members
Statement of support from the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association
Editorial in opposition from the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania

N.J. Gov. Christie Nominates Steven Harz to Palisades Interstate Park Commission

Steven B. Harz, Partner in Archer & Greiner's Hackensack office and a member of the firm's Government Affairs Group, has been nominated by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to serve on the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, which manages Palisades Interstate Park. The New Jersey portion of the park, in Bergen County, is about 12 miles long and a half-mile wide, and encompasses 2,500 acres of wild Hudson River shorefront, uplands, and cliffs. A National Historic Landmark, Palisades Interstate Park offers a variety of recreational activities and natural attractions. The Commission was formed by the states of New Jersey and New York in 1900. The governor of each state appoints five Commissioners, who serve staggered five-year terms. Mr. Harz's nomination, like other gubernatorial appointments, awaits confirmation by the state Senate.

Richard Mroz Among Top New Jersey Lobbyists in 2012

Richard S. "Rick" Mroz, a member of Archer & Greiner's Government Affairs Group in the firm's Haddonfield headquarters, ranked as one of the top 20 lobbyists in New Jersey in 2012, according to statistics from the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). In addition, Mr. Mroz ranked among the top 10 lawyer-lobbyists in the state last year, according to a New Jersey Law Journal analysis of ELEC data.

Archer & Greiner Government Affairs: Experience, Know-How

The Archer & Greiner Government Affairs Group includes:

(Click on name for additional information)

Vincent P. Sarubbi, former Camden County Prosecutor & Group Co-Chair

Carlton L. Johnson, former Chief Deputy Philadelphia City Solicitor & Group Co-Chair

Lynne M. Abraham, former longtime Philadelphia District Attorney
Jack Fisher, former longtime Gloucester County Administrator

Jeffrey M. Kolansky, former Senior Supervising Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney

Steven B. Harz, former Mayor, Borough of Closter, N.J.
Robert J. Fogg, former Director of Licensing & Certification, N.J. Department of Health

Richard S. Mroz, former Chief Counsel to New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman

William P. Isele, former New Jersey Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly

Brian M. Nelson, Board member, New Jersey Economic Development Authority