Commerce, New Jersey Department of

Note: “Commerce” now listed under departments on the state site. Here is a quick view.

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROTOCOL

OFFICE OF THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE
•THE SMALL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTAL OMBUDSMAN
•COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE
•ONE STOP PERMIT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
•EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ASSISTANCE
•THE BUSINESS RETENTION & RELOCATION ASSISTANCE GRANT
•TAX CREDIT TRANSFER PROGRAM
•SALES & USE TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM

OFFICE OF BUSINESS SERVICES

OFFICE OF CLIENT SERVICES

URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM

REGIONAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
FINANCE & REAL ESTATE
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOGISTICS
CHEMICALS
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY
HOSPITALITY

Children & Families, New Jersey Department of

COMMISSIONER

CHIEF OF STAFF
BUDGET & REVENUE
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
CONTRACTING, ACCOUNTING & PROCUREMENT
AUDITING & CONTRACT NEGOTIATION
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
ADMINISTRATION
•COOPERATIVE LABOR RELATIONS
•HUMAN RESOURCES, LABOR RELATIONS & TRAINING
•FACILITIES & SUPPORT SERVICES
•CHILD WELFARE TRAINING ACADEMY & PARTNERSHIP
••PRE-SERVICE: FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TRAINING
••SUPERVISORY TRAINING FOR NEWLY PROMOTED EMPLOYEES
••IN-SERVICE FOUNDATION COURSES
••CONCURRENT PLANNING TRAINING
••FIRST RESPONDERS IN CHILD WELFARE
••NJ SPIRIT TRAINING
••NJ PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILD WELFARE
••BACCALAUREATE CHILD WELFARE EDUCATION PROGRAM
••CHILD WELFARE INTENSIVE WEEKEND MSW PROGRAM
••CHILD ADVOCACY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
••TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
••HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
••CAREER LADDERS PROGRAM
PARENT RESOURCE EDUCATION TRAINING

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
BUSINESS OFFICES
CHILD HEALTH SERVICES
•CHILDREN’S HEALTH INS PROGRAM-MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS
•CHILDREN’S HEALTH INS PROGRAM-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
•CHILDREN’S HEALTH INS PROGRAM-YOUTH CASE MANAGEMENT
•CHILDREN’S HEALTH INS PROGRAM-MOBILE RESPONSE
•CHILDREN’S HEALTH INS PROGRAM-BEHAVIORAL ASSISTANT

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTRY (HOTLINE)
INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE INVESTIGATION UNIT
EVALUATION, SUPPORT & SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS
OFFICE OF EDUCATION

CHILD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
OUT OF HOME TREATMENT SERVICES
CLINICAL & COMMUNITY SERVICES
•MOBILE RESPONSE & STABILIZATION SERVICES
•FAMILY SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
•IN-COMMUNITY SERVICES
•STATE CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
•INTENSIVE IN-HOME BEHAVIORAL ASSISTANCE
•OUTPATIENT
•PARTIAL CARE
POLICY, QUALITY ASSURANCE & LEGAL AFFAIRS
SPECIAL POPULATIONS & CONSTITUENT AFFAIRS

DIVISION OF PREVENTION & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
OFFICE OF SCHOOL-LINKED SERVICES
•SOCIAL SERVICES
•WRAP-AROUND SERVICES
•EVIDENCED-BASED SCHOOL LINKED PREVENTION SERVICES
•AFTER SCHOOL READING INITIATIVE
•SCHOOL START-UP FUND
•SCHOOL HEALTH CLINICS
•POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
•YOUTH INCENTIVE PROGRAM
OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES
•HOME VISITATION SERVICES- NEW MOTHERS
•EARLY CARE & EDUCATION
•SAFE HAVEN INFANT PROTECTION
OFFICE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
•DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE SYSTEMS-COUNTY
•CHILD DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITNESS PROGRAMS
•DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER
•24-HOUR HOTLINE
•REFUGEE SCHOOL IMPACT PROGRAM
OFFICE OF FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
•FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAMS-COUNTY
•FAMILY SUCCESS CENTERS COMMUNITY
•AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAMS
•TEEN HELP-LINE
OFFICE OF SERVICES TO COUNTY WELFARE AGENCIES

DIVISION OF YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES (DYFS)
AREA OFFICES (12)
LOCAL OFFICES (47)
CASE PRACTICE & PROGRAM SUPPORT
•YOUTH CASE MANAGERS
•HOMEMAKER SERVICES
•TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE
•PSYCHOLOGICAL/THERAPEUTIC SERVICES
•COMPANIONSHIP
•DAY TREATMENT
•LEGAL SERVICES
•HEALTH SERVICES
•SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES
ADOPTION OPERATIONS & RESOURCE FAMILIES
•KINSHIP LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP SUBSIDY PROGRAMS
•FOSTER CARE
•SUBSIDIZED ADOPTION
•RECRUITMENT OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS
•FOSTER CARE & PERMANENCY INITIATIVE
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
RESIDENTIAL CENTERS
•GROUP HOMES
•TREATMENT HOMES

DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE & STRATEGIC PLANNING
LICENSING & LEGAL
•CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS
•COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES
OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & REPORTING
QUALITY ANALYSIS & INFORMATION
POLICY

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS & LEGISLATION
PRESS OFFICE
NJ TASK FORCE ON CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
•PROTECTION SUBCOMMITTEE
•PREVENTION SUBCOMMITTEE
•COMMUNICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
•STAFFING & OVERSIGHT REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
OUTREACH & PUBLICATIONS
•PUBLIC AWARENESS-CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM
•AUTOMATED CHILD WELFARE INFORMATION SYSTEMS
LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
•CHILD WELFARE REFORM
•COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD
•SAFETY & PERMANENCY IN THE COURTS

Banking & Insurance, New Jersey Department of

COMMISSIONER
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
ETHICS

DIVISION OF BANKING
CONSUMER FINANCE OFFICE
•SUPERVISION BUREAU
•CONSUMER SERVICES BUREAU
•ENFORCEMENT BUREAU
DEPOSITORIES OFFICE
REAL ESTATE COMMISSION DIVISION
•LICENSING & EDUCATION
•ENFORCEMENT
•BUREAU OF SUBDIVIDED LAND SALES CONTROL
PINELANDS DEVELOPMENT CREDIT BANK

LEGISLATION & POLICY
REGULATORY AFFAIRS
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

OPERATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
•CONSUMER INQUIRY & CASE PREPARATION UNIT
ADMINISTRATION
•BUDGET & FINANCE
•PERSONNEL & EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
•INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES
•ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES/RECORDS MANAGEMENT
•CENTRALIZED LICENSING

DIVISION OF INSURANCE
CONSUMER PROTECTION SERVICES
•INSURANCE CONSUMER PROTECTION & ENFORCEMENT UNIT
•OFFICE OF INSURANCE FRAUD PROSECUTOR
SOLVENCY REGULATION
INSURANCE MARKETS
•ACTUARIAL SERVICES
LIFE & HEALTH
•INDIVIDUAL LIFE & ANNUITY BUREAU
•LIFE INSURANCE BUREAU
•HEALTH INSURANCE BUREAU
•VALUATION BUREAU
•MANAGED CARE BUREAU
PROPERTY LIABILITY
OFFICE OF OMBUDSMAN

Agriculture, New Jersey Department of

SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

STATE AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
• FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAMS
• RIGHT-TO-FARM PROGRAM
• TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS BANK
• FARM LINK PROGRAM
• SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION GRANTS

CHIEF OF OPERATIONS
HUMAN RESOURCES
ADA COORDINATION
BUDGET & FISCAL OPERATIONS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

DIVISION OF ANIMAL HEALTH
DISEASE CONTROL PREVENTION
REGULATORY LICENSES ANALYSIS
LABORATORY SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
APIARY CERTIFICATION
BENEFICIAL INSECTS
• BENEFICIAL INSECT LABORATORY
PEST/DISEASE CONTROL
• ASIAN LONGHORN BEETLE MONITORING
NURSERY INSPECTION
• NURSERIES & DEALERS CERTIFIED
• NURSERY ACREAGE CERTIFIED
• PESTICIDE FREE ANALYSIS
SEED CERTIFICATION/ANALYSIS
• FOREST PEST SURVEY/SUPPRESSION
• FOREST & CROP BIO-STABILIZED
• FOREST PROTECTION-GYPSY MOTHS
• EXOTIC INSECT/PLANT SURVEYS

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION
• CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
• CONSERVATION COST SHARE PROGRAM
AGRICULTURAL LAND & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
RURAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION
• ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
OFFICE OF SMART GROWTH
• STATE AG DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE EASEMENT

DIVISION OF MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
NJ FRESH
• PRODUCER ANALYSIS
• STORE FEATURE ANALYSIS
MARKET EXPANSION
DAIRY REGULATION
COMMODITY GRADING
• INSPECTION/GRADING ANALYSIS
AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY
• FERTILIZER LABELING ANALYSIS
• LIME LABELING ANALYSIS
• FEED LABELING ANALYSIS
EQUINE PROMOTION/SIRE STAKES

DIVISION OF FOOD & NUTRITION
EMERGENCY FOOD MANAGEMENT
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
• HUNGER INITIATIVE/FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
• NON-PUBLIC NUTRITION AID
CHILD NUTRITION
• SCHOOL LUNCH
• SCHOOL BREAKFAST

Agencies reign and rife

UPDATE: ACR-184 has been replaced by ACR-151. This amendment was approved by the General Assembly on Monday.

There are numerous state agencies in New Jersey. But just what are they? They may be directly under the state, or under a state department, or division. Agencies can be judicial, quasi-judicial (quasi meaning mostly), administrative, fiscal or financial. They can be titled as a commission, authority, agency, or entity. Agencies are established either by the legislature or the executive office. They can be run at a state level or municipal level. Their powers of autonomy, accountability and independence have a wide variation.

One thing for sure their numbers are growing and the closest thing I have seen to a count of the number of the state authorities alone is “over 50”. I have found reference to more than 50 myself, and continue to locate both new and old agencies that are sited by various sources as independent, or quasi-independent. No comprehensive list of authorities or the debt owed has been located, nor has any reference of obsolete authorities being discontinued or consolidated been found.

Authorities have borrowed billions by issuing bonds, and are not subject to the voter approval constitutional requirement. The largest authorities are best known for building roads and bridges, parks, schools, or various housing projects. They may also function as managers of our infrastructure, sports and convention centers, transit systems, turnpikes, sewer and water systems, program administration, or enforcement of laws. Revenues are often collected from tolls, fees, and fines and they may also receive budgeted appropriations from the state. Many authorities operate without any measurable accountability to either the state or taxpayers. Audits reported to the state are inconsistent, as are their individual budgets and debt amounts. What this means to taxpayers, we really don’t know what the amount is of our total debt responsibility.

The amount of money these authorities have reign over makes them rife for a large amount of abuse. News reports are checkered with a history of corruption. Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure’s book “The Soprano State” has enough information on this to make any taxpayer sick. The reason for their existence as empowered entities was to run critical public needs, but it is clouded by the lost money we have suffered. In theory, they can be very valuable tools for the state to delegate important functions. In practice, we have lost uncounted billions of valuable taxpayer money. There are few people who have not heard of The University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey (UMDNJ) and Schools Construction Corp. scandals, and there are many other reported abusers.

These authorities are also a hot spot for patronage positions. Assemblyman Vince Polistina has requested an accounting of these positions in an April 28^th letter to Gov. Corzine, but has not yet received a reply. These patronage positions also reinforce why “Clean Elections” won’t give us clean politicians. Deals in the form of promised votes could be made with politicians and special interest ‘bosses’ would have a chance to secure a lucrative position after a successful campaign, turning it into a strategic game. With the large amount of jobs, influence of policies, and money available in agencies there is a lot to gain by both sides after election. In New Jersey the governor’s power of appointment is vast.

ACR184 is a concurrent resolution proposing to amend the State Constitution requirements to include agency and independent authority debt. The Synopsis states, “Proposes constitutional amendment to require voter approval when the State borrows money by issuing State independent authority debt backed by annual appropriations.” Our NJ Constitution now requires a voter referendum for issuance of general obligation bonds (backed by the “full faith and credit of the state”) only. The resolution seeks to strengthen the loophole that now allows agency or authority borrowing without executive or voter approval. Agency debt is many times the debt owed directly by the state as reported in my prior post.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to see what I would call a real state budget, inclusive of all the debt, spending, revenue, physical assets, and cash under the control of both the direct state and all its entities? Only then would we begin to understand the true financial condition of our state.

A slap in the face for the kids

Opinion written by Marlowe

Tuesday, June 17, as reported by The Express Times, Warren County Technical High School held its first outdoor graduation. A number of faculty members refused to attend the ceremony. Apparently this was in protest of the school boards refusal to ratify a new contract before the graduation ceremony.

Does anyone see a problem here? Not so much with the teachers’ refusal to attend, or the school boards refusal to ratify the contract, but the lack of concern for the students themselves. Don’t we always hear “Its for the Kids”? Apparently not last Tuesday.

The non tenured faculty was advised to attend….mainly because they may need to worry about losing their jobs. But other faculty members did not attend, refused to hand out certificates, or just hung out in the back of the crowd saying things like “They are like our kids”, or “Its very upsetting we can’t be here, its one of the best days of their lives”. They could have stepped up and been there. If it was their kids I am sure they would have supported them. The teachers should have had some courage to support these kids and stop thinking about themselves or union obligations for a bit. If I am right I think that these kids will remember those teachers who protested the graduation ceremony at one of the most important times of their lives. I remember my commencement at High school vividly, and these kids will remember.

You guys blew it!

I say “shame on you all who protested” If I was there as a parent I would rather that you did not attend or go near my kids any longer for fear that they might pick up on the traits you displayed that night. They might not realize it totally now, but most kids have a way of sorting things out and they will see the truth eventually.

The thing that bothers me most is the fact that the contract will be ratified eventually, probably by June 25, which simply means you could not wait a week and honor these kids who one cosmetology instructor stated, “100 percent had passed the state licensing exam”. That is a great accomplishment tarnished by some of the faculties actions.

One faculty member called the board’s decision to wait on ratifying the contract “A slap in the face”. The Students got the proverbial “slap in the face “, and you faculty members will get your money you are so worried about. Meanwhile the kids got a real education in how things really work, and the class song “I will remember you” takes on a whole new meaning.

“Clean Elections Program”-Taxpayer rip-off

The Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) is an “in, but not of” agency in the Department of Law and Public Safety. Their 121-page March 28, 2008 report discusses “The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act”.

Below are the stated goals of the Clean Elections Program from the report.

• End the undue influence of special interest money
• Improve the unfavorable opinion of the political process held by many citizens
• “Level the playing field” by allowing ordinary citizens (especially women, minorities, and persons of modest means) to run for office, share a message, be competitive, and win election
• Reduce campaign spending
• Provide more time for candidates to communicate with voters by reducing private fund raising
• Increase voter turnout
• Stimulate voter involvement by encouraging small contributions from individuals

On March 28, 2007 Governor Corzine signed a modified version of the Clean Elections Pilot Program expanding the experiment from two legislative districts to three, the 14th, 24th, and 37th districts. The act includes $7.68 million to implement the modified program ($6.75 million for candidate funding, $250 thousand for administration, $600,000 for publicity, $75,000 for ballot statements). The source of the program money is state appropriations, voluntary donations, and earnings form fund investments, and candidate fines. The modified program may also include both primary and general elections in 2009.

Under the new law a “Clean Elections” candidate would have to be certified by the ELEC and qualify between April 23rd and September 30th. There were variations on the amounts of money that could be raised depending on the type of contribution, their party affiliation, and whether they were running opposed or unopposed. Both criminal penalties and civil violations for candidates who break the rules were also written into the act. Candidates are to submit statements for the sample ballot and required to participate in two debates.

The amount of money that may be available to a candidate is dependent on the district, party affiliation, contributions raised and whether the candidate was opposed or unopposed. Table 3 on page 30 of the report shows the available grant allowances by district. Table 4 on page 31 shows who received funds in the 2007 “Clean Elections”. The amount disbursed totaled $4.04 million. On page 40, the report table 12a shows the Clean Election by district, statewide cost per voter of $15.09 for the Senate, and for the $16.49 for the General Assembly.

An interesting history included at the beginning of the 2007 Fair and Clean Elections Report discusses the public financing of governors campaigns. It states that NJ’s Gubernatorial Public Financing Program has covered 8 elections, with 63 participating gubernatorial candidates that have received about $91.4 million dollars in public funds. “These funds have allowed them to run effective campaigns free form undue influence.” This statement alone should turn on the high beams to a taxpayer rip-off.

Obviously the quality of governing in Trenton has not improved with this program, and extending a program to legislators only creates the same poor quality of representation, with added burden to the taxpayers of the state. The bureaucracy becomes even bigger with the state managing more and more money at our expense. Extra burdens and expenses are also placed on offices and staff that provide supportive assistance to administer these programs.

This article is about Arizona from the Goldwater Institute, Center for Constitutional Government. It is an older article, from 2002, but still provides a lot of insight.

“As Arizona’s recent election has shown, money also can’t buy substantive campaigns, freedom from attack ads, the elimination of special-interest influence, or political victory for non-mainstream candidates. “Despite the availability of public funding, special interests exerted considerable influence. First, they served as bagmen for the $5 contributions needed to qualify for public funding. Labor unions were the most conspicuous players this time around, but in future elections we can expect environmentalists, the Religious Right, or even political parties to act as power brokers by offering rosters of $5 donors to would-be candidates.”

As reported in the Asbury Park Press the Assembly Committee approved public funding in up to eight districts for 2009 and is due to spend about $8 million. Sean Parnell from the Center for Competitive Politics is quoted, “Essentially, he said it’s about improving perception. And, essentially, that turns this into a multi-million dollar public relations program.”

For a good general overview of “Clean Elections” and other states who are experimenting you can go to Wikipedia.

My consensus from the thousands of pages of laborious statistical information along with my own outlook on the state of our political culture can be wrapped up fairly simplistically. Stop spending taxpayer money on special interest groups, which includes politicians. Stop growing the size of New Jersey’s bloated bureaucracy with more programs. As a voter and taxpayer in New Jersey I expect morality from the elected, appointed, and hired. We pay their salaries; we should not have to subsidize their job searches.

Update: Hank Butehorn has written an excellent post on Conservatives with Attitude.  He leads you to tons of information and supplies all the needed contact information.

New Jersey, an overview

New Jersey state government contains three branches. The Legislature is in charge of enacting laws; the Judiciary interprets and enforces laws, and the third is the Chief Executive or Governor. Under the Governor are 17 departments. The head (titled as Commissioners unless otherwise noted) of each of the departments form the Governor’s Cabinet. Departments can have a combination of state employees, federal employees, and other employees.

The recommended fiscal 2008-2009 budget amounts, totaling $33 billion, will be adjusted and finalized when the budget is due on July 1, 2008. Any independent entities I have found reference to are capitalized. Understand that these ‘independent’ entities all contain their own large or small bureaucratic structure. It is easy to copy and paste each entity into an Internet search if you seek more information (put “New Jersey” in the search). All information has been obtained from the full NJ Budget and state government sites. This is not an exciting read, but a good reference and a good starting point for further study.

The Agricultural Department functions to support healthy farming of the land and waters. The head of this department is titled the Secretary of Agriculture. The Ag Department also includes programs for food banks and school nutrition. The recommended appropriation for 2009 is $22.9 million. The Ag Department contains one independent entity:

STATE AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Banking & Insurance regulates and educates the public about the insurance, banking, and real estate industries. The recommended appropriation is $70.3 million.

Children and Families is recommended to receive $1.076 billion. This is the department where the Division of Youth & Family Services (DYFS) is located. Children and Families includes a number of school programs, clinics, parental support, health, legal, and adoption services.

Community Affairs budget recommendation is $1.125 billion. This department contains a wide array of municipal aid and programs. It also licenses, regulates construction codes, local codes, fire safety codes, and housing and rental codes. There are an incredibly large number of assistance programs in Community Affairs. Identified as independent entities in this department are:

LOCAL UNIT ALIGNMENT, REORGANIZATION & CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FATALITY & NEAR FATALITY REVIEW BOARD
NEW JERSEY MEADOWLANDS COMMISSION
MEADOWLANDS CONSERVATION TRUST FUND
MEADOWLANDS TRANSPORTATION PLANNING BOARD
NEW JERSEY REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NEW JERSEY HOUSING MORTGAGE FINANCE AGENCY
STATE PLANNING COMMISSION
HISTORIC TRUST

The Corrections Department is recommended to receive $1.149 billion. Both adult and youth facilities are the responsibilities of this department. Parole monitoring, educational and treatment programs are also administered in Corrections.

The Department of Education is scheduled for a 5.4% increase in their budget to total $11.638 billion. This combined with the local school taxes is the highest per pupil spending in the nation. Education is responsible for K-12 programs and the expanding preschool. I have noted three independent bodies in Education:

NJ COMMISSION ON HOLOCAUST EDUCATION
COMMISSION ON ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE
KATZENBACH SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF ADVISORY BOARD

Environmental Protection (DEP) is recommended budget is $421.11 million. The DEP regulates and enforces land, air, and water use. It includes management of fish, wildlife, parks, and forests. Independent entities identified in the DEP are:

NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
NEW JERSEY WATER SUPPLY AUTHORITY
NORTH JERSEY WATER SUPPLY
LAKE HOPATCONG COMMISSION
WETLANDS MITIGATION BANK
NEW JERSEY ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE TRUST
NATURAL LANDS TRUST
PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK COMMISSION
HIGHLANDS WATER PROTECTION & PLANNING COUNCIL
PINELANDS COMMISSION
MOSQUITO CONTROL COMMISSION

Health & Senior Services is recommended to receive $1.566 billion. Health services include funding for 79 qualifying centers, registries, and various educational and health service programs. Senior services assist the elderly in the areas of facilities, various medical and pharmaceutical programs. Independent entities noted under this department are:

NJ COMMISSION ON CANCER RESEARCH
NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON SPINAL CORD RESEARCH
NJ HEALTH CARE FACILITIES FINANCING AUTHORITY
NJ HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION

The Human Services Department (DHS) employees about 16,000 state workers. This ranks it the largest department in our state, employing approximately one-fifth of the total state workforce. The fiscal 2009 budget for DHS is $4.859 billion. Through the division of medical assistance & health services the number of residents in NJ that receive Medicaid services is more than 1 million, one of every eight NJ residents. DHS operates twelve state institutions. It is also the department that provides cash assistance, food stamps, rental assistance, child-care, health care, family development, disability, and addiction programs and services. Community programs are contracted with private agencies for additional services. Included in the DHS are the following independent entities:

CHILD FATALITY & NEAR FATALITY REVIEW BOARD
CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS IN CHILDREN RELIEF FUND COMMISSION
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED
STATE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES

Labor & Workforce Development is recommended to receive $138.4 million. Development of the state workforce is administered through this department. The department administered almost $3 billion a year in income security to workers who are unemployed or unable to work. Approximately 62% of the funding is either federal or dedicated funds. In this department are administered Worker’s Compensation, Disability Services, and Unemployment Insurance, and Public & Occupational Safety programs. Following are the independent entities:

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
DISADVANTAGED YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES COUNCIL
NEW JERSEY MINIMUM WAGE ADVISORY COMMISSION
STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL
STATE BOARD OF MEDIATION
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION
STATE EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING COMMISSION

Law & Public Safety is scheduled to receive $590.1 million. The head of this department is the Attorney General. Housed in this department are divisions of law, criminal justice, state police, gaming enforcement, alcoholic beverage control, racing, civil rights consumer affairs, highway traffic safety, and the victims of crime compensation agency. The self-contained State Athletic Control Board is also in Law & Public Safety. Independent entities are as below:

NEW JERSEY HORSE RACING INJURY COMPENSATION BOARD
NEW JERSEY HUMAN RELATIONS COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE COMMISSION ON ETHICAL STANDARDS
ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT
JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION
OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY & PREPAREDNESS

The Adjutant General heads Military & Veterans’ Affairs. The proposed budget allocates this department $93.4 million. Along with the responsibility of protecting the citizens the department also provides medical support and services to veterans. There is one independent entity in Military & Veterans’ Affairs.

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL COMMISSION

The Personnel Department is recommended for consolidation by other agencies. It is still scheduled to receive a $20.6 million allocation. Its mission has been to attract, develop, and retain a high quality workforce for State, county, and municipal governments.

The Public Advocate is scheduled to receive $17.5 million. The purpose of the department is to make government more accountable and responsive to New Jersey residents, especially the elderly, disabled, and children. It includes one independent entity.

OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE

State Department head is titled the Secretary of State. The mission is to advance and support the arts, heritage, and historic record of New Jersey. It also provides resources to state and local governments for public records administration and also manages the elections. The fiscal amount budget for the Department of State is $1.230 billion. Many higher education programs, grants, and scholarships are given through this department. The state collages and universities are also administered by the State Department. The following are the identified independent entities:

NJ CULTURAL TRUST
NEW JERSEY STATE HISTORICAL RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD
COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
NEW JERSEY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY
PUBLIC BROADCASTING AUTHORITY

The Department of Transportation is scheduled for a budget increase of 2.6% over last year to total $1.369 billion for fiscal 2009. The Commissioner of this department also serves in an ex-officio capacity for The NJ Transit Corporation (Chair), New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority (Chair), Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, NJ Commerce/Economic Growth & Tourism Commission, NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, NJ Redevelopment Authority, NJ Turnpike Authority (Chair), North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, South Jersey Transportation Authority (Chair), and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization. He is also Chairman of the Board for New Jersey Transit Corporation, NJ Transportation Trust Fund Authority, NJ Turnpike Authority, and South Jersey Transportation Authority.

Transportation is responsible for the building, operations, and maintenance of the highway systems. It also includes many programs for local governments. Under Multimodal Services is aeronautics, rail, maritime, commuter mobility and trucking. Identified independent entities:

NEW JERSEY MARITIME PILOT & DOCKING COMMISSION
NEW JERSEY MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION
NJ TRANSIT CORPORATION
NJ TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND AUTHORITY

The Treasury Department formulates the state budget, generates and collects revenues, manages physical and financial assets, and disburses the appropriations to state and local agencies and citizens. Treasury is recommended to receive $3.558 billion. It includes the divisions for Contract Compliance, Lottery, Pensions and Benefits, Revenue, Risk Management, Higher Education Services, and Taxation. Treasury wins the award for the number of independent entities.

TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FINANCING CORPORATION
NEW JERSEY EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AUTHORITY
SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH
NEW JERSEY COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC ADVISORS
SALES & USE TAX REVIEW COMMISSION
NJ TAX & FISCAL POLICY STUDY COMMISSION
MARINE SCIENCES CONSORTIUM
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NJ MOTION PICTURE & TV DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
NEW JERSEY COMMERCE COMMISSION
NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION
CASINO REVENUE FUND ADVISORY COMMISSION
CASINO REINVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
GARDEN STATE PRESERVATION TRUST
CAPITAL CITY REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
911 COMMISSION
SOUTH JERSEY PORT CORPORATION
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
STATE LEGAL SERVICES OFFICE
GOVERNORS’ COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM & DRUG ABUSE

The three government branches also have their own budget appropriations. Chief Executive is recommended for $5.3 million. Judiciary will be increased 1.1% to total $636.2 million. Legislature is recommended to receive $75.7 million.

There is a budget section titled Interdepartmental Accounts and they are scheduled for an increase of .6%, giving an appropriation of $3.307 billion. Selected services for state government agencies are administered through these accounts. One other appropriation is recommended, for Miscellaneous Commissions in the amount of $1.5 million.

In reviewing the budget and department information I am taken by the number of programs that are being supported. It is no wonder people are less able to donate to non-profit organizations. NJ has already decided to whom donations will be given. It is difficult to make sense of all the apparent duplications. We now have a department of Public Advocate, yet there are all types of services and protections for residents under numerous other departments. Why does each department include at least one office for affirmative action & equal employment opportunity? The independent or quasi-independent entities and the monies they control are vast. Their existence makes it all the more difficult to follow the dollars.

There are definitely a lot of cuts that beg to be made. I hope the budget committee is examining all of these departments and entities and working hard on the areas that need trimmed.

New Jersey’s authorities bypass voters

In 2005, then Senator Jon Corzine, appointed the Task Force on Independent Authorities. The Task Force report provides insight into the reasoning for the existence of these authorities, and the many issues that pervade them. Here are some highlights of the report I find most interesting.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was formed in 1921 to undertake the building of the Holland Tunnel and was the first independent authority in our now long list.

“Independent Authorities” we mean those legislative creations authorized to issue bonds, or to incur debt….There are scores of other independent entities - boards, commissions and other agencies that are not authorized to issue bonds. Some are advisory. Many may be obsolete or unnecessary. All have some financial and social impact.

General operations of our state are conducted through the executive branch under the governor. Independent Authorities are outside of this configuration and “free from the inhibiting pressures of electoral politics and unencumbered by restrictions, such as debt financing limitations, that regular governmental units would face…”. The task force describes these authorities as “invisible government” with a profound and pervasive impact on virtually every aspect of life in the State.

The independence granted to these authorities makes it difficult for taxpayers to analyze their operations and actions. It also “has inhibited the government’s ability to hold authorities and their members and officers fully accountable to the public for their actions”.

The 2005 report states that there was $20 billion in authority debt. At that time this was almost seven times the voter approved general debt. Any of this debt that is backed by the state pledge of payment means the state (us) pays if the authority revenue is not adequate to cover the debt expenses. By reviewing the NJ budget one can see that there are line items that do indeed appropriate monies to authorities to supplement and cover their expenses.

What this amounts to is debt not approved by, and essentially hidden from the citizens of this state. Debt that we have no control over but we are obligated to pay through our taxes, fees, and surcharges. Independent authorities have often been used as a way to bypass the right of voters to reject or accept increased state liabilities. One example of this is the Economic Development Authority (EDA). For more information about the EDA being used as a conduit to ’side-step’ the voters, view my prior post here.

“The Wall of Pork”

Now that the Wall of Pork has been ‘completed’, I will be getting back into the swing of researching and posting. Many of my posts will be studies of various sections of the wall. Unfortunately the wall, and the state of NJ, grew to such a size that photography that is legible has been a problem. The wall itself does however have an impact and a history of it’s own.

Numerous unanswered letters and questions addressed to Governor Corzine and sponsors of various bills that take money out of taxpayer and business pockets provided the fuel and my desire to start digging for information. Each department and agency in the state can be viewed from this link. Under the Treasury Department the budget information can be studied.

The vision and importance of a compilation of the information into a visual format was the immediate response from Steve Lonegan, Executive Director Americans for Prosperity NJ (AFP-NJ). Now that the project is completed to a level of illustrated appeal that shows the bloated bureaucracy of NJ, I can see the dynamics of its magnitude that Lonegan envisioned from the beginning.

Understand that the information is ever changing. Each time Gov. Corzine signs a legislative bill or appoints a new position, or judicial mandates are handed down, the wall grows. This means the financial burden of taxpayers increases. There is much more information that could be compiled, which would more than double its 10 foot by 44 foot size.

On the wall are many red labels that depict entities that have a high degree of independence from the state of NJ but receive tax dollars to support them. These agencies, authorities, councils, offices, and commissions are of special interest to me because of the powers allowed them by the state. I intend to study these “in, but not of” elements in future posts.

Without the staff at AFP-NJ, we would have been denied the opportunity to view this display of the reality and the enormity of the oppression we taxpayers must live under. It has been a pleasure to work on this important project with guidance and the intuitive leadership of Steve Lonegan.