Public Policy Advocacy was the Topic of the “Evening with Legends” Program
PRINCETON, N.J. – April 11, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — “Our goal tonight is to help you learn how to get involved and stay connected.” That was the clear message imparted by NAIOP New Jersey’s CEO Michael McGuinness and government affairs consultant Anthony Pizzutillo to a group of commercial real estate’s developing leaders.
The forum was the organization’s Developing Leaders “Evening with Legends” series. NAIOP New Jersey’s Developing Leaders program provides resources and events specifically for commercial real estate professionals under the age of 35, and the ongoing “Evening with Legends” series provides the opportunity for industry leaders to impart their considerable wisdom on those relatively new to the ranks. The topic of this particular event was advocacy on public policy.
As NAIOP New Jersey public policy activities have ramped up, McGuinness and Pizzutillo have both fostered substantial relationships in Trenton. In the process, NAIOP New Jersey has become a major force for the industry and for the business community in general in altering New Jersey’s much-maligned regulatory climate. In the process, the state has earned a reputation for becoming increasingly business-friendly and a force in the highly competitive business attraction and job creation wars.
“It is very important for the young professionals in this industry to understand the issues that affect us all and to become pro-active in supporting our efforts,” McGuinness said. “Simply put, in terms of advocacy, we believe that if you’re not ‘at the table,’ you are ‘on the menu.’”
Among the efforts outlined for the developing leaders was NAIOP New Jersey’s Public Affairs Program. “The Public Affairs Committee, backed up by the Regulatory Affairs, Legislative, and Legal Action committees, advises our Board of Trustees on priority policies that affect our resource allocation,” McGuinness explained. Supporting the effort is the organization’s DPAC, overseen by 24 trustees, which “raises money to help support those legislators, candidates and public officials who understand the benefits our industry provides to New Jersey’s economy.”
The ongoing issues in focus for NAIOP New Jersey are numerous and important. McGuinness and Pizzutillo provided an update for the developing leaders on everything from affordable housing (COAH), to the project to raise the Bayonne Bridge to accommodate larger vessels anticipated once the expansion of the Panama Canal is completed, to the key business incentives that have made New Jersey more competitive as a business destination.
Also on the briefing agenda were New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan, the State Strategic Plan, the Licensed Site Remediation Professionals program, minor work proposal/local building permits, the Permit Extension Act, Water Quality Management Planning, green and sustainable energy issues and more.
“Our members, and New Jersey’s business community in general, all have a major stake in all of these important issues,” said McGuinness. “New Jersey’s economic future is at stake, and our advocacy efforts are front and center among our responsibilities as an organization.
“How can you help? Stay informed; use our website; when speaking with colleagues and the press and public, identify yourself as a NAIOP member and share our NAIOP links with them; contribute to DPAC and to Funds for the future, and join committees,” McGuinness concluded. “Above all, get involved and stay connected.”
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