N.J. stimulus hiring can be out of state
TRENTON - New Jersey is not required to hire in-state contractors to work on projects bankrolled by the stimulus package, leaving open the possibility of hiring some out-of-state firms, the state transportation chief said.
TRENTON - New Jersey is not required to hire in-state contractors to work on projects bankrolled by the stimulus package, leaving open the possibility of hiring some out-of-state firms, the state transportation chief said.
The stimulus plan, which President Obama signed into law last month, will pump $1.1 billion into New Jersey for a range of transit projects, including highway construction, bridge repairs, and another rail tunnel under the Hudson River.
Officials hope the money will upgrade infrastructure and create jobs. Transportation Commissioner Stephen Dilts said yesterday that the money would do both, even if out-of-state firms did some of the work.
Bridge painting, which is to get roughly $50 million, is one area in which outside companies could get work. Dilts, speaking to the Assembly Transportation Committee, said the state's bridges had had few upgrades since they were built, and "there may not be the business community in place right now" for this type of neglected work.
He also said the stimulus plan did not require hiring in-state contractors.
"Procurement laws were not changed through this effort. No laws were changed," he said. "So we have to be open and fair to anybody."
Dilts was responding to committee Chairman John Wisniewski (D., Middlesex), who said New Jersey firms should be hired to maximize the stimulus plan's effect on the Garden State.
Like most states, New Jersey is struggling financially; its jobless rate soared this year and tax collections have plunged. On Tuesday, Gov. Corzine proposed slashing a range of government services for next fiscal year's budget.
New Jersey is slated to get roughly $17 billion in cash and tax relief from the $787 billion stimulus package. Police, public housing, and health care are among the many agencies and programs that could benefit.
So far, $469 million has been allocated for 40 road and bridge projects across the state. The Federal Highway Administration will decide in the next four months whether to approve the spending.