CHRISTIE SIGNS LAW GREENLIGHTING FAST TRACK SALE OF NJ PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
A notable political contribution was made in between the vote’s passage and Christie’s signing of the measure. American Water of Voorhees, the largest publicly traded U.S. water and sewer company, contributed $50,000 to the Republican Governors Association in the final days of the New Jersey governor’s chairmanship of the organization.
As the Bergen Record reported last week:
“We joined Choose New Jersey simply because we want to see New Jersey succeed,” said Rich Henning, senior vice president of communications for United Water, one of at least four companies that have gotten tax breaks approved by the state’s Economic Development Agency under Christie. Brown was CEO of the state agency while two of the subsidies were approved.
The state agency approved incentives worth up to $3.1 million to Ferring Pharmaceuticals in late 2010; $5.5 million to United Water in April; $87.2 million to Wakefern Food Co. in 2010; and $210 million to Prudential Financial in mid-2012, records show. All are board members for Choose New Jersey.[…]
The majority of the 21 entities with a seat on the Choose New Jersey’s board pay lobbyists to advance their interests in Trenton, records show.
Lobbyists for at least five utility companies with seats on the non-profit’s board — Verizon New Jersey, PSE&G, Jersey Central Power & Light, Atlantic City Electric and New Jersey American Water — got an audience in Christie’s office last year, records show.
And with a lot of help from his corrupt Norcross – Sweeney – Greenwald friends:
[End Note: As suspected, given current plans to privatize Plumsted MUA water infrastructure, Assemblyman Dancer (R-Ocean) voted in favor of the bill, while Senator Thompson at least had the sense not to vote at all given his involvement with DEP Commissioner Martin.]