More Mandates from Trenton

[Guest]

Along the lines of pushing for consolidation from the Cranbury Press. Here is a prime example of the state continuing to force mandates on small towns like Cranbury and thus costing us more money. The state views towns like Cranbury the same as Trenton or Newark. They don't distinguish whether small towns need the same staff restrictions or training. Heck, the bill alone mentions towns' contracting units.

Corzine has now signed legislation requiring the town to have an employee be certified as a qualified purchasing agent which means more training and more expense. This is a prime example where a city may need this position or person, but a town like Cranbury can do without since all purchasing over 17,500 is done by bid and the TC has the same review under 17,500 that they would have with a QPA. Perhaps the Cranbury Press will do an editorial on all the unnecessary mandates.


Story below

Gov. Jon Corzine Thursday signed legislation designed to encourage improved local government spending oversight.

The new law will encourage most units of local government to employ at least one qualified purchasing agent in their contracting unit. The measure does not require the hiring of a new employee; rather, it provides incentives for ensuring an employee has the training, state certification and authority to perform the duties of a qualified purchasing agent.

"Taxpayers at every level are demanding greater accountability," said Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D-Essex), the sponsor. "Ensuring that purchasing agents meet certain standards can protect money from being wasted. In this global recession we have a responsibility to make sure that every taxpayer dollar is being spent efficiently."

McKeon said the new law has even greater significance in light of recent SCI and state comptroller reports that uncovered wasteful local government spending. He said the law has the potential to achieve cost savings by ensuring efficient use of every taxpayer dollar received by local governments.

"Before we entrust a purchasing agent to the oversight of millions of tax dollars each year we must ensure that these individuals are qualified and certified," McKeon said. "Ensuring purchasing agents are properly educated and trained would just be common sense and a way we have to know that every tax dollar is being spent efficiently at every level of government."

The law will take effect in one year.

[Mandates]

Maybe during the training, Cranbury can teach how useful spending loads of money on an OLD WOODEN BARN can be.

[Guest]

This one seems pretty toothless. I doesn't require any new hiring and simply "encourages" training.

[Guest]

The problem is we spend a lot of money on training. In addition, we don't see the outline for course hours or cost. As someone who has done a lot of training and certification I can attest that even seemingly easy certificates can entail a lot of class room time and expense.

[Guest]

You also have to be aware of the "incentives." Sometimes the state will withhold funds if you do not follow their recommendations. Otherwise, why would they make it a law instead of just sending a letter or offering a purchasing course?

[publius]