Report shows state-based military spending topped $5 billion in 2002
(TRENTON) – Governor James E. McGreevey on Monday signed an executive order creating The Governor’s Commission to Support and Enhance New Jersey’s Military and Coast Guard Installations.
The Governor issued the executive order as the Department of Defense is considering the 2005 round of base realignment and closure actions.
“This Commission will have the critical job of telling the story of New Jersey’s strategic importance for national defense and homeland security,” Governor McGreevey said. “New Jersey is a great state for the military and Coast Guard to expand and grow. There is much work to do. I look forward to the Commission’s first report in 90 days.”
The Commission will gather information about ongoing federal initiatives that could impact New Jersey’s military and Coast Guard facilities and will advise the Governor regarding opportunities and strategies to strengthen the state’s military and Coast Guard operations.
The Governor appointed Admiral Paul Gaffney II, president of Monmouth University and retired Navy Vice Admiral, as chairman of the Commission.
“I am proud to be asked to serve on this important Commission,” said Mr. Gaffney. “New Jersey has the raw technical talent and cross-service, cross-agency opportunity to lead America in harnessing new technology to enable speedy decision making for our national security.”
The signing took place during ceremonies at the Trenton War Memorial. The Governor was joined by Retired Col. Emil Philibosian, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; Associate Research Professor Michael Lahr of the Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr., Rodney Frelinghuysen, and Rush Holt.
“New Jersey's federal military installations have been pivotal to the success of our armed forces,” said Col. Philibosian. “But we are also here today to recognize the tremendous economic impact these military facilities contribute to the State of New Jersey and its residents.”
A report issued by Rutgers shows that state-based military spending topped $5 billion in 2002. Overall, the military’s presence in New Jersey contributes $8.5 billion to state’s economy each year. This includes contributions from Lockheed Martin and other military contractors. The report also indicates that military spending in New Jersey directly or indirectly supports 98,000 jobs. This is about the same number of jobs maintained by the state’s chemical industry, which includes pharmaceuticals and oil refineries, according to the report.
“If the federal government shuttered all of New Jersey’s military bases, the state would also lose the services of many spouses of civilian and military personnel at the bases,” Lahr said. “These losses should be measured not only in terms of jobs and earning, but also in terms of community service. Many spouses are volunteers at schools, hospitals and social service agencies.”
In addition, state military spending contributes at least $193 million in local government tax revenues and $192 million in state tax revenues.
New Jersey is home to seven military installations and two U.S. Coast Guard facilities including the 177th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard, Atlantic County; Fort Dix, Burlington County; McGuire Air Force Base, Burlington County; The Naval Weapons Station Earle, Monmouth County; Fort Monmouth, Monmouth County; Picatinny Arsenal, Morris County; The Naval Air Center Lakehurst, Ocean County, and U.S. Coast Guard Facilities in Cape May and Atlantic counties.
Today’s signing is further indication of Governor McGreevey’s commitment to New Jersey’s military.
In 2003, the Governor designated Picatinny Arsenal as the State Center for Homeland Security and Fort Monmouth a Center for Defense Technologies & Security Readiness. The Governor has also increased pay for Guard members on State active duty from $50 per day to a minimum $100 per day.
The Governor’s proposed budget will increase funding for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs by $4 million and preserve the Veterans’ Property Tax Deduction of $250, which helps over 600,000 veterans. The budget will also provide $1.5 million in funding for the construction of a WWII memorial to honor and recognize those who served our state and our country during that conflict.
A copy of the Executive Order is attached.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 106
WHEREAS, Military and Coast Guard installations, infrastructure, and personnel in the State of New Jersey make important contributions to national security and our State’s economy; and
WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey welcomes Military and Coast Guard installations and has a long history of active support for its Military and Coast Guard installations, the individuals serving in those Services, their families, retirees and veterans; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey’s public and private research universities, government agencies and private sector research industries are valuable assets providing the Military and the Coast Guard with access to leading edge technologies and skilled personnel that enhance their capability to accomplish missions more effectively and efficiently; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey has a highly educated work force with more engineers, scientists and technologists per capita than any of the other 49 States; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey is a national leader in research and development of electronics innovations and home to thousands of electronics and high technology companies;
WHEREAS, New Jersey is a strategic location centrally located in the Boston to Washington Corridor with reliable mass transportation systems and Interstate Highways, sharing major Ports with Philadelphia and New York; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey is within close proximity to twenty five percent of the population of the United States; and
WHEREAS, local officials, community organizations, the business community, and concerned individuals are committed not only to maintaining our military and Coast Guard installations but also to enhancing those installations to the benefit of our nation and State; and
WHEREAS, national security and the nation’s economy would benefit from enhanced military and Coast Guard missions in New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, in order to maximize the effectiveness of Military and Coast Guard installations in New Jersey, it is necessary now to focus, streamline, and coordinate the activities of various State agencies involved in this vital and most important effort;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. MCGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. There is hereby established The Governor's Commission to Support and Enhance New Jersey's Military and Coast Guard Installations that shall have the following purposes:
a. To gather information about the status of ongoing initiatives of the U.S. Department of Defense, the Military Services, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal departments and agencies that could impact the State of New Jersey;
b. To communicate with Members of New Jersey’s Congressional Delegation regarding efforts to support and enhance Military and Coast Guard installations in New Jersey;
c. To act as liaison between communities and businesses that can assist and support New Jersey’s Military and Coast Guard installations;
d. To advise the Governor on proactive strategies that could assist the State in strengthening New Jersey’s Military and Coast Guard installations;
e. To assist in the coordination of State responses to national security and homeland security challenges;
f. To promote partnerships between New Jersey Military and Coast Guard installations and educational institutions, research universities, state and local government, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and industries that could support and enhance military and Coast Guard operations;
g. To advise the Governor and Members of Congress regarding opportunities to enhance, expand, add or otherwise improve missions, programs, facilities, and operations on or affecting Military and Coast Guard installations in New Jersey;
h. To undertakeother activities consistent with the purposes of this Executive Order.
2. The membership of the Commission shall consist of the following 25 members: The Secretary of Commerce, the Commissioners of the Departments of Community Affairs, Education, Health and Senior Services, and Transportation, ex-officio votingmembers, or their designees; one representative of the Governor’s Executive Staff; and 19 public members appointed by the Governor, including at least one community representative for each of the major military installations in the State.
3.The Chair of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor. The Commission shall meet at least quarterly and conduct itself pursuant to a set of operating principles approved by the full Commission. The Commission shall report quarterly to the Governor and shall expire December 31, 2005.
4. The Commission is authorized to call upon any department, office or agency of State government to provide such information, resources or other assistance deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Order. Each department, officer, division and agency of this State is required to cooperate with the Commission and to furnish it with assistance necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.
5. This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this day of
in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Four, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Eighth.
James E. McGreevey
Governor
Attest:
Michael R. DeCotiisChief
Counsel to the Governor
