Government & Public Policy

From zoning disputes to the federal tax code, public policy affects the commercial real estate sector far more than you may realize. For industry leaders, government and politics demand constant attention.

Professional Services
PS&S announces eight promotions, including five new principals

Design and engineering firm PS&S has named five new principals, part of eight new promotions that took effect late last month.

Government & Public Policy
Amazon HQ2: Newark council approves $2 billion incentive package

Newark city officials have formalized a $2 billion incentive package meant to attract Amazon’s second headquarters project, one that could also be used to lure other companies that would deliver a similar economic impact.

Office
Teva moving to Parsippany from Pennsylvania, Murphy says

Teva Pharmaceuticals will move its U.S. headquarters to Parsippany from Pennsylvania, Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday, bringing nearly 850 jobs and a commitment to occupy nearly 350,000 square feet.

Government & Public Policy
RWJBarnabas plans new health campus on Fort Monmouth parcel, state says

State officials have approved plans for RWJBarnabas Health to acquire a piece of the landmark Fort Monmouth property, where it will develop a large health campus in place of what is currently a defunct Cold War-era research complex.

Government & Public Policy
Lawmakers pass bill to create TOD office within NJ Transit

State lawmakers have approved a bill that would create an office of transit-oriented development within NJ Transit and require an annual inventory of the agency’s real estate holdings.

Hospitality & Tourism
Hard Rock CEO Allen hopes new hotel, casino will strike a different tone in Atlantic City

The new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will open June 28, with a model that aims to set a new standard in Atlantic City. For one thing, the resort will have an added emphasis on entertainment, leveraging Hard Rock’s own vast network of performers to help program the venue and bolster other nongaming revenue streams such as meeting business and hotel stays. But its owners have sought to be different from past generations of New Jersey casinos in another way, focusing on community outreach that they say will continue well past the grand opening.

Government & Public Policy
Supreme Court closes online sales tax loophole for retail sector, state governments

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that online retailers must collect sales tax from customers even in states where they don’t have a physical presence, effectively closing a loophole that has long been seen as a major disadvantage to brick-and-mortar retailers.

Government & Public Policy
Report by business, labor groups fights back against criticism of incentives

Amid growing criticism of the state’s incentive programs, a group of prominent business and labor associations are aiming to set the record straight in Trenton.

Government & Public Policy
Lizura leaving EDA next month

Tim Lizura, the Economic Development Authority’s president and chief operating officer since 2012, is stepping down from the influential state organization next month.

Government & Public Policy
For apartment sector, uncertainty in Washington threatens policy priorities

Despite the benefits of last year’s federal tax reform, the apartment sector is grappling with uncertainty and unpredictability in Washington, D.C., raising questions about the future of affordable housing and other high-stakes policy issues. That was one key message from experts who gathered recently during the New Jersey Apartment Association’s annual conference and expo, which drew a registered crowd of more than 1,600 to the Atlantic City Convention Center.