CAI-NJ September 2021

YOUR NJ-LAC & CA-PAC WORKING HARD PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

What the Heck is a CA-PAC? And Why Should I Contribute? By Paul Raestch, Horizons at Woods Landing • Your Legislative Action Committee (NJ-LAC): Your key eyes, ears, legs and voice in the legislative process. • Your Political Action Committee (CA-PAC): Your key contributions to support elected officials who aim to strengthen your community. • Your Professional Lobbyists: Your key, full-time pros retained by the LAC who know government’s ins and outs, advise us on who to see and when, and how to connect . WHAT CAN YOU DO?: • Take Action – Your voice is key! After meeting with elected officials and clarifying our position on pending legislation, we will alert you to the most crucial actions you can take. By calling or writing your officials, you nsure that your v ice, and our agenda, is heard. • Give – Your donations are key! Supporting the PAC with your donations shows legislators that you’re serious, and t at our cause counts. • Promote – Y ur pers al influence is key! Talk about CAI-NJ’s legislativ engagement in your co munity and business. Let fellow residents know that we’re fighting for them and their communities! LAC and our lobbyist, Michele Jaker of MBI-GluckShaw, worked the halls of the State Capitol on our behalf and residents of our community spoke up loudly In November 2020 Assemblymen Mazzeo and Armato from Atlantic County heard my community’s plea for relief Walk the halls of our capitol in Trenton and you see a lot of doors… doors to legislator’s offices… doors to committee rooms… doors to the Assembly and Senate chambers. It takes a lot to get through those doors. You’re not just invited in. You need a key. With a key you’re taken seriously. With a key, you get things done. THAT’S WHY CAI-NJ CARRIES THREE KEYS:

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…Because “We the People” won! W ith the overwhelming support of CAI members and residents of common interest communities ( CIC ) in New Jersey, the CAI Legislative Action Committee-NJ ( LAC ) was able to accomplish a daunting task: enactment of a law protecting CIC s from COVID relat- ed lawsuits. Daunting first, because of the odds. This leg- islative session saw10,853 bills introduced, 540 passed, and only 336 (3.1%) signed by Governor Murphy, one of which was our immunity bill. Also daunting? The majority party in the legislature and the Governor were reported to be opposed to immunity bills. Other than an early bill to protect health care workers (now proposed to be repealed), no other immunity bill even had a hearing. But the problem of community associations not opening amenities another year demanded the LAC ’s attention. The keys campaign pac_2020.indd 1

and introduced A4979. Needing a compan- ion bill in the Senate, we participated in a Zoom call with Senate

The keys only work with your support.

President Sweeney. We discussed that 84% of common interest communities in New Jersey did not open pools last summer. He politely listened to our plea and mentioned that his first elected office was to his HOA board; but, firmly informed us that the word “immunity” was “difficult” for his caucus and thus would be a challenge. However, I’m certain he recognized the uniqueness of our problem and his stance softened. Make your gift to the CA-PAC today!

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