Real Estate New Jersey and Real Estate Forum

RealShare New Jersey has always brought numerous contentious issues to the fore, and this year is no different. But this year, such issues as the state budget, proposed toll hikes, the state's competitive posture vis-à-vis its neighbors and Trenton politics are all exacerbated by the down economy and the recent financial industry's meltdown.

As the program's scheduled keynoter, Gov. Jon Corzine will take on those issues and explain his administration's efforts to address them. He's also expected to give a pep talk for a new 12-bill legislative agenda put forward by a coalition of business groups aimed at turning the tide of the outflow of businesses and generally making New Jersey more business-friendly.

Indeed, leaders of that group, dubbed the Smart Growth Economic Development Coalition, will themselves form a general session panel to explain their ambitious agenda. Headed by attorney and group founder Ted Zangari, the coalition got off to a solid start in September when the initial bill of the package, the Permit Extension Act, was approved by the legislature and signed into law by Corzine.