TRENTON – Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff said the state has received five proposals to take over operations of the New Jersey Network.
Assemblywoman Nellie Pou asked how many of the interested parties are from New Jersey.
The treasurer said Thursday he didn’t want to reveal the proposers, citing negotiations, adding that “We’re at an extremely sensitive point right now.”
“It would be prejudicial to this process.”
He said the goal of the administration is to make sure the network continues to provide “New Jersey-centric programming.,” as the requests for proposal indicated.
“Our schedule at this point is to conclude negotiations with finalists by May 31. And provide an information package for the Legislatures’ review.
The state has also received interest from prospective buyers for the network’s radio entities as well, Sidamon-Eristoff said.
Pou said it was important that in the future, NJN continues to provide quality programming for the residents, many of whom provide funding to support the network.
“We want to make sure one of our most precious assets remains with the state,” she said.
While the RFPs asked interested parties to take into account the “circumstances of the existing employee” they didn’t demand anything specific regarding their futures.
Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Lou Greenwald praised the network and its workers as “a remarkable group of people.”
“I’m very impressed with the work they do,” he said.
“NJN is the only place where we get the business of government (of New Jersey),” said Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-) of Ewing.
