State Budget Makers Focus on Revenue Forecasts

Early this week, the Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee began a series of hearings on Governor Murphy’s proposed spending plan for the 2020 Fiscal Year. The process started with a focus on revenues, projected to b...

Governor's Proposed SFY 2020 Budget

Yesterday in Trenton, Governor Murphy presented his second budget proposal to the Legislature and the people of New Jersey. From our perspective, municipal property tax relief funding is of paramount importance.

We thank the Governor for an appropriate inc...

Municipal Property Tax Relief and the Next State Budget

On March 5, Governor Murphy is scheduled to present his Budget Address to the Legislature and the people of New Jersey. At that time, he will propose a State spending plan for the Fiscal Year that will begin on July 1. That proposal will be the basis for ...

Division Extends CY 2019 Budget Deadlines

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2018-28 regarding 2019 Calendar Year (CY) Budget Matters, including information on the Financial Automation Submission Tracking (FAST).  All CY 2019 budgets must be submitt...

League Statement on Cannabis Legislation

Today the State Legislature did not act on A4497/S2703, which would legalize adult use of recreational cannabis. League President Colleen Mahr, Mayor of the Borough of Fanwood offered the following comments:

“While the League did not take a position on leg...

Final Vote on Marijuana Legalization Set for Monday, March 25

On Monday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary each amended and approved legislation that will legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana. The committees also approved legislation to expand the State’s medical marijuana pr...

Bipartisan Effort to Advance Gateway Continues

In a letter sent on Monday to United States Secretary of Transportation Elain Chao, a bipartisan group of Congressional Representatives, led by New Jersey Congressman Tom Malinowski, called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize and publish...

Municipal Compliance with Federal Overtime Requirements

We are providing this information to assist you in determining whether your municipality complies with Federal overtime pay requirements. The US Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division advised the League many municipal governments are not complying w...

SCOTUS Rules 8th Amendment Applies to State & Local Governments

On Wednesday, in a unanimous decision the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) ruled that the Eighth Amendment’s ban on excessive fines applies to state and local governments. The case, Timbs v. Indiana, dealt with an individual who had a $42,000...

NLC Launches Opportunity Zone Resources

The opportunity zone program, authored by N.J. U.S. Senator Cory Booker, was created under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to provide local and national investors with a tax incentive for investments made in economically distressed areas of the country.

Und...

USDA Extends Deadlines for Broadband Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on February 6 that it would extend the application deadlines for its Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect) due to delays caused by the recent partial federal government shutdown. Initial applicat...

Federal Legislation Aims to Overturn FCC Preemption of Local ROW Control

Rep. Anna Eshoo from California introduced legislation (H.R.530) to overturn the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) September Order preempting local authority over small cell wireless infrastructure. The bill would not preclude future FCC o...

116th Congress Convenes

As the partial shutdown of the Federal government grinds on, a new Congressional session begins. While Senators (and former Mayors) Bob Menendez and Cory Booker will continue to represent our State in the Upper House, a number of new Jersey voices will jo...

Experts See Local, State, Federal Cooperation Key to Election Security

On Oct. 3, 2018, in Washington, federal election watchdogs conducted an election security briefing with state officials and members of Congress. William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, and Christopher Krebs, the ...

COPs Grants Announced

• School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP):  Provides funding that can be used to improve security at schools and on school grounds. Awards may include funding for coordination with local law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officer...

Featured Grants - April 2019

AARP Community Challenge 2019 Grant

The AARP Community Challenge grant program is part of the nationwide AARP Livable Communities initiative. In 2019, this program will provide funds for community-based “quick-action” projects related to housing, transportation, smart ci...

Featured Grants - March 2019

Federal

• Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative - Grants to States and Communities (Deadline: 4/1)
• FY 2019 Regional Innovation Strategies Program (Deadline: 4/4)
• Artificial Intelligence Research and Development to Support Community Supervision, FY 2019 (PDF)...

Green Acres Funding Available - deadline to apply is March 30

Green Acres provides funding for local governments to acquire land, develop parks or conduct stewardship activities for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes. This year, the program is accepting applications for funding until March 30, 2019.&nb...

Featured Grants - February 2019

Federal

• Combating Wildlife Trafficking (Deadline: 2/20)
• Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program (Deadline: 3/1)
• Automated Driving System (ADS) Demonstration Grants (Deadline 3/21)
• NEA Challenge America, FY2020 (Deadline: 4/11)
• Research and Evaluation on Promi...

Featured Grants - January 2019

State

• Volunteer Emergency Service Organization Loan 2019 (Deadline: 6/30)

Federal

• Preservation Assistance Grants (Deadline: 1/31)
• REAP Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Program (Deadline: 1/31)
• Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Da...

Featured Grants - December 2018

State

• NJEDA Innovation Challenge (Deadline: 1/25 or until the total program allotment has been exhausted)
• NJEDA 21st Century Redevelopment Program (Deadline: 3/4 or until the total program allotment has been exhausted)

Federal

• FY19 Guidelines For Brownfields ...

NJEDA Now Accepting Applications for a Second Round of the Innovation Challenge Program

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is accepting applications for the Innovation Challenge, which provides funding for municipalities and counties to develop plans to build or augment their local innovation ecosystems. The program is onl...

Major Changes to Superstorm Sandy Recovery Housing Programs Announced

Changes to the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation, and Mitigation (RREM) Program and the Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Homeowner Rebuilding Program, the two main housing recovery programs for homeowners impacted by Superstorm Sandy, have been announ...

EDA Launches 21st Century Redevelopment Program to Help Communities Revive Underutilized Properties

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (EDA) 21st Century Redevelopment Program provides planning grants for communities to develop solutions for repurposing local vacant or underutilized commercial and retail properties.

This program wi...

NJ Prepares for 2020 Census

We are now within 12 months of 2020 Census Day – April 1, 2020. The U.S Census Bureau has been staffing up for the count that will determine New Jersey’s representation in Congress, Congressional and State Legislative District boundari...

Tax Assessors Prohibited from Acting as Appraisal Experts

While municipal tax assessors are already prohibited through regulations from appearing as expert witnesses before county boards of taxation (see, N.J.A.C. 18:12A-1.9(l)), this prohibition had never before been applied to the tax court. 

Last week...

Reserve Your Place Now! NJLM Roundtables Discuss Affordable Housing & Cannabis

NJLM is presenting a Mayors’ Roundtable discussion series on the topics of Affordable Housing and Cannabis. With sessions in North, Central, and South Jersey, these topics will be the focus of moderated discussions involving your questions, presentations ...

Cannabis Vote in May?

We cannot tell you if or when the legislation to legalize recreational, adult use of marijuana may be scheduled again. On March 25, the State Legislature did not act on A4497/S2703, which would legalize adult use of recreational cannabis. The measure did ...

Bipartisan Effort to Advance Gateway Continues

In a letter sent on Monday to United States Secretary of Transportation Elain Chao, a bipartisan group of Congressional Representatives, led by New Jersey Congressman Tom Malinowski, called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize and publish...

State Budget Makers Focus on Revenue Forecasts

Early this week, the Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee began a series of hearings on Governor Murphy’s proposed spending plan for the 2020 Fiscal Year. The process started with a focus on revenues, proj...

DCA's Main Street NJ Kicks Off with Regional Workshops

Earlier this week, Lt. Governor Oliver announced the restoration of the Main Street New Jersey Program (MSNJ) as a key, updated component of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ municipal planning and downtown revitalization portfolio...

Surviving Spouse Tax Exemption Ruling Reversed

Earlier this week the Appellate Division issued a published opinion dealing with the applicability of the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption to certain surviving spouses of qualified disabled veterans. Simply put, in Rosanna Pruent-Steven...

League Statement on Cannabis Legislation

Today the State Legislature did not act on A4497/S2703, which would legalize adult use of recreational cannabis. League President Colleen Mahr, Mayor of the Borough of Fanwood offered the following comments:

“While the League did not take a posit...

Final Vote on Marijuana Legalization Set for Monday, March 25

On Monday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary each amended and approved legislation that will legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana. The committees also approved legislation to expand the State’s medical ma...

Gov. Murphy Signs Stormwater Utlity Bill into Law

Earlier this week, Gov. Murphy signed into law S-1073, which clarifies local government authority to create stormwater utilities and to collect related fees and other charges.

Under the new law, a municipality, county, or authority can establish by resolut...

Governor's Proposed SFY 2020 Budget

Yesterday in Trenton, Governor Murphy presented his second budget proposal to the Legislature and the people of New Jersey. From our perspective, municipal property tax relief funding is of paramount importance.

We thank the Governor for an appropriate inc...

SCOTUS Rules 8th Amendment Applies to State & Local Governments

On Wednesday, in a unanimous decision the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) ruled that the Eighth Amendment’s ban on excessive fines applies to state and local governments. The case, Timbs v. Indiana, dealt with a...

NLC Launches Opportunity Zone Resources

The opportunity zone program, authored by N.J. U.S. Senator Cory Booker, was created under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to provide local and national investors with a tax incentive for investments made in economically distressed areas of the country.

Und...

USDA Extends Deadlines for Broadband Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on February 6 that it would extend the application deadlines for its Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect) due to delays caused by the recent partial federal government shutdown. Initial applicat...

Federal Legislation Aims to Overturn FCC Preemption of Local ROW Control

Rep. Anna Eshoo from California introduced legislation (H.R.530) to overturn the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) September Order preempting local authority over small cell wireless infrastructure. The bill would not preclude fu...

Hopewell Scores Tax Court Win in Verizon Case

On Monday, January 28, Hopewell Borough scored a major win in an NJ Tax Court case, filed 10 years ago, by telecommunications giant, Verizon. The case, Verizon v. Hopewell, stemmed from a decision rendered by the Mercer County Board of Taxation, in which ...

Max Cap on Volunteer Fire Co. Municipal Appropriations Increases

P.L. 2015, c. 95 included a statutory adjustment, every two years, to the maximum appropriation a municipality may make to their volunteer fire company. For CY2019/ SFY2020 there is a 2.5% adjustment which brings the maximum annual contribution to $154,51...

Goods & Services Prompt Payment Law Guidance

Beginning February 1 all goods and services contracts awarded, regardless of dollar amount, will be subject to goods and services prompt payment law, P.L. 2018, c. 127. Unless otherwise specified in a contract, the payment for goods and services will be d...

Gov. Murphy's State of the State

Tuesday, January 15, in Trenton, Governor Murphy delivered his first State of the State message to the Legislature and the people of New Jersey. His central message was focused on progress made and prospect to create more opportunities for economic improv...

NJ Supreme Court Orders Municipal Court Dismissals

Yesterday, the State Supreme Court issued an Order dismissing certain older unresolved complaints on minor municipal court matters. This comes at the suggestion of a three-judge panel’s report that was issued after hearing public comments in the...

Bonding and Grants for Addressing Lead Hazards

League President Colleen Mahr, Mayor of Fanwood commented on the addressing of Lead Hazards saying, “Recent reports of the need to upgrade water infrastructure to address lead are unfortunately not unique. The League has, for years, worked to he...

Comptroller Report on State-Level Tax Incentives Released

On Wednesday, the Office of the State Comptroller released a critical report on the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s administration of programs, meant to increase employment opportunities that gave certain business entities state tax ...

116th Congress Convenes

As the partial shutdown of the Federal government grinds on, a new Congressional session begins. While Senators (and former Mayors) Bob Menendez and Cory Booker will continue to represent our State in the Upper House, a number of new Jersey voices will jo...

Gov. Signs Electronic Procurement Legislation

Yesterday, Governor Murphy signed into law as P.L. 2018, c. 156 legislation supported by the League, the New Jersey Association of Counties and the New Jersey School Boards Association. The legislation, passed as A-3112, authorizes local units of...

Division Extends CY 2019 Budget Deadlines

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2018-28 regarding 2019 Calendar Year (CY) Budget Matters, including information on the Financial Automation Submission Tracking (FAST).  All CY 2019 budgets must be submitt...

Governor Outlines Strategy for Economic Development

On Oct. 1, 2018, Governor Murphy presented his outline to grow the New Jersey economy. In a speech in Nutley, the Governor presented a vision focused on investments in the state’s education system and workforce development programs so t...

Jake's Law for Inclusive Playgrounds Signed

Last week, Governor Murphy signed into law A-2187, otherwise known as “Jake’s Law.” The law incentives counties to build inclusive playgrounds for children and adults with disabilities by prioritizing Green Acres fund applica...

Small Municipality Economic Development Proposal Gains Traction

On Monday, the State Senate unanimously approved S-2256, a bill which establishes the "Main Street Assistance Program" to provide financial and technical assistance to businesses located in the “Main Street area” within a “small municipality” Th...

Final Vote on Marijuana Legalization Set for Monday, March 25

On Monday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary each amended and approved legislation that will legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana. The committees also approved legislation to expand the State’s medical marijuana pr...

Governor's Proposed SFY 2020 Budget

Yesterday in Trenton, Governor Murphy presented his second budget proposal to the Legislature and the people of New Jersey. From our perspective, municipal property tax relief funding is of paramount importance.

We thank the Governor for an appropriate inc...

Gov. Signs Electronic Procurement Legislation

Yesterday, Governor Murphy signed into law as P.L. 2018, c. 156 legislation supported by the League, the New Jersey Association of Counties and the New Jersey School Boards Association. The legislation, passed as A-3112, authorizes local units of...

Municipal Compliance with Federal Overtime Requirements

The US Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division reports incomplete municipal compliance with FLSA section 7 overtime requirements. Municipalities can self-audit for compliance using the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program.

We are providing this information to assist you in determining whether your municipality complies with Federal overtime pay requirements. The US Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division advised the League many municipal governments are not complying w...

Small Municipality Economic Development Proposal Gains Traction

The NJ Senate unanimously approved S-2256 establishing the "Main Street Assistance Program" to provide financial and technical assistance to businesses located in the Main Street area within small municipalities.

On Monday, the State Senate unanimously approved S-2256, a bill which establishes the "Main Street Assistance Program" to provide financial and technical assistance to businesses located in the “Main Street area” within a &am...

CY 2019/SFY2020 State Aid Remains Flat

DLGS has issued LFN 2019-04 noting that no municipality will receive less total State formula aid in CY19/SFY20 than it received last year. The State will announce the final aid payment schedule in July, prior to the August 1 payment.

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2019-04 noting that no municipality will receive less total State formula aid in CY19/SFY20 than it received last year. The CY 2019/SFY20 Aid Certification for each municipality is ...

State Planning Commission Moves to Extend Expiration Dates

The Planning Commission published proposed amendments to regulations extending the validity of plan endorsements and center designations approved by the Commission prior to Dec. 31, 2009, and expiring this year, until June 30, 2020.

After some time of dormancy, the State Planning Commission has again become active. Recently, the Planning Commission published proposed amendments to regulations that would extend the validity of plan endorsements and center designations set to expire th...

DLGS Issues Guidance on LOSAP Annual CPI Adjustment

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2019-03 providing general information regarding the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) along with the annual cost of living adjustment to the maximum award amounts.

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2019-03 providing general information regarding the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) along with the annual cost of living adjustment to the maximum award amounts. The increa...

League Publications: Read All About It

The League offers a wide variety of publications to provide extra insights on the hot topics in local government, from Newly Elected guidebooks to the latest editions on OPMA, License Fees, Salaries, and Local Public Contracts.

The League offers a wide variety of publications to provide extra insights on the hot topics in local government, from Newly Elected guidebooks to the latest editions on OPMA, License Fees, Salaries, and Local Public Contracts. For more information on the...

2019 Campaign Contribution Notice from Secretary of State

From the NJ Division of Elections: No holder of a public office or position shall demand payment or contribution from another holder of a public office or position for the campaign purposes of any candidate or for the use of any political party.

The New Jersey Division of Elections has requested we share the following information with all Municipal Clerks on our mailing list. Questions and inquiries for additional information should be directed to Donna Barber, Elections Manager, Division of Elec...

Promote the EITC to Your Residents

Help spread awareness of the EITC, one of the most useful tools in fighting poverty in New Jersey, to ensure that more of our residents become aware of the incredible financial returns that they could be receiving.

The earned income tax credit (EITC) can be one of the most useful tools in fighting poverty in New Jersey. In 2018 nationally, 25 million eligible workers and families received about $63 billion in EITC. The average amount of EITC received nationwide was ...

Application Period Open for “We Value Our Veterans” Award

The application period is now open for Gov. Murphy's "We Value Our Veterans" Community Award.

Many municipalities already recognize veterans in numerous ways. This award provides an additional avenue to honor New Jerseyans who have answered the call to arms in the defense of American values. Through this program, municipalities must accumulate 145...

Division Extends CY 2019 Budget Deadlines

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2018-28 regarding 2019 Calendar Year (CY) Budget Matters, including information on the Financial Automation Submission Tracking (FAST).

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2018-28 regarding 2019 Calendar Year (CY) Budget Matters, including information on the Financial Automation Submission Tracking (FAST).  All CY 2019 budgets must be submitt...

Sample SALT Documents Now Available

The Division of Local Government Services has posted a model donor information form and donor receipt form for those municipalities that wish to implement a charitable trust.

The Division of Local Government Services has posted a model donor information form and donor receipt form for those municipalities that wish to implement a charitable trust. The donor information form is to be completed by a donor and submitted with thei...

CY 2018/SFY 2019 Best Practices Checklist Issued

CY 2018/SFY 2019 Best Practices Checklist is out. Local Finance Notice 2018-26 provides guidance on this year’s process. Calendar Year municipalities' Best Practices checklist is due Nov. 12, 2018, and State Fiscal Year municipalities April 5, 2019.

On October 15, the Division of Local Government Services issued the CY 2018/SFY 2019 Best Practices Checklist. Local Finance Notice 2018-26 provides guidance on this year’s process. Calendar Year municipalities must submit their Best Pr...

NJ Homeowners Guide to Property Taxes

League affiliate the Association of Municipal Assessors of New Jersey collaborated with NJCPA, NJ Realtors, investors Foundation, and Rutgers to produce a “Homeowners Guide To Property Taxes”.

League affiliate the Association of Municipal Assessors of New Jersey collaborated with NJCPA, NJ Realtors, investors Foundation, and Rutgers to produce a “Homeowners Guide To Property Taxes”. We have posted the guide for you to downlo...

Correct Version of the State Flag

The League would like to encourage municipalities to purchase the correct version of the State flag. The underskirts of the goddesses are silver as set forth by the NJ legislature in 1928. Non-approved versions show the underskirts incorrectly in blue.

The League would like to encourage municipalities to purchase the correct version of the State flag.On behalf of the New Jersey State Treasury Printing Service, we are distributing this information so that municipalities will be aware of the correct and a...

OPRA & OPMA Bills

We anticipate that the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will soon be considering two significant bills. S-106 makes various changes to the law addressing meetings of public bodies. This bill aims to provide the public with greater access to meet...

DLGS Issues Guidance on LOSAP Annual CPI Adjustment

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2019-03 providing general information regarding the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) along with the annual cost of living adjustment to the maximum award amounts. The increa...