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...

Cannabis Legalization Impasse

Legislation to legalize adult, recreational use of marijuana was moved out of respective committees in late November but has not advanced for final floor votes. There remain at least two significant areas of disagreement between the Murphy Administration ...

Marijuana Legalization Advances

During a joint hearing Monday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations and the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted out legislation to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana.  The amended bills now stand at “2nd reading” and could be sc...

Update on Marijuana Legalization

Last week the Senate Budget and Appropriations and the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted out legislation to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana.  The amended bills now stand at “2nd reading” and could be scheduled for a final f...

Federal Shutdown Update

As the partial shutdown of Federal agencies and services continues, the impact on the citizens and municipalities of our State will increase incrementally. The immediate and personal impact was felt on Jan. 11 when over 5,000 New Jerseyans employed by the...

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...

Colleagues Honor Retiring New Jersey Congressman

The U.S. Coast Guard’s $10 billion two-year appropriations bill, that has passed Congress and awaits the President’s signature, has been named The Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act. In naming the Act for the retiring New Jer...

BYOB Advertising Ban Found Unconstitutional

Last week, a federal judge ruled that New Jersey’s law prohibiting BYOB establishments from advertising their BYOB status violates constitutional free speech rights. The GJJM Enterprises, LLC v. NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control ruling effectively...

FCC ROW Rules Take Effect Early 2019

As we previously noted, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules this September that restricts the kinds and types of limitations and standards that local governments can set for wireless facilities seeking access to the ROW. This include...

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 ...

Featured Grants - January 2018

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...

The Corporation for National and Community Service Grants Available

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has announced several new grant opportunities.

CNCS is the independent federal agency dedicated to improving lives, strengthening communities, and fostering civic participation through service and v...

Featured Grants - November 2018

Federal

• Save America's Treasures Grants (Deadline: 12/3)
• Scholarly Editions and Translations Grants (Deadline: 12/5)
• FY 2019 AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competition (Deadline: 1/30)
• AmeriCorps NCCC (Deadline: Rolling)
• AmeriCorps VISTA (Deadline: Rolling...

2019 New Jersey State of the State

Today, 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 improvement and for ...

Spread the Word: Feb. SNAP Benefits to be Distributed Early

As a consequence of the long-jam in Washington, the NJ Department of Human Services will be distributing, to qualifying recipients, February Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (commonly known as Food Stamps) on January 17. On that d...

Governor to Deliver State of the State

On Tuesday, January 15, Governor Phil Murphy will deliver his first State of the State address to a joint session of the New Jersey State Legislature. In his address, the Governor will likely highlight his policy objectives for 2019 and beyond and will li...

Court Makes Eminent Domain Ruling

On Monday, the Appellate Division ruled in Borough of Glassboro v. Grossman, et al. that the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, which authorizes municipalities and redevelopment agencies to condemn properties, also requires the condemning authority to a...

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 ...

Federal Shutdown Update

As the partial shutdown of Federal agencies and services continues, the impact on the citizens and municipalities of our State will increase incrementally. The immediate and personal impact was felt on Jan. 11 when over 5,000 New Jerseyans employed by the...

Cannabis Legalization Impasse

Legislation to legalize adult, recreational use of marijuana was moved out of respective committees in late November but has not advanced for final floor votes. There remain at least two significant areas of disagreement between the Murphy Administration ...

Minimum Wage Progress

The Governor, Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Coughlin emerged from a meeting in December with indications that they moved closer to an agreement on a minimum wage increase, which would eventually phase-in to $15/hour. Legislation advancing ...

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...

Vegetative Management Bill Develops

On Monday, the State Assembly voted 70-1 (with 4 not voting and 5 abstentions) to approve A-2558, known as the “Vegetation Management Response Act.”  The League opposed this bill as it would give electric utility companies complete discretion to ...

Bill Allows Grocery Stores to Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without Local Approval

On Monday, the Assembly approved A-4700. The vote was 53-24, with one abstention.

The bill, which aims to encourage supermarkets and grocery stores to better serve the residents of ‘food desert’ communities, currently includes a provisi...

Be Heard: New Authority & Fire District Budget Rules Proposed

Earlier this week the Local Finance Board published proposed amendments to N.J.A.C. 5:31 and various new rules pertaining to the budgeting and reporting requirements of authorities and fire districts.  Of particular note are proposed regulations ...

Update on Marijuana Legalization

Last week the Senate Budget and Appropriations and the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted out legislation to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana.  The amended bills now stand at “2nd reading” and could be scheduled for a final f...

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...

Update on Marijuana Legalization

Last week the Senate Budget and Appropriations and the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted out legislation to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana.  The amended bills now stand at “2nd reading” and could be sch...

$15 Minimum Wage Legislation Introduced

On Monday the Assembly Labor Committee will consider A-15, which will over time raise the hourly minimum wage to $15.00. We call your attention to Allen v. Fauver, 327 N.J. Super. 14 (App. Div. 1999), an appellate division case which held that the State i...

Marijuana Legalization Advances

During a joint hearing Monday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations and the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted out legislation to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana.  The amended bills now stand at “2nd reading&rd...

BYOB Advertising Ban Found Unconstitutional

Last week, a federal judge ruled that New Jersey’s law prohibiting BYOB establishments from advertising their BYOB status violates constitutional free speech rights. The GJJM Enterprises, LLC v. NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control ruling e...

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...

Shared Services Pilot Program Expanded

On November 27, Governor Murphy signed into law A-1100, which added Monmouth and Atlantic County as pilot counties for the purposes of “Common Sense Shared Services Pilot Program Act.” Effective immediately municipal governing bodies l...

Local Control Denied in ABC Portion of Food Dessert Grocer Bill

On Thursday, November 29, the Assembly Human Services Committee held a hearing on a number of bills meant to address the problem of hunger in New Jersey. One bill, A-4700, the “Food Desert Elimination Act,” is intended to provide incen...

FCC ROW Rules Take Effect Early 2019

As we previously noted, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules this September that restricts the kinds and types of limitations and standards that local governments can set for wireless facilities seeking access to the ROW. This include...

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...

Gov. Ok on Revised Animal Cruelty Law Date Changes

Yesterday, Governor Murphy signed A-4225 into law. A-4225 revises the effective dates of certain sections of the recently enacted reforms to the Animal Cruelty Laws (P.L. 2017, C.331). Specifically, Section 6 (which pertains to the appointment of certifie...

Governor to Deliver State of the State

On Tuesday, January 15, Governor Phil Murphy will deliver his first State of the State address to a joint session of the New Jersey State Legislature. In his address, the Governor will likely highlight his policy objectives for 2019 and beyond and will li...

Cannabis Legalization Impasse

Legislation to legalize adult, recreational use of marijuana was moved out of respective committees in late November but has not advanced for final floor votes. There remain at least two significant areas of disagreement between the Murphy Administration ...

Minimum Wage Progress

The Governor, Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Coughlin emerged from a meeting in December with indications that they moved closer to an agreement on a minimum wage increase, which would eventually phase-in to $15/hour. Legislation advancing ...

Vegetative Management Bill Develops

On Monday, the State Assembly voted 70-1 (with 4 not voting and 5 abstentions) to approve A-2558, known as the “Vegetation Management Response Act.”  The League opposed this bill as it would give electric utility companies complete discretion to ...

Bill Allows Grocery Stores to Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without Local Approval

On Monday, the Assembly approved A-4700. The vote was 53-24, with one abstention.

The bill, which aims to encourage supermarkets and grocery stores to better serve the residents of ‘food desert’ communities, currently includes a provision that would allow ...

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...

$15 Minimum Wage Legislation Introduced

On Monday the Assembly Labor Committee will consider A-15, which will over time raise the hourly minimum wage to $15.00. We call your attention to Allen v. Fauver, 327 N.J. Super. 14 (App. Div. 1999), an appellate division case which held that the State i...

Update on Marijuana Legalization

Last week the Senate Budget and Appropriations and the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted out legislation to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana.  The amended bills now stand at “2nd reading” and could be scheduled for a final f...

Local Control Denied in ABC Portion of Food Dessert Grocer Bill

On Thursday, November 29, the Assembly Human Services Committee held a hearing on a number of bills meant to address the problem of hunger in New Jersey. One bill, A-4700, the “Food Desert Elimination Act,” is intended to provide incentives to supermarket...

Marijuana Legalization Advances

During a joint hearing Monday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations and the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted out legislation to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana.  The amended bills now stand at “2nd reading” and could be sc...

2% Interest Arbitration Extension

Unanimously approved by the Legislature and the Governor in  June 2014, the extension on the 2% cap on Interest Arbitration awards expired on December 31, 2017. While the 2% property tax levy cap will continue, the cap on Interest Arbitration awa...

Annual Survey

Let the League know how we can best serve you by taking our Annual Survey.

We here at the League would like to know what you thought about our services provided throughout the last year. The survey should take less than 5 minutes.

Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we are doing!

Read on...

Show Off Your City Contest!

The Second Annual Show Off Your City Contest is accepting entries through February. Send in your entries today and be featured in the League's April issue of NJ Municipalities Magazine!

The Second Annual Show Off Your City Contest is accepting entries through February 1. Municipalities are invited to send us photos of their tourist attractions, downtown areas, economic development initiatives, parks, city halls, community groups and new ...

1st Annual NJ Local Government Week

Celebrate your municipality and showcase its beauty! Let residents know about your municipal facilities and careers, and highlight the services that their local government provides on a daily basis by participating in NJ Local Government Week April 7-13.

Celebrate your municipality and showcase its beauty! Let residents know about your municipal facilities and careers, and highlight the services that their local government provides on a daily basis by participating in NJ Local Government Week April 7-13, ...

Conversation with Treasurer Muoio

The State Bar Association is hosting a “Fireside Chat with New Jersey Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio” January 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in New Brunswick.

The State Bar Association is hosting a “Fireside Chat with New Jersey Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio” January 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in New Brunswick. Topics will include New Jersey public finance laws and economic development. Registrati...

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...

Reminder: 21st Annual Elected Officials Hall of Fame

In recognition of the many municipal governing body members who are selflessly serving for 20 or more years, the League of Municipalities is pleased to once again accept nominations for the Elected Officials Hall of Fame.

In recognition of the many municipal governing body members who are selflessly serving for 20 or more years, the League of Municipalities is pleased to once again accept nominations for the Elected Officials Hall of Fame. This special honor is reserved fo...

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...

Attorney General 21/21 Community Policing Project

The Attorney General has asked the 21 County Prosecutors to organize quarterly public events to discuss issues relevant to community policing in the 21st century.

The Attorney General has asked the 21 County Prosecutors to organize quarterly public events to discuss issues relevant to community policing in the 21st century (the “21/21 Community Policing Project”). The goal of the project is to s...

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...

Shared Services Pilot Program Expanded

On November 27, Governor Murphy signed into law A-1100, which added Monmouth and Atlantic County as pilot counties for the purposes of “Common Sense Shared Services Pilot Program Act.” Effective immediately municipal governing bodies located in Atlantic a...