Reminder: Interest Arbitration Permanent Extension Effort Still Underway

The temporary 2% cap on police and fire arbitration contract awards was an effective tool to control increasing salary costs and provided a solution to assist local governments in keeping property taxes down and costs under control. As predicted, the fail...

Tax Incentive Debate Looms over State Budget

On Wednesday, Governor Murphy outlined his proposal for a revamping of State economic development initiatives offered through the Economic Development Agency (EDA). As you are likely aware, the incentives advanced in the Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 h...

Revised State Revenue Estimates Improve Budget’s Outlook

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) and State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio presented revised revenue estimates for the State’s current (FY ‘19) Fiscal Year and the State’s upcoming (FY ‘20) Fisca...

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 ...

General Assembly to act-Cannabis Update

On Monday, the General Assembly is expected to concur with Senate amendments to A10/S10, which expands access to medical marijuana. This legislation establishes the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to oversee the regulation of medical cannabis in the ...

Senate Acts on Medical Marijuana

Yesterday, the State Senate amended and then passed S-10, which expands access to medical marijuana by a vote of 33-4. This legislation establishes the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to oversee the regulation of medical cannabis in the state, includ...

Expansion of Medical Marijuana Passes

On Thursday, the General Assembly passed A-10, which expands access to medical marijuana by a vote of 65-5-6.  This legislation establishes the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to oversee the regulation of medical cannabis in the state, inclu...

Recreational Marijuana Stalls

On Wednesday, Senate President Steve Sweeney announced that he would not post legislation again to legalize adult use marijuana for a floor vote. If you recall, the bills were posted on March 25 but did not garner enough votes for passage. Instead, the in...

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...

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 boundaries, and the amount o...

Census Deadline, Resource

Read on...

National Flood Insurance Extension Correction and Update

Last week, we were incorrect in stating that the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) would lapse, due to Congressional inaction on the Disaster Relief legislation. In fact, a two-week extension had been enacted. That very short-term lifeline will be s...

House Makes Progress on Infrastructure

On Thursday, in Washington, the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies approved by voice vote its fiscal year 2020 bill. In total, the legislation provides $137.1 billion in bud...

House Adds NFIP Extension to Disaster Assistance Bill

On April 9, a new $17.2 billion disaster aid package was introduced in the House of Representatives. That bill, H.R. 2157, is scheduled for consideration this week. However, the Senate is still debating how much additional assistance Puerto Rico should re...

High-Level Bipartisan Meeting Yields Some Hope for Infrastructure

On Tuesday, at the White House, President Donald Trump met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to discuss the need for action on a comprehensive infrastructure bill. The lawmakers emerged with a conceptual agreement on...

HUD and White House release Opportunity Zone Plan

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC) have released an implementation plan outlining how local leaders can maximize benefits when participating in the Opportunity Zone...

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...

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...

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 ...

Featured Grants - June 2019

Featured Grants - May 2019

FY19 Federal Public Safety Grant Solicitations

1. Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program FY 2019 Competitive Grant Announcement The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications to plan and implement comprehensive programs in response to the growing opioid epidemic. This prog...

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...

First Responders’ Workers’ Comp Rewrite Advances in Assembly

On Thursday in Trenton, the Assembly Appropriations Committee has scheduled S-716/A-1741, companion bills that make it much easier for any public safety worker–volunteer or professional–to receive a workers’ compensa...

Census Deadline, Resource

Read on...

Cannabis Update

On Monday, the General Assembly is expected to concur with Senate amendments to A10/S10, which expands access to medical marijuana. This legislation establishes the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to oversee the regulation of medical cannabis in the ...

Tax Incentive Debate Looms over State Budget

On Wednesday, Governor Murphy outlined his proposal for a revamping of State economic development initiatives offered through the Economic Development Agency (EDA). As you are likely aware, the incentives advanced in the Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 h...

National Flood Insurance Extension Correction and Update

Last week, we were incorrect in stating that the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) would lapse, due to Congressional inaction on the Disaster Relief legislation. In fact, a two-week extension had been enacted. That very short-term lifeline will be s...

Reserve Your Hotel for League Conference

Preparations for the 104^th Annual League Conference November 19-21 are underway and the hotel reservations system will be open for attendees and exhibitors on June 1 at the League Conference Web page. There you will also see a preliminary schedule of conf...

Senate Acts on Medical Marijuana

Yesterday, the State Senate amended and then passed S-10, which expands access to medical marijuana by a vote of 33-4. This legislation establishes the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to oversee the regulation of medical cannabis in the state, includ...

Path to Progress’ Pension Hybrid Plan

As noted in the Path to Progress Report, “the State’s combined pension and retiree health benefit liabilities of $151.5 billion are four times the size of the State’s annual budget; and more than three times the size of the S...

Bill to Clarify Tax Responsibilities Introduced

The League fully supports recently introduced legislation, which will clarify telecommunications industry business tax responsibilities, and shield local taxpayers from the costs of endless tax court litigation. The companion bills are A-5450 and S-3827, ...

National Flood Insurance Program Extension Delayed

Provisions that would grant the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) a four-month extension were included in a FEMA Disaster Relief bill that cleared the U.S. Senate late last week. It was believed that the bill, which the President has said he will si...

ABC Issues Renewed Special Ruling Limiting Brewery Activities

The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) issued a “Special Ruling” this week, defining activities permitted under the State’s limited brewery licenses. This ruling is meant to clarify and replace a similar Special Rul...

Expansion of Medical Marijuana Passes

On Thursday, the General Assembly passed A-10, which expands access to medical marijuana by a vote of 65-5-6.  This legislation establishes the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to oversee the regulation of medical cannabis in the state, inclu...

Municipal Liability Bill Corrections Bill Approved

Earlier this week the Assembly Judiciary Committee reported A-5392 out of committee, readying the bill for second reading in the Assembly. The intent of A-5392 is to establish liability standards for public entities, identical to the standards applied to ...

Reminder: Interest Arbitration Permanent Extension Effort Still Underway

The temporary 2% cap on police and fire arbitration contract awards was an effective tool to control increasing salary costs and provided a solution to assist local governments in keeping property taxes down and costs under control. As predicted, the fail...

House Makes Progress on Infrastructure

On Thursday, in Washington, the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies approved by voice vote its fiscal year 2020 bill. In total, the legislation provides $137.1 bill...

Recreational Marijuana Stalls

On Wednesday, Senate President Steve Sweeney announced that he would not post legislation again to legalize adult use marijuana for a floor vote. If you recall, the bills were posted on March 25 but did not garner enough votes for passage. Instead, the in...

Legislation Introduced to Implement Path to Progress Recommendations

Yesterday Senate President Sweeney and Senator Oroho held a press conference announcing a 27-bill package to implement some of the recommendations of the Path to Progress Report. While we are currently reviewing the bills presented in the package, we woul...

Property Tax Relief Restoration Bill Advances

On Monday, in Trenton, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced S-51. The legislation has been a long-time League priority. It would, beginning next year, require the State to begin a phased-in restitution of the $331 million, wh...

PILOT Sharing Bill Advances

On Monday, the Senate State Government Committee also advanced S-59, which requires municipalities to share certain payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) with counties and school districts, and informs counties and school districts of urban renewal applicatio...

Gov. Signs Sexual Abuse Suit Extension Bill

On Monday, Governor Murphy signed into law S-477, which extended the statute of limitations in civil actions for sexual abuse claims. The law creates a two-year window for parties to bring lawsuits based on sexual abuse that would be time-barred, even wit...

Committee Hears Hospital Tax Exemption Testimony

Yesterday, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee took testimony from the public on A-4013, a bill the League opposes. A-4013 seeks to address the ongoing issue of property tax exemptions for nonprofit hospitals with on-site for-profit medical ...

Sign Up Today! NJLM Mini One Day Conference

On June 14 at the Conference Center at Mercer in West Windsor, the League will offer the Mini One Day Conference. This event will feature about 10 educational sessions on a wide range of topics including; #MeToo in the Workplace, Green Purchasing, Changin...

Accelerated DOT Municipal Aid Grant Cycle & Resource Center Announced

On Thursday, Governor Murphy announced an accelerated NJDOT Municipal Aid grant cycle and the creation of a Local Aid Resource Center. Starting with SFY20, NJDOT will be modifying the application scheduled accepting grant applications beginning this May 1...

Governor Signs League-Supported ‘Vicious Dog’ Standards Bill

On Tuesday, Governor Phil Murphy signed S-1923 into law (P.L. 2019, Chapter 82). The League supported this carefully crafted bill, which refines the criteria, to be used by a municipal court, to determine whether a dog is vicious or pote...

House Adds NFIP Extension to Disaster Assistance Bill

On April 9, a new $17.2 billion disaster aid package was introduced in the House of Representatives. That bill, H.R. 2157, is scheduled for consideration this week. However, the Senate is still debating how much additional assistance Puerto Rico should re...

League Supports Transportation Alternatives Bill

The NJ League and the National League of Cities (NLC) support the Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act (S. 1098) introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS). This bipartisan bill improves on the highly successful Transportatio...

High-Level Bipartisan Meeting Yields Some Hope for Infrastructure

On Tuesday, at the White House, President Donald Trump met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to discuss the need for action on a comprehensive infrastructure bill. The lawmakers emerged with a conceptual agreement on...

HUD and White House release Opportunity Zone Plan

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC) have released an implementation plan outlining how local leaders can maximize benefits when participating in the Opportunity Zone...

Legislative Hearings on Governor’s FY 2020 Budget Proposal

To date, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee have held seven hearings, each, on the Governor’s proposed FY 2020 Budget. To date, in none of those 14 hearings has the topic of municipal property tax re...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Reserve Your Hotel for League Conference

Preparations for the 104^th Annual League Conference November 19-21 are underway and the hotel reservations system will be open for attendees and exhibitors on June 1 at the League Conference Web page. There you will also see a preliminary schedule of conf...

Reserve Your Hotel for the League Conference: June 1

Preparations for the 104th Annual League Conference November 19-21 are underway and the hotel reservations system will be open for attendees and exhibitors on June 1 at the League Conference webpage. A preliminary schedule of conference sessions will also...

Exhibit Booth Registration is Open!

Invite your vendors to exhibit at the 2019 NJLM Annual Conference and showcase their product or service to other municipalities. Exhibit space is already 70% sold out so contact your vendors today – or send us a note and we’ll reach ou...

Bill to Clarify Tax Responsibilities

The League fully supports recently introduced legislation, which will clarify telecommunications industry business tax responsibilities, and shield local taxpayers from the costs of endless tax court litigation. The companion bills are A-5450 and S-3827, ...

Municipal Liability Bill Corrections Bill Approved

Earlier this week the Assembly Judiciary Committee reported A-5392 out of committee, readying the bill for second reading in the Assembly. The intent of A-5392 is to establish liability standards for public entities, identical to the standards ap...

Legislation Introduced to Implement Path to Progress Recommendations

Yesterday Senate President Sweeney and Senator Oroho held a press conference announcing a 27-bill package to implement some of the recommendations of the Path to Progress Report. While we are currently reviewing the bills presented in the package, we woul...

Property Tax Relief Restoration Bill Moves Forward

On Monday, in Trenton, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced S-51. The legislation has been a long-time League priority. It would, beginning next year, require the State to begin a phased-in restitution of the $331 million, wh...

PILOT Sharing Bill Advances

On Monday, the Senate State Government Committee also advanced S-59, which requires municipalities to share certain payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) with counties and school districts, and informs counties and school districts of urban renewal applicatio...

Gov. Signs Sexual Abuse Suit Extension Bill

On Monday, Governor Murphy signed into law S-477, which extended the statute of limitations in civil actions for sexual abuse claims. The law creates a two-year window for parties to bring lawsuits based on sexual abuse that would be time-barred, even wit...

League Supports Transportation Alternatives Bill

The NJ League and the National League of Cities (NLC) support the Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act (S. 1098) introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS). This bipartisan bill improves on the highly successful Transportatio...

Governor Signs League-Supported ‘Vicious Dog’ Standards Bill

On Tuesday, Governor Phil Murphy signed S-1923 into law (P.L. 2019, Chapter 82). The League supported this carefully crafted bill, which refines the criteria, to be used by a municipal court, to determine whether a dog is vicious or pote...

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...

Spotted Laternfly Quarantine Area Expected to Expand

The NJ Department of Agriculture proposed expanding the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine to include Burlington, Gloucester, Camden, Salem, and Somerset Counties to the current quarantine area of Warren, Hunterdon, and Mercer County.

Earlier this week, the NJ Department of Agriculture proposed expanding the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine to include Burlington, Gloucester, Camden, Salem, and Somerset Counties to the current quarantine area of Warren, Hunterdon, and Mercer County.The Spo...

Calling All Finance Officers!

NJLM is cooperating with the National League of Cities in conducting its annual City Fiscal Conditions survey to better understand local fiscal and economic trends. Make your voice heard-take the survey by June 14.

Analysts now predict that the next recession will occur in 2021. How is your community preparing? NJLM is cooperating with the National League of Cities in conducting its annual City Fiscal Conditions survey to better understand local fiscal and economic ...

Revised State Revenue Estimates Improve Budget’s Outlook

The OLS and State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio presented revised revenue estimates for the State’s FY ‘19) and FY ‘20. New Jersey’s budget outlook is now brighter than it was when Gov. Murphy presented his plan to the Legislature in March.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) and State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio presented revised revenue estimates for the State’s current (FY ‘19) Fiscal Year and the State&r...

NJ Dept. of Agriculture Adopts Beekeeping Rules

The NJ Dept. of Agriculture adopted new rules aimed at regulating beekeeping within the state. The League was a key stakeholder in developing these regulations, however, the standards fall short of providing adequate protections.

Last week the New Jersey Department of Agriculture adopted new rules aimed at regulating beekeeping within the state. The League was a key stakeholder in developing these regulations, however, the standards fall short of providing adequate protections for...

NJLM One Day Mini Conference Offers Up To 8 CEUs

The NJLM One Day Mini Conference will run June 14, 2019, at the Conference Center at Mercer in West Windsor. This event features sessions on a wide range of topics including #MeToo, Green Purchasing, Recycling, Cyber Security, and Budget Forecasting.

On June 14, 2019, at the Conference Center at Mercer in West Windsor, the League will offer the One Day Mini Conference. This event will feature about 10 educational sessions on a wide range of topics including; #MeToo in the Workplace, Green Purchasing, ...

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...

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...

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...

Path to Progress’ Pension Hybrid Plan

As noted in the Path to Progress Report, “the State’s combined pension and retiree health benefit liabilities of $151.5 billion are four times the size of the State’s annual budget; and more than three times the size of the State’s bonded debt. That publi...

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...