Posted on: May 13, 2022
On Monday, May 9, Governor Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed legislation aimed at addressing a perceived judicial misinterpretation of the law concerning political bribery. A-2472 was introduced after federal and state trial courts both interprete...
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Posted on: May 13, 2022
On Monday, May 9, the Assembly Oversight, Reform, and Federal Relations Committee heard testimony from key stakeholders of the New Jersey alcoholic beverage industry on the current state of the industry and discussed ways to improve the manufacturing, dis...
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Posted on: May 13, 2022
This past Wednesday, May 11, at the New Jersey Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in Atlantic City, League Senior Legislative Analyst Paul Penna participated in a panel: American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Program Funds: Leveraging Federal, ...
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Posted on: May 13, 2022
On May 19 at 10 a.m., the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a public information session on the recently announced Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program.
The information session will review applicant eligibility, project types, an...
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Posted on: April 22, 2022
Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin sent a memo to law enforcement chief executives regarding compliance with P.L. 2021, c. 16, the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act. In the memo, Acting Attorney Gener...
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Posted on: April 22, 2022
Budget hearings continued this week with the Senate Budget and Appropriations meeting on Thursday, April 21. A number of individuals testified including some who reaffirmed the League's requests to restore fund...
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Posted on: April 22, 2022
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has released its decision in City of Austin, Texas v. Reagan National Advertising of Austin, LLC, Et al. This case examined the City of Austin’s sign ordinance, which regulates “...
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Posted on: April 19, 2022
On April 14, both the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) gave testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee. DOE Acting Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillian's testimony high...
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Posted on: April 19, 2022
On April 12, Governor Murphy signed into law A-2158, which took effect immediately. P.L. 2022, c. 9 permits an existing police chief or fire chief who attains the age of 65 within the next two years to continue serving as chief until the end of t...
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Posted on: April 19, 2022
On April 13, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 294 clarifying that vaccination requirements for covered workers at health care and high-risk congregate settings under Executive Order No. 283 include only one booster dose of the COVID-19 vacc...
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Posted on: April 13, 2022
The recently signed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 reinstituted the congressionally directed spending process, also referred to as earmarks. The Act authorized $9 billion for earmarks for state and local projects. New Jersey’s senators ...
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Posted on: April 13, 2022
We want to share correspondence from the U.S. Treasury that was sent to the League’s federal partner, the National League of Cities, regarding a SAM.gov registration scam targeting Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) as classified by the federal government.&...
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Posted on: April 13, 2022
Starting on Wednesday, May 4, New Jersey will implement P.L 2020, C.117, which bans single-use plastic bags, straws, and polystyrene foam foodservice products. The law states that New Jersey businesses are banned from providing or selling single-use plast...
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Posted on: April 13, 2022
On Monday, April 4, the legislative hearings on Governor Murphy’s proposed $48.9 billion FY2023 budget began. The Assembly Budget committee heard testimony from the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services (OLS) and the New Jersey Department of Treasury....
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Posted on: March 22, 2022
Yesterday, the Site Improvement Advisory Board (SIAB) considered advancing a proposal to amend the Residential Site Improvement Standards (RSIS). However, the SIAB tabled the proposal for further review by their Stormwater subcommittee. The proposed rule ...
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Posted on: March 22, 2022
On Tuesday, March 15, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) issued Local Finance Notice 2022-10 (LFN 2022-10), outlining the 2023 State Aid Certification process. The Calendar Year (CY) 2022)/State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023 Aid Certification for each mun...
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Posted on: March 22, 2022
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of New Jersey issued its decision in Rivera v. Union County Prosecutor’s Office. This case dealt with a request made under the Open Public Records Act and the common law for a police internal affairs...
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Posted on: March 22, 2022
With the uncertainty in the world because of the conflict involving Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we want to remind you to take steps to protect municipal assets from a cyber-attack. Once malware is deployed, it has the potential to infect syste...
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Posted on: March 22, 2022
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) New Jersey State Program released the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Funding Opportunity. Municipalities are eligible recipients under this funding oppo...
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Posted on: February 24, 2022
As the State begins to consider its FY 22-23 budget, it is critical for municipalities to advocate for S-330, which will increase distribution to municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years, restore munici...
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Posted on: February 24, 2022
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) will be hosting three virtual regional hearings on the use of tax revenue for social equity purposes on March 7 for northern New Jersey, March 9 for central New Jersey, and 16 for southern New Jersey. Al...
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Posted on: January 31, 2022
On Thursday the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee unanimously approved S-330, which increases distribution to municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to restore municipal aid reductions and requires ...
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Posted on: January 31, 2022
In November of 2020, Governor Murphy signed Daniel’s Law, amending the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and other statutes intending to protect certain people in public service. Despite its laudable goals Daniel’s Law, as initi...
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Posted on: January 31, 2022
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking applicants for its latest round of grant funding, which prioritizes projects that will restore and protect New Jersey’s watersheds while better managing stormwater runoff and...
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Posted on: January 31, 2022
At this week’s briefing Governor Murphy announced the new emergency rescue mortgage assistance program and the opening of new vaccination megasites in Passaic and Bergen counties. The Governor noted that COVID-19 cases are down by roughly two-thirds from ...
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Posted on: January 13, 2022
On Tuesday, Governor Murphy issued two Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic: Executive Order No. 280, reinstating the state’s Public Health Emergency, and Executive Order No. 281 allowing certain prior executive orders to remain in effect. Th...
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Posted on: January 13, 2022
Governor Phil Murphy delivered his 2022 State of State address in a pre-recorded video. Illustrating the theme of the Governor’s address, “Resilient and Moving Forward,” he reviewed New Jersey’s response to...
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Posted on: December 17, 2021
This week, Treasury released the Treasury Portal that Non-Entitlement Units of government (NEUs) that have requested American Rescue Plan funding from their state will use for reporting and compliance. Your municipality should have received an email to us...
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Posted on: December 17, 2021
The League opposes A-6115/S-4081, which seeks to prohibit certain sewer and water utility service discontinuances; would establish the Winter Sewer and Water Termination Program; and would require the BPU to include electric, gas, sewer, and wate...
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Posted on: December 17, 2021
Last year Governor signed P.L. 2020, c. 125, which prohibits disclosure of active, formerly active, and retired judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers’ home addresses, both primary and secondary. The well-intended law is fraught with...
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Posted on: December 14, 2021
On Thursday, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee unanimously approved A-1335/S-2667, which would permit municipalities with a population under 2,500 to withdraw from Civil Service by ordinance.
The League testified in support of thi...
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Posted on: December 14, 2021
Earlier this week the Senate Economic Growth Committee reviewed and approved S-4067, a bill the League opposes. S-4067 would exclude any farmland assessed land from being designated as a redevelopment area or rehabilitation area under the Local R...
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Posted on: October 1, 2021
Earlier this month, we alerted you to an interim relief order issued by the Public Employment Relation Commission (PERC) regarding a municipality implementing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for municipal employees. The PERC ruling determined that a public...
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Posted on: October 1, 2021
Today the Division of Local Government Services issued the 2021 Municipal Best Practices Inventory. Local Finance Notice 2021-17 provides guidance on this year’s process. All municipalities, including State Fiscal Year, must submit their Best Pr...
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Posted on: September 2, 2021
As you are no doubt aware, catastrophic, damaging tornado activity, widespread power outages across the state, as well as excessive rainfall and flooding from Tropical Storm Ida has created massive damage and long-term challenges throughout much of the st...
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Posted on: August 13, 2021
Senate Passes Infrastructure Bill, Congress to Consider
On Tuesday, the Senate passed the bi-partisan infrastructure bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), by a vote of 69-30, which represents a significant step forward on $550 billion in...
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Posted on: August 6, 2021
On Thursday Governor Murphy signed S-3049/A-5176 into law. This law establishes a regional municipal court pilot program. The Administrative Office of the Courts will establish the pilot program in no fewer than two qualified counties and no fewer than fi...
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Posted on: August 6, 2021
Earlier this week Governor Murphy signed into law two bills providing eviction prevention and utility assistance for renters who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.
S-3691 appropriates an additional $500 million for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental As...
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Posted on: August 5, 2021
The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2021-12 summarizing the state aid payment and payment schedule dates. While the adopted SFY 2020 state budget has maintained formula aid program appropriations, the Open Space PILOT...
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Posted on: August 5, 2021
An opinion released this week from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) examines whether or not federal law prohibits public agencies and private businesses from requiring COVID-19 vaccines. According to the opinion, “section 564 of the FDCA [Fo...
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Posted on: August 5, 2021
Before the end of the budget break both the Senate and Assembly were poised to consider the “Responsible Collective Negotiations Act” (S-3810/A-5862). This fast-tracked legislation would effectively subject to negotiations the entire l...
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Posted on: July 16, 2021
This week Governor Murphy announced the NJ Docket App for COVID vaccination records and continued to urge New Jersey residents to get vaccinated. The Division of Pensions and Benefits issued guidance on the termination of retirees who returned employment ...
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Posted on: July 16, 2021
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released an initial recommendation to raise the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSAs) core population threshold from 50,000 to 100,000. This change would have resulted in 144 MSAs being removed and would have signi...
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Posted on: July 16, 2021
Over the past two weeks, a bipartisan group of senators has been working to develop legislative text around the bipartisan Infrastructure Framework. During the week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated in news accounts that the Senate ...
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Posted on: July 16, 2021
Last Friday, Governor Murphy signed into law a package of bills related to clean energy and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, three of which will have a direct municipal impact.
- S-3223, (P.L.2021, c.171) among other things, makes an application for...
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Posted on: June 30, 2021
Today, Governor Phil Murphy, along with legislative leaders and cabinet members gathered in Woodbridge for the signing of the 2022 Fiscal Year State Budget, which appropriates $46.3 billion in state funds and $6 billion in federal funds. This year&rsq...
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Posted on: June 30, 2021
After being added late on Tuesday to Wednesday’s Senate Voting session, the Senate held and did not consider S-2674/A-1116. This legislation seeks to preempt and supersede local regulation of small cell (5G) deployment within the municipal right...
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Posted on: June 28, 2021
On Thursday both the Assembly and Senate passed A-5870/S-2022, which appropriates $46.3 billion in state funds and $6 billion in federal funds for New Jersey’s FY22 state budget. The budget will now be sent to Governor Murphy desk for his signature. The G...
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Posted on: June 28, 2021
S-3926/A-5894, fast-tracked legislation preempting local say over offshore wind projects, passed in both houses. This legislation would give the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) authority to preempt and supersede all necessary local approval of projects ne...
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Posted on: June 28, 2021
In March, legislators passed S-1676/A-3326, which would allow hospitals to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for individuals who are homeless or housing insecure. While we support efforts aimed at providing health care and housing to thos...
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Posted on: June 25, 2021
Many thanks to all of you who reached out to your Legislators and raised objections to the “Responsible Collective Negotiations” bill (S-3810/A-5862). The legislation was held in both houses.The League is by joined and also th...
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Posted on: June 24, 2021
Later today (Thursday) both the full Senate and Assembly are scheduled to consider the amended “Responsible Collective Negotiations” bill (S-3810/A-5862). The League has joined the New Jersey Association of Counties, New Jersey Confere...
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Posted on: June 24, 2021
Your Conference Exhibitors
It’s been a long time since most local government officials have had the opportunity to check out the latest products and services and connect face-to-face. Exhibitors are eager to network with you and provid...
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Posted on: June 16, 2021
a. Hotel Booking System Open
Planning for an in-person 106th Annual League Conference this Nov. 16-18 in Atlantic City continues full speed ahead and the hotel booking system is open!Take advantage of the full Conference experience by staying in ...
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Posted on: June 15, 2021
Action is needed to oppose legislation that would remove important management prerogatives and drive up costs for local governments. On Wednesday the Assembly Appropriations Committee will be considering A-5862, which expands the subjects that would becom...
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Posted on: June 14, 2021
On June 15, 2020, Attorney General, Gurbir Grewal issued Law Enforcement Directive No. 2020-5 and 2020-6, mandating public disclosure of the identities of law enforcement officers who commit serious disciplinary violations. However, implementation of thes...
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Posted on: June 14, 2021
Senate President Sweeney with Senators Addiego and Greenstein, recently introduced S-3810 known as the “Responsible Collective Negotiations Act” to provide additional worker safeguards in response to the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court Janus v. AFSCME ruling. Whi...
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Posted on: June 14, 2021
The Senate Economic Growth Committee is scheduled to review S-2674 on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 10 a.m. The purpose of this legislation is to provide for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in the state and mirrors, and in some cases...
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Posted on: June 14, 2021
On Wednesday, the League testified in opposition to A-2401, the “Responsible Dog Ownership Act” as introduced. While the League has previously opposed this as overly broad, we are working with the sponsor on amendments regarding the en...
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Posted on: June 14, 2021
Last week S-1, which would encourage shared services, passed the full Senate. We thank Senate President Sweeney for the various amendments to the bill to address our concerns. We appreciate the civil service reforms and are optimistic they will make shari...
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Posted on: June 14, 2021
Last week S-1, which would encourage shared services, passed the full Senate. We thank Senate President Sweeney for the various amendments to the bill to address our concerns. We appreciate the civil service reforms and are optimistic they will make shari...
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Posted on: June 14, 2021
Government Records Council (GRC), Executive Director Frank Caruso issued a Special Statement this week regarding the signing of P.L. 2021, c.103, which resulted in the termination of the State’s COVID-19 public health emergency and reinstated th...
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Posted on: June 4, 2021
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) held a meeting this week where League President, Mayor Janice Kovach of Clinton Town, spoke about some of the issues facing municipalities with the rollout of the legalized cannabis, including parking concerns, odo...
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Posted on: June 4, 2021
Yesterday, the Senate approved S-3095/A-4850, which the League opposes, sending the measure to Governor Murphy for his action. The legislation would establish an expedited construction inspection program that would allow able and willing property...
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Posted on: June 4, 2021
As Congress debates the details of an infrastructure package with the Biden Administration, including how it is paid for, it is critical that New Jersey municipalities highlight infrastructure needs and successes on social media and tag federal members.&a...
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Posted on: May 24, 2021
Due to unforeseen circumstances the May 26, 2021 webinar, “New Jersey’s Green Stormwater Management Rules,” has been postponed. A new date will be set shortly.
If you have any questions, please contact the League office at 609...
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Posted on: May 24, 2021
Today the League hosted a webinar to provide guidance on the U.S. Treasury Interim Final Rule to implement the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).The ...
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Posted on: May 24, 2021
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) will be holding its next meeting on June 1, 2021, at 12 p.m. The CRC is seeking input from municipal representatives about the emerging cannabis industry. At this meeting, the CRC is asking for input from local off...
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Posted on: May 24, 2021
This week Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 240, which extends the public health emergency for additional 30 days as well as Executive Order 241, which eliminates the outdoor mask requirement. In signing the public health emergency ...
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Posted on: May 18, 2021
Late last year, Governor Murphy signed the most progressive disposable bag law in the country, with the goal of phasing out single-use plastic and paper bags. Though many provisions of P.L.2020, c.117, including the ban on single-use plastic bags, do not ...
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Posted on: May 18, 2021
This week Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 239 easing of certain COVID-19 restrictions effective May 19. He announced that adolescents between the age of 12 and 16 are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations based on CDC’s emergen...
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Posted on: May 18, 2021
This Friday at noon the League of Municipalities is hosting a free webinar to provide guidance on the American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.The United States Department of Treasury published Guidance and Interim Final Rule...
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Posted on: April 20, 2021
On Monday, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission held its first meeting. The Commission is tasked with creating rules and regulations regarding legalized and medical cannabis within the state. At this first meeting, the Commission took the necessary procedur...
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Posted on: March 26, 2021
Earlier today, Governor Murphy signed S-5472/S-3565 requiring law enforcement to provide a parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of a person under the age of 18 with a written notification for any violation for underage consumption or poss...
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Posted on: March 15, 2021
March 10 was the one-year anniversary of New Jersey’s first COVID-19 confirmed death. Governor Phil Murphy noted that “the toll of this virus has been staggering. It exceeds the numbers of New Jerseyans lost in any war. In one year, we have lost an averag...
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Posted on: March 9, 2021
Legislative front:
Various Assembly and Senate committees will be holding hearings and considering numerous pieces of legislation during the week. The municipal issues before the various committees include:
- Assembly Oversight, Reform &am...
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Posted on: February 24, 2021
On Tuesday, February 23, Governor Murphy delivered the annual budget address. The Governor’s proposed $44.8 billion budget will guide the State’s spending through the next (FY 2022) fiscal year. While the full details of the Governor’s budget will be rele...
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Posted on: December 1, 2020
Dear Elected and Appointed Officials:We would like to take a moment to thank you for attending the League’s 105th Annual Conference, presented virtually in 2020. When the ball dropped last New Year’s Eve, little did we know what lay ahead in 2020, and now...
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Posted on: May 26, 2020
On Friday, State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio announced that State revenue losses in the current Fiscal Year, which now will end on September 30, will total $2.75 Billion. As you recall, back in March, in anticipation of COVID’s economic fall...
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Posted on: May 22, 2020
The State Planning Commission this week issued a Notice of Rule Waiver/Modification/Suspension pursuant to Executive Order No. 103, which temporarily relaxes regulatory provisions concerning the expiration of town center designations made pursuant to the ...
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Posted on: August 9, 2019
Earlier this week NJ Attorney General Gurbir Grewal issued a Directive seeking to promote emotional and mental well-being of New Jersey law enforcement officers. The Directive creates the New Jersey Resiliency Program for Law Enforcement (“NJRP-...
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Posted on: July 19, 2019
In June, mediators appointed by the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) issued three interest arbitration awards. The first interest arbitration awards to be issued since the expiration of the 2% cap. Each of these awards arose out of an impasse...
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Posted on: May 18, 2021
Governor Conditionally Vetoes Hospital Housing Bill
Earlier this week Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed S-1676, a bill which the League opposed. S-1676 would allow hospitals to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for individuals who are h...
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Legislative Advocacy
Posted on: June 10, 2021
This week we begin weekly coverage of Conference information in the Conference Connections section of the Wednesday Daily Update. The section will provide information on general attendance issues, education, and exhibit opportunities as they develop.This ...
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League Conference
Posted on: July 2, 2021
On Thursday, June 24, Governor Murphy signed A-4745, which raises the eligibility for exempt firefighter certificates and membership in New Jersey State Fireman’s Association maximum age from 45 to 57. Under previous regulations, firefighters we...
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Legislative Advocacy
Posted on: July 2, 2021
On June 29, Governor Murphy signed into law S-1255, which requires that $20 million of certain realty transfer fee revenues are to be credited each year to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, beginning with the first fiscal year next f...
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Legislative Advocacy
Posted on: August 13, 2021
Census Bureau Releases Data
On Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released demographic data that had been delayed as a result of the pandemic. In addition to using this data to redraw legislative districts, the population data from this report also plays a p...
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Federal Government