State Issues

On Monday, Senate and Assembly Committees are hearing important bills that will impact municipalities, including OPRA Reform, TTF Funding, and Affordable Housing. Please reach out to members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly State & Local Government Committee for the OPRA bill and make your voice heard on these important issues.

OPRA Reform Bill Hearings Scheduled  

On Monday, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee are scheduled to consider various reforms to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).

Read more: OPRA Reform Bill Hearings Scheduled  

Contacts: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120, and Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

TTF Reauthorization Bill Released from Committee

A-4011 was favorably released from the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee on Thursday, March 7.

Read more: TTF Reauthorization Bill Released from Committee

Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Update: Affordable Housing Legislation 

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will consider A-4/S-50 on Monday, March 11. The League continues to work with the bill sponsors and the legislature on additional amendments to legislation to address the ongoing concerns of municipalities.

Read more: Update: Affordable Housing Legislation 

Contacts: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137, and Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.

Governor Awards ARP Firefighter Grants 

This week, Governor Murphy announced $20 million in American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants to 353 New Jersey Fire Departments.  

Read more: Governor Awards ARP Firefighter Grants 

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Federal Issues

Senator Booker Announces Opening of Congressionally Directed Spending Application Process 

Senator Cory Booker has announced the Fiscal Year 2025 Congressionally Directed Spending application process is open. The deadline to submit an application to his office is March 25, 2024.  

Read more: Senator Booker Announces Opening of Congressionally Directed Spending Application Process 

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110

Also of Interest

Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leadership Scholarship Competition Reminder

The deadline to submit your Louis Bay 2^nd Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition essays is April 1.
  
Please review your promotional kit and the suggested deadlines. Municipal offices should note that all applications can be delivered no later than April 1. We look forward to hearing from your municipality and raising interest in future municipal leaders.
 
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

Read NJ Municipalities’ March Issue, Now Available 

The March issue of NJ Municipalities is now available online and in print. This month’s edition includes a focus on infrastructure around the state. Our free UpFront feature in March’s magazine sample provides information on the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank’s Technical Assistance Programs from the Water Bank. Another infrastructure story includes a look at the revival of Little Egg Harbor’s beaches. 

Local officials can also get a glimpse of what Mayors around the state are planning with samples from their annual addresses and a Member Op-Ed from North Arlington Mayor Daniel H. Pronti. And don’t miss our regular columns and a sneak peek at this year’s Annual Conference Theme and Logo. 

Make the League’s magazine part of your monthly knowledge-building. Subscribe today! 

Celebrate NJ Local Government Week, April 7-13

Join municipalities across the Garden State April 7-13, 2024, by planning Local Government Week events. Let residents know about municipal facilities and careers, public works equipment, and fire, police, or utility vehicles. Roll out city hall open houses, host a coffee with the mayor, or provide a tour to students through council chambers.

Municipalities are encouraged to use social media to celebrate and promote their events using the hashtag #NJLocalGovt and to share event reminders, updates, and interesting facts via Twitter and Facebook. For more information and downloadable logos, visit www.njlm.org/njlocalgovt