State Issues

Senate Considering Bill Subjecting PILOTs to Payroll Reporting  

On Tuesday, the full Senate will be considering S-1403, which requires employers and contractors engaged in work for public bodies to submit payroll records to the Department of Labor. Please reach out to your Senator urging them to vote NO.  

Read more: Senate Considering Bill Subjecting PILOTs to Payroll Reporting  

Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

State Health Benefits Commission Holds January Meeting

During its January meeting, the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC) provided an update on the transfer of funds from the state’s employer State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) to the local employer SHBP plan to cover cost shortfalls.   

Read more: State Health Benefits Commission Holds January Meeting

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Affordable Housing Deadline and Sample Resolutions

Municipalities preparing to either accept the housing obligations numbers prepared by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) or modify those numbers based on other factors are required to submit resolutions to do so by the end of the month.   

Read more: Affordable Housing Deadline and Sample Resolutions

Contact: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.

Division Issues Guidance on CY25 Municipal Levy Cap Referendums

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2025-01 providing instructions to calendar year municipalities considering holding a referendum to exceed the appropriation and/or levy cap(s).  

Read more: Division Issues Guidance on CY25 Municipal Levy Cap Referendums

Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

Federal

President Biden Signs Social Security Fairness Act

Last Saturday, President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, which repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, including a pension from a state or local government.  

Read more: President Biden Signs Social Security Fairness Act

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Also of Interest

Show Off Your City 2025: Apply Today 

Municipalities are invited to send the League photos of their tourist attractions, downtown areas, economic development initiatives, parks, city halls, community groups, and new projects for the 2025 Show Off Your City Photo Contest! 

The winning photo will be featured on the cover of the April issue of NJ Municipalities and the winner will also receive a free League publication of their choice. Entries will be posted on the League’s Facebook page, and some featured in the April issue of NJ Municipalities, and possibly other issues.  

Photos should be high-resolution JPEG, at least 3MB in size. Please provide photo credit if necessary. Unfortunately, stock photos and images that are too low in resolution will not be considered. By submitting a photo, you are agreeing that you own the rights to the photo and that NJLM has permission to use the photo in NJ Municipalities, on NJLM’s social media and website, and on other printed materials. Note that photos displayed in a portrait orientation work better on the magazine cover than a landscape orientation. The due date to submit entries is February 7  

Submit photos using the Show Off Your City submission form or mail a flash drive to 222 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608.

DEP Hosts Survey on Deer Population   

NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is asking for municipal participation in its Deer Management Survey.   

Read more: DEP Hosts Survey on Deer Population   

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

NJDOT & NJDEP Statewide Trail Needs Assessment Survey

The New Jersey Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection are updating statewide trail planning documents and are requesting municipalities participate in a survey to update guidebooks for trail planners and managers.  

Read more: NJDOT & NJDEP Statewide Trail Needs Assessment Survey

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Lunch & Learn Cannabis Training Academy

Join us on Friday, January 17, at 12 noon for a Lunch & Learn briefing on the Cannabis Training Academy. This event is free but advance registration is required.

Read more: Lunch & Learn Cannabis Training Academy

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.