I. New Bill Would Aid All New Jersey Municipalities
Yesterday in Washington, The Chairs of twelve key House Committees, including New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone, introduced legislation that would, in addition to several other items, provide substantial, flexible, and assured funding to every municipality and county in our State, both this year and next.
The ‘Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act’ or ‘The HEROES Act’ (H.R. 6800) would create a $375 Billion ‘Coronavirus Local Fiscal Relief Fund.’ Two-thirds of the funding would be appropriated within 30 days of the bill’s enactment. The final third would need to be delivered during the Federal government’s next Fiscal Year, between April 15 and May 3, 2021.
Thirty-five percent (35%) of the funding, or $56.25 Billion, would be allocated to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement communities. Fifty percent (50%), or $187.5 Billion, would be distributed, through the States, to non-entitlement counties. And the remaining Fifteen percent (15%), or $56.25 Billion, would be distributed, through the States, to all non-entitlement municipalities. States would be required to redistribute funding to all entities, within 30 days of receiving those communities’ guaranteed allotments from the U.S. Treasury.
The funds allocated for entitlement communities would be distributed, based on CDBG formulas. The distribution of funds for non-entitlement municipalities and counties would be based on population.
According to the bill, municipalities and counties could use Local Relief Funding ‘… to respond to, mitigate, cover costs or replace foregone revenues not projected on January 1, 2020, stemming from the public health emergency, or its negative economic impact …’
If enacted into law, as currently drafted, we estimate the New Jersey non-entitlement municipalities would, in the aggregate, garner a bit more than $1 Billion, in 2020, and about $500 Million in 2021.
Other provisions in the bill include a two-year suspension of the income tax deduction cap on amounts paid for State and Local Taxes – the SALT Cap.
We sincerely appreciate Congressman Pallone’s leadership on this, and his advocacy on our behalf. We urge you all to contact your U.S. House Representative, asking them to support the HEROES Act.
While New Jersey municipalities, large and small, continue to respond to the public health, the public safety, the economic, the mental health, and the social service impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, they also continue to wait for aid from other levels of government. Local services are now more important than ever. But as emergency expenditures increase, revenues decline. And unless another level of government steps up to help, the same front-line local workers who have been risking their lives to deliver essential services since March, will soon be at risk of lay-offs.
We have been advocating for direct and flexible federal aid to all New Jersey municipalities, since the first CARES Act was being debated. The citizens of small towns matter just as much as the citizens of big counties. Municipal employees contribute at least as much to society as private sector workers.
We often hear that the response to the current crisis is to be federally supported, State managed, and locally executed. We desperately need that federal support. We desperately need it now.
Contact: Jon Moran, Senior Legislative Analyst, jmoran@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x121.
II. Earn CEU Credits from Home with NJLM Webinars
a. Recent OPRA Decisions and “Q & A with the GRC”
Friday, May 15, 2020
9:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Location: Your Computer
CEUs: CMFO/CCFO-4.0 Off MGMT/ANC;CTC-4.0 Gen/Sec;CPWM-4.0 GOVT;RMC-4.0 Rec;QPA-4.0 Off Admin/Gen Duties;CPA-4.0 PD;RPPO/RPPS-4.0 M/S;CRP-4.0 Classroom; Planning Board Secretaries-3.5 Tech, Zoning Officials-3.5 Tech, Land Use Administrators-3.5 Tech;CPC-3.5;NJCLE-4.0
Event Details for May 15 OPRA Program
b. The Online Mini Conference
June 10, 11, 12, 2020
Location: Your Computer
The NJLM Online Mini Conference is now open for registration. The Conference will take place over June 10, 11, and 12, 2020 and offer 12 different webinars for attendees to join for one low price. CEUs are available for Finance Officers, Tax Collectors, Public Works, Municipal Clerks, Accountants, Recycling Professionals, and New Jersey Attorneys. Some attendees can earn up to 16.5 CEUs in three days! Cost for Members is $115 per person and $130 for nonmembers.
For a schedule of webinars and the registration form please visit the Mini Conference website.
If you have any questions please contact Danielle Holland-Htut at 609-695-3481 ext. 118 or dholland@njlm.org
III. Virtual Sustainability Summit over 4 Weeks
In order to adhere to current public health standards and social distancing guidelines, Sustainable Jersey has cancelled the June 12 Sustainability Summit. Instead, they are offering four weeks of FREE virtual “Summit-like" content from April 20 through May 15. Access free online educational sessions like, social “happy hours,” and 30 minute talks on a variety of topics.
See the full schedule and register for events
IV. Where Can I Find COVID-19 Related Resources from the League?
The League has created a COVID-19 webpage, which was created as a central source for all resources we are posting. The webpage also includes a newly added “Vendor & Supplier Resources” page with information and links to vendors that are offering COVID related products and services. The League is also posting updates of news and new legislation and guidance daily on the Emergency Management & Public Health News Flash.
You may sign up to receive email alerts when new items are posted, or visit the League’s COVID-19 resource page to view news flash items. Many of these items are also being posted on the League’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.
There have also been several posts published on the League’s Town Crier blog that gives detailed explanations and analysis of the legislation surrounding COVID-19.
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