a. COVID-19 Update
On Thursday, the Governor announced that there were 442 additional positive results since yesterday and 38 deaths. That brings the statewide totals to 168,107 positive results and 12,800 COVID-19 related deaths. Yesterday, 73 people were admitted to the hospital while 134 people were released bringing total hospitalization to 1,268. Only 4 patients remain at the field hospitals, 319 patients are in critical care units and 257 are on ventilators.
Meanwhile, the ROT (rate of transmission) is .75. Since the State’s peak in April, the number of new hospitalizations is down 91%, total hospitalizations are down 84% and ventilator use is also down 85%.
Today the Governor issued an Administrative Order announcing that indoor malls can open on June 29 with the following parameters:
- Common areas in the mall, food courts, movie theater, and amusement areas must remain closed;
- Each retail store will be limited to 50% capacity;
- Restaurants to offer take-out and/or outside dining;
- Shoppers and employees will be required to wear face coverings; and
- Mall owners must develop plans regarding pedestrian flow.
- In addition, the AO also clarifies that libraries can deliver to patrons in addition to curbside pickup.
In addition, the AO also clarifies that libraries can deliver to patrons in addition to curbside pickup.
The Governor noted NJ Census 2020 response rate is 63.4%.
In New Jersey 26,392 new unemployment claims were filed bringing the total claims to 1,061,522. To date $7.2 billion in benefits have been paid.
Nationally, for the second consecutive week, approximately 1.5 million filed new unemployment claims; and since March over 45 million have sought benefits across the country.
Since last Friday, the Governor has taken the following actions:
Executive Order 154 Executive Order Allowing Personal Care Service Facilities to Open Effective June 22.
Executive Order 155 Executive Order Allowing for Limited In-Person Instruction at Institutions of Higher Education and Trade and Training Schools Beginning July 1.
Considering the current pandemic, we remind you of NJ Mental Health Cares; the state’s behavioral health information and referral service offer assistance to people dealing with anxiety and stress-related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Residents can call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support. NJ Mental Health Cares will be answered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week by live trained specialists.
See the League COVID-19 page for all our resources and communications.
Contact: Michael F. Cerra, Assistant Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x120.
b. AG Issues Directive Aimed at Increased Police Discipline Transparency
On Monday, State Attorney General, Gurbir Grewal issued Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive 2020-5 (AG Directive 2020-5) which makes changes to how law enforcement agencies throughout the state report disciplinary complaints against the agency’s officers. Prior to the issuance of AG Directive 2020-5, law enforcement agencies, including all municipal police forces, were required under previous Directives, to submit to the county prosecutor and to publish at least annually, public reports summarizing the types of complaints received against law enforcement officers, and the disposition of those complaints. However, law enforcement agencies were prohibited from publishing the names of complainants and subject officers, in these reports.
The Directive issued Monday removes this prohibition when complaints result in “major discipline” and now requires the public report to include the identity of each officer subject to final discipline, a brief summary of their transgressions, and a statement of the sanctions imposed. For the purposes of AG Directive 2020-5, major discipline is defined as a complaint that has resulted in a law enforcement officer’s termination, reduction in rank or grade, and/or suspension of more than five days.
This Directive is prospective and becomes effective August 31, 2020. Each law enforcement agency is required to publish its first report in compliance with AG Directive 2020-5 by December 31, 2020, with the first report covering disciplinary actions finalized during, at a minimum, the preceding twelve months.
You should review this Directive with your chief of police and/or public safety director for more information.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x137.
c. Assembly Approves Bill Decriminalizing Small Amounts of Marijuana
Yesterday, the Assembly passed A-1897 which aims to decriminalize marijuana and promote awareness of the expungement process. The bill would replace arrests for possessing up to two ounces of marijuana or hashish with a civil fine of $50. A-1897 would also prohibit consideration of lesser marijuana related offenses by employers, mortgage lenders, and landlords, when making decisions to hire, lend, or provide housing.
Earlier this year, the Senate introduced S-2101; a bill similar to the Assembly bill approved this week. The Senate bill however, has not been scheduled for a committee hearing. Both houses have to pass a bill before it can be sent to the Governor.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x137.
II. Federal
a. House Committee Can Increases Local Share of Transportation Funding
On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee began consideration of their transportation reauthorization proposal - "Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America" (INVEST in America) Act. For further information on the proposal see our INVEST in America Town Crier blogpost.
Our Federal partners at the National League of Cities (NLC) have been working with Members of the Committee to introduce key amendments, which will raise the local share of transportation formula funding. Thanks to NLC’s advocacy, Amendment #73, proposed by Representative Carbajal of California, is expected to be included in Chairman DeFazio's manager's amendment package, likely securing its passage in the Committee. This will be the first markup under new Congressional rules due to COVID-19. We will likely see more than 100 proposed amendments and a Republican minority counter-bill proposal. It is anticipated that the House will use the INVEST Act as a base bill to build up a full infrastructure package aligned with the ''Moving Forward'' framework, announced by leadership in February of 2020, and which could arrive for a vote on the House floor before the July 4th recess.
We thank Congressman Pallone for his work on the ‘Moving Forward’ framework and for his co-sponsorship of ‘INVEST in America.’ And we thank Congressmen Sires, Payne, and Malinowski – all Members of the Transportation Committee – for consistently advocating on behalf of our State and our municipalities.
Contact: Jon Moran, Senior Legislative Analyst, jmoran@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x121.
b. 150 Economists Call For State and Local Funding As Part of Next Package
A letter urging more Congressional action in response to the economic impact of the pandemic calls for "new assistance to states and localities" as part of new legislation. "An adequate response must be large, commensurate with the nearly $16 trillion nominal output gap our economy faces over the next decade," the letter to Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader McCarthy said. The letter was endorsed by more than 150 scholars, including two former Chairs of the Federal Reserve Board, three former chairs of the Council of Economic Advisers, and two Nobel laureates. The list of co-signers includes former Fed Chairs Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen, and former Council of Economic Advisors Chairs Jason Furman, Austan Goolsbee and Christina D. Romer.
Contact: Jon Moran, Senior Legislative Analyst, jmoran@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x121.
III. 2020 Annual League Conference
a. Delegate Registration
Delegate registration will open on August 1. We encourage everyone to preregister online and have their conference credentials mailed to them in advance. This avoids delays and lines onsite in Atlantic City.
b. League Code of Conduct
The League intends to maintain a welcoming professional atmosphere in all aspects of the Annual League Conference. To that end, conduct that violates the League Code of Conduct is not tolerated by the League, anyone who witnesses it, or is subjected to it. Everyone who participates in the Annual League Conference is required to adhere to this code.
c. Conference Center Preparations
We are busy making arrangements for this live event including education and exhibits with the full expectation that by November the State will permit important gatherings of government officials like the Annual League Conference. The League is taking measures along with our partners at the Atlantic City Convention Center and all related service providers to follow CDC and NJDOH guidelines to create a safe and healthy conference. A healthy conference environment is our top priority for 2020 and with that, we are dedicated to providing an educational, informative, productive, and collaborative conference. Sanitization protocols that comply with CDC guidance are ready for public spaces, meeting areas, food service, and transportation. Venue layout will take into account social distancing, and preregistration will eliminate waiting lines.
d. Unauthorized Hotel Reservation Services
Every year there are unauthorized firms soliciting housing and hotel reservations from attendees at the Annual League Conference. We assure you that the only firm authorized to handle our conference housing reservations is AC Central Reservations. This information is on the top of the official conference housing form sent to all municipal clerks and posted on our website.
Using unauthorized reservation services creates real problems for you and the conference as a whole. You cannot be assured your credit card information is secure and your room reservation may not actually be made. Using unauthorized services means your room will not be part of the official conference housing block so you won’t get emergency housing information (which happened in both 2011and 2012), nor will there be adequate shuttle bus services to your hotel.
As always, the League is available to answer your questions on any aspect of the annual conference and we strive to make your participation both enjoyable and highly productive.
Contact: Michael J. Darcy, CAE, Executive Director, 609-695-3481, x116, or mdarcy@njlm.org.
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