I. State Issues
a. Covid-19 Update
Governor Murphy today announced that there were 3,821 new positive cases and an additional 55 confirmed deaths resulting from COVID-19. To date, there have been 390,256 confirmed cases, and 15,794 confirmed deaths. The rate of transmission is at 1.14. There are 388 cases linked to the 88 school outbreaks.
The State continues to ask residents to download and use the new Covid Alert NJ, the State’s exposure notification smartphone app.
Since our last update, Governor Murphy issued the following COVID-19 related Executive Order:
Executive Order 207: automatically enrolls residents who choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccine into the state’s existing vaccine registry. The order changes the inclusion into the New Jersey Immunization Information System from an opt-in to an opt-out program for residents who elect to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
The State Police issued Administrative Order 2020-24 clarifying that indoor entertainment centers where a performance is viewed or given including movie theaters, performing arts centers, and other concert venues, may host performances in an adjacent outdoor area with a maximum capacity equivalent to the facility’s indoor capacity.
On Thursday, the Department of Labor announced over 17,000 new applications for unemployment. As a reminder, the federal pandemic unemployment benefits authorized under the CARES Act will expire on December 26, impacting just under 500,000 New Jersey claimants. All eligible weeks prior to December 26 will continue to be paid.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
b. Cannabis Legislation Advancing
Late last week Governor Murphy and legislative leaders reached an agreement on the legalization of adult recreational use of cannabis. In the announcement Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, Speaker Coughlin, Senator Scutari and Assemblywoman Quijano stated, “We're proud to announce today that we've reached an agreement on legislation providing the framework for legalization, which is a critical step in reducing racial disparities and social inequities that have long plagued our criminal justice system.” S-21 is before the Senate Judiciary on Monday and A-21 is before Assembly Appropriation on Tuesday. We anticipate the legislation will be before the full Senate and Assembly on December 17.
Contacts:
c. Local Finance Board Approves Division of Local Government Services Extension of 2021 Budget Calendar Year
On Wednesday, the Local Finance Board approved the proposed Division of Local Government Services 2021 Calendar Year (CY) Budget extensions. The revised CY 2019 Budget deadlines is as follows:
Mayor/Council Faulkner Act (Executive) budget transmission to the governing body
Statutory Date: 1/15
Revised Date: 2/26 or the next regularly scheduled governing body meeting
Municipal introduction and approval of the budget
Statutory Date: 2/10
Revised Date: 3/30 or the next regularly scheduled governing body meeting
Municipal adoption
Statutory Date: 3/20
Revised Date: 4/30 or the next regularly scheduled governing body meeting
We suggest you review the revised calendar with your Administrator and Chief Financial Officer.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
d. Assembly Committee Advances Small Cell Regulation Bill
Yesterday, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee advanced with amendments, A-1116. The purpose of this legislation is to provide for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in the State and attempts to mirror and in some cases goes beyond current Federal law.
While initially opposed to the legislation as introduced, the League remained neutral at yesterday’s hearing after amendments were made that take into consideration a number of the League’s concerns. These amendments were the result of numerous meetings between a coalition of wireless service providers and the League and NJ Conference of Mayors.
Make no mistake, A-1116 is not perfect and much work remains to ensure municipal concerns are appropriately addressed. We are hopeful that with the guidance of Assemblywoman Murphy, who sponsors A-1116, that we can continue to work with all stakeholders to develop a fair and rational bill.
For more information on A-1116 and an overview the underlying matter of small cell deployment please see the League’s recent blog post.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x137.
e. Bill Advances Extending Totally Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption with Reimbursement to Towns
Earlier this week the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced S-220, which extends the totally disabled veterans property tax exemption to be retroactive to the effective date of the determination of the veteran’s total disability by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as well as require the State to reimburse municipalities for the amount of such property taxes returned to the totally disabled veteran. The legislation requires the municipal tax assessor to annually notify the Division of Taxation amount of totally disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. The State must reimburse the municipality 102% of the totally disabled veterans property tax exemptions paid.
We thank Senator Diegnan for supporting this legislation. The League adopted a Conference Resolution supporting such legislation. Our veterans proudly served the residents of the entire Country, not just the State and municipality; it is therefore appropriate that the Federal and State governments contribute towards the costs of this exemption. The legislation now waits consideration by the full Senate.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
f. A-850/S-2864 Seeks to Create a Community Broadband Study Commission
Next Monday, December 14, the Senate Economic Growth Committee will hear A-850/S-2864. This legislation seeks to create a low-cost broadband study commission. To stay competitive in modern day, New Jersey needs access to low-cost broadband. New Jersey’s local leaders can work with their neighbors and community partners to build broadband bridges that will continue to push the Garden State into the future. We thank our legislative leaders for identifying the need of this legislation and look forward to a favorable outcome on Monday.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x116.
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