I. State Issues
a. COVID-19 Weekly Update
This week in Trenton on the COVID-19 front: March 4 marked the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in New Jersey. During his March 3, COVID briefing Governor Phil Murphy reviewed the steps New Jersey has taken in response. In addition, the Governor announced the expansion of eligibility for vaccinations. Executive Orders were issued, expanding capacity for weddings and extending utility shut-off moratoriums.
For March 5, 2021:
3,347 new positive cases for a total of 715,889 confirmed cases
35 new confirmed deaths for a total of 21,124 confirmed deaths
The rate of transmission is 1.04
737 cases linked to 152 school outbreaks since August
2,333,723 vaccine doses have been administered, including 1,544,835 first doses and 788,782 second doses. 53% have been Moderna, 47% Pfizer, and 0% J&J.
Vaccine Information
On Monday, the Governor announced the expansion of eligibility for the COVID-19 Vaccination program to include educators, including support staff, in Pre-K through 12th grade; childcare workers in licensed and registered settings; public and local transportation workers/public safety workers who are not sworn law enforcement or fire professionals; migrant farm workers, members of tribal communities, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those living in shelters. Effective March 29, those in the following fields will be eligible for the vaccine: food production; agriculture and food distribution; eldercare and support; warehousing and logistics; social services support staff; elections personnel; hospitality; medical supply chain; postal and shipping services; clergy; and judicial system.
In addition, the second phase of community-based vaccination sites has been expanded to include Camden, Jersey City, Orange, Newark, and Pleasantville. These sites will provide vaccine access to members of the immediate community. A vaccination support team from the Department of Defense will provide the clinical staffing at the sites, and FEMA will provide non-medical support. Each site will be able to vaccinate approximately 1,800 people per week, and vaccinations at each location will take place over a two-week period, followed by a return to administer second doses.
It was also announced that Johnson & Johnson will be partnering with New Jersey-based Merck to produce the J&J vaccine.
The State continues to assist residents, with live agents from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., in getting information on how to register, as well as how to schedule vaccine appointments as people become eligible. The agents remind residents that there is no out-of-pocket expense to get vaccinated and that the two vaccines are not interchangeable.
The state continues to encourage the general public to pre-register for eligibility for the vaccine online. Individuals will be permitted to input their personal, contact, health insurance, and demographic information. Those who are immediately eligible based on screening questions will be able to schedule an appointment.
Executive Orders
Executive Order 228: Increasing capacity limits for indoor wedding receptions to 35% room capacity but no smaller than 10 and no larger than 150. In addition, outdoor wedding receptions can be no larger than 150. The reception venue staff is excluded from the capacity limit. The order took effect March 5 at 6:00 a.m.
Executive Order 229: Extending the moratorium on utility shut-offs to June 30, 2021. The moratorium applies to residential gas, electric, and water utilities, both public and private. Utilities will not be permitted to charge late fees or reconnection fees for services that have been disconnected. In addition, cable and telecommunication providers are prohibited from disconnecting internet service in households that have one or more school-age child that may be using the services for educational purposes.
Unemployment Information
The Department of Labor announced for the week ending February 27, the initial weekly unemployment claims total was 10,384, the lowest in a year and a 3.5% decline week over week. This is the third straight week of decline. In addition, the Department of Labor plans to process a new batch of FEMA Lost Wages Assistance payments for claimants who have become eligible for this federal benefit retroactively since the last time the payments were processed. Eligible claimants can expect to receive separate payments in their direct deposit accounts or debit cards early next week.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
b. Cannabis Legalization
Earlier this week we sent out a special update on guidance on cannabis legalization as well as a full opt-out ordinance template language. On March 3 we held a legislative briefing session on the legalization of recreational use of cannabis and based on that briefing and subsequent questions we are preparing a FAQ document that will be posted to the League’s Cannabis page. In the coming week we will be providing additional sample ordinance language.
Contacts:
c. Executive Order 227 – Age-Friendly State Advisory Council
On Tuesday, Governor Murphy announced the creation of an Age-Friendly State Advisory Council and signed Executive Order No. 227, which will work to identify opportunities for creating livable communities for people of all ages, recommend best practices for age-friendly work, promote community inclusion across the state, and develop and deliver to the Governor a blueprint of best practices for advancing age-friendly practices across the state based on by the advice of the Advisory Council.
For more information, please read the League’s recent blog post on this issue.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
d. Local Finance Notice 2021-05
On March 1, The Division of Local Government Services released Local Finance Notice 2021-05, addressing budget certification, Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (CMPTRA), Energy Tax Receipts (ETR), Watershed Moratorium Offset Aid, Garden State Trust Fund Aid, and the Payment Schedule. LFN 2021-05 builds off the February 23 FY 2022 proposed budget. For more information, please see our blog post on LFN 2021-05.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
e. A-4297 - Remote Bingos and Raffles
The League supports A-4297, which permits remote bingos and raffles and directs the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to adopt regulation permitting the conduct of raffles using technology, to the extent it is not inconsistent with the NJ Constitution.
The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee will hear this legislation this Monday. The Senate companion bill, S-2631, unanimously passed the Senate last August.
During these trying times, governments must do what they can to be flexible to work with our community organizations. Most community organizations will use bingos and raffles to fundraise. This is a common sense measure to permit organizations to host bingos and raffles remotely will not only allow residents to participate but provides the organizations to continue fundraising efforts during the pandemic.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
f. Your Action Needed: PFRS 20 and Out Legislation on Governor’s Desk
The full Assembly passed A-2562/S-1017, which permits a PFRS employee who is enrolled before or after the bill's effective date to retire, regardless of age, upon attaining 20 or more years of service credit, and would allow that employee to receive a retirement allowance equal to 50% of the member's final compensation. This benefit will expire two years after enactment by a vote of 66-0-3. As we previously reported, public safety unions are pushing this legislation in response to what they believe is a misinterpretation of the 1999 law. The public safety unions have argued that the costs of this enhanced benefit will be offset by potential healthcare savings. The League joins the New Jersey Association of Counties in opposing this legislation as the additional cost for the enhanced benefit will be borne by taxpayers at a time when local governments can least afford it.
Please contact the Governor and urge him to veto A-2562/S-1017.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
g. Recap of Assembly Voting Session
On Monday the full Assembly held a voting session. In addition to passing A-2562/S-1017 as noted above,The Assembly passed the following legislation of municipal interest:
A-2562/S-1017, which permits Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) employee who is enrolled before or after the bill’s effective date to retire, regardless of age, upon attaining 20 or more years of service credit and would allow that employee to receive a retirement allowance equal to 50% of the member’s final compensation. The legislation passed by a vote of 66-0-3 and awaits the Governor’s consideration.
A-4397/S-2606, which would allow solar energy providers to construct and install residential solar projects on single-family homes prior to obtaining a construction permit during the duration of the public health emergency caused by COVID-19. This legislation passed the Assembly 68-0-1 and awaits consideration by the full Senate to concur with the Assembly amendments.
A-4850, which establishes an alternate inspection process, under the State Uniform Construction Code Act, for property owners willing to pay a premium fee to expedite inspections. In addition a property owner to retain a private agency to perform construction code inspections if the local code enforcing agency is unable to complete an inspection within three business days of the time the owner requests the inspection to be performed. The legislation unanimously passed the Assembly and now awaits consideration by the Senate.
A-850, which creates a “Broadband Access Study Commission” was amended on the Assembly floor to expand the Commission to 13 members by adding a representative of the New Jersey Library Association. The bill passed the Assembly 66-0-3 and was sent back to the Senate to concur with the Assembly amendments.
A-1057/S-551, which permits a municipality with a population under 5,000 to appoint a nonresident as its municipal emergency management coordinator if a qualified resident cannot be recruited. The legislation unanimously passed the Assembly and now awaits consideration by the Governor.
A-4830/S-3203, which establishes in-person early voting for certain elections. The legislation passed the Assembly 58-11-1 and awaits consideration by the Senate to concern with the Assembly amendments.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
h. Local Finance Notice 2021-06: Transitional Aid Application
On March 3, The Division of Local Government Services released Local Finance Notice 2021-06 addressing the Transitional Aid Application Process. Municipalities that intends to apply for CY 2021 Transitional Aid to Localities must notify the Department of Local Government Services no later than March 15. For more information, please see our blog post.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
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