a. COVID-19 Weekly Update
This week COVID-19 continues to focus on vaccinations, gatherings, and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
COVID-19 Data for April 22, 2021
New Confirmed Cases – 2,895
New Probable Cases – 527
Rate of Transmission .093
New Lab-Confirmed Deaths 31
Hospital-Reported Deaths 18
Fully vaccinated individuals 2,622,120
Vaccination Eligibility
Currently, both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are still available to be administered, with Moderna currently at 44%, Pfizer at 52%, and Johnson & Johnson at 4% of New Jersey’s vaccinated population. As of this morning, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still paused by the federal government. A CDC advisory meeting is ongoing as this is being written, and there may be a determination regarding the vaccine as soon as today. We will keep you updated with all news surrounding COVID-19 updates.
As previously reported, New Jersey has launched a COVID-19 vaccine appointment finder to assist in scheduling an appointment.
Gathering Timeline
At his Wednesday briefing, the Governor noted that his administration will be providing guidance on outdoor and summer activities in the next week or two.
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This $28.6 billion program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss. For more information, please visit our recent blog post.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x116.
b. Governor Signs 20 and Out Legislation
On Monday, Governor Murphy signed into law P.L. 2021, c. 52 which permits police and firefighters to retire after 20 years of service regardless of age and receive a pension allowance equal to 50% of their final compensation. This benefit will only apply to police and firefighters currently enrolled in the Police and Fire Retirement System. The new law took effect immediately but will expire in two years. As we previously reported the League, along with New Jersey Association of Counties, opposed this benefit enhancement at a time when local governments can least afford it.
Contacts:
c. NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission Holds Second Meeting
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission held its second public meeting on Thursday. The Commission took action on a number of procedural issues, including adopting a meeting schedule for the year. Although not mentioned during the meeting, the Commission is tasked with enacting regulations within 180 days of February 22, 2021.
Municipalities should also be reminded of their own deadlines for action, which is rapidly approaching. As you should be aware, municipalities that fail to take action to prohibit cannabis operations within 180 days of February 22, 2021 will, by default, be locked into certain zoning rules allowing for cannabis operations for a period of five years. Please see the League’s cannabis information page for additional information.
Contacts:
d. New Jersey’s First Climate Change Resilience Strategy is Released
Yesterday, the Murphy Administration released a draft of the state’s first Climate Change Resilience Strategy (strategy) for public review and comment. The strategy was developed in response to Executive Order 89, issued by Governor Phil Murphy in October 2019. The strategy outlines six state priorities, each of which includes recommendations to guide state and local government efforts to protect vulnerable communities, infrastructure, business, and the environment from the effects of climate change.
The strategy includes over 100 recommendations designed to help strengthen New Jersey against climate impacts, including sea-level rise, chronic flooding, rising temperatures, and more frequent and intense storms. Some of the key outcomes sought by these recommendations include a statewide technical assistance program to support local climate resilience actions, and the inclusion of local government and community leaders and their expertise in state resilience decisions.
The draft strategy is available for public review and comment, and the Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) will host two public webinars, on Tuesday, May 4, at 10:30 a.m., and on Wednesday, May 5, at 6 p.m. Those wishing to attend these webinars must pre-register at the DEP website. To comment on the draft strategy please visit the special DEP webpage.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
e. League President Testifies at Senate Hearing on Forest Stewardship Issues
This week, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee hosted a hearing to take testimony from experts and interested parties on the topics of forest stewardship and prescribed burning, and the roles humans should play in managing the State’s forests.
While no legislative action was taken at the hearing, the committee focused its discussion on five bills which the League opposes. NJLM President Janice Kovach, Mayor, Clinton Town, provided testimony to the Committee on behalf of the League, expressing the importance for forests to local communities and the impact the bills would have.
The League is continuing to monitor this important issue and will continue to ensure that municipal concerns are addressed.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
f. Governor Signs Law Allowing for Nonresident Municipal Emergency Management Coordinators
This week, Governor Murphy signed into law S-551 (now, P.L.2021, c.50). This new law permits the appointment of a non-resident municipal emergency management coordinator in municipalities with populations under 5,000 persons, if a qualified municipal resident cannot be recruited for the position. The appointee must, however, be a resident of another municipality in the same county. Prior to the adoption P.L.2021, c.50, municipal emergency coordinators were required to be municipal residents unless the municipality was participating in a shared service agreement.
The League supported this legislation and we thank the sponsors for their attention to a problem faced by less populous municipalities.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.