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July 2, 2021
I. State Issues
II. Federal Issues
III. COVID-19 Weekly Update
Municipal Clerks: Please forward to your Mayor, Governing Body, and Department Heads.
To assist in providing guidance and information we have created a COVID-19 resource page. We will continue to update the page as we get pertinent information and include announcements in our Daily Updates.
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I. State Issues
a. State FY22 Budget Signed
On Tuesday, June 29, Governor Murphy gathered in Woodbridge for the signing of the 2022 Fiscal Year State Appropriations, which appropriates $46.3 billion in state funds and $6 billion in federal funds for New Jersey’s Fiscal Year State Budget. For more information, please see our recent blog post on the 2022 FY State Budget.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
b. Senate Holds Preemptive Small Cell/5G Deployment Bill
After being added late on Tuesday to Wednesday’s Senate Voting session, the Senate held and did not consider S-2674/A-1116. This legislation seeks to preempt and supersede local regulation of small cell (5G) deployment within the municipal rights-of-way.
The League opposes S-2674/A-1116 because it provides broadband telecommunications providers with favorable and discounted access to public rights-of-way without requiring these cost savings be passed on to customers, or requiring broadband infrastructure buildout necessary to help bridge the digital divide. Further, recent amendments to S-2674/A-1116 expand the scope of the legislation beyond the bill’s original intention, further limiting safeguards for local communities.
The Assembly has already approved the measure. We thank our members who contacted their State Senators to oppose this legislation. We anticipate the bill will return when the Senate reconvenes after the election and encourage our members to continue to speak with their State Senators.
For more information please see the League’s blog post on the topic, and the recent op-ed written by Mayors Ras Baraka of Newark and Adrian Mapp of Plainfield.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
c. Governor Signs Legislation Dedicating Annual Funds to Special Needs Housing Trust Fund
On June 29, Governor Murphy signed into law S-1255, which requires that $20 million of certain realty transfer fee revenues are to be credited each year to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, beginning with the first fiscal year next following enactment of the bill. Previously, these funds would be deposited in the General Fund.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
d. Governor Murphy Signs Exempt Firefighter Certificate Bill
On Thursday, June 24, Governor Murphy signed A-4745, which raises the eligibility for exempt firefighter certificates and membership in New Jersey State Fireman’s Association maximum age from 45 to 57. Under previous regulations, firefighters were required to join a fire service between the ages of 18 and 45 to receive an exempt firefighter certificate. Exempt firefighter certificates are issued to firefighters who have responded to a percentage of their department’s fire duty over a seven-year period. P.L. 2021, c. 123 changes the percentage from a fixed 60% after January 1, 2020, to a rate fixed by the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association executive committee. This new law took effect immediately and is retroactive to January 1, 2020.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
e. Cannabis Facility Tour
As the opt out August 21 deadline approaches, we have heard from a number of mayors and other municipal officials expressing an interest in touring a cannabis facility to better inform the opt-in/out decision. We have arranged for such an option of the of Terra Ascend’s facilities in Maplewood on July 12, 9:30 a.m.
The League continues to take no position on legalization nor should this be considered an endorsement of one particular vendor. This is intended merely to help inform your decision. If demand warrants it, we will attempt to arrange additional tours at different locations through the State, possibly from other vendors in the market place.
Register now for the July 12 tour in facility.
Contact us if you are unable to make it on the 12th but would like to tour a facility at another day and time.
Contact: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120. |
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II. Federal Issues
a. American Rescue Plan Act Compliance and Reporting Guidance
Last week the U.S. Department of the Treasury released Compliance and Reporting Guidance for State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) including General Guidance with Key Principles, Statutory Eligible Uses, Treasury’s Rule, Uniform Administrative Requirements, and Award Terms and Conditions. For more information, please read the League’s recent blog post.
This week, the State Comptroller issued Best Practices for New Jersey Local Governments for Using Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and Internal Control Checklist for New Jersey Local Governments Using Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
We encourage you to review the State and federal guidance with your administrator and chief financial officer to ensure compliance.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
b. Infrastructure Update
As reported last week, a bipartisan group of Senators, equally divided among Democrats and Republicans, along with President Joe Biden have come to an infrastructure agreement framework on traditional infrastructure of roads, bridges, sewer, and broadband. While there are still many hurdles before this process is complete and signed into law, the bipartisan infrastructure includes:
Modernizing and expanding transit and rail networks across the country with the largest federal investment in public transit in history and is the largest federal investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. Repairing and rebuilding roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians with the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. Building a national network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers along highways and in rural and disadvantaged communities. Electrifying thousands of school and transit buses across the country to reduce harmful emissions and drive domestic manufacturing of zero emission vehicles and components. Eliminating the nation’s lead service lines and pipes. Connecting every American to reliable high-speed internet. Upgrading the nation’s power infrastructure, including by building thousands of miles of new, resilient transmission lines to facilitate the expansion of renewable energy, including through a new Grid Authority. Making the largest investment in addressing legacy pollution in American history, a cleanup effort. Preparing infrastructure for the impacts of climate change, cyber-attacks, and extreme weather events.
On Thursday, separate from this effort, the House of Representative passed H.R. 3684, the $715 billion Surface Transportation and Water Infrastructure Bill titled the INVEST in America Act by a vote of 221-201. It is unclear when the Senate will consider this legislation.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
c. Highlight Municipal Infrastructure Needs and Successes with #LeadWithInfrastructure
As Congress debates the details of an infrastructure package with the Biden Administration, including how it is paid for, it is critical that New Jersey municipalities highlight infrastructure needs and successes on social media and tag federal members.
Using the hashtags #RebuldWithUs and #LeadWithInfrastructure, please share pictures, graphics and descriptions of local infrastructure needs and success stories on your social media accounts. Examples of tweets can be viewed on the League’s Social Media Sample Page.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
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III. COVID-19 Weekly Update
This week Governor Murphy announced guidance for the 2021/22 school year; highlighted New Jersey reached its vaccination goal of 4.7 million fully vaccinated 12 days early while continuing to urge New Jersey residents to get vaccinated; and noted that COVID briefings will now be weekly instead of three times a week.
COVID Data for July 1, 2021: - 246 new positive cases for a total of 893,155 confirmed cases
- 6 new confirmed deaths for a total of 23,759 confirmed deaths
- The rate of transmission is at 0.97
- 9,899,849 vaccine doses have been administered, including 5,441,746 who have received at least one dose and 4,828,882 who are fully vaccinated. 56% are Pfizer, 40% Moderna, and 4% J&J.
2021/2022 School Year Guidance The Department of Education has issued three guidance documents to assist school districts, educators, and families provide full-time, in-person learning this fall. The three documents include: - School Year 2021-2022 Health and Safety Guidance, which provides recommended health and safety strategies and considerations to guide the transition back to full-time in-person learning. These strategies are recommendations not mandatory standards. According to the Department of Education the absence of one or more of these strategies should not prevent school facilities from opening for full-day in-person operation.
- School Year 2021-2022 Self-Assessment tool that school districts may use as they implement the academic climate and culturally responsive interventions needed to successfully transition to full-time in-person learning.
- Learning Acceleration Guide resource providing specific research-based principles and strategies to accelerate learning. This resource is designed to help districts recover from COVID-19, and as a long-term comprehensive framework that anchors districts academic, social, and emotional interventions to the common purpose of promoting global competitiveness for all students.
Vaccine Information
As a reminder, the vaccination incentive Vax Pass under the new “Vax and Visit NJ” continues. Homebound residents who have not yet connected with their local health department, or a home health agency, and who need an in-home vaccination should visit www.covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax or contact the call center at 855-568-0545.
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