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July 9, 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. Bills on Governor’s Desk

After a busy month in Trenton, the legislature held its final voting session until the fall. There are over 175 bills on Governor Murphy’s desk for his consideration. Please visit our recent blog posts to learn more on the bills on the Governor’s desk that the League supports, opposes and of municipal interest that the League took a neutral stance.

Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

b. Governor Signs Bill Establishing Broadband Access Study Commission

This week, Governor Murphy signed into law A-850, which establishes a 19-member commission that will evaluate impediments of access to broadband service within the state, with a special focus on the feasibility and proliferation of community broadband networks.

The League supported this legislation and hopes the Commission’s findings will lead to policy changes and an increase in resources allocated to help assist those currently without adequate access to fast and affordable broadband internet access.

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

c. Governor Murphy Signs Legislative Package Aimed at Combating Opioid Epidemic

On Friday shortly before the start of the July 4^th holiday, Governor Phil Murphy signed a legislative package to Address Opioid Epidemic. The bills fall broadly into three categories: Increase in Harm Reduction Services, Data Collection, and Resiliency for Family and Children.

Please read the League’s recent blog post for more information.

Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.

d. New Law Requiring Department of Labor Create Database of Public Works Projects Payroll

Yesterday Governor Murphy signed into law A-1171 requiring the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to create and maintain a statewide database of certified payroll information for contractors and subcontractors for public works projects. Contractors and subcontractors will be required to file certified payroll information to both the public body and Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. P.L. 2021, c. 164 will take effect on January 1, 2022 but the Commissioner may take action necessary for the implementation of the new law.

Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

e. Governor Murphy Signs Bill Exempting Certain Housing from Zoning Regulations

In March, legislators passed S-1676/A-3326, which would allow hospitals to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for individuals who are homeless or housing insecure. While the League supports efforts aimed at providing health care and housing to those in need, we opposed provisions of the legislation, now law, which would deem such housing as a permitted use in all residential and nonresidential districts within a municipality, thereby completely exempting such housing from local zoning requirements.

The measure was conditionally vetoed by Governor Murphy, where he recommended changes that would provide clarifying language related to affordable housing credits and identifies eligibility standards to qualify for the housing. These changes were welcomed but did not address the League’s concerns dealing with zoning.

Last week, after both houses approved the recommendations in the Governor’s conditional veto, Governor Murphy signed the legislation into law. You should review P.L.2021, c.134, which was effective immediately, with your land use officials and municipal attorney for more information on its potential impact to your municipality.

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

II. Federal Issues

a. Infrastructure Update

With Congress out of session and back in their districts, President Joe Biden has taken to the road to highlight the need to swiftly pass the bipartisan infrastructure package. In remarks on Wednesday, he suggested that Congress needs to move the legislation by the end of July.

This is a complicated process that requires many steps before passage. In public remarks Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated there is going to be strong Republican opposition to the infrastructure package.

While details are still emerging and subject to negotiations, it is important that municipal leaders reach out to their Members of Congress and share how vital infrastructure funding is to local communities.

The League’s partners at the National League of Cities have an e-letter of support for the infrastructure package that invests in local government and we encourage you to sign it by July 14.

In addition, we remind you 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.

III. COVID-19 Weekly Update

This week Governor Murphy continued to urge New Jersey residents to get vaccinated noting that with “near certainty that these new cases are almost exclusively, people who for whatever reason, have not been vaccinated.”

COVID Data for July 8, 2021:

264 new positive cases for a total of 894,488 confirmed cases
4 new confirmed deaths for a total of 23,784 confirmed deaths
The rate of transmission is at 0.92
10,078,605 vaccine doses have been administered, including 5,530,026 who have received at least one dose and 4,926,115 who are fully vaccinated. 56% are Pfizer, 40% Moderna, and 4% J&J.

Vaccine Information

As a reminder, 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.

Contacts:

Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.
Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

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