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November 5, 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. Upcoming Cannabis Regulatory Commission Meeting
The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) is set to host its next public meeting on Tuesday, November 9, at 6 p.m. Topics on the agenda for discussion include consideration of a 2021 Personal Use Notice of Application Acceptance, which may reveal a date when the first recreational cannabis license will be issued. Also to be discussed during the public comment portion of the meeting are the following items: a universal cannabis symbol, edible cannabis and medicinal items, and recreational distribution, wholesale, and delivery.
A Zoom link to watch the meeting will be available on the NJCRC website. Those interested in speaking at the meeting must register to do so before noon on November 9. Written comments may also be submitted up until 5 p.m. on November 10.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
b. Division of Local Government Services Announces LFN 2021-20
On Monday November 1, the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) released Local Finance Notice (LFN) 2021-20, which reminds local government and school district contracting units of public works contractor registration, prevailing wage, debarment, and equal opportunity/affirmative action requirements. In addition. LFN 2021-20 also reviews P.L. 2021 c. 69, expanding the types of projects for which a contracting unit may require a project labor agreement.
As a reminder, national cooperative contracts cannot be used for public works projects. Contracting units must continue to adhere to LFN 2012-10 for national cooperative contracts. The DLGS will be issuing separate guidance on the use of public work contracts awarded by the State of New Jersey or by DLGS-registered cooperative purchasing systems.
We suggest you review LFN 2021-20 with your procurement official.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
c. New Jersey Legislative Reapportionment Commission Public Hearings
The New Jersey Legislative Apportionment Commission is working to create a new legislative district map that will be utilized for the next 8 years.
The Commission held an Organizational Meeting last month and have announced the following five public hearings:
Saturday, November 6 at 10 a.m. (Virtual hearing) Tuesday, November 16 at 12 p.m. (In-person @ Stockton University - Atlantic City) Tuesday, November 23 at 6 p.m. (Virtual hearing) Wednesday, December 8 at 12 p.m. (Virtual hearing) Friday, December 10 at 10 a.m. (In-person @ New Jersey State House - Trenton)
The public hearings will be livestreamed. If you wish to testify at the November 6 virtual hearing, you must sign up in advance. Additional public hearings will be announced at a later date and all members of the public and participants who wish to attend the in-person sessions must adhere to the venue’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
As previously reported, the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission has scheduled three hearings, and more are anticipated in the future.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110. |
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II. Federal Issues
a. SALT Deduction Cap Repeal in the Build Back Better Act
Earlier this week, members of the New Jersey congressional delegation announced that a State and Local Tax (SALT) Cap Repeal would be included in the Build Back Better Act after negotiations with congressional leaders.
Included in the House legislation is relief for the State and Local Taxes (SALT) Deduction Cap. The proposal that will be considered increases the SALT deduction cap to $80,000 through 2031, returning to $10,000 after that.
On the Senate side, Senator Menendez met with Senator Sanders and they have a different plan that would limit the universe of taxpayers who would benefit from this deduction to provide permanent relief and ensure the relief is targeted toward hardworking families.
While these plans will need to be reconciled, it is a positive development that New Jersey’s congressional members are fighting to ensure the SALT cap deduction repeal in some form. Votes on the Build Back Better Act have yet to be scheduled in the Senate and House.
This is a fluid situation and we will update you as details emerge and change.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.
b. House Set to Vote on IIJA and Build Back Better Act
Late on Thursday, the House Rules Committee met and passed the rule to set debate parameters for the framework for H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, which the House will consider today. Included in the legislation is relief for the State and Local Taxes (SALT) Deduction Cap. The most recent proposal that will be considered increases the SALT deduction cap to $80,000 through 2031, returning to $10,000 after that. Based on public comments by senators, it is likely these details will be amended when the legislation is in that chamber.
Parameters of the Build Back Better Act can be found in the League’s recent blog post. If this passes the full House, it will be transmitted to the Senate, which is expected to make significant changes to the legislation and send it back to the House for consideration.
Also today, the House is also set to consider the Senate amendments to HR 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed the Senate last summer. This $1.2 trillion package includes $550 billion in new federal funding for traditional infrastructure including bridges, roads, ports, broadband, water and sewage pipes, and clean energy. Once passed, it will be sent to the President for his signature and represents the largest infrastructure investment in many decades.
This is a fluid situation where changes and pauses have occurred multiple times over the past few months. We will update you as details emerge and change.
Contact: Paul Penna, Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110. |
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III. COVID-19 Weekly Update
Earlier this week, the Governor Phil Murphy noted that the state is awaiting for the final guidance from CDC regarding the eligibility of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 and November begins the open enrollment for 2022 Get Covered NJ healthcare coverage. Later in the week, Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced, effective immediately, New Jersey children 5 through 11 years of age are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. State Police Superintendent Colonel Pat Callahan announced that the FEMA vaccination canvassers have been deployed in Atlantic City, Camden, Trenton, New Brunswick, Paterson, Elizabeth, Newark, and Jersey City.
COVID Data for Friday, November 5, 2021:
1,205 new positive cases for a total of 1,047,410 confirmed cases 20 new confirmed deaths for a total of 25,246 confirmed deaths The rate of transmission is at 1.02 11 new outbreaks linked within the school setting. This brings the statewide total number of outbreaks directly related to in-school activity since mid-August 2020 to 148 outbreaks linked to 794 school outbreaks. 12,645,383 vaccine doses have been administered, including 7,219,594 who have received at least one dose, and 5,887,205 who are fully vaccinated. 58% are Pfizer, 38% Moderna, and 4% J&J. In addition, the following additional doses have been administered: 421,829 of Pfizer, 227,014 of Moderna, and 7,814 of J&J.
Vaccine Information
There are approximately 760,000 5 to 11-year-olds in New Jersey now eligible to receive the pediatric Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine is administered in two doses, three weeks apart and is a lower dose than the dosage for those ages 12 and older. Side effects that can occur are generally mild and occurred within two days after vaccination and went away within one or two days. More children reported side effects after their second dose. Commonly reported side effects in the clinical trial included a sore arm with redness and swelling, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pains, chills, fever, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, and decreased appetite. Parents are encouraged to read the fact sheet, discuss any questions with their pediatrician, family physician, or healthcare provider.
Boosters are available for all Pfizer recipients who completed their initial two-shot course at least six months ago and who are ages 65 and over, individuals ages 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions which may make them more susceptible to the virus, or whose employment situation may also put them at higher risk, including first responders and healthcare workers, educators and daycare employees, correctional facility workers, those whose jobs are along our public transit system, food and agricultural workers including grocery store employees, manufacturing workers, and correction workers.
As a reminder, the Department of Health is providing access to individuals COVID vaccination records through NJ Docket, a secure and free smartphone app, which is CDC approved.
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.
To find a vaccine site visit, including booster information, www.covid19.nj.gov/vaccine. Pediatric Pfizer vaccine sites should be listed by next Wednesday.
Mental Health Resources
As a reminder, the Department of Children and Families has put together a new page on their COVID information hub with a wealth of mental health support resources for youth, for parents, and for educators. This all can be found at that website, www.covid19.nj.gov/youthhelp.
Contacts:
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