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View a Featured Ad at the End of this Email.
February 11, 2022
I. State Issues
II. Federal Issues
III. COVID-19 Update
IV. Also of Interest
Municipal Clerks: Please forward to your Mayor, Governing Body and Department Heads.
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I. State Issues
a. Sample Resolution Supporting Legislation Restoring Energy Tax Receipts
Recently the Senate Community and Urban Affairs committee unanimously approved legislation that increases distribution to municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to restore municipal aid reductions and requires the additional aid to be subtracted from the municipal property tax levy (S-330). The League supports the advancement of S-330 and urges you to contact your Senator and Assembly representatives expressing support and consider adopting the sample resolution.
The time has come to restore the millions in property tax relief that have been annually diverted to meet State needs back to local budgets. To see how much revenue has been diverted from your municipalities, please use the 2021 ETR Impact Calculation individual sheet. Simply insert the annual amount of aid your municipality received and the sheet will update to reflect the shortfall over time.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
b. 2023 Gubernatorial Budget Address
Earlier this week Governor Phil Murphy requested that the legislature allow him to postpone the fiscal year 2023 gubernatorial budget address by two weeks. The original date of the budget address was scheduled for February 22, but the introduction and anticipated approval of special legislation (S1414/A2063) would provide an extension, allowing the address to be given on March 8. Governor Murphy hopes to deliver the budget address in person this year as long as COVID cases remain low.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
c. Apportionment Commission Releases Proposed Maps
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission released two maps for public comment and held a virtual Apportionment Commission hearing on Wednesday and Friday morning. It is likely there will be further changes and there is no guarantee that either of the maps will be selected as the final map.
To view the maps, please read the League’s recent blog post.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110. |
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II. Federal Issues
a. NLC Releases ARPA Tracker
The League’s federal partner, the National League of Cities, in partnership with other organizations, has created a Local Government ARPA Investment Tracker. This online resource compiles information from local governments to offer a detailed picture of how large cities and counties are deploying the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars.
For more information, read the League’s recent blog post.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
b. Free Webinar: American Rescue Plan Act Final Rule
The League will host a free webinar with Mike Gleeson, Legislative Manager for Finance, Administration, and Intergovernmental Relations for the National League of Cities, on Friday, March 4 at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. as part of the League’s Lunch and Learn webinar series. He will discuss the American Rescue Plan Act’s State and Local Recovery Fund Final Rule.
Please register in advance for the webinar.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
c. Federal Budget Update
The federal government spending authority expires next Friday, February 18. On Tuesday, February 8, the House passed a three-week continuing resolution to fund the government through March 11. The Senate is expected to consider the measure prior to next Friday’s deadline.
Congressional leadership and Senate and House budget officers continue to work on the parameters of an omnibus bill to fund the government for the full fiscal year. Public reports indicate there is agreement on a top-line numbers for military and domestic spending, but all of the details will not be agreed upon by next week, necessitating the continuing resolution to fund the government.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110. |
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III. COVID-19 Update
This week Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 288 extending the Public Health Emergency for an additional 30 days; announced the lifting the school mask mandate on March 7; and reminded the public that the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance program application portal is opened.
COVID Data for Friday, February 11, 2022: - 2,224 new positive cases for a total of 1,851,340 confirmed cases
- 60 new confirmed deaths for a total of 29,382 confirmed deaths
- The rate of transmission is at 0.49
- 19 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 484 outbreaks linked to 3,255 school outbreaks.
- 13,558,388 vaccine doses have been administered, including 7,610,297 who have received at least one dose, and 6,452,807 who are fully vaccinated. In addition, the following additional doses have been administered: 1,535,510 of Pfizer, 1,277,856 of Moderna, and 61,494 of J&J.
Lifting of School Mask Mandates
Effective March 7, 2022 masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers. School districts and childcare facilities can continue to implement universal masking policies after the mandated is lifted in March. Schools will not be permitted to bar the use of facial coverings by individuals and will be expected to take disciplinary action in instances of bullying should they arise due to an individual's choice to continue wearing a mask. Prior to the mandate being lifted, the Department of Health will be releasing guidance to help school districts update their policies to align with the risks and unique needs of their setting and student population to ensure safe learning environments.
Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program
As a reminder, the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) is now open for applicaitons. Under this new program, eligible homeowners can receive up to $35,000 to cover mortgage arrearages, delinquent property taxes, and other housing costs delinquencies for those who were negatively impacted by the pandemic. Free housing counseling will also be available through ERMA to assist homeowners in applying for assistance as well as guide them through all available options. For more on FRMA please visit www.njerma.com. Individuals can also call 855-647-7700 for assistance.
Vaccine Information
The NJ Department of Health and Vault Medical Service have partnered on a free at-home COVID-19 saliva testing program. This free PCR test will be shipped via UPS with next day delivery. Once received, individuals will connect via Zoom with a Vault healthcare professional who will guide them through the test and answer any questions. When completed, the test can be sent back in a prepaid package via UPS next day shipping. Test results are received in 24 to 48 hours after the sample arrives at the lab. Free test kits can be requested at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/.
In addition, the federal government has made available free rapid COVID-19 tests to be shipped within 7-12 days of ordering. Tests can be ordered at www.COVIDTests.gov. Every home is eligible to order four free at home COVID-19 tests.
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.
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.
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:
IV. Also of Interest
a. Free FirstNet Seminar for New Jersey First Responders
AT&T will be hosting a free seminar for New Jersey’s first responders on April 6. The seminar will cover their FirstNet program and its features and capabilities including the FirstNet Response Operations Group and how it supports first responders on FirstNet with deployable assets; push-to-talk (PTT) interoperability and how FirstNet can help enhance PTT experience; and how to improve a mission’s critical communications with FirstNet MegaRange.
To register, please visit the FirstNet event page.
b. Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leadership Scholarship Competition
The League of Municipalities is proud to announce the Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition for high school juniors and seniors planning to continue their education after high school. We look forward to having you play a significant role in this exciting venture. As a reminder, please take some time to review your promotional kit explaining your part in promoting this scholarship, how the application process works, how the selection process works, and some suggestions for coordinating your actions in time fashion.
The March 2 deadline to assemble your judging committee is quickly approaching. You can find the other deadlines in “Suggested Time Frames” under the “The Mayor’s Involvement” section in the contest packet.
We look forward to hearing from your municipality and raising interest in future municipal leaders!
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Legislative Administrator, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.
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