I. State
a. Act Now: Impact of Diversion of Energy Tax Receipts
As the State begins to consider its FY 22-23 budget, it is critical for municipalities to advocate for S-330, which will increase distribution to municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years, restore municipal aid reductions, and require the additional aid to be subtracted from the municipal property tax levy. Since 2002, $14 billion in funds have been diverted from municipalities to the State’s general fund.
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. We suggest you share this information with your residents, Assembly and Senate representatives, and Governor.
If you have not done so already, please considering adopting the sample resolution calling for the swift passage and signing of S-330. The time has come to restore to local budgets the millions in property tax relief that have been annually diverted to meet State needs.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njslom.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 112.
b. Governor’s Budget Message Moved to March 8
On Tuesday, February 15, Governor Murphy signed special legislation S-1414/A-2063, which extends transmittal date deadline for the fiscal year 2022-2023 gubernatorial budget message to the legislature from the fourth Tuesday in February to March 8, 2022. The Governor is hopeful 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, ext. 116.
c. State Launches Brownfield Inventory Tool
This week, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the launch of a Brownfields Inventory tool. In collaboration with the Department of Community Affairs and the NJ Economic Development Authority, the DEP enhanced its Geographic Information System mapping application, creating a Brownfield Inventory mapping layer that makes valuable information about brownfield sites more accessible.
The goal of the new inventory is to help make information more accessible to investors, developers, community leaders and Licensed Site Remediation Professional, leading to remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, FMarshall@njslom.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 137.
d. Court Upholds Governor’s Authority to Issue Vaccine Mandate for Certain State Workers
Last week, a State appellate panel affirmed Governor Murphy’s authority under the Disaster Control Act and the Emergency Health Act to impose through Executive Order 283, a COVID-19 vaccination mandate on State corrections officers. The NJ Supreme Court subsequently denied a request for an appeal in the matter, effectively upholding the appellate panel’s decision.
Please see our recent blog post for more information on the decision.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, FMarshall@njslom.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 137.
e. Senate Passes Volunteer First Aid Squad Funding Increase Bill
On Monday, February 14, the Senate unanimously passed S-399 increasing the maximum threshold governing bodies can donate to volunteer first aid, ambulance, and rescue squads. S-399 permits governing bodies to donate up to $125,000 to volunteer first aid, ambulance, and rescue squads, as well as up an additional $70,000 for extraordinary needs at their discretion.
The League supports this permissive legislation that provides municipalities with the ability to support their local volunteer services based on local needs. The Assembly companion, A-731, awaits consideration by the Assembly Law and Public Safety committee.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njslom.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 112.
f. CRC Hosting Three Regional Hearings on Using Tax Revenue for Social Equity
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) will be hosting three virtual regional hearings on the use of tax revenue for social equity purposes on March 7 for northern New Jersey, March 9 for central New Jersey, and 16 for southern New Jersey. All three meetings are 7-9 p.m.
The regional hearings are required as part of the Cannabis Regulatory Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMM Act) but will be virtual due to COVID. The CREAMM Act imposes certain taxes on the sale of cannabis within the state, and authorizes the CRC to impose a Social Equity Excise Fee on the sale of cannabis. The fees and a portion of the taxes collected are to be deposited in special fund to be used for social equity purposes, with a particular focus on
impact zones. The CRC is required to host at least three regional hearings to solicit public input on the social equity investments to be made with these funds.
Fill out a
registration form to speak at the Regional Hearings on Using Tax Revenue for Social Equity or
submit a comment in writing via the online form. The deadline to register to speak is 5 p.m. on the day before each meeting. The deadline to submit a written comment is Friday, March 18.
To accommodate as many speakers as possible from each region at these meetings, the CRC is requesting that you only register for the meeting where you live, or where your organization is located. Speakers will be limited to addressing the meeting once for 3 minutes.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel,
FMarshall@njslom.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 137.
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