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February 18, 2022


I.   State

II.  Federal

III. COVID

IV. Also of Interest


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.

II. Federal

Federal Budget Update


By a vote of 65-27 on Thursday evening, the Senate passed a three-week continuing resolution to fund the federal government through March 11. Last week, the House passed the continuing resolution and it now goes to President Biden for his signature.
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.

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org or 609-695-3481, ext. 110.

III. COVID-19 Weekly Update


This week, Governor Murphy announced the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to bolster the implementation of the Foreclosure Prevention Act and declared February 23 through March 1 Boost NJ2 Week to encourage New Jerseyans get their booster doses.

 
COVID Data for Friday, February 18, 2022:
  • 1,931 new positive cases for a total of 1,862,636 confirmed cases
  • 38 new confirmed deaths for a total of 29,698 confirmed deaths
  • The rate of transmission is 0.6.
  • 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 503 outbreaks linked to 3,433 school outbreaks.  
  • 13,596,250 vaccine doses have been administered, including 7,628,198 who have received at least one dose, and 6,474,108 who are fully vaccinated. In addition, the following additional doses have been administered: 1,550,506 of Pfizer, 1,298,030 of Moderna, and 62,783 of J&J.
 
Boost NJ2 Week
 
The Boost NJ2 Week event will be held February 23 through March 1. Boost NJ2 week will include to date, 177 vaccination locations, including 42 Walmarts. In addition, there will be pop-up clinics in schools and churches, megasites, hospitals, universities, health departments, independent pharmacies, and mobile units.
 
To kick off the week, members of the Health Department’s senior staff will attend vaccination clinics sponsored by Walmart - the CURE Arena in Trenton, CHEMED in Lakewood, and the Passaic County megasite in Wayne. Other FQHCs that are participating include the Jewish Renaissance Foundation Community Health Center in Edison and Zufall Health Center in Somerville. You can find a list of the specific sites participating in Boost NJ2 week at covid19.nj.gov/boostnj as well as a full list of vaccination sites at covid19.nj.gov/finder.
 
COVID-19 Resources

Housing Assistance & Counseling:
Foreclosure Prevention & Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program (from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency) and free housing counseling: www.njerma.com; 855-647-7700.
 
NJ PCR Tests: For NJ Department of Health and Vault Medical Service free PCR test requests visit, https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/.

Federal Rapid Tests: Request up to four free tests per home, www.COVIDTests.gov.
 
Vaccinations for the Homebound: For in-home vaccination information, visit www.covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax; 855-568-0545.


IV. Also of Interest


a. Free Lunch & Learn Webinar: NJHMFA’ s Homeownership  Programming

 
Join us on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a free webinar with the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA). They will discuss the state’s pre-eminent homeownership programming, including the $10,000 Down Payment Assistance program and the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program to provide up to $35,000 in mortgage reinstatement assistance. This informational session is geared towards municipal officials to assist their residents. 
 
Please register in advance for the webinar. 

b. Louis Bay reminder


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, ext. 128.

c. American Rescue Plan Final Rule: Free Lunch & Learn Webinar


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 or 609-695-3481, ext. 110.




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