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February 25, 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. Senate Budget Committee to Consider Legislation Restoring Energy Tax Receipts
On Monday the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will be considering S-330, which increases distribution to municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to restore municipal aid reductions. It also requires the additional aid to be subtracted from the municipal property tax levy. Since 2008 approximately $14 billion in funds have been diverted from municipalities to the State’s general fund. The Office of Legislative Services' fiscal note states that “under the phase-in schedule established by the bill, municipalities would receive an additional $66 million, or 20% of the total amount of supplemental State Aid, in fiscal year (FY) 2023.” The League will be testifying in support of the S-330 before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
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 consider 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 need.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
b. New Jersey Apportionment Commission Adopts Legislative Map
On Friday, February 18, the New Jersey Apportionment Commission adopted a legislative map for the next decade with a 9-2 vote. This is the first time since the establishment of the Apportionment Commission where the chief justice appointed tie-breaker did not have to choose one map over the other.
To review the highlighted changes and to view the map, please read the League’s recent blog post.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609 695-3481, x110.
c. Department of Homeland Security Warns of Possible Cyberattacks
With the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned last week that government agencies, personnel, and operators of critical infrastructure could be targets of cyberattacks by Russia. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and DHS cautioned government agencies to be vigilant, and to ensure employees are using best cybersecurity practices, in searching for Russian activity on their networks and to report any suspicious activity. They are seeing an increase in Russian scanning of U.S. networks and U.S. officials are seeing increased disinformation and misinformation generated by Russia about Ukraine.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116. |
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II. Federal Issues
a. New CDL Entry-Level Driver Training Regulations Take Effect
Effective February 7, 2022, new Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) federal regulations set minimum training requirements for certain Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) and endorsement applicants. Drivers subject to the ELDT rule will be required to complete entry-level driver training from a provider that meets applicable federal and state requirements before being permitted to take the required CDL skills or knowledge test.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration webpage has information about the ELDT regulations and if they apply to municipal employees who possess and utilize a CDL as part of their job responsibilities. Please note that on the Frequently Asked Questions Page, question 12 specifically addresses if state, county, and municipal workers operating Commercial Motor Vehicles are required to obtain CDLs. The response is yes, unless they are waived by the State under the firefighting and emergency equipment exemption §383.3(d).
We strongly suggest you review the Frequently Asked Questions Page along with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety administration’s website to determine the new regulations impact on your workforce.
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 announced that next week will be the Governor’s last weekly COVID-19 briefing noting that we are transitioning from pandemic to epidemic; noted that New Jersey has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country; and that the Department of Health released its updated public health and safety guidance with regards to masking in K-12 schools and Child Care settings.
COVID Data for Friday, February 25, 2022:
- 1,140 new positive cases for a total of 1,869,932 confirmed cases
- 11 new confirmed deaths for a total of 29,897 confirmed deaths
- The rate of transmission is at 0.72
- 4 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 507 outbreaks linked to 3,450 school outbreaks.
- 13,712,724 vaccine doses have been administered, including 7,693,953 who have received at least one dose, and 6,525,961 who are fully vaccinated. In addition, the following additional doses have been administered: 1,688,685 of Pfizer, 1,319,431 of Moderna, and 64,278 of J&J.
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, 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.
Vaccination Records: NJ Department of Health COVID vaccination records: NJ Docket, a secure and free smartphone app..
Mental Health Resources: Department of Children and Families mental health support resources page for youth, for parents, and for educators, www.covid19.nj.gov/youthhelp
Contacts:
IV. Also of Interest
a. Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leadership Scholarship Competition
The League of Municipalities is proud to have announced 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 gentle 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. March 2 is quickly approaching and is the deadline to have put together your judging committee. You can find the other deadlines in “Suggested Time Frames” under the “The Mayor’s Involvement” section.
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.
b. 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.
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, x110.
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