State Issues
Unions and Local Government Management Submit Plan to Address Pending SHPB Increase
The League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association, and New Jersey Association of Counties have been working with other interested stakeholders, including the major public sector union representatives, to address the unsustainable 22% increase in 2023 for the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) municipalities.
A total of 379 municipalities participate in the State Health Benefits system and the negative impact of this increase will be felt statewide as many counties and other local government employers are also in the system. Recognizing that the increase over the previous plan year is $350 million, we are seeking immediate financial relief by providing local governments with grants to fully off-set the increase, with savings shared with the public employees. Further, we call on the Plan Design Committee and State Health Benefits Commission to implement long-term and permanent savings.
On Monday, several local government unions, several dozen elected officials, the New Jersey League of Municipalities, New Jersey Association of Counties, and New Jersey Conference of Mayors held a virtual press conference regarding the pending drastic increases to State Health Benefits Program health insurance premiums.
It is rare that unions and management are completely on the same page. However, this unprecedented coalition representing both labor and management has come together as one because the stakes are so high.
Please take action immediately. With so little time remaining it is critical for Mayors and elected officials in municipalities that participate in the SHBP to directly reach out to your Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) contact in the Governor’s office and reiterate to your Legislators the need for an acceptable resolution of these newly imposed costs on municipal and county governments, our public employees, and taxpayers. If you have already reached out, please do so again—we need their attention and action.
Contacts:
- Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.
- Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
Local Finance Board Approves CY 2023 Budget Deadline Extensions
During the December 14 Local Finance Board Meeting, the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) proposed revised schedule for 2023 Introduction and Adoption of Municipal Budget Deadlines. The motion carried and the revised 2023 Calendar Year municipal budget deadlines are:
Mayor/Council Faulkner Act (Executive) budget transmission to governing body date from January 17, 2023, to February 27, 2023.
Submission of the Municipal Annual Financial Statement date from February 10, 2023, to March 31, 2023.
Municipal introduction and approval of budget date from February 10, 2023, to March 31, 2023.
Municipal adoption date from March 20, 2023, to April 28, 2023. If the regularly scheduled meeting falls within a week or two of this date, it can be approved then and does not require noticing and having a special meeting.
A Local Finance Notice containing this information should be published next week. In the meantime, please share this information with your municipal finance officer.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.
Third-Party Private Construction Inspection Legislation Approved by Assembly Senate to Consider Bill on Monday
On Thursday, the Assembly unanimously approved ACS A-573, with the Senate is scheduled to vote on the legislation on Monday.
The bill would expand the use of third-party private construction inspections, allowing municipalities more flexibility to hire private inspectors to perform inspections. It would also allow applicants the ability, under certain circumstances, to hire their own private inspectors, forgoing municipal inspectors.
While the increased flexibility provided to municipal constructions is appreciated as it will surely assist with meeting needs, the League is concerned with other aspects of the bill. One such concern is how expanding the use of third-party private inspectors will impact the recruitment and retention of municipal inspectors. More importantly, we remain concerned about the quality and integrity of inspections when they are removed from the neutral auspices of the municipal government.
We encourage you to review these bills and contact your Senator raising the concerns detailed above.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee Hears Testimony on Car Theft Prevention
On December 5, the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee heard testimony from New Jersey State Police Major Larry Williams, Deputy Attorney General Joseph Giordano, and Alexander Shalom, Senior Supervising Attorney and Director of Supreme Court Advocacy for ACLU, concerning the increase in motor vehicle thefts in New Jersey over the last two years.
For more information, please see our blog post.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
Bill Providing Appropriation Cap Relief Before Senate
On Monday the Senate will be considering S-3380, which would exempt gasoline and diesel fuel costs; solid waste and recycling collection and disposal costs, as well as disposal of yard waste; cyber insurance costs; liability insurance costs; worker’s compensation insurance costs; and property insurance costs from the appropriations cap.
e thank Senator Sarlo for bringing to light the challenges municipalities are facing with record high inflation, solid waste costs rising 50-150% higher than previous years, and rising insurance costs. We urge you to reach out to your State Senator encouraging them to vote yes on S-3380.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
Please Consider Adopting Resolution in Support of Municipal Holiday Tree Burning Event
S-861 would permit municipalities to conduct an annual event for the open burning of holiday trees. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) would be tasked with establishing rules, regulations, and standards for the open burning of Christmas trees by municipalities.
The League supports the adoption of this permissive legislation that would remove the obstacle of municipalities’ inability to burn Christmas trees because of strict NJDEP air quality regulations that identify Christmas trees as “rubbish,” which cannot be burned. A sample resolution is available for your municipality to adopt in support of S-861.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
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