State Issues

Governor Murphy Delivers Final State of the State Address 

On January 13, Governor Murphy delivered his final State of the State Address before a joint session of the legislature. The Governor’s address focused on his eight years as Governor. 

Read more: Governor Murphy Delivers Final State of the State Address 

Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

LFN 2026-01 Outlines Changes to Legal Notice Publication Requirements 

DLGS has issued LFN 2026-01 regarding the changes to Legal Notice Publication Requirements.  

Read more: LFN 2026-01 Outlines Changes to Legal Notice Publication Requirements 

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Bills on the Governor’s Desk 

While the 221st Legislative Term has concluded, there are 151 bills on Governor Murphy’s desk for consideration. He can either sign them, veto them, or leave office without taking action on them, known as a Pocket Veto. 

Please read the League’s recent blog post on legislation on his desk of municipal interest.

Contacts: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120, Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112, Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110, Sadayah Q. DuRant-Brown, Legislative Counsel, sdurantbrown@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137, and Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Bills Signed Into Law 

Earlier this week, before the end of the 221st Legislative Term, Governor Murphy took action on various pieces of legislation. Below is a summary of the bills signed with municipal interests.  

For more information, please read the League's recent blog post. 

Contacts: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120, Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112, Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110, Sadayah Q. DuRant-Brown, Legislative Counsel, sdurantbrown@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137, and Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Preserve New Jersey Grants Available 

The New Jersey Historic Trust announced a new round of Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund Grants. 

Read more: Preserve New Jersey Grants Available 

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

Governor Murphy Restores Jury Service Rights to Previously Convicted 

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 411 on January 11, which restores jury service rights to more than 350,000 of the State’s residents previously ineligible for jury service because of criminal convictions.   

Read more: Governor Murphy Restores Jury Service Rights to Previously Convicted 

Contact: Sadayah Q. DuRant-Brown, Legislative Counsel, sdurantbrown@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

DEP Accepting Applications for Seasonal Employment 

The Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for more than 800 seasonal positions at New Jersey state parks, forests, and historic sites.  

Read more: DEP Accepting Applications for Seasonal Employment 

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Federal Issues

Federal Budget Deadline Approaching 

The federal budget expires on January 31. Congress is working to pass appropriations bills ahead of the deadline, but much work remains.  

Read more: Federal Budget Deadline Approaching 

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Also of Interest

NJEDA Hosts Garden State CPACE Webinar 

NJEDA is hosting a webinar on how the Garden State CPACE program financing can drive private investment and sustainability.  

Read more: EDA Hosts Garden State CPACE Webinar 

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

Show Off Your City 2026: Apply Today 

Municipalities are invited to send the League photos of their tourist attractions, downtown areas, economic development initiatives, parks, city halls, community groups, and new projects for the 2026 Show Off Your City Photo Contest! 

The winning photo will be featured on the cover of the April issue of NJ Municipalities and the winner will also receive a free League publication of their choice. Entries will be posted on the League’s Facebook page, and some featured in the April issue of NJ Municipalities, and possibly other issues.  

Photos should be high-resolution JPEG, the bigger the image, the better it would look on a magazine cover, with the ideal size being 7MB or larger. 

Deadline: February 6.  

Submit photos using the Show Off Your City submission form or mail a CD or flash drive to 222 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608. 

Contact: Amy Spiezio, Editor, aspiezio@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x123. 

NJ Municipalities Blog: Middletown Prepares for Red, White, & You Parade and Celebration 

Now that we’re officially in the year of America’s Semiquincentennial, celebration planning is going into high gear. Middletown America 250 and Monmouth NJ 250 have announced plans to partner on “Red, White & You!”, a birthday parade set for Sunday, June 28. This week’s NJ Municipalities blog focuses on the event and the America’s Big Birthday Festival following the end of the parade route.  

Want to share your local story? Please send in your 300- to 1,000-word items and photos to Editor Amy Spiezio at aspiezio@njlm.org.   

Contact: Amy Spiezio, Editor, aspiezio@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x123. 

Celebrate Your Municipality During Local Government Week 2026 

Please join municipalities across the Garden State for 2026 Local Government Week from April 12-18 to engage citizens while celebrating the work of local government.  

Read more: Celebrate Your Municipality During Local Government Week 2026 

Contacts: Amy Spiezio, Editor, aspiezio@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x123, or Taran Samhammer, tsamhammer@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x124.