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N.J. commission says state isn’t ready to start sales of recreational weed
The commission overseeing the state’s cannabis industry on Thursday gave conditional approval to dozens of potential weed growers and labs, but did not set dates for the start of recreational marijuana sales. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission also halted a move to allow the existing eight medical marijuana dispensaries to start selling recreational weed […]
Advocates call on Legislature to desegregate N.J. schools
It could be months before a Superior Court judge decides whether New Jersey schools are unconstitutionally segregated, but state lawmakers are already hearing potential solutions to the problem from activists who want to revamp how the state educates its children. The Joint Commission on the Public Schools convened Wednesday to hear from school officials and […]
First budget hearing sees push for more child care funding, help for businesses
During the nearly four hours that represented the first round of hearings on Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed $48.9 billion state budget plan, state lawmakers heard calls from advocates, business leaders, and constituents urging them to boost funding further. In testimony before legislators, witnesses asked for everything from increased wages for child care and nursing home workers […]
Low-income families in N.J. least likely to have claimed expanded child tax credit, study finds
The expanded child tax credit was a lifeline to low-income families, who spent the majority of the benefit on necessities like food, clothing, rent, and utilities, according to a new report by the Rutgers Center for Women and Work and the New Jersey State Policy Lab. And though nearly every household with children qualified for some form […]
N.J. Supreme Court reverses ruling that had expanded Miranda rights
The New Jersey Supreme Court declined to make a sweeping change to Miranda rights rules in a 3-2 decision Wednesday that the two dissenting judges said will “erode faith in our criminal justice system.” The opinion reverses a lower court ruling that had been in favor of Anthony Sims Jr., a man convicted of a 2014 attempted […]
Lawmakers hear pleas for increased focus on mental health of students
Amy Kennedy received a call this week that a former student of hers had died after a drug overdose. The funeral will be the third in the past six months for students she taught while she was a public school teacher, Kennedy said Monday as she urged lawmakers to take immediate steps to address the […]
Murphy plan would use $305M to build 3,000 affordable housing units
As the affordable housing crisis worsens nationally, Gov. Phil Murphy wants to dedicate $305 million to construct affordable housing units, a plan advocates say would remove funding obstacles for thousands of homes across New Jersey. Murphy presented the plan during his budget address Tuesday, calling for $305 million in federal American Rescue Plan dollars to be […]
Lawmakers spar with labor commissioner over unemployment problems
State senators grilled Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo during a contentious three-hour hearing Thursday, criticizing him over the state’s handling of the unemployment crisis at the height of the pandemic and questioning him about why they still hear from residents who say they haven’t received benefits they should have received long ago. Senators relayed heartbreaking stories […]
Bill would require N.J schools to accept donations for school lunches
New Jersey schools would be required to establish “school meal funds” to help students buy food in school or to pay down a student’s lunch debt under a bill a Senate committee will hear Thursday. Under the measure (S1661), money from the fund would be used only to help pay for students’ breakfasts or lunches, […]
N.J. bans business with Russia, Belarus over Ukraine invasion
All public entities in New Jersey are barred from doing business with Russia and any companies with ties to the country after Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new law imposing the restrictions Wednesday. The bipartisan bill (S1889) was introduced less than two weeks ago in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It passed unanimously through […]
Murphy proposes $53M fund to aid undocumented immigrants
Another relief fund could be coming for undocumented immigrants under a plan Gov. Phil Murphy proposed Tuesday in his budget speech. The governor is seeking $53 million to provide one-time direct payments to residents who file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and did not receive pandemic stimulus aid. If approved by lawmakers, the […]
Expanded rebate programs, no new taxes headline Murphy’s $49B budget proposal
Gov. Phil Murphy proposed the state spend $48.9 billion in the first budget address of his second term Tuesday, eschewing tax hikes for the second consecutive year amid surging revenues and billions in unspent federal aid. “This budget is rooted in a renewed commitment to moving our state forward, creating opportunity for every family, and […]