Briefs
Governor Murphy signs bill offering new utility shutoff protections
Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill Friday that extends utility shutoff protections for New Jerseyans who seek utility assistance from the state. The plan, sponsored in the Legislature by Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) and Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson), applies to New Jerseyans who apply for aid through the Department of Community Affairs or other state program, […]
Anti-bribery bill heads to Governor Murphy’s desk
Both chambers of the Legislature unanimously approved a bill Thursday extending the state’s bribery statute to candidates for public office and officials-elect, with supporters saying it will ensure no one is permitted to abuse public office for personal gain. The measure was initially proposed after a bribery case against ex-Assemblyman Lou Manzo fell apart because […]
U.S. Supreme Court blocks New Jersey’s exit from Waterfront Commission
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily barred New Jersey from unilaterally exiting a bistate compact with New York, ensuring the Garden State will remain part of the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor for now. New Jersey had planned to withdraw on March 28 from the commission, a 69-year-old agency with law enforcement powers […]
Lawmakers mull measure requiring public agencies to report cybersecurity incidents
Lawmakers advanced a measure Monday that would require public agencies to report cybersecurity incidents to the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. Mandated reporting would allow authorities to have a statewide strategy in helping agencies more quickly and effectively respond to and recover from such attacks, said Michael Geraghty, the state’s chief information security officer […]
Remaining COVID restrictions in Statehouse are lifted
A panel tasked with managing New Jersey’s capitol has approved the sunset of the final COVID-19 restrictions in place at the Statehouse. The State Capitol Joint Management Commission unanimously voted on a resolution Tuesday that ends a loosely enforced mask mandate and lifts occupancy restrictions imposed to halt the spread of the virus. “We think […]
N.J. Senate president opposes pump-your-own-gas bill
A push to allow New Jerseyans to pump their own gas may be dead in the water amid a lack of support from the state’s most powerful legislator. Senate President Nicholas Scutari told the New Jersey Monitor in a statement he does not support a recently introduced bill that would allow for self-service gas pumps. […]
Make New Jersey one of the first presidential primary states, Democratic chair says
New Jersey Democrats want a bigger say in presidential primaries. Democratic State Chairman LeRoy Jones urged Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison in a letter Wednesday to consider adding New Jersey to the list of early primary states as the national Democratic organization considers retooling its nomination calendar to better reflect the party’s demographics. “It […]
Gunmaker can argue against N.J. subpoena in court, appellate panel rules
Smith & Wesson, the firearms manufacturers targeted by New Jersey over alleged consumer fraud violations, will get the chance to argue against a subpoena in federal court after a U.S. appellate panel revived a lawsuit that had been dismissed by a lower court judge. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday ruled a federal district […]
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 $60M ‘fee holiday’ for state parks, marriage and driver’s licenses
If you’re one of those people whose eyes glaze over when talk turns to taxes and things like debt defeasance, Gov. Phil Murphy has one word for you: freebies. One of Murphy’s budget recommendations is a year’s worth of fee waivers for a hodgepodge of items, an idea mocked as a gimmick by the governor’s […]
N.J. comptroller’s office to examine police accountability statewide
The Office of the State Comptroller is launching a new project aimed at ferreting out fraud, misconduct, waste, and abuse in law enforcement agencies statewide. The goal is to uncover systemic problems that can cost taxpayers a bundle when people sue police departments for civil rights violations or other wrongdoing. Researchers also will identify inefficiencies […]