Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert

Category: State Government

Governor Murphy Presents His Fiscal Year 2023 Budget

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Posted in State Government

On March 9, 2022

Governor Murphy presented his Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Budget to a joint session of the State Legislature in a live address for the first time since February 2020. The proposed budget totals $48.9 billion – a $2.5 billion increase over the FY 2022 budget – and includes a $4.2 billion surplus, which is nearly double the surplus included in last year’s budget. The proposal does not include any new taxes or fees. In fact, the Governor’s spending plan includes a one-year fee holiday to waive fees typically assessed for driver’s license renewals, marriage licenses, state park entry, and license fee applications or renewals for roughly 130,000 professionals across the health care spectrum. The Governor themed his budget address around one word: Affordability. This became a key issue in the 2021 gubernatorial and legislative election, and is something both the Governor and legislative leaders identified as their priority for the current legislative session. The budget proposal looks to improve affordability in the State by addressing property taxes and access to housing. It appropriates $900 million for the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) Property Tax Relief Program, which proposes to provide property tax rebates to both homeowners and tenants. Additionally, the Governor’s budget allocates $300 million to the Affordable Housing Protection Fund to...

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order to Prevent State Resources from Supporting the Russian Government

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Posted in State Government

On March 3, 2022

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 291 (“EO 291”) on March 2, 2022, which requires all state agencies to review their authority to suspend or revoke licenses, permits, registrations, and certifications of businesses that invest directly in companies owned or controlled by the governments of Russia, Belarus, or their instrumentalities, and businesses that invest directly in such companies. EO 291 also directs all relevant State agencies to undertake a review of the State’s ability to boycott or halt the import or purchase of products or services provided from Russia or Belarus. EO 291 is broad-reaching in its scope and includes: Boycotting or halting the import or purchase of any products or services provided from the Russian Federation or Belarus, including, but not limited to, food products, energy products, clothing products, jewelry, and liquor or other alcoholic beverages made in the Russian Federation or Belarus. Reviewing all relevant State contracts to determine if any are with companies owned or controlled by the governments of Russia, Belarus, or their instrumentalities, or businesses that invest directly in such companies, directly or as subcontractors. Requiring the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance to issue bulletins or directives to regulated entities requiring them to fully comply with United States sanctions on the Russian Federation and Belarus, as well as with...

A Look at the 220th Legislature and Annual State of the State Address

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Posted in State Government

On January 14, 2022

On January 11, 2022, New Jersey began a new legislative session marked by the Legislature’s reorganization and the Governor’s State of the State Address. Legislative Reorganization Democrats retained control of both houses, albeit with much smaller margins after Republicans managed to win back several seats in the November elections. Democrats now hold a 24 to 16 majority in the Senate and a 46 to 34 majority in the General Assembly. The Senate has new leadership for the first time in twelve years, with Senator Nicholas Scutari of Union County being sworn in as the Senate President and Senator Teresa Ruiz of Essex County becoming the Senate Majority Leader. Senator Sandra Cunningham of Hudson County remains the Senate President Pro Tempore. Senator Steven Oroho of Sussex County is now the Republican Leader, replacing Tom Kean, Jr., who did not run for reelection in order to focus on his campaign for the 7th Congressional District. The Senate also welcomed five new members. Senators Jon Bramnick (R-21), Gordon Johnson (D-37), Jean Stanfield (R-8), and Andrew Zwicker (D-16) all previously served in the General Assembly. Senator Ed Durr (R-3) has not previously held elective office. In the Assembly, Craig Coughlin of Middlesex County and Louis Greenwald of Camden County will continue as Speaker and Majority Leader, respectively, for another...

Governor Murphy Issues Executive Order Creating Mandatory Health and Safety Requirements at Businesses

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Posted in State Government

On October 29, 2020

Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 192, issued on October 28, 2020 (the “Order”), requires every business, nonprofit, and governmental or educational entity in the State “that requires or permits its workforce…to be physically present at a worksite” to follow a uniform set of public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Order becomes effective at 6:00 a.m. on November 5, 2020. The Order mandates ten specific actions that businesses must take: Enable employees to remain at least six feet apart at all times. When employees cannot maintain this distance, businesses must require employees to wear face masks and shall install physical barriers between workstations wherever possible. Require that employees, customers, visitors, and other people entering the worksite wear cloth or disposable face masks while on the premises, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. The only exceptions to this directive are for individuals under two years of age or where it is impracticable for a person to wear a face mask, such as when the individual is eating or drinking or where a service being provided by the employer cannot be performed on someone wearing a mask. Businesses must make face masks available, at the businesses’ expense, to their employees. Businesses may permit employees to remove face masks when the...

Highlights from the Swearing-In of the 219th Legislature and Governor’s State of the State Address

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Posted in State Government

On January 15, 2020

The 219th Session of the New Jersey Legislature started on January 14, 2020 with the reorganization of the Legislature and the Governor’s State of the State Address. Legislative Reorganization The General Assembly welcomed seven new members, with Democrats still retaining a significant 52-28 majority. Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) retained his post for another two-year term, as did Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-6) and Minority Leader John Bramnick (R-21). The State Senate is also controlled by the Democratic Party with a 25-15 majority. Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) became the longest-serving Senate President in New Jersey history, starting his sixth term as leader of the Senate. Senator Tom Kean (R-21) returns as Senate Minority Leader for another term. In their respective speeches, legislative leaders struck similar messages of unity, compromise, and improving the quality of life for all residents. Senate President Sweeney focused on school funding, higher education, water quality, and the need for improvements to New Jersey Transit. Speaker Coughlin and Majority Leader Greenwald highlighted their priorities which included water quality, as well as tax reform and affordability, behavioral health, and food insecurity. Assembly Republican Leader Bramnick took a different approach and specifically addressed cooperation, and condemned hate and violence at all levels. He did, however, put forth a proposal to cap legislative spending increases...

Budget Matters, Incentives, and Cannabis Will Be This Summer’s Hot Topics in Trenton

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Posted in State Government

On July 9, 2019

The Summer is here and the halls of the Legislature are quiet, but three topics that controlled much of the debate in Trenton this year are expected to drag into the Fall: the state budget, economic incentives, and cannabis. Fiscal Year 2020 Governor Murphy signed the Fiscal Year 2020 budget on June 30, avoiding a government shutdown, but not ending the debate on taxes and spending. After the Legislature sent the Governor a budget that did not include a millionaire’s tax, corporate responsibility fee, and tax on opioid manufacturers, the Governor line-item vetoed several appropriations and signed an Executive Order authorizing the State Treasury to place in reserve approximately $235 million in state appropriations. In 2016,Governor Christie took similar action when his Administration froze approximately $100 million in spending as the state health benefit plan design committees considered cost reductions. Prior to the July 4th holiday, the Murphy Administration announced the full list of spending items placed in reserve. The funds will only be released after the Treasurer certifies that certain revenue objectives are met, meaning this issue will linger for several months. Economic Incentives Also on June 30, the State’s two main economic incentive programs, the Grow NJ Assistance Program (GROWNJ) and the Economic and Redevelopment Growth Grant (ERGG) Program, expired and new applications...

Murphy Announces George Helmy as Chief of Staff

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Posted in State Government

On January 25, 2019

Governor Murphy announced this morning that George Helmy, current State Director for Senator Cory Booker, will become his new Chief of Staff effective February 4, 2019. Mr. Helmy takes over for Pete Cammarano, who served as Chief of Staff during Governor Murphy’s first year in office. The Gibbons Government & Regulatory Affairs Department congratulates Mr. Helmy and looks forward to continuing to work with him in his new position. George brings both public and private sector experience to the Governor’s Office and has been a great advocate for New Jersey while working on Senator Booker’s staff. You can read the Governor’s full announcement here.

Governor Murphy Takes the Oath of Office, Executive Action on Pay Equity

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Posted in State Government

On January 16, 2018

Phil Murphy was sworn in as New Jersey’s 56th Governor on January 16, 2018. Also assuming office was New Jersey’s second Lt. Governor, Sheila Oliver. In his Inaugural Address, Governor Murphy’s theme was one of inclusiveness and making New Jersey fairer and stronger for all residents. He spoke of restoring confidence in state government, leading through progressive policies based on common sense, and enacting a State Budget that was both fiscally and morally responsible. He specifically challenged the Legislature to send him legislation to restore funding for women’s healthcare and Planned Parenthood; raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour; provide equal pay for women; require employers to provide earned sick leave; expand voting rights; and enact new gun safety laws. The Governor noted that each of these bills would be met with a signing ceremony upon its passage. The Governor also took action and signed an Executive Order barring state workers from asking job applicants seeking positions with the state about their previous salaries. At the signing ceremony, the Governor publicly stated he would sign a bill that extended these same provisions to private sector employers. As Governor Murphy takes office, he has already nominated most of his Cabinet and named his Senior Staff. The Senate is expected to take up the Cabinet nominations quickly...

Committee Assignments for State Senate and General Assembly Announced

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Posted in State Government

On January 11, 2018

Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced the committee chairpersons and committee members for the 218th Legislative Session. While most committee chairs remained the same, several important committees will see new leaders in both the Assembly and Senate. Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (D-28) became Chairwoman of the Assembly Budget Committee, succeeding Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36) who had chaired the committee for the past several sessions. Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-37) returned to his chairmanship of the Assembly Commerce Committee after having relinquished that role last session, and Assemblyman John McKeon (D-27) assumed the Chairmanship of the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. A new committee, the Assembly Science and Technology Committee, was formed and will be chaired by Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-16). Lastly, Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin (D-18) will chair the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. Senator Bob Gordon (D-38) took over the chairmanship of the Senate Transportation Committee, a position previously held by Senator Nick Sacco (D-32). By becoming Chair of Senate Transportation, Senator Gordon relinquished his Chairmanship of the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee, which will now be led by Senator Brian Stack (D-33). Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-5) is the new Chairwoman of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, which was previously chaired by Senator Raymond Lesniak who retired from the Senate. Senator...

New Jersey Legislature Reorganizes and Governor Christie Delivers His Final State of the State Address

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Posted in State Government

On January 10, 2018

The 218th Session of the New Jersey Legislature began on January 9, 2018 with the swearing-in of new members, remarks from Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-3) and newly elected Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19), and the final State of the State Address from Governor Chris Christie. Senate Reorganization Senate President Stephen Sweeney retained his role as leader of the Senate. Democrats control the chamber by a 25 to 15 margin, a one seat gain from the prior session. The Senate has five new members: Chris Brown (R-2); Troy Singleton (D-7); Vin Gopal (D-11); Declan O’Scanlon (R-13); and Joe Cryan (D-20). Senate President Sweeney outlined his priorities for the 218th Session. The Senate will convene a joint panel on taxation, led by Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36) and Senator Steve Oroho (R-24). The Senate will also focus on equalizing the school funding formula among towns, expanding pre-K education and focusing on higher education affordability. The Senate President called for a new round of higher education investment and for expanding the progress made on vocational employment. Transportation infrastructure will be a focus for the Senate. Specifically, the Senate President spoke of expanding light rail service along the Hudson-Bergen Rail and the creation of the Camden-Glassboro Light Rail. Freight rail is also an area in need of improvement as New...

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