News Flash

Federal Budget Deadline Looms on September 30

The federal fiscal year ends on September 30. Without an adopted and signed budget by this date, there may be a federal government shutdown. Expectations are tempered by disagreements among Congress and the Administration about spending priorities.&nb...

DLGS Issues ARP LFRF Funds Local Finance Notice

On Thursday, the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) issued Local Finance Notice 2023-16, which summarizes U.S. Treasury’s new 2023 Interim Final Rule, which expands the categories for which ARP LFRF Funds may be used. This information ...

Governor Names Jaquelyn Suárez as Acting DCA Commissioner

Governor Murphy has named Division of Local Government Services Director Jacquelyn Suárez as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Effective September, 18 Suárez will serve as Acting DCA Commissioner pendi...

SHBC Holds September Meeting

On Wednesday, the State Health Benefits Commission held its regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting. The majority of the agenda items were discussed in closed and executive session. The commission members moved to delegate purchasing authority to ...

Federal Budget Deadline Looms on September 30

The federal fiscal year ends on September 30. Without an adopted and signed budget by this date, there may be a federal government shutdown. Expectations are tempered by disagreements among Congress and the Administration about spending priorities. Discus...

New Workplace Accountability in Labor List (WALL) Now Live

The New Jersey Department of Labor Workforce Development's (NJDOL) Workplace Accountability in Labor List (WALL) is now available. 

This list includes entities found to be in violation of New Jersey's wage, benefit, and tax laws. Entities listed o...

Census Tools & Using Census Data – Free Annual Networking Meeting

Hosted by the New Jersey State Data Center, the lead state agency working directly with the U.S. Census Bureau, this free virtual meeting will be held on Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, October 4th, and Thursday October 5th from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The ...

Lunch & Learn: US EPA and NJDEP Discuss BIL & IRA Implementation

On Monday, September 18 at 12:00 p.m., the League is hosting a Lunch and Learn with US EPA Region 2 Office Administrator Lisa F. Garcia and NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette to discuss applicable municipal funding opportunities through the Bipartisan...

Have Your Voices Heard: Send in Your Conference Resolutions

If you have a topic to improve local government and address an issue impacting local governance, send in a Conference Resolution for consideration at this year’s Annual Conference. Any elected officials currently in municipal office, municipal p...

NJ Treasury Reimburses Municipalities for Marriage Licenses

On August 29, the Department of Treasury initiated the disbursement of funds to municipalities participating in the Marriage License Reimbursement Program (MLR). This program compensates municipalities $3 for each marriage license application rec...

State Offering Free ARP SLFRF Compliance Consulting

The Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office (GDRO) is offering municipalities free American Rescue Plan (ARP) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) compliance consulting. The GRDO is utilizing four separate consulting firms to offer ARP SLFR...

Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Starts Municipal Outreach Campaign

The New Jersey Department of the Treasury's Unclaimed Property Administration (UPA) announced an outreach campaign last week to reunite New Jersey's counties and municipalities with their property.

UPA will proactively contact th...

Have Your Voices Heard: Send in Your Conference Resolutions

Sending in Conference Resolutions that suggest changes to improve municipal life helps build the foundation for the League Legislative team’s annual actions.

If you have a topic to improve local government and address an issue impacting local gov...

SHBP Plan Design Committee Meets

The State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee (PDC) met for its regularly scheduled meeting on August 23.

The PDC approved Resolution 2023-11 for New Jersey Direct High Deductible Low Resolution to ensure IRS compliance with minimum deductibles a...

U.S. Treasury Releases Interim Final Rule on ARPA Flex

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Treasury released its long-awaited Interim Final Rule on ARPA Flex and an Overview of the Interim Final Rule. ARPA Flex was a provision passed by Congress in December 2022. 

This rule cr...

Plan Your Education Sessions

Dozens of sessions have been posted with their full CEU credits on the League Conference website. Start planning today!

For those attending the Conference with earning continuing education credits on their to-do list, planning is easier than ever this year...

Enforcement of Russia-Belarus Law Temporarily Suspended

A recent legal challenge has caused State officials to temporarily halt the enforcement of the law prohibiting government dealings with businesses associated with Russia and Belarus. 

On August 4, the United States District Court for the District ...

Governor Signs Bill Requiring Online PWCR & Payroll Certificates

Governor Murphy signed into law S-1442/A-5345, which requires public works contractor registration and payroll certification for public works projects to be completed online. P.L. 2023, c. 138 will take effect next year on August 16, 2024.  &...

Early Bird Conference Registration Now Open!

Registration for the 108^th Annual League Conference is now open! Take advantage of the lowest rates of the year, saving $40 off the regular registration cost with Early Bird pricing running Aug. 1-Sept. 30.

Early Bird Registration rates are:

• Government/Nonp...

Advance Your Causes with Conference Resolutions

If you have a topic to improve local government and address an issue impacting local governance, send in a Conference Resolution for consideration at this year’s Annual Conference. Any elected officials currently in municipal office, municipal professiona...

Governor Signs Advanced Clean Cars Proposal

Governor Phil Murphy announced New Jersey has signed the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) proposal. The goal of the ACCII is to have zero-emission vehicles make up 100% of new light-duty vehicle sales by 2035. While the proposal does not impose obligations ...

$200 Million Allocation for State Health Benefits Cut from FY2024 Budget

Governor Murphy's plan to dedicate $200 million from federal pandemic relief funds to offset the over 20% rising health insurance premium rise did not secure a place in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. This plan was initially laid out in Governor Murphy's FY ...

MWC & NJLM Launches Mental Health Grant Opportunity

The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute's Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC), in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities has announced a funding opportunity for communities working to address local mental health needs. The...

FY2024 Budget & ETR Update

The FY2024 Budget proposal includes $150 million in Municipal Relief funding in addition to Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief funding.

As we previously reported late Thursday, both the Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriation...

SHBP Plan Design Committee June Meeting Report

On Wednesday, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Plan Design Committee met for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Items on the agenda included a High Deductible Plan Discussion, Reduced Specialty Copay resolution,&am...

ETR Funding Doubled in FY2024 Budget

Last night, both the Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee favorably reported A-5669/S-2024, the $54.3 billion FY2024 New Jersey Budget Bill. It includes an additional $150 million for Energy Tax Receipts (ETR), doub...

Court Decision Will Impact Municipal Collection of BPPT

This week, an Appellate Panel released their opinion in Verizon New Jersey v. Borough of Hopewell, a case which the League participated in as amicus because of its broad implications on New Jersey’s municipalities.

The Appellate Panel ma...

Public Service Privatization Standards Bill Out of Committee

S-1350/A-5430, which establishes procedures and standards regarding public services privatization contracts, has been released from committees. 

Legislation that would limit local government’s ability to privatize public services is adva...

“Give It Back” Property Tax Relief Plan

Senators O’Scanlon and Testa have introduced S-3906, the “Give It Back” property tax relief plan. The plan calls for $4.32 billion from the New Jersey Debt Defeasance & Prevention Fund to be appropriated to each municipal...

Speaker Coughlin Testifies on Stay NJ Bill Package

During the Assembly Aging and Senior Services Committee hearing on June 8, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin testified before the committee on the “Stay NJ Act” proposal. Assembly Speaker Coughlin highlighted the importance of recognizin...

Ask Your Legislator to Join Energy Tax Receipt Budget Resolutions

The League, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, and the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association continue to call for the full restoration of Energy Tax Receipts. As a result of our collective outreach, Senator Greenstein and Assemblyman DeAngelo are sponsori...

Congress Passes Fiscal Responsibility Act

On Wednesday night the House passed H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 by a margin of 314-117 and on Thursday the Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 63-36 after a series of amendments were not agreed to. President is expected to imme...

SCOTUS Decision Could Impact NJ Property Tax Laws

This week, SCOTUS issued a unanimous decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, a case where a property owner argued that the Minnesota state law allowing Hennepin County to retain a $25,000 surplus following the auction sale of her home for unpaid ...

Plan Design Committee Holds Regular May Meeting

The State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee met on Wednesday for the regularly scheduled meeting and discussed the following items:

• Potential increase in the contribution amount for High Deductible Health Plans to comply with recent guidance fr...

DLGS Issues Guidance on Russia-Belarus Certification

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2023-11 providing guidance on the Russia-Belarus Certification. 

We would like to highlight the following from the Notice:

• Department of Treasury has published a list (Russia...

Continue to Urge Full Funding of Energy Tax Receipts

On Thursday, League staff worked the Statehouse and spoke with Assembly representatives before they went into caucus, urging them to support the full restoration of Energy Tax Receipts. Our thanks to East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov, who joined us and sp...

Governor Signs Deferred Compensation Plans Investments Bill

On May 8, Governor Murphy signed into law S-2423/A-3746, which permits local government deferred compensation plans to invest in collective investment trusts. The League supported this legislation that adds collective investments to the types of investmen...

CY 2022 Audit Deadline Extended

The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notices 2023-10 extending the CY 2022 Audit deadline to September 29, 2023. This extension applies to counties, calendar year municipalities and all calendar year authorities, including fi...