State Issues

Time is of the Essence: One Week to Restore Energy Tax Receipts

We are a week away from the deadline for the State to adopt its FY 2024 budget. Now is the time to act to get full restoration of Energy Tax Receipts included in the State budget.

Read more: Time is of the Essence: One Week to Restore Energy Tax Receipts

Contacts: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120 or Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

Governor and Legislature Reach Stay NJ Agreement 

Governor Murphy, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, and Senate President Scutari have jointly announced they have reached an agreement on Stay NJ.

Read more: Governor and Legislature Reach Stay NJ Agreement  

Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

OPRA Reform Legislation Introduced

Assemblyman Danielsen has introduced an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) reform bill package. 

Read more: OPRA Reform Legislation Introduced

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

Supreme Court: No Attorneys’ Fee for Common Law Claim for Records

The Supreme Court of New Jersey has issued a decision in a matter in which the League participated in as amicus, reaffirming that prevailing litigants in common law right of access cases are not entitled to attorneys’ fees.

Read more: Supreme Court: No Attorneys’ Fee for Common Law Claim for Records

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137. 

Federal Issues

Bill Preempting Local Control of ROW Advancing in Congress

A bill was recently passed out of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee that would impose new restrictions on local authorities to regulate local land use and zoning issues related to the deployment of telecommunications equipment.

Read more: Bill Preempting Local Control of ROW Advancing in Congress

Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137. 

Senator Menendez's Federal Automotive Task Force

Due to the growing incidence of catalytic converter thefts across the country, Senator Bob Mendez has introduced a bill titled the Federal Catalytic Converter Theft Task Force Act.

Read more: Senator Menendez's Federal Automotive Task Force

Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Also of Interest 

Lunch and Learn: Department of Labor - (Wage and Hour) Updates for Public Entities

On Wednesday, June 28, at noon, the League will be holding a Lunch and Learn with the Department of Labor (DOL) concerning (Wage and Hour) Updates for Public Entities.

The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division will cover a range of recent law updates. Topics include an introduction to the new online certified payroll for public works projects in addition to seasonal employees, Minimum wage, comp time/overtime, child labor, and earned sick leave. Please RSVP if you are interested in attending.  

Lunch and Learn: Department of Environmental Protection - Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan

On Thursday, June 29, at noon, the League will be holding a Lunch and Learn with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on its Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan.

DEP’s Office of Climate Resilience (OCR) supports the NJ Interagency Council on Climate Resilience’s (IAC) action plan. The New Jersey IAC is currently developing an Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan and would like to increase engagement of elected officials in the process. The session will focus on priorities and needs of heat-impacted, at-risk communities. 

Guest speaker is Nathaly Agosto Filion, Deputy Chief Climate Resilience Officer. Please RSVP if you are interested in attending.