State Issues

Health Benefit Costs Likely to Increase 

Based on the State Treasurer’s SFY2025 Budget testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee and the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) Design Committee review of the SHBP Mid-Year Analysis, costs of the SHBP may potentially rise.  

Read more: Health Benefit Costs Likely to Increase 

Contacts: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116 and Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Contact Legislators to Support OPRA Modernization  

Legislation to modernize the Open Public Records Act (A-4045) may be considered in April. Please reach out to your legislators with your support for reforms.

Read more: Contact Legislators to Support OPRA Modernization  

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

State FY 2025 Budget: Department of Community Affairs

Governor Murphy’s FY 2025 detailed budget recommendations for the Department of Community Affairs total $1.071 billion, a 29.5% reduction from the SFY 24 adjusted appropriation of $1.519 billion for the Department of Community Affairs total $1.071 billion, which is a 29.5% reduction from the SFY 24 adjusted appropriation of $1.519 billion. 

Read more: State FY 2025 Budget: Department of Community Affairs

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

Governor Murphy Signs TTF Bill

On Tuesday, March 26, Governor Murphy signed A-4011 into law reauthorizing?the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) for five years. The TTF was set to expire at the end of this fiscal year.  

Read more: Governor Murphy Signs TTF Bill  

Contacts: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120 and Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Federal Issues

Senators Menendez and Booker Announces Opening of Congressionally Directed Spending Application Process

Senators Bob Menendez and Corey Booker have announced the Fiscal Year 2025 Congressionally Directed Spending application process is open. The deadline to submit applications to is April 8, 2024.

Read more: Senators Menendez and Booker Announces Opening of Congressionally Directed Spending Application Process

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Also of Interest

Cinelease Studio Tour – Limited Space 

Join the League and the New Jersey Film Commission on a tour of Cinelease Studios in Jersey City on Wednesday, April 3 at 12 noon. Space is limited. 

Read more: Cinelease Studio Tour – Limited Space 

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

Celebrate NJ Local Government Week, April 7-13

Join municipalities across the Garden State April 7-13, 2024, by planning Local Government Week events. Let residents know about municipal facilities and careers, public works equipment, and fire, police, or utility vehicles. Roll out city hall open houses, host a coffee with the mayor, or provide a tour to students through council chambers.

Municipalities are encouraged to use social media to celebrate and promote their events using the hashtag #NJLocalGovt and to share event reminders, updates, and interesting facts via Twitter and Facebook. For more information & downloadable logos, visit www.njlm.org/njlocalgovt  

Read NJ Municipalities’ April Issue, Now Available 

The April issue of NJ Municipalities is now available online and in print. This month’s edition celebrates the winner of the 2024 Show Off Your City contest; a photo of the Great Swamp by Ed Zindel submitted by Long Hill. You can see this beautiful image on the cover and check out the top 10 and other highlights of contest submissions from municipalities around the state. 

The focus this month is on the environment and our free UpFront feature in April’s magazine shares information from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection on reducing recyclables and food waste. The issue also looks at Union Beach’s coastal restoration, flooding and pollution in New Jersey, and solar power in Woodbridge. 

And don’t miss our regular columns and test your New Jersey Knowledge with our monthly quiz. 

Make the League’s magazine part of your monthly knowledge-building. Subscribe today!