State Issues

State Provides Briefing on Drones

On Wednesday, the State Police and NJ Office of Homeland Security held a briefing with New Jersey’s mayors on the recent drone activity in New Jersey.  

Read more: State Provides Briefing on Drones

Contact: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.

Legislation Introduced to Address Public Notice Issue

Senator Sarlo and Senate President Scutari have introduced legislation (S-3957) to address the publication of public notices in light of the recent Star Ledger announcement of an all-digital newspaper starting in February 2025.

Read More: Legislation Introduced to Address Public Notice Issue

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

Lunch & Learn on Affordable Housing Calculations and Reporting

Join us for a Lunch & Learn on Affordable Housing Calculations and Reporting, Tuesday, December 17, at noon.

Read more: Lunch & Learn on Affordable Housing Calculations and Reporting

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

Moving 2025 Primary Election Date

Governor Murphy, Senate President Scutari, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin announced their support for moving the June 2025 Primary Election date due to religious holiday

Read more: Moving 2025 Primary Election Date

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

Election Ballot Legislation Introduced  

The Assembly Select Committee on Ballot Design met on Thursday and heard testimony on legislation to modify primary ballots that respond to the U.S. District Court ruling deeming New Jersey’s primary ballot design unconstitutional.  

Read more: Election Ballot Legislation Introduced  

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

Governor Signs Bill Expanding Use of Affordable Housing Voucher Program

On Thursday, Governor Murphy signed into law S-1430, which expands the use of affordable housing voucher program funding for the purpose of homeownership expense assistance. The new law took effect on December 12, 2024.

Read more: Governor Signs Bill Expanding Use of Affordable Housing Voucher Program

Contact: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.

Governor Signs Legislation Revising Unemployment Compensation Law 

Governor Murphy signed A-4047/S-2949, which revises unemployment compensation law. The League initially opposed this legislation because of unknown cost but changed its position to neutral when the Department of Labor shared that the cost was minimal.   

Read more: Governor Signs Legislation Revising Unemployment Compensation Law 

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

LFB Announces Budget Calendar Year Extension and Exceptions  

At the December Local Finance Board meeting, the Board approved an Extension of Budget Calendar Year 2025 and Exceptions for Extraordinary Circumstances for the 2025 Budget Year.    

Read more: LFB Announces Budget Calendar Year Extension and Exceptions  

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

Federal

Federal Budget Deadline is December 20

As the December 20 deadline to adopt the federal budget for Fiscal Year 2025 approaches, a short-term continuing resolution is likely.  

Read more: Federal Budget Deadline is December 20 

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

Also of Interest

Creative Aging Initiative Grant Available

The Creative Aging Initiative Grant (CAI) offers $10,000 to eligible community and governmental entities to support arts learning experiences for New Jersey residents aged 55 and older.

Read more: Creative Aging Initiative Grant Available

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

Show Off Your City 2025: Apply Today 

Municipalities are invited to send the League photos of their tourist attractions, downtown areas, economic development initiatives, parks, city halls, community groups, and new projects for the 2025 Show Off Your City Photo Contest! 

The winning photo will be featured on the cover of the April issue of NJ Municipalities and the winner will also receive a free League publication of their choice. Entries will be posted on the League’s Facebook page, and some featured in the April issue of NJ Municipalities, and possibly other issues.  

Photos should be high-resolution JPEG, at least 3MB in size. Please provide photo credit if necessary. Unfortunately, stock photos and images that are too low in resolution will not be considered. By submitting a photo, you are agreeing that you own the rights to the photo and that NJLM has permission to use the photo in NJ Municipalities, on NJLM’s social media and website, and on other printed materials. Note that photos displayed in a portrait orientation work better on the magazine cover than a landscape orientation. The due date to submit entries is February 7  

Submit photos using the Show Off Your City submission form or mail a CD or flash drive to 222 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608.