July 16, 2025

State Issues

NJ DEP Commissioner Provides Update on the Proposed REAL Rules

On Monday, July 14, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a virtual meeting with local government officials to provide an update on its Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) rules.

Contacts: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120, and Sadayah Q. DuRant-Brown, Legislative Counsel, sdurantbrown@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 137.

CY2025/SFY2026 State Aid: Recapitulation & Payment Schedules

CY2025/SFY2026 State Aid amounts for each payment cycle are now available.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Governor Signs P.L.2025, c.92, Extending Distance for Electioneering

Governor Murphy signed S-3850/A-5356 into law, permitting county boards of elections to extend distance within which electioneering is prohibited

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

NJ Municipalities Blog: Stone Harbor Playgrounds 

This week’s NJ Municipalities summer story blog shares how Stone Harbor’s recently refreshed and reopened 97^th Street Park and its plans for a second park update. 

Want to share your local story this summer? Please send in your 300 to 1,000-word items and photos today. 

Contact: Amy Spiezio, Editor, aspiezio@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 123.

Reminder: Complete Salary Survey

Remember to complete the League’s Salary Survey. This is a friendly reminder to submit your responses to the League’s Salary Survey before September 1st. Your input plays a vital role in helping us create a comprehensive snapshot of compensation trends across municipalities statewide.

Please note, the link in our Weekly Update is password protected, and a separate email will be sent to each municipality containing the password required to access and complete the live version of the Salary Survey. The results from the survey will be published and available in September.

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

Federal Issues

Senate Amends and Begins Debate on Rescissions Package

The Senate amended the $9 billion rescissions package that President Trump sent to Congress in May and passed by the House in June. This package includes cuts to public broadcasting, foreign health programs, and international assistance programs.

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

NLC Hosts SCOTUS Term Recap Webinar

The League’s federal partner, the National League of Cities, is hosting a free webinar with the Local Government Legal Center on the major decisions from the recently concluded Supreme Court term.

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Conference Connections

Nominations for Halls of Fame Sought

Nominate candidates for the Mayor’s Hall of Fame. Marking its 40th anniversary, the Mayors’ Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for 2025 inductees. These nominees must be serving as mayor and have at least 10 years of mayoral service to be inducted at the silver level, at least 20 years of mayoral service to be inducted at the gold level, and at least 30 years to be inducted at the platinum level.

Submit nominations for the Elected Officials’ Hall of Fame. The Elected Officials Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations of local municipal governing body members, active and retired, who have served for 20 or more years as a governing body member.

Support Your Causes, Submit a Conference Resolution

Complete a topic consideration as a Conference Resolution if you have a topic to improve local government and address an issue impacting local governance. Or, if you already have a resolution drafted, please submit your resolution for consideration.  The resolution will be reviewed by League staff and presented at the Resolutions Committee meeting during the Annual League Conference. Visit the Conference Resolutions webpage for more details on the process and answers to other questions you may have. 

The League is Accepting Applications for the Innovation in Governance Program

 
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM) will again acknowledge and promote Innovation in Governance through our annual recognition program. This is a great opportunity to showcase innovative solutions to any problems that have cropped up, either suddenly or over time, in your municipality. It can also be an opportunity to let your peers in on innovations that prevent problems from arising. This year, the Innovation in Governance Awards Committee is looking for new and distinctive approaches in any department of municipal government.

The deadline is Friday, October 3, 2025.

Visit our awards page to see previous years’ ideas created by our winning municipalities as well as the full invitation and application to this year’s program.
 
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, CBradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 128.

Also of Interest

NJ DEP Recycling Awards Nominations Open

NJ Department of Environmental Protection is accepting nominations for its annual award for leaders in recycling and sustainability.

Registration Open for Governor’s Conference on Housing

Registration is now open for the Governor’s Conference on Housing & Economic Development at Harrah’s in Atlantic City on September 16 and 17.

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

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