Public Administration
Draft of the First State Development and Redevelopment Plan in 23 years is Released – On December 4th, the State Planning Commission released a draft of the New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan, which would guide statewide infrastructure policy and land-use planning. If approved, it would be the first update to the State Development and Redevelopment Plan since 2001. This plan addresses and updates state goals on issues such as economic development, transportation, housing, and urban revitalization. Notably, the plan includes new priorities for greater climate adaptation, renewable energy utilization, and equitable development in underserved communities. Before finalization, the plan must undergo an impact analysis and a public comment process, allowing input from state officials, stakeholders, and residents.
Education
Senate Committee Advances Bill Restricting School Cellphone Use – On December 5th, the Senate Education Committee unanimously advanced Bill S3695, which would direct the Commissioner of Education to develop a policy limiting cellphone and social media use during classroom instruction with exceptions for emergencies or medical needs. School districts would then be required to adopt cellphone restrictions based on the state’s policy. Supporting lawmakers cited studies linking cellphone use to reduced focus and learning, while some advocates called for more flexibility, highlighting widespread variations in parental support for cellphone restrictions and existing school policies. Others urged lawmakers to delay the advancement of the bill until the Commission on the Effects of Social Media on Adolescence releases further data on the issue. The bill’s sponsors are pushing to have it passed, signed, and implemented before the next school year.
Lawmakers Propose Changes to School Funding Formula – On December 5th, lawmakers introduced Bill S3917 before the Senate Education Committee, proposing broad alterations to New Jersey’s school funding formula. Key provisions include limiting reductions in state aid to 2% and permitting districts facing budget shortfalls to raise property taxes by up to 7% compared to the current 2% cap. These changes come in response to funding challenges many districts have faced amid dramatic shifts and cuts in state aid over recent years. While some lawmakers and organizations, such as Garden State Coalition of Schools, praised the bill as a step to stabilize school funding, others raised concerns about the potential for significant property tax increases. Several witnesses also expressed support for the bill provision that would require the state to consider averaging districts’ property values over multiple years, arguing that multi-year averages could help reduce drastic fluctuations in annual state aid.
Economics
Treasury Announces 2.6-Cent Gas Tax Increase for 2025 – Beginning January 1st, New Jersey’s gas tax will increase by 2.6 cents, bringing the per-gallon rate to 44.9 cents for gasoline and 51.9 cents for diesel. This increase follows a review of fuel consumption trends by state public finance officials, which determined a rate hike was needed to meet the revenue target set earlier this year by Governor Murphy and state lawmakers. The gas tax is the primary funding source for New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund, which supports billions in annual spending on transportation infrastructure projects. State law mandates gas tax increases as necessary to ensure adequate funding for these investments.
Health
Bill for Bereavement Leave for Parents Who Lost a Child Advances in Senate Committee – On December 5th, the Senate Labor Committee advanced Bill S2978, which would require employers to provide bereavement leave for parents experiencing the death of a child, a failed adoption, miscarriage, stillbirth, or pregnancy termination due to complications. Under the bill, parents could take between 7 and 21 days of leave through the Family Leave Act or the Temporary Disability Benefits Law. Advocates praised the bill for offering necessary time for healing after such traumatic events. However, some organizations, such as New Jersey Citizen Action, expressed apprehension about creating records of individuals who experienced pregnancy complications amid concerns over federal limitations on reproductive rights. The organization also called for clarification on whether bereavement leave is covered by the Family Leave Act or temporary disability insurance, and for the elimination of varying leave durations. The bill passed the Assembly in September 2024.
Senate Committee Advances Bill to Strengthen Oversight of Sober-Living Homes – On December 5th, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee unanimously advanced Bill S2952, which seeks to strengthen oversight of sober-living homes. The bill would mandate unannounced state inspections twice a year, stricter reporting requirements, increased fines for unlicensed operators, and onsite supervisors. It would also enforce drug and alcohol bans, and random substance-use testing for residents. The bill aims to codify several recommendations from the state Commission of Investigation’s February 2024 report which found widespread oversight failures in the addiction recovery industry. Advocates and neighbors supported the bill for its potential to raise standards and enhance protection for the surrounding communities. Others called for zoning regulations to prevent sober-living homes from operating in residential areas.
Casino Workers Union Appeals Court Decision Overturning Casino Smoking Ban – On December 2nd, unions representing Atlantic City casino workers appealed a September court that dismissed their lawsuit challenging the smoking exemption under New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act. The lawsuit claimed the exemption violates workers’ rights to a safe environment. However, the state court ruled that no guarantee to such protection exists under constitutional law. The casino industry and unions opposing the ban argue that removing the exemption would lead to the state’s casino closures and widespread job losses. Workers, however, contend that smoking endangers their health and dispute the industry’s claims that a ban would harm casino revenues. They cited independent studies showing that smoke-free casinos remain profitable.