Public Administration
Lawmakers Approve $58.8 Billion Spending Plan for Fiscal Year 2026 – On June 30th, the Assembly voted 52-27 to approve Bill A5800, which appropriates $58.8 billion for the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget, set to begin July 1st. The Senate companion bill was approved by a 26-13 vote, with Governor Phil Murphy signing the plan into law late Monday night. Democrat lawmakers considered the spending plan a necessary response to economic uncertainty. However, Republicans criticized the process as rushed and lacking transparency. The approved budget exceeds Governor Phil Murphy’s initial proposal and is the largest in state history.
Tax Increase Bills Advance Ahead of Budget Deadline – On June 26th, lawmakers voted to advance a series of tax bills largely along party lines to align with Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed $58.1 billion state budget plan for fiscal year 2026. Among the measures, Bill S4661 would triple the tax on electronic cigarette fluid, and Bill S4659 would increase the state cigarette tax from $2.70 to $3.00 per pack. Other legislation would increase the tax rate on online gambling and sports betting, and raise the realty transfer fee on property sales exceeding $2 million. While Democratic lawmakers argued the measures are necessary to preserve services and balance the budget, Republicans broadly opposed the tax bills advanced and criticized the timing of the committee vote. Under the state constitution, the state must enact and sign a budget by July 1 to avoid a government shutdown.
Lawmakers Propose Expanding Daniel’s Law to Shield Legislators’ Addresses – On June 23rd, lawmakers introduced Bill A5875, which would expand Daniel’s Law to prohibit the public release of home addresses of state legislators. The bill would add state legislators to the existing protections for judges and law enforcement officers. This proposal follows a recent deadly shooting in Minnesota that claimed the lives of a state lawmaker and her husband and left another critically wounded. Supporters say the measure is necessary to protect public officials from targeted violence. However, groups including the Municipal Clerks Association of New Jersey and officials from the Election Law Enforcement Commission raised concerns about the challenges of implementing the measure under current election and records laws.
Proposal Aims to Restructure NJ State Police as Independent State Department – Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced Bill S4613, aiming to remove the New Jersey State Police from the Attorney General’s oversight and establish it as a standalone department reporting directly to the governor. Proponents argued the change would reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and establish operational independence for the agency. The NAACP New Jersey State Conference expressed conceptual support for the bill, calling it a potential step toward appointing an inspector general to provide independent oversight of the police. Currently, Platkin’s office oversees police licensing, officer discipline, and investigations into fatal shootings and misconduct. His office has also released reports highlighting racial disparities within the agency’s practices and leadership.