Health
New Law Expands Access to Disability Benefits for 9/11 First Responders – On July 23rd, Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill A5381 (P.L.2025, c.117) into law, removing the filing deadline for accidental disability allowances for 9/11 first responders. Supporting lawmakers say the change eliminates barriers to compensation for those with long-term health complications linked to their service. However, nonpartisan fiscal analysts caution that the change measure will increase pension liabilities, which has been a growing concern amid decades of inadequate funding in the state’s retirement system.
Environment
Federal Government Cancels $7 billion in Low-Income Solar Grants – On August 9th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will terminate nearly $7 billion in Solar for All grants, citing a new federal law signed by President Trump that repealed the program’s legal authority. The move halts awards to 60 recipients, including the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, that were meant to expand solar access for low-income households. New Jersey and other state lawmakers argued the action is illegal since the funds were already obligated under a 2022 law and cautioned that the cancellation will raise energy bills. EPA officials contended the repeal leaves no statutory basis to continue the program.
Public Administration
NJ Joins Bipartisan Crackdown on Telecom Firms Enabling Robocalls – On August 7th, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin announced a multistate effort targeting telecom providers that facilitate illegal robocalls. Attorneys general sent warning letters to 37 voice service providers accused of violating Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, along with nearly 100 downstream providers linked to those companies. The action is part of “Operation Robocall Roundup,” a bipartisan litigation task force launched in 2022 to investigate and seek litigation against companies responsible for unlawful robocalls nationwide.
Education
NJ and Other Groups Join Lawsuit to Block Federal Ban on Undocumented Children in Head Start – On August 5th, state providers and parent groups filed a lawsuit asking for an emergency pause on a new Trump administration rule that bars children without legal immigration status from enrolling in the Head Start program. Head Start is a federal program that provides early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. The groups argue the policy violates federal law and could harm the nearly 400,000 undocumented residents in the state. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin and a coalition of 20 other states also filed a separate lawsuit against the federal government prohibiting undocumented children in several federal programs, including Head Start. Head Start currently serves around 10,000 young children in the state, while Early Head Start provides services for an additional 2,000 New Jersey children and families.