Public Administration
Lawmakers Hold First Hearing on Ballot Design After County Clerks Called for Uniform Design and Voter Education – On October 29th, the 12-member Assembly select committee on ballot design held its first hearing in a series focused on redesigning primary ballots. County clerks testified that current voting machines could accommodate new ballot designs but emphasized the need for greater voter education and outreach about election changes. Additionally, while the March 2024 court decision prohibiting the use of county-line ballots for Democratic primaries caused few technical issues, the differing ballot designs between parties led to distress for election officials and confusion among voters. This has contributed to growing mistrust in the election process among a portion of the electorate. Clerks also urged lawmakers to give them more time to inform voters about election changes. They pointed out that uninformed voters were more likely to make mistakes and have portions or the entirety of their ballot disqualified.
Governor Murphy Signs Bill Streamlining Senior Tax Relief Program – On November 1st, Governor Murphy signed Bill A4706 (P.L.2024, c.88), which simplifies the Stay NJ senior tax credit program, designed to cap senior property tax bills at $6,500 beginning in 2026, and aligns it with the Anchor and Senior Freeze relief programs. The law changes the definition of income to include sources such as Social Security, potentially pushing some higher earners out of eligibility. It also reduces property tax deductions that beneficiaries can claim on their state income taxes. However, some policy experts are concerned about the viability of the Stay NJ program. Statutory language only permits the administration of Stay NJ credits if the state fully funds pension plans, school aid, and maintains a surplus equivalent to 12% of spending, or about a $6.5 billion surplus under current spending levels. Governor Murphy stated his commitment to maintaining the current fiscal safeguards while working with the state legislature to secure long-term property tax relief for seniors.
Housing
New Law Provides Mortgage Relief and Protections to Hurricane Ida Survivors – On October 30th, Governor Murphy signed Bill S3670 (P.L.2024, c.85) into law, providing mortgage relief to Hurricane Ida survivors after long-time lobbying efforts from storm-affected individuals and advocacy groups like the New Jersey Organizing Project. The law offers a one-year pause on mortgage payments and foreclosure protection for eligible homeowners affected by Hurricane Ida, which occurred in August 2021. The Department of Community Affairs now has 90 days to create an online application portal, and Ida survivors will have 30 days after the portal opens to apply for foreclosure forbearance.
Health
Local Health Plans Can Now Access State Loans Under New Law – On October 30th, Governor Murphy signed Bill S3838 (P.L.2024, c.86), allowing the State Health Benefits Program to issue loans from state worker funds to local government employee funds if the local funds fall too low to cover 10 days of expenses. This law comes after the State Health Benefits Commission approved a 10.1% health premium rate hike for state workers and a 16.3% increase for local workers, prompting some local governments to switch to private health plans. Officials and organizations expressed concerns that continued enrollment declines could push rates even higher, pulling more governments into private health plans and creating a spiral of escalating costs. Over the two years following a double-digit rate increase in 2022, enrollments in local government health plans decreased by 18%.
Senate Committee Advances Enhanced Abortion Care Bill Package – On October 28th, the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee voted largely along party lines to advance a bill package aimed at enhancing abortion care in New Jersey. The four bills would establish a $10 million fund to expand abortion access and add a checkbox on income-tax forms to allow donations to this fund. It would also mandate written consent from patients before medical providers can share health records and require colleges to provide students with 24-hour access to reproductive health services. Anti-abortion groups, including the League of American Families and New Jersey Right to Life, strongly opposed the package. They condemned the bills during the committee hearing and called for an end to state support of abortion. Advocates of the measure, including New Jersey’s Abortion Access Fund as well the Cherry Hill Women’s Center, the primary abortion provider in South Jersey, expressed the need for greater abortion funding.
Education
New Jersey Schools Call for Greater Security and Mental Health Funding – On November 1st, education leaders testified before the Joint Committee on Public Schools, urging increased funding for additional security measures and mental health support. Leaders emphasized increased costs associated with the growing public expectation for physical security measures and also highlighted the need for additional mental health resources. One expert testified that school shootings make up only 5-7% of the actual safety concerns students and teachers encounter. Others expressed concerns about the School Safety and Security Task Force, which Governor Murphy established in January 2024, but has yet to announce any members.
Bill Prohibiting Book Bans Advances to Governor’s Desk – On October 28th, the Senate passed Bill A3446 by a 24-15 vote, largely along party lines, aiming to limit book bans in libraries and schools while shielding librarians from civil and criminal liability when acting in “good faith.” The bill would prohibit school and library boards from removing books due to the “origin, background, or views” of a book or its authors. Republican lawmakers largely opposed the bill, arguing it permits children to access obscene and inappropriate materials. Supporting lawmakers stated the bill creates necessary standards for library materials and protects the freedom to choose what to read amid growing calls for book bans. The American Library Association found that the number of books targeted for removal increased by 65% between 2022 and 2023, saying a large percentage of targeted material includes either LGBTQ+ or sexually explicit content.
Environment
New Jersey Receives Federal Funding for Environmental Protection and Emissions Reduction – New Jersey lawmakers announced over $168 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve community wastewater and stormwater management, continue replacing lead pipes across the state, and enhance water quality by removing PFAS and other forever-chemicals from drinking water. This funding aligns with new Environmental Protection Agency regulations, setting the allowable level of PFAS at near zero and mandating the replacement of nationwide lead service lines.
Additionally, on October 30th, federal, state, and local leaders unveiled nearly $400 million in federal grants towards reducing emissions and electrifying port operations in Newark, Elizabeth, and Bayonne. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey secured the grant through the Clean Ports Program. They will reduce around 67,000 tons of carbon dioxide by replacing cargo handling equipment, electrifying port operations, upgrading the trucks to a zero-emission capability, and enhancing workforce training. Community-based environmental justice groups like South Ward Environmental Alliance were key drivers of this initiative. They have advocated for cleaner air in port-adjacent communities that often suffer damages from pollution but are excluded from many of the economic gains from port operations.