Stop-Work Order for Violations of Prevailing Wage Act
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
On July 9 Governor Murphy signed into law P.L. 2019, c. 158, which permits the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to immediately issue a stop-work order if an employer has violated the Prevailing Wage Act by paying wages at rates less than the rates required under the act. The stop work order would cease all business operations at every site where a violation has occurred. The stop-work order can only be issued against the employer found to be in violation or non-compliance. The Commissioner can assess a civil penalty of $5,000 per day against the employer for each day that they c ..read more
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Governor Freezes Most Transitional Aid
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
Upon signing the FY 2020 State budget, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 73, which impounds up to $235 million in spending, and is not subject to a potential override. Specifically, EO 73 directs the Department of Treasury, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reserve $235 million in discretionary spending. The OMB will monitor and release this funding if sufficient resources and when anticipated savings are realized.  A full list of frozen spending is available. We learned today that among the $235 million which is reserved is almost $105 million in transitional aid.   For background ..read more
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Process for Global Settlement of Opioid Cases Proposed
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
As the opioid epidemic continues to grip the country more and more state and local governments have turned to the courts in an effort to stem the tide of addiction.  These efforts include seeking monetary damages to help recover the tremendous costs already expended and future costs, necessary to adequately respond to this public health crisis.  The current court battle can be compared to that of the “big-tobacco” lawsuits and subsequent settlement made in the 1990s.  And, many are hoping the opioid lawsuits end with a result similar to the big-tobacco lawsuits where a settlement trust fund wi ..read more
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Path to Progress’ Pension Hybrid Plan
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
This is the first of a series of blog posts on recently introduced legislation designed to implement the recommendations of the “Path to Progress” report. As noted in the Path to Progress Report, “the State’s combined pension and retiree health benefit liabilities of $151.5 billion are four times the size of the State’s annual budget; and more than three times the size of the State’s bonded debt. That public employer debt represents $16,772 for every one of New Jersey’s nine million residents. It will continue to grow every year. Without changes to the pension and benefit structure, the cost o ..read more
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Bills Will Prevent Endless Litigation and Clarify Corporate Tax Responsibilities
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
Recently introduced legislation will clarify telecommunications industry corporate tax responsibilities, and shield local taxpayers from the costs of endless tax court litigation. The League fully supports the companion bills, A-5450/S-3827, and we thank the sponsors. Based on a misreading of a 1997 law, Verizon decided that it could exempt itself from the payment of business personal property taxes (BPPT), in any year and in any municipality, when and where it, unilaterally and without documentation, determined that it provided less than 51% of dial tone service. The dispute began in 2008, wh ..read more
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House Makes Progress on Infrastructure
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
On Thursday, in Washington, the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies approved by voice vote its fiscal year 2020 bill. In total, the legislation provides $137.1 billion in budgetary resources, an increase of $6 billion above the 2019 enacted level and $17.3 billion above the President’s budget request. The bill next heads to the full Committee for markup. Specifically, the bill provides a total of $86.6 billion in total budgetary resources for the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) – $167 million above the ..read more
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Communities Will Feel Sting of NJ Dept. of Agriculture’s Inadequate Beekeeping Rules
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
In 2015, then Governor Christie signed into law, P.L. 2015, c.76, which preempted municipal authority to regulate beekeeping activity.  Meaning, municipal governments could no longer adopt ordinances to regulate beekeeping within their borders and all ordinances regulating such activity adopted prior to the law were now void.  As a “home rule state,” New Jersey’s municipalities are generally said to have broad power to enact local regulations for all activities, except where the Legislature has specifically preempted.  P.L. 2015, c.76 is a rare example of state preemption over local authority ..read more
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NJLM Position on Governor’s Proposed FY 2020 Budget
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
The following letter was sent to the Chairs of the Senate and Assembly budget committees, with copies to all members. These are the League’s concerns with Governor Murphy’s proposed budget. Dear Senator Sarlo and Assemblywoman Pintor Marin: As you review the Governor’s proposed FY 2020 budget and put together a final Appropriations Act, please consider the impact that your decisions will have on New Jersey municipalities and local citizens and businesses. From our perspective, municipal property tax relief funding is of paramount importance. We thank the Governor for an appropriate increase ..read more
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Breaking Down the Cannabis Legislation, Part 3—Expungement
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
This is the 3rd in a series of posts which will focus on particular sections and provisions of interest to local governments in S2703, legislation which will legalize the adult use of recreational cannabis. On March 25, legislators were set to vote on S-2703, which would legalize the adult use of recreational cannabis. However, after it appeared that there were not enough votes to approve the bill, legislative leaders called off the vote.  While no vote took place as intended, Governor Murphy continues to make a push for marijuana legalization.  And, reports have the Governor setting a May dea ..read more
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Breaking Down the Cannabis Legislation, Part 2 – Local Regulation
The Town Crier | New Jersey State League of Municipalities Blog
by njlmblog
5y ago
This is the 2nd in a series of posts which will focus on particular sections and provisions of interest to local governments in S2703, legislation which will legalize the adult use of recreational cannabis.   The legislation is scheduled for final votes by the Senate and Assembly on Monday, March 25, though the final outcome is far from certain. Section 22, Local Government Entity Regulations or Ordinances, Pages 56-58. Link: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/S3000/2703_U1.PDF This section authorizes municipalities to enact regulations governing the time of operation, location, manner ..read more
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