New Jersey Commits Fiscal Suicide
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Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 138 which extends the Public Health Emergency declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103 and extended on April 7 through Executive Order No. 119. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.
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Trenton NJ,New Jersey is facing a financial disaster due to loss in revenue and spike in expenses related to the coronavirus outbreak that could be just weeks away, Governor Phil Murphy . The governor went on, “We are on the brink of having to make very tough and, quite frankly, very unpalatable decisions.”
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Trenton NJ, Statement from N.J. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken: Businesses Need Access to More Capital and Clear Safety Guidelines
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with regional and local chambers of commerce across New Jersey, has been asking member companies to identify their most pressing concerns as plans to reopen the economy move forward.
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Ridgewood NJ, With some states beginning to open up for business and relax limitations put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the States with the Fewest Coronavirus Restrictions, as well as accompanying videos.
Continue reading New Jersey Is Ranked the State with the 6th Most Coronavirus Restrictions
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Trenton NJ, Two recent reports show that New Jersey had more bridges in need of repair in 2019 than in 2018, although the number of bridges in poor condition went down. According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association Bridge Report, New Jersey had 2,357 bridges in need of repairs in 2019, with an estimated cost of $9.9 billion. This is up from 2018, when NJ had 2,305 bridges in need of repair with an estimated cost of $7 billion. The average age of bridges in New Jersey is 55 years old.
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TRENTON NJ, To further address the ongoing fiscal disruption and uncertainties caused by COVID-19, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 137, rescinding Executive Order No. 73 (2019), which directed the Department of the Treasury to achieve a $1.276 billion surplus by the end of this current fiscal year.
“No one has been more committed to restoring our state’s fiscal foundation than I have,” said Governor Murphy. “We have spent the past two years working nonstop to build surpluses and put money aside for a rainy day fund. However, in the absence of significant federal assistance, we are on the brink of having to make very tough fiscal decisions, and a $1.28 billion surplus for this fiscal year is no longer realistic.”
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Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 135, suspending in-person requirements for receipt of a marriage license and marriage ceremonies, and for the receipt of working papers for minors.
“Our current public health emergency requires us to adjust our processes to protect public health and safety,” said Governor Murphy. “Even in uncertain times, we must allow important milestones, like marriages or youth seeking their first job, to move forward in a safe, efficient manner.”
Continue reading Governor Phil Murphy New Executive Order Boom for “Mail Order brides”
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Trenton NJ, With business closed across the state and families struggling to get by financially, Senator Michael Doherty proposed a solution to help all of the nearly one million out-of-work New Jerseyans to receive the unemployment benefits they deserve. He called for inactive State government workers to be reassigned to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) to help process a massive backlog of unemployment claims.
Continue reading Time to Put Idle State Employees to Work Processing Unemployment Claim Backlog
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Trenton NJ, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) along with many other New Jersey taxpayers objected to signs appearing on state highways with the words “Don’t be a Knucklehead” posted on them.
The signs reference repeated entreaties Murphy made in his daily COVID-19 briefings, and Pennacchio was unamused.
Continue reading “Don’t be a Knucklehead” Sign Raises Ire of New Jersey Residents
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Trenton NJ, Assemblyman Brian Bergen is introducing legislation to put a layer of checks and balances on the governor’s ability to enact emergency executive orders.
“The governor’s ability to unilaterally impose restrictions on the freedoms of our citizens cannot go unchecked,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “One person with near absolute power is dangerous. Governor Murphy doesn’t even have a problem admitting that he doesn’t consider the Bill of Rights. My legislation will ensure that the governor has the ability to take emergency action, but that action must be reviewed and approved by the legislature within 14 days or it will expire.”
Continue reading An Executive Order to Put A Limit on Executive Orders
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Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy is scheduled to visit the White House this morning to meet with President Donald Trump as New Jersey seeks federal help to cope with the health and economic crisis of the coronavirus pandemic.
Continue reading NJ Governor Phil Murphy Heads to Washington Looking for a Federal Bailout
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Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 132, allowing county and municipal clerks to accept initiative and referendum petitions electronically, and allowing signatures for these petitions to be collected electronically.
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Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Wednesday reversing his previous orders that closed state and county parks and golf courses, which can reopen at sunrise on Saturday. But the governor said that social distancing requirements would continue to be in effect.
Continue reading Murphy Caves Signs Executive Order to Reopen Parks and Golf Courses
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Trenton NJ, “Constitution Isn’t Suspended” for COVID-19, Attorney General Barr Warns Public Officials. According to US Attorney General Bill Barr, some states might be in for more than just a slap on the wrist for their over-reaching policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. US Attorney General Bill Barr on Monday issued a 2-page memo ordering US Attorneys to be on the ‘lookout’ for state and local directives that could be violating the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individual citizens amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Trenton NJ,President Donald Trump, who announced guidelines Thursday for states to start opening their economies, cited a handful of states taking steps toward a “safe, gradual and phased opening,” including Texas, Vermont and Ohio. He is pushing to relax the U.S. lockdown by May 1, a plan that hinges partly on more coronavirus testing. Governors in Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina have announced plans to ease their coronavirus lockdowns.
