Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Josh Gottheimer are working with local hospitals as the coronavirus begins to spread in the U.S. Both officials met separately with representatives of North Jersey hospitals to be updated on how they are helping to battle and prepare to fight the virus while calling on the federal government to provide more aid to help. North-JerseyNews.com
One of the six residents of a nursing home in King County, WA., died March 1 as a result of the coronavirus, according to health authorities. Three more were in critical condition at the EvergreenHealth hospital in Kirkland. The death was the second on U.S. soil from the virus; the first also occurred at that hospital. The New York Times
Global stocks rebounded March 2 on hopes central banks and governments will take steps to stabilize financial markets after losses attributed to the coronavirus epidemic. Futures tied to the S&P 500 index rose 1.7%, signaling the U.S. benchmark index may recover some lost ground after enduring its biggest one-week decline since the 2008 financial crisis. The Wall Street Journal
Democrats Pete Buttigieg and Tom Steyer ended their campaigns to be the Democratic nominee for President. The move by both men comes after a decisive win by former Vice President Joe Biden in South Carolina and before voting begins on Super Tuesday March 3. The Wall Street Journal
State aid for Sussex County public school districts will be reduced by about 7.7% under Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed budget. Funding for county schools will drop to about $95.7 million for 2020-21 from $103.7 million currently. If enacted, total annual aid to Sussex County schools will fall by nearly $15 million, or 13.5%, before changes to the state’s school funding formula kicked in just prior to the 2018-19 school year. New Jersey Herald
Morris County freeholders are looking to keep the doors open at Daytop New Jersey in Mendham. Freeholders are proposing a resolution to have the state recognize Daytop, a residential adolescent substance abuse treatment center, as a specialty adolescent residential treatment provider, then develop a cost-based reimbursement mechanism, coupled with the blending of other funding methods, to make the program available. The Daily Record
The former business administrator of Hackensack’s public schools wants the state to consider installing a state monitor to oversee the district. In a letter to the state focusing largely on actions the board took during its Jan. 28 meeting, it claims when trustees voted down a resolution to hire Lerch, Vinci and Higgins as the district’s auditor it was due to the influence of Mayor John Labrosse. The Record
The U.S. signed a peace agreement with Taliban militants on Feb. 29 aimed at allowing U.S. troops to return home from Afghanistan. Under the agreement, the U.S. would draw its forces down to 8,600 from 13,000 in the next three to four months, with the remaining U.S. forces withdrawing in 14 months. The complete pullout, however, would depend on the Taliban meeting their commitments to prevent terrorism. News12 New Jersey
Fair Lawn will introduce an ordinance to ban plastic bags. The proposed law would eliminate single-use plastic by residents and retail vendors. Paper bags would be available for a minimum of 10 cents per bag. The Record
And finally… New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission has its first board member. Social worker Krista Nash was selected by State Senate President Stephen Sweeney. The other positions, to be filled by Gov. Phil Murphy and state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, remain vacant. NJ.com
