With a special emphasis on younger residents, state officials drove home the message that protocols put in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus must be maintained even as New Jersey continues to reopen. Despite the concerns, Gov. Phil Murphy announced outdoor amusement parks, water parks, boardwalk rides and playgrounds can be filled with children again starting July 2. North-JerseyNews.com
The next few weeks are critical to tamping down a coronavirus surge, Dr. Anthony Fauci told Congress, issuing a plea for people to avoid crowds and wear masks. Fauci told lawmakers he understands the pent-up desire to get back to normal as the U.S. but any reopening has to be a gradual step-by-step process. Surges worsened in several states, with Arizona, California, Mississippi, Nevada and Texas setting single-day records for new coronavirus cases The New York Times
Large majorities of Americans favor face masks, capacity limits and temperature screenings to curb the spread of the coronavirus, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll. The survey found 87% of Americans supported mandatory isolation of those testing positive, 85% favored requiring temperature checks before anyone entered a public building and 79% backed mandatory face masks indoors. Another 65% said they favored limiting groups to 10 people. NJ.com
CWA, the state’s largest workers union, struck a deal with Gov. Phil Murphy to postpone annual raises and furlough workers in order to avert layoffs as state tax revenues sink. The union’s current contract calls for 2% wage increases annually. The agreement includes furloughs Murphy said will be structured “to maximize state savings while minimizing the financial impact on our employees.” NJ Spotlight
Senate President Steve Sweeney said budget talks with the state Assembly and the administration are beginning in earnest and expects a vote on a short-term budget by June 30. “There’s going to be a lot of cutting. That’s where the struggle comes in. There’s going to be a lot of money de-appropriated,” said Sweeney. NJ.com
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office will require police departments in the county to publicly list the names of officers who were fired, demoted or suspended for more than five days in the last 20 years. Additionally, the prosecutor’s office will now handle any serious complaints filed against the cops, including allegations of criminal violations, excessive force or racially motivated or biased behavior against a particular group. The Record
The superintendent of Wallkill Valley Regional High School “acted with deliberate indifference” when he failed to respond to spectators’ behavior during a basketball game where a Black Lenape Valley player was subjected to racial slurs, according to a U.S. District judge. The judge denied Wallkill Valley and superintendent David Carr’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the family of the basketball player, whose family claims the crowd made monkey sounds, yelled out the word monkey and yelled out the “n-word.” New Jersey Herald
Police departments across the state are going to start cracking down on people who have been setting off illegal fireworks at all hours of the night over the past few weeks. Several towns—including Hoboken and Jersey City— have put together new police units to handle the situation. News12 New Jersey
A new executive order in Hoboken further regulates outdoor dining. The new order requires patrons waiting in line to wear masks, distance themselves six feet apart, bans restaurants from serving those patrons drinks or food and requires all servers to wear gloves as well as masks over their nose and mouth. The Jersey Journal
New Jersey’s Republican State Committee asked the U.S. Department of Justice to send federal monitors to watch over the July 7 primary election. In a letter to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, Chairman Doug Steinhardt cited problems with the May 12 municipal elections and problems already reported for the July primary election, including the wrong ballots being sent to registered voters. Philadelphia Inquirer
And finally…Macy’s plans to hold a 4th of July fireworks celebration this year. The Record
I send to governor Murphy an question and I need know when I go received my answer . I put an post here three days a go. Thank you.