OPINION: A Call For Unity Outside Of Washington. Watching President Joe Biden address the nation from the White House March 11, we know most will focus on his timeline to get Americans vaccinated so that we can return to our normal lives by July 4th. But what stood out to us was the patriotism of the speech, the belief in government helping every citizen and the President’s call for where unity really resides. North-JerseyNews.com
The $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus stimulus plan includes over $25 billion for the Garden State to continue unemployment benefits, expand rental assistance and prop up governments and residents with direct payments. “The American Rescue Plan will put the United States on a path to defeat this virus once and for all and restore opportunity in our economy for hardworking families all across the nation,” said U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez. New Jersey Herald
Rep. Josh Gottheimer joined local small business and restaurant owners outside of the Allendale Bar & Grill on March 12 to unveil federal dollars to be dispersed from the new coronavirus stimulus package. Gottheimer was in Allendale to highlight a new $28.7 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund. “One of the biggest parts for us is the Restaurant Revitalization Fund,” said restaurant owner Craig Kunisch. “This plan and the first round of the (Paycheck Protection Program) really gives us the best chance possible to give it to a fifth generation.” North-JerseyNews.com
Sen. Cory Booker is working to permanently expand the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit that were temporarily boosted as apart of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. “I’ve tried to help coordinate a full court press in America to make (the tax credits) changes permanent in the United States of America, so we can join our industrial peers and invest in America’s children,” he said. PoliticoNJ
Gov. Phil Murphy will nominate Rachel Wainer Apter, a former law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, to serve as an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Wainer Apter, the 40-year-old director of the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights and a former American Civil Liberties Union staff attorney, will replace Justice Jaynee LaVecchia who announced that she would step down on August 31. ROI-NJ
The first of two big expansions this month of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in New Jersey begins March 15. Those gaining eligibility include Motor Vehicle Commission workers’; NJ Transit workers and other transportation workers; Public and local transportation workers, including bus, taxi, ride-share and airport employees; all public safety personnel who have not already been made eligible such as probation officers, child protective service workers and probation officers; members of tribal communities; migrant farm workers; and people who are homeless and people living in homeless shelters or domestic violence shelters. NJ.com
New Jersey officials raised concerns about COVID-19 vaccinations rates in long-term care facilities as only 50% of staffers are fully vaccinated. “We know there has been some vaccine hesitancy among long-term care staff,” said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “Through digital and social media advertising, we’re sharing messages from healthcare providers about how important it is for staff… to be vaccinated, and we’re sharing safety and efficacy information on the vaccines.” North-JerseyNews.com
State Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks has agreed to appear before Assembly committees investigating allegations of beatings and sexual assaults at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility. Hicks will participate in the joint hearing conducted by the Judiciary and Women and Children committees set for April 8. New Jersey Globe
Two pieces of Legislation shepherd by Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-37) helping New Jersey’s small businesses recently cleared hurdles in the Assembly. Johnson was joined by Assemblymen Raj Mukherji (D-33) and Jamel Holley (D-20) in introducing legislation that would provide a tax exemption for fuel cell devices and associated technology. Additionally, Johnson is a cosponsor along with Assemblymen Roy Freiman (D-16) and John Armato (D-2) in a bill that would appropriate federal funding to support microbusinesses. Another bill from North Jersey Assemblyman Chris Tully (D-38) would defray costs for small businesses winterizing their businesses. North-JerseyNews.com
Senate and Assembly Republicans will hold an independent hearing virtually on March 19 to examine how Murphy administration policies have impacted businesses, jobs, and the New Jersey economy during the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting is the second in a series of hearings that are being held to understand the policy and management decisions of the Murphy Administration including at long-term care facilities and lack of access to important services and support. Insider NJ
Bergen County Clerk John Hogan announced his reelection campaign with the George Washington Bridge looming behind him March 12. Hogan’s location choice makes clear he will center his campaign versus Republican Bridget Anne Kelly and her involvement in orchestrating the September 2013 lane closures that became known as Bridgegate. The Record
Students in special education programs would be eligible for an extra year of services if they are supposed to “age out” before mid-2022 under a bill being considered in Trenton. Currently, school districts are required to provide a free, appropriate public education in line with a student’s individualized education program for students with disabilities through the school year they turn age 21. Because of the disruptions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, the bill would extend services through the school year if a student turns 22, if they’re scheduled to age out during the 2020-21 or 2021-22 school years. NJ1015.com
Bayonne public school students can return to school on May 3. A survey is being sent to parents to determine if they will send their kids to school or stick with the remote learning program that has been in place since last March. Results of the survey will determine how many kids come back to the classrooms and what kind of hybrid program the district installs. The Jersey Journal
The Pompton Lakes Borough Council will convene an hour earlier than their usual meeting time March 24 to discuss whether the state’s marijuana industry has any place in their community. Council members will review a potential local ban on businesses that engage in marijuana distribution, delivery, cultivation, manufacturing, wholesaling or retail sales. The Record
Hoboken Housing Authority buildings will see their first major upgrades since they were built in the 1950s. The authority is finalizing a deal with an international architecture firm to repair infrastructure like wastewater and boiler systems that need to be modernized. The Jersey Journal
The Jersey City Council adopted an ordinance to continue the city’s rent freeze due to the coronavirus pandemic and public health emergency. The ordinance continues a rent-increase freeze on certain rental units, except owner-occupied homes with four or less rental units. It also prohibits landlords from imposing a penalty or collecting a fee for late payment of rent. Hudson Reporter
And finally…Rutgers (15-11) drew a 10-seed and a matchup against No. 7-seed Clemson (16-7) in the Midwest Region of the Men’s NCAA basketball tournament. NJ.com
