OPINION: Let’s Make North Jersey Affordable Again. The government investing money in programs—from infrastructure to education to healthcare—is what can ultimately reduce our tax bills in New Jersey. Those types of investments drive our economy. A clear economic plan that puts more money in the pockets of North Jersey residents while modernizing the way we live is what voters want.That is what the Build Back Better Act does. That is why we are calling for U.S. Senators to bring the legislation up for vote sooner rather than later and vote for its passage. North-JerseyNews.com
President Joe Biden this week will lobby Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) in an attempt to lock in a deal on a roughly $2 trillion Build Back Better Act that Democrats hope to finish by Christmas. Passage of the social infrastructure bill hinges largely on the support of Sen. Manchin, who has repeatedly raised concerns about the cost of the bill and the potential effect of new government spending on inflation. The President and the Senator reportedly plan to talk early this week. The Wall Street Journal
New Jersey Transit plans to use federal funds it will receive under President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law to build a new Portal South Bridge, replace the Sawtooth Bridges and improve connections to the Northeast Corridor tracks. Kevin Corbett, president and chief executive of the state transit agency and co-chair of the Northeast Corridor Commission, outlined those plans before the House transportation railroads subcommittee at a hearing Dec. 9. The law would provide $4.1 billion for public transportation in New Jersey. Corbett added the $1 trillion infrastructure law would unlock federal funding for the 111-year-old Gateway Tunnel under the Hudson River. NJ.com
New Jersey will receive nearly $170 million next year from the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve its water infrastructure. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan, the funding is being provided through EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs to upgrade America’s aging water infrastructure and addressing key challenges like lead in drinking water and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. “While the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has a longstanding history of working with our communities to improve this infrastructure across the state, far too much is old and in desperate need of replacement,” said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. North-JerseyNews.com
A judge has denied an attempt by Republican state lawmakers to suspend new COVID-19 vaccination rules to enter the New Jersey Statehouse until after a lawsuit challenging them is litigated. Appellate Judge Allison Accurso’s ruling means all seeking entry—including lawmakers—will need to show either proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test to enter the Statehouse. A court date was scheduled for April 11 in the lawsuit brought by GOP lawmakers. New Jersey Monitor
Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-23) declared the statehouse’s vaccine-or-testing mandate unconstitutional and threatened to file charges against anyone who attempted to force him to follow it. “Be advised, if anyone prevents, impedes or obstructs my travel to or from Trenton or my entrance into the Statehouse building complex, preventing me from performing my legislative duties as a duly elected legislator, I will file civil and criminal charges against the person(s) who gave the orders and those who carried out the orders,” Peterson wrote in a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy about the enforcement of a joint statehouse commission’s decision about COVID-19 health protocols. New Jersey Globe
A second case of the omicron COVID variant has been confirmed in New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Health said a Monmouth County man tested positive after had attended the anime convention at the Javits Center in New York City in November, and fell ill on Nov. 24. He had only mild symptoms, and has since fully recovered. Health officials say he had been fully vaccinated and had received a booster shot. NJ1015.com
A shortage seen at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic is happening again at Garden State hospitals. New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli confirmed reports of a nursing shortage at hospitals in New Jersey at their most recent COVID-19 press briefing, an issue a result of three things happening at once: staff burnout, retirements and nurses being “bought out” with better job opportunities for private nursing. “(Nurses are receiving) very attractive packages from staffing agencies for individuals to leave the employ of a hospital and work as an agency nurse or, sometimes depending on where they’re working, a traveling nurse,” said Persichilli. “We’ve had, particularly the first surge, (nurses) seeing their friends and colleagues fall sick and some of them dying as a result. The nurses are tired, and they’re burned out.” North-JerseyNews.com
New Jersey on Dec. 12 reported another eight COVID-19 deaths and 3,500 confirmed cases, as both hospitalizations and the state’s seven-day caseload average continued an upward trajectory. The state’s seven-day average for new positive tests increased to 3,657, up 22% from a week ago and more than triple the average from a month ago. There were 1,522 patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases across 69 of New Jersey’s 71 hospitals. Of those hospitalized, 279 patients were in intensive care, with 125 of them on ventilators. The statewide transmission rate Sunday was 1.41 for the third consecutive day. The statewide positivity rate for tests administered on Dec. 8, the most recent day available, was 8.0%. NJ.com
With New York State confronting a spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state would require that masks be worn indoors at all public spaces that do not require vaccination for entry. The requirement, which takes effect today, means that unless their employees check for proof of vaccination, offices, shops, restaurants and other businesses must demand that patrons be masked. Those that do not comply could face civil and criminal penalties, including fines of up to $1,000 per violation, and local health departments are responsible for enforcement. The New York Times
New Jersey organizations, including Red Cross New Jersey workers, local police and Task Force One, are on the move to assist Kentucky following deadly tornadoes. The New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police sent their Services Trailer to Kentucky with volunteers to assist in recovery and relief efforts with New Jersey’s Office of Emergency Management Task Force ready to go if assistance is requested. Kentucky’s governor expects the death toll to pass 100 residents in the coming days. News12 New Jersey
New Jersey lawmakers, who have not qualified for state health benefits since 2010 after a roll back that was part of an overhaul of public worker benefits, would become eligible again under proposed legislation. The bill, NJ A6173 (20R), from Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) simply adds state legislators to the law’s definition of “employees” who are considered full-time and thus eligible to take part in the State Health Benefits Plan. Under the 2010 law enacted shortly after Gov. Chris Christie took office, new part-time employees—which lawmakers, who earn a $49,000 annual salary, are considered—were no longer eligible. PoliticoNJ
An Assembly committee passed a bill Dec. 9 to toughen the penalties for those who attack NJ Transit (NJT) employees. The bipartisan Motorbus and Passenger Rail Service Employee Violence Prevent Act upgrades the penalty for any assault against a bus operator or passenger train employee to a third-degree crime. Currently, incidents are considered crimes of the fourth-degree unless the victim suffers bodily injury. “We need to do a better job of protecting our front-line mass transit workers while sending a strong message to passengers that assaults will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Assemblyman Hal Wirths, the Republican co-sponsor of the bill with his 24th District colleague Parker Spence. “Upgrading fines and implementing additional safety measures will go a long way toward ensuring a smoother ride for employees and law-abiding passengers alike.” North-JerseyNews.com
Under a proposed State Senate Bill, hospitals wouldn’t be able to face eviction or lease termination without approval first from the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). The bill, proposed by State Sen. Sandra Cunningham (D-31), would have NJDOH establish a process for landlords to submit requests to initiate adverse possessory actions, and will have the authority to approve requests upon finding that just cause exists. The bill would prohibit landlords from initiating adverse possessory actions against an operator of a hospital, or a successor to the operator, without first obtaining written approval for the action from the DOH. Hudson Reporter
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority board approved Economic Redevelopment and Growth tax credits for the purchase and renovation of Hamilton Square, a 68-unit mill-style, two-building apartment community located in the Great Falls Historic District of Paterson. Co-applicants Hamilton Square Urban Renewal LLC and Soldier on Veterans Village VII LLC will use approximately $5.9 million to renovate individual apartments as well as common areas. Soldier On will provide veteran referrals and supportive services to the veteran population at Hamilton Square, including securing affordable housing units, when available. ROI-NJ.com
A judge in Bergen County ruled Dec. 10 that the county’s Republican organization held an illegal election this year and can’t conduct business as usual until a new election is held. The decision by Superior Court Judge Estela de la Cruz said the Bergen County Republican Organization and its current chair and officers are “restrained from making any decision or taking any other action” that an authorized board of a county party organization could typically take until a new election is held. The ruling upheld the argument the GOP election was illegal because it must be held after the primary, citing state statute which says the county committee should meet the first Tuesday after the primary. The Record
Four members of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners are pushing to continue investigating allegations of unethical conduct by one of their own. After a county employee accusation against Morris County Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo was deemed “credible” by a special counsel who Mastrangelo allegedly refused to cooperate with, the board unanimously passed a resolution to refer the matter to the state Local Finance Board “for a detailed investigation and review under the local government law.” At issue are Mastrangelo’s alleged interactions with a member of a county committee established to solicit requests for proposals for the purchase of a voting system, evaluate them and present a recommendation to the board. The Daily Record
he Jersey City Education Association, the teachers’ union, wants to see Deputy Superintendent Norma Fernandez put in charge of the district as acting superintendent. Union President Ron Greco said Fernandez is the most qualified to run the district when Superintendent Franklin Walker retires at the end of December. Fernandez and Assistant Superintendent Ellen Ruane are the only candidates being looked at to take the helm until the new school board of education searches for Walker’s replacement next year. The Jersey Journal
Henry P. Becton Regional High School has unveiled plans for a $55 million expansion to its campus that would add STEM labs, a facility to learn trade skills and increased resources for special education students, among other amenities. The school district aims to put the referendum before voters in March 2022. If approved, it would be paid for through a 25-year bond. East Rutherford and Carlstadt would pay $17.2 million each over the course of the borrowing, while Maywood would pay $15 million through tuition payments. Cash reserves from Becton Regional’s budget would cover another $6.2 million. The Record
And finally…Saddle River’s James P. Dugan, a long-time major participant and influence in New Jersey politics and government, passed away Dec. 12 at the age of 92 after a long illness. Insider NJ
