Gov. Phil Murphy has tested positive for the coronavirus. Murphy, who has led the state’s efforts to contain the spread of the virus, is fully vaccinated and has been an outspoken advocate of wearing a mask. “This afternoon, as part of a regularly-scheduled testing regime, Governor Murphy took a rapid antigen test that came back positive for COVID-19,” the statement from the governor’s office released at 4:20 p.m. “He subsequently took a PCR test, which also came back positive. He is currently asymptomatic and feeling well.” North-JerseyNews.com
Second booster shots for COVID-19 are available in New Jersey and recommended for those age 50 and older. Appointments can be made at hundreds of pharmacies and other sites around the state. Walk-ins are also welcome at mobile vaccination clinics and some pharmacies, health departments and public vaccine sites, such as the megasites in Burlington and Gloucester counties. The Daily Record
U.S. Senate Democrats and Republicans are nearing an agreement on an emergency coronavirus response package of $10 billion. Under the emerging deal, most of the $10 billion would be repurposed from the $1.9 trillion pandemic law passed last March. But direct funds for state and local governments would likely not be touched, after Democrats balked at this money being clawed back. The New York Times
Following the expiration of New Jersey’s utility shutoff moratorium on March 15, Gov. Phil Murphy enacted new protections for residential water, sewer and municipal electric customers. The bill, whose primary sponsors include State Sen. Brian Stack (D-33) along with Assembly members Raj Mukerji (D-33) and Britnee Timberlake (D-34), establishes a 60-day grace period in which utilities cannot be turned off for residential applicants for utility aid from a state agency. “As New Jersey continues on our road to recovery, we must provide ongoing support to residents who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Murphy. North-JerseyNews.com
Employers added 430,000 jobs in March as the jobless rate fell to 3.6%. This marks 11 straight monthly gains above 400,000, the longest such stretch of growth in records dating back to 1939. The jobless rate is quickly approaching the February 2020 prepandemic rate of 3.5%, which was a 50-year low. More Americans appear to be seeking a job now versus earlier in the pandemic. Clicks and job applications on jobs site ZipRecruiter have increased since mid-February. The Wall Street Journal
Residents of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol were poised on April 1 to receive humanitarian assistance and a safe evacuation route that could provide relief to civilians trapped for weeks by a Russian siege that has become a symbol of Ukraine’s agony. On the military front, Ukrainian helicopters, flying low, crossed into Russian territory April 1 and fired on an oil depot in the city of Belgorod. The airstrike, which was reported by a Russian regional governor, would be a first for Ukrainian forces since Russia’s invasion began on Feb. 24. The New York Times
Two North Jersey lawmakers want to ensure the history of Sept. 11, 2001 is taught in Garden State classrooms. The State Senate unanimously approved the proposed law from Anthony Bucco (R-25) and Richard Codey (D-27) on March 24, requiring school districts to include age-appropriate lessons for elementary, middle, and high school students on the events of September 11, 2001 as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies. “As we continue forward, we must make certain that schools are educating our students on this tragedy so that they can understand what happened that day and how it has shaped our country,” stated Codey. “Additionally, it is imperative that we educate our students on topics related to this day, such as tolerance and diversity, so that they can grow up without the prejudices that arose in many Americans 20 years ago.” North-JerseyNews.com
The United States Senate confirmed Georgette Castner as a U.S. District Court Judge for New Jersey, making the 42-year-old the youngest woman to serve as a federal judge in the 232-year history of the District of New Jersey. Castner launched her public service career as chief of staff to Assemblyman (now Trenton Mayor) Reed Gusciora and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman when she served in the State Assembly. Castner will occupy Seat 10 on the District Court in New Jersey. New Jersey Globe
A carve out was signed into law that will give food banks a six-month plastic bag extension and an exemption from the portion of the law prohibiting paper bags. The legislation appropriates $600,000 to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to pay for 500,000 reusable bags that will be proportionally distributed to food banks and pantries like soup kitchens throughout the state. Food banks will have until November to stop using single-use plastic carryout bags. “This law prevents the plastic and paper bag ban from having unintended, but negative impacts on those who are struggling,” said Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-25). “It offers a sustainable solution that supports these nonprofits and the communities they serve.” North-JerseyNews.com
Women hold just 29.9% of municipal offices in New Jersey, lower than the national average of 31.5% despite women comprising 51% of New Jersey’s total population, according to a new study from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. New Jersey ranked 30th nationally in how many of its mayors, council members, and other municipal officials are female. Pollsters said two things are mostly to blame for the representation gap, at all levels of government: the power of incumbency and a persistent failure to recruit women to run for office. New Jersey Monitor
Black women under 40, feeling politically disconnected and discouraged about their economic prospects, are less likely to vote in the upcoming midterm congressional elections than their older peers, according to a poll sponsored by the social justice nonprofit Project Ready New Jersey. Black women are frustrated by the lack of progress made on the issues that energized them in the 2020 presidential election: protecting voting rights, reducing student loan debt and improving public schools. Additionally, 68% of Black women under 40 said they would definitely vote in 2022, compared to 81% of women 40 and older. NJ.com
A Montclair police officer has been suspended for allegedly using a racial epithet, the police department confirmed March 31. “It came to my attention that an officer allegedly used a racial slur while in Atlantic City,” said Police Chief Todd Conforti. “An investigation was immediately launched, and the officer has been suspended at this time.” He did not name the officer. The Record
Six Wall High School football players facing juvenile hazing and sexual contact charges have been sentenced to community service and, if they keep their record clean, the rest of the charges will be dropped within a year. The most serious charges of criminal sexual contact and false imprisonment were reportedly dropped against all six students. The plea deal includes a deferred disposition, which means the rest of the charges including hazing, attempted criminal sexual contact and harassment will be dropped if the students keep a clean record during their probation period of up to a year. NJ1015.com
The House passed legislation aimed at capping the out-of-pocket cost for purchasing insulin, with Democrats breaking off a piece of their dormant healthcare, education and climate agenda to try to move the popular provision through Congress. Under the bill, which passed 232-193, people covered by private health insurance or Medicare’s prescription-drug benefit program would pay no more than $35 a month on insulin beginning in 2023. Democrats are exploring a compromise with Senate Republicans on the issue as well as attempting to pass it as part of a reconstructed version of their party-line agenda. The Wall Street Journal
A nonpartisan group of economists and fiscal-policy experts at Rowan University’s Sweeney Center for Public Policy is planning to issue long-term reports on the state budget beginning this year. The group, chaired by former Senate President Steve Sweeney, is planning to take what it says is a wide-angle look at the budget, compared to the more year-to-year approach followed in Trenton as an annual spending plan is assembled each year prior to the start of the state’s July-to-June fiscal year. The group’s work will include performing multiyear expenditure projections and consensus revenue forecasting. NJ Spotlight News
The Bayonne School district is officially expanding after purchasing the former St. Andrew’s school and convent in the southern part of the city for $6 million. The former convent at the new property will house central offices and the Board of Education, which currently occupy classrooms in the high school. Details of who will get to learn in the main St. Andrew’s building are still to be worked out. The Jersey Journal
Bayonne is considering a major overhaul of its cannabis ordinance. The first proposed ordinance would restrict cannabis retail establishments, prohibiting them from the currently allowed C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District, as well as the CBD Central Business District, Uptown Business District, and ORS Office/Retail Service District on the Broadway Corridor. The second proposed ordinance would establish a Cannabis Preliminary Review Board to review preliminary applications for cannabis cultivator, cannabis manufacturer, cannabis retailer and cannabis delivery operations based within Bayonne, conduct hearings with the applicants, and provide a recommendation to the council for a resolution of support. Hudson Reporter
And finally…The Jersey City parade commemorating St. Peter’s University’s historic NCAA Tournament performance will start at 2 p.m. today, at the Kennedy Boulevard entrance of Lincoln Park and end with a rally in front of the university. The Jersey Journal
