New regulations in New Jersey could help the state’s libraries protect themselves against book-banning campaigns. The legislation (S-3907), proposed by State Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (D-29) and State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-16), would require libraries across the Garden State to adopt the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights,” or a similar policy. Such a policy would prevent the censorship of any book for “partisan or doctrinal” reasons. “Our libraries are a sacred community resource, not a place for careless censorship. The materials they offer should not be restricted based on partisan views or revisionist history,” said Ruiz. North-JerseyNews.com
Jersey City public high school students will have the opportunity to sign up for a new Contemporary Social Justice course and updated Black Literature and Culture course after the city’s Board of Education unanimously approved the curricula that has sparked outrage and protests elsewhere. In Black Literature and Culture, students will learn about Black identity through poetry by the likes of Nikki Giovanni while reading graphic novels like John Lewis’ “March” and comics like the “Spider-Verse” series. Contemporary Social Justice will traverse topics such as immigration and environmental justice and encourage students to develop solutions to these modern inequities. The Jersey Journal
Paterson’s top education official is asking the state not to approve any new charter schools in the North Jersey city. Superintendent Eileen Shafer sent a letter last week to the New Jersey Education Department asking for “a moratorium…on new charter schools” in the city. Shafer’s letter said she was writing on behalf of the Paterson Board of Education. The school board’s president, Nakima Redmon, said a majority of board members directed Shafer to send the letter based on an informal “straw poll.” The Record
GOP State Senate lawmakers introduced a bill that proposes $4.32 billion in property tax relief in 2024, appropriating the funding from the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund so that towns and counties could retire and fease local debt or fund capital project. Under the bill, $3 billion of the total would be allocated to each municipality on an equal per capita basis. Each municipality would receive the same dollar amount per resident. The remaining $1.32 billion would be allocated on an equal per capita basis. “Our proposal is a fair and transparent way to provide every New Jerseyan, every county, and every town with real property tax relief,” said State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon. North-JerseyNews.com
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy appear on track to gain enough bipartisan support to suspend the debt limit, but the measure could still run into procedural obstacles, complicating the race to avoid an unprecedented default. The debt-ceiling agreement would suspend the borrowing limit for two years and curb government spending during that time. It would cut spending on domestic priorities favored by Democrats while boosting military spending by about 3%. It also would extend limits on food assistance to some beneficiaries to prod them to find jobs and would speed up environmental reviews for energy projects. The Wall Street Journal
At least eight drones targeted Moscow early May 30, according to the Russian authorities, the first attack to hit civilian areas in the Russian capital and a potent sign that the war is increasingly reaching the heart of Russia. The assault came after yet another overnight bombardment by Russian forces of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, which has faced a barrage of attacks in recent weeks that have put the city on edge and tested the country’s air defenses. Kyiv was attacked with at least 20 drones early May 30, leaving one person dead and unnerving residents still reeling from a rare daytime missile attack the previous day. The New York Times
At least nine people were wounded when gunfire erupted on Memorial Day between two groups near a beach in Hollywood, FL, in a shooting that sent dozens of panicked beachgoers fleeing or ducking for cover on Monday evening. Four children, ranging from ages 1 to 17, were wounded along with five adults, who were between 25 to 65, with one victim requiring surgery, according to authorities. It is unclear what led to the shooting or how many people were involved in a dispute between two different groups that resulted in gunfire. The New York Times
Gov. Phil Murphy kicked off the unofficial start of Summer in Asbury Park to promote his proposal to help the world famous boardwalks along the Jersey Shore. Murphy, escorted by State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-11) and Asbury Park Mayor John Moor, visited on May 25 to highlight his $100 million proposal for the new Boardwalk Fund program, aimed at strengthening boardwalk infrastructure along the Shore. “The Boardwalk Fund will help us ensure that these wooden main streets, which are the backbones of their communities, remain a place for families to continue making memories at the Jersey Shore for generations to come,” said Murphy. North-JerseyNews.com
Friends and supporters of former Gov. James McGreevey are urging him to run for mayor of Jersey City in 2025, including State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack. The 65-year-old McGreevey is being recruited to succeed Mayor Steven Fulop, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election to a fourth term in a bid to be the 2025 Democratic gubernatorial nominee. “I’ll be there day and night for him to make sure he gets elected if Governor McGreevey decides to run,” Stack said. New Jersey Globe
Allies of former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey have formed a super PAC to support him in the Republican primary, as he makes preparations for a likely campaign kickoff in the next two weeks. People who have been close to Christie for years are leading the outside group, Tell It Like It Is, which is laying the groundwork for an imminent announcement. Brian Jones, an aide who advised Sen. John McCain’s presidential bid in 2008 and Mitt Romney’s in 2012, will run the effort. The New York Times
Moms for Liberty, a nationwide organization largely attracting conservative women, has become an influential force in the GOP presidential primary. Technically nonpartisan and a one that didn’t exist during the 2020 race, the grassroots group has become the loudest voice advocating for greater parental involvement in schools. Members are helping shape a new education platform for the Republican Party in 2024. The Wall Street Journal
The White House last week unveiled the country’s first national strategy for combating antisemitism, including what the Biden Administration said were more than 100 initiatives aimed at countering rising hate against the Jewish community. The plan won praise from Jewish leaders in New Jersey, which has seen antisemitic incidents surge to record levels in recent months, including an attempted fire-bombing at a synagogue in Essex County and an online threat last fall that led to the shutdown of dozens of temples and community centers across the state. The Daily Record
The Garden State will soon see more funding for community recreation, as Gov. Phil Murphy recently announced nearly $100 million in investments for community recreation initiatives across the state. The funding will be provided through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and its Green Acres program. Among the North Jersey municipalities that will receive funding include Paterson, North Arlington, Lyndhurst, North Bergen, West Milford, Garfield, Newark, Secaucus, Harrison, Hoboken, Clifton and the city of Passaic. North-JerseyNews.com
Superior Court Judge Stephen Petrillo rejected a bid by the Montclair to seal a whistleblower lawsuit that would deny the public access to the proceedings, calling the townships’ motion “sort of dubious.” Montclair’s chief financial officer, Padmaja Rao, alleges she was bullied after the township manager, Timothy Stafford, of irregularities related to health insurance for local elected officials, fraudulent time cards for the fire department, and improper public bidding. New Jersey Globe
The Wayne Board of Education is forecasting a serious increase in enrollment at some elementary schools, marking the start of a pattern that has concerned officials about class sizes and staffing levels in certain grades. Schools Superintendent Mark Toback said the Preakness School preschool is likely going to peak at 238 students, which is about 100 more than it had when it opened. The projected increase in students comes three years after the opening of the early childhood center, which has contributed a lot to the recent enrollment boom. The Record
And finally…New Jersey’s inaugural North to Shore Festival set to kickoff June 4. The Record
