State Issues
State, County, and Local Officials Unite Against State Health Benefits Plan Rate Increase for Local Governments
On Wednesday the New Jersey State League of Municipalities (NJLM), the New Jersey Conference of Mayors (NJCM), the New Jersey Urban Mayor Association (NJUMA), and the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) hosted a virtual press conference addressing the impact of the recently adopted healthcare contribution of over 20% for local governments in the State Health Benefits system.
Local government speakers included Mayors Ras Baraka, NJUMA President, Mayor, Newark; Janice Mironov, NJCM President, Mayor, East Windsor; William Pikolycky, NJLM President, Mayor, Woodbine; Judy Ward, Mayor, Pleasantville; Collette Kennedy, Mayor, Keyport; and Sheena Collum, Village President, South Orange. All shared their concerns, noting the impacts to local employees and taxpayers who will all suffer under this increase, and noted that employees who are also property taxpayers would be double taxed.
These sentiments were echoed by John Donnadio, Executive Director, NJAC, and Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., County Executive, Essex County, who stressed the importance of a full scope of resolutions to the situation.
Legislators present included Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, Senate Majority Leader, District 29; Assemblymembers Dan Benson, Deputy Conference Leader, District 14; Shanique Speight, District 29; Eliana Pintor Marin, District 29, Budget Chair; and Anthony Verrelli, District 15, Assembly State and Local Government Committee Chair. Many expressed their concern about the timing of the hike announcement, noting that it left the legislators with no options for working the significant increase into discussions during the State Fiscal Year 2023 Budget process.
The collective group’s interest is both short-term and long-term fixes. In the short-term, financial assistance for the rate increases and an extended enrollment period. In the long-term county and local representation on the State Health Benefits Commission, examination of cost-saving solutions to the plans, and legislative changes ensuring this situation doesn’t happen again.
For more on the press coverage, we suggest you review the free articles from NJ Spotlight, NJ.com, and New Jersey 101.5.
At yesterday’s Senate and Budget Appropriations Committee hearing, the chair, Senator Sarlo, addressed Senators Oroho and O’Scanlon’s letter urging the convening of a special committee to address the increasing public health care premiums and noted that no member of the Senate Budget Committee was “aware or made aware of the potential increase in health care costs.”
In addition, the Senate State Government Committee amended and released S-3049, which would require the State Health Benefits Program to provide annually, at no cost, a complete claims experience data within 60 days. The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
Contacts:
Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org or 609-695-3481, x110.
Bill Providing Appropriation Cap Relief Advances
Yesterday the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee amended and released S-2619, which excludes solid waste, recycling, fuel, and cyber insurance costs from the appropriation and property tax levy caps. The bill was amended in committee to add additional insurance coverages such as property and liability. It was also amended to remove the language that would have provided property tax levy cap relief. As amended the bill will only provide relief for the rising fuel, solid waste and insurance costs on the appropriation cap. The amended S-2619 now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
NJBPU Seeking Assistance with Broadband Assessment Project
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is mapping broadband infrastructure across the state. Working with ECC Technologies, NJBPU is seeking the public’s assistance with gathering data. Part of the Broadband Assessment Project includes an interactive survey to identify broadband availability and adoption issues. The survey is open to all resident and businesses within the state.
The results of the survey will help assist state and local leaders adopt legislation to bridge the digital divide and assist with allocating resources and qualifying for federal funds to assist with broadband deployment. Local officials are encouraged to share this survey with their residents.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
Best Practices Inventory Due November 10
Last week, the Division of Local Government Services released the
2022 Best Practice Inventory along with
Local Finance Notices 2022-17 detailing the process and requirements. As a reminder the 56-question inventory is due November 10, however, the appeals deadline is November 3. Given that final state aid payment is scheduled for December 1, the Division is encouraging municipalities to submit their inventory as soon as possible.
In addition, please remember to share your submitted
State Health Benefits Program Practices Survey form with Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, at
ppenna@njlm.org as they will assist in our discussions on the increases to the State Health Benefits, please share.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs,
lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
State Grant Opportunities
The Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS) in the Office of the Attorney General, has announced two competitive grants available to law enforcement agencies in New Jersey funded through the state’s allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act – Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSFRF) for the Automated License Plate Reader Initiative and the Gunshot Detection Technology Initiative, both are due tomorrow.
We encourage you to share this information with your public safety leadership and consider applying for these grants.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org or 609-695-3481, x110.
NJDEP Hosts Inland Flood Protection Rule Webinars Next Week
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced two virtual public engagement sessions for the proposed Inland Flood Protection Rule on Wednesday, October 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Thursday, October 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Department is holding these sessions to provide an additional opportunity for attendees to better understand the basis, specifics, and implications of river flood threat protections statewide as well as engage in conversation regarding considerations in implementing changes in elevation and flood hazard standards to protect public safety.
The NJDEP commissioned two New Jersey-specific studies that confirm precipitation has increased in the state over the past 20 years and will continue to increase through the end of this century. The proposed Inland Flood Protection Rule would require applicants for certain development permits to use precipitation data generated by these studies when calculating peak flow rates of streams and rivers for permits under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:13, as well as when proposed development triggers compliance with the DEP's Stormwater Management rules, N.J.A.C. 7:8.
Municipalities will also need to utilize the precipitation data generated by these studies when considering stormwater designs for residential development. Municipalities will need to update their local ordinances before these new requirements will apply to non-residential developments at the municipal level. Register for October 19 or October 20 today.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, FMarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
NJDEP Funding Available for Creation of Stormwater Utilities
NJDEP has extended the deadline to submit an expression of interest for no-cost stormwater consulting under the Technical Assistance for Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study to November 1, 2022. Through the Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI), NJDEP is offering to assist municipalities in the formation of a stormwater utility at no cost. NJDEP will engage the services of a qualified consultant to provide individualize services to assess the feasibility of the creation of the Stormwater Utility. The grant will distribute $2 million. We suggest you review the Public Information session on SW Technical Assistant Grant, the Public Information Session SW Grant Technical Assistance, RFEI Info Session, and SWU Feasibility Study: How to Prepare with your professionals.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, FMarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.
New Jersey Coronavirus Disease Task Force on Racial Disparities Live Hearings
The New Jersey Coronavirus Disease Task Force on Racial Disparities will host a series of public hearings across New Jersey. The task force will be taking testimony on experiences regarding the difficulties and challenges that communities have faced from the COVID-19 pandemic. The next hearing will take place at the Rutgers Campus in Camden on Wednesday, November 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A second hearing will be held at the Rutgers Campus in Newark on Wednesday, November 9 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. For more information on the public hearings and how to participate, please see visit the New Jersey Department of Health website.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
Also of Interest
NJLM Education Foundation Climate Resilience Roundtable
The League of Municipalities Educational Foundation will be convening a series of roundtables throughout the State to provide information and help identify resources to deal with the threats of climate changed and how municipalities can plan for resiliency. This issue has been identified as a top priority for the Foundation by the Board, chaired by Hope Mayor and NJLMEF President Tim McDonough.
The regional events will allow for local partners to interact directly with local leaders. The first event will be held later this month and more will be held on a quarterly basis through 2023.
The first has a South Jersey focus and will feature our partners, Stockton University, Atlantic City Electric and New Jersey American Water.
October 24, 2022
Local Leaders and Climate Resiliency:
A South Jersey Perspective
Stockton University’s Campus Center Theater
104 Vera King Farris Dr., Galloway New Jersey, 08205
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
To register for this event please visit our website.
Contacts:
Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.
Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.
Lunch & Learn: Municipal Climate Resilience Planning: The Importance of the Recently Mandated Climate Change-Related Hazard Vulnerability Assessments
In 2021, Governor Murphy signed a law amending the Municipal Land Use Law to require municipalities to incorporate a climate change-related hazard vulnerability assessment (CCRHVA) into any Master Plan Land Use Element adopted after the signing. On Tuesday, October 18 at 12 noon join NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, Chief Resilience Officer Nick Angarone, and Climate Resilience Planning Experts for a lunchtime webinar exploring what this change means for municipal officials, what tools and resources exist to help municipalities meet this requirement, and how the CCRHVA can fit into a broader climate resilience planning effort. Please register for the October 18 Lunch and Learn session.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.
2022 Annual League Conference
Online registration for the 107th Annual League Conference is open.
Start Planning for the League’s Annual Conference
Download the Conference App – Available Now
View a full schedule, listing of exhibitors, and more. Create your personal schedule BEFORE you get to Atlantic City. Don’t miss important sessions, speakers, or exhibits.
All Conference information is at your fingertips in a highly searchable format.
Visit your device’s app store to download.
If you downloaded the app last year, you will need to download the 2022 version to view information for the current year.
Registered attendees may choose to login to access extra benefits – use the email address that you used when you registered, and choose the reset your password option to setup your password the first-time logging in.
Don’t want to login? No problem, view the app as a guest.
The 2022 Conference App is Exclusively Sponsored by AT&T.
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