January 24, 2025

State Issues

Senate Committee Set to Review Bill That Would Preempt Municipal Zoning

The January 30 Senate Community & Urban Affairs Committee meeting will consider S-1408, which authorizes the conversion of certain office parks and retail centers to mixed-use developments. Please reach out to your State Senator and urge them to vote NO.

Contact: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.

Senate Amends S-1403

Legislation requiring contractors working on projects that received tax abatements, PILOT funding, grants, tax exemption, or other financial assistance to submit payroll records to the Department of Labor, was amended at the recent Senate Voting Session.

Affordable Housing Deadline

We are providing this notice and reminder in response to several questions and inquiries on the upcoming filing deadlines for municipalities.

Contact: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x120.

Annual Campaign Contribution Notice

The New Jersey Division of Elections, in accordance with P.L. 1975, c. 70, has requested we share the following information on Campaign Contributions. The Notice states:

“No holder of a public office or position shall demand payment or contribution from another holder of a public office or position for the campaign purposes of any candidate or for the use of any political party.”

You may wish to forward the notice to your employees. Questions and inquiries for additional information should be directed to the Division of Elections at 609-292-3760 or reference New Jersey Elections law, P.L. 1975, c. 70.

Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.

Plan Design Committee Holds January Meeting

This week, the Plan Design Committee held its regularly scheduled January meeting.

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Local Recreation Improvement Grant Application Deadline January 31

Applications are open for the Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) Program. This competitive grant program supports improvement and repair of public recreation facilities including local parks, municipal recreation centers, and local stadiums.

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

OPRA Technology Survey

The recently enacted law to reform the Open Public Records Act includes a $4 million state appropriation to provide grants to local governments. To advocate for the use of the grant funding, we need your help. Please take a few minutes to complete the League’s OPRA Technology Assessment survey.

Federal Issues

Potential Elimination of Tax Exemption for Municipal Bonds

As Congress considers changes to the tax code in 2025, there have been discussions about the elimination of the tax exemption for municipal bonds.

Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

Also of Interest

DOL Announces “Fund My Future Program”

The Department of Labor recently announced the launch of a pilot program, Fund My Future (FMF), to connect New Jersey residents with financial assistance for upskilling and career education support.

National Civic League’s 2025 All-America City Award

The National Civic League is accepting applications for its 2025 All-America City Award. This year’s theme is "Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement." Final applications are due by February 27, 2025.

Show Off Your City 2025: Apply Today

Municipalities are invited to send the League photos of their tourist attractions, downtown areas, economic development initiatives, parks, city halls, community groups, and new projects for the 2025 Show Off Your City Photo Contest!

The winning photo will be featured on the cover of the April issue of NJ Municipalities and the winner will also receive a free League publication of their choice. Entries will be posted on the League’s Facebook page, and some featured in the April issue of NJ Municipalities, and possibly other issues. 

Photos should be high-resolution JPEG, at least 3MB in size. Please provide photo credit if necessary. Unfortunately, stock photos and images that are too low in resolution will not be considered. By submitting a photo, you are agreeing that you own the rights to the photo and that NJLM has permission to use the photo in NJ Municipalities, on NJLM’s social media and website, and on other printed materials. Note that photos displayed in a portrait orientation work better on the magazine cover than a landscape orientation. The due date to submit entries is February 7. 

Submit photos using the Show Off Your City submission form or mail a flash drive to 222 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608.

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