October 8, 2025

State Issues

Discretionary Property Tax Grace Period During Federal Shutdown

The Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) issued a reminder that, due to the federal government shutdown, municipalities have the ability to extend a property tax grace period in certain circumstances.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Statewide Drought Watch Issued

A statewide drought watch was issued on October 1 in response to a prolonged dry period throughout the State.

Contact: Sadayah Q. DuRant-Brown, Legislative Counsel, sdurantbrown@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to Increase on January 1

Effective January 1, 2026, New Jersey’s statewide minimum wage rate will increase to $15.92 per hour for most employees.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Lame Duck Preview Lunch & Learn

Please join us on October 31 at noon for a Lame Duck Preview Lunch & Learn, where we highlight bills of municipal interest that may be acted on during the remainder of the legislative term.

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

NJHMFA Launches the State Tax Credit Subsidy Program

On October 2, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency approved the creation of the State Tax Credit Subsidy Program to Fund Affordable and Workforce Housing Development.

Contact: Sadayah Q. DuRant-Brown, Legislative Counsel, sdurantbrown@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

Reminder - Best Practices Inventory Due Oct 24

The Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) has issued Local Finance Notice 2025-13 regarding the Best Practices Inventory due on October 24 for all municipalities, including state fiscal year municipalities.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Complete the BPPT Survey Questionnaire Today

The League recently released the Business Personal Property Tax (BPPT) survey questionnaire. Please complete the League’s BPPT Survey Questionnaire by October 31 to help the League with proposed legislative language.

Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

Resilient NJ Grant Program Open

The submission due date for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Climate Resilience Resilient NJ program grant opportunity has been extended to October 29.

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

SFY2026 Clean Water Funding Available to Municipalities

The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) has announced funding for the SFY2026 Clean Water programs.

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

NJ Municipalities  Blog: Accident Inspires Action on E-Bike Safety

This week, NJ Municipalities’ blog shares a report on actions underway to reform e-bike safety regulations. Leaders from Scotch Plains and Fanwood joined Senate President Nick Scutari and Union County officials in the aftermath of an e-bike accident that claimed the life of a 13-year-old resident to call for urgent reforms to New Jersey’s e-bike regulations. 

Want to share your local story? Please send in your 300- to 1,000-word items and photos to Editor Amy Spiezio at aspiezio@njlm.org.  

Contact: Amy Spiezio, Editor, aspiezio@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x123.  

Federal Issues

Federal Government Shutdown Continues

There has been no resolution to the federal government shutdown, which started on October 1.

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

US Treasury Issues ARPA SLFRF Recoupment Letters

The US Treasury has begun issuing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) recoupment letters to local governments that are out of compliance.

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

NLC Webinar: Municipal Bonds to Support Natural Disasters

The League’s federal partner, the National League of Cities, is hosting a webinar on October 30 at 2:00 p.m., “When Disaster Strikes: Preparing Municipal Bonds to Support Infrastructure for Natural Disasters.”

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

Conference Connections

Block Closing Soon: Conference Hotel Deadline Oct. 10 Approaches

The League's room blocks close on October 10! Book today for the best rates and shuttle bus service to the AC Convention Center, along with payment by purchase order. Ensure your best Conference experience, book your housing for the Annual Conference now.

Conference Resolutions Due Date Approaches

If you have ideas or resolutions for consideration for the Conference Resolutions committee, time is running out to have them included. The Resolutions Committee meets on Tuesday, November 18, at the committee meeting. Conference Resolutions will then be presented and voted on at the League’s Business Meeting on Thursday, November 20, wrapping up the Conference. For more information and links to submission forms, visit the League’s Conference Resolutions webpage.  