Office of the Governor | This Week in New Jersey: April 2, 2020

Governor Murphy Announces Mortgage Payment Relief, Financial Protections for New Jerseyans Facing Economic Hardship as a Result of COVID-19

Acting on a commitment to provide financial relief to New Jersey homeowners, Governor Phil Murphy announced that financial institutions will provide mortgage forbearance and financial protections for New Jerseyans facing economic hardship as a result COVID-19.

“Millions of hardworking New Jerseyans are suffering financial losses through no fault of their own as a result of the economic downturn brought on by COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “With this initiative, we can ensure that no one loses their home during this public health crisis. I commend our private sector partners for doing their part to reduce financial uncertainty for New Jersey families.”

Building on a similar initiative in California, Governor Murphy secured support from Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America, in addition to over 40 other federal and state-chartered banks, credit unions, and servicers to protect New Jersey homeowners. More financial institutions are expected to sign on in the coming days. The New Jersey Bankers Association, CrossState Credit Union Association and the Mortgage Bankers Association of New Jersey have endorsed this initiative and are encouraging all their members to adopt these policies.

Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin Announce State Tax Filing and Budget Deadline Extensions

Governor Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced the extension of the state tax filing deadline from April 15th to July 15th and the state budget deadline to September 30th.

In a joint statement, they said:

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused hardships, financial strain, and disruptions for many New Jerseyans and New Jersey businesses. As part of our response, we have reached agreement that the state income tax filing deadline and the corporation business tax filing deadline will be extended from April 15th to July 15th.

“Additionally, as part of the whole-of-government effort that is going into fighting COVID-19, we have agreed that the state fiscal year should be extended to September 30th . This will allow the Administration and the Legislature to focus fully on leading New Jersey out of this crisis, and to allow for a robust, comprehensive, and well-informed budget process later in the year.

Governor Murphy, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, and State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan Tour Field Medical Station at Meadowland Exposition Center

Governor Murphy, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, and State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan, toured the new field medical station at the Meadowlands Exposition Center. The 250-bed facility was set up over the course of a week by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey State Police.

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Authorizing Commandeering of Property Such as Medical Supplies

Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 113, authorizing the New Jersey State Director of Emergency Management to use the Governor's full authority under the Disaster Control Act to commandeer personal services and/or real or personal property. This includes medical supplies and equipment from private companies and institutions in order to help meet the continued need for ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the State in hospitals, health care facilities, and emergency response agencies due to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.

“We must continue to take action to meet the critical medical needs of our hospitals and medical centers during this pandemic,” said Governor Murphy. “While we look forward to these facilities cooperating in providing this equipment, this order gives the Office of Emergency Management the express authority to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that supplies go to where they are most needed.”

"It is our responsibility to ensure that heath care professionals in dire need of personal protective equipment are our first priority, because they are the heroes on the front lines, providing life-saving care to the sick," said Colonel Callahan. "We will continue to work cooperatively with our partners at the Department of Health to determine where these critical resources are best allocated."

Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin Announce State Tax Filing and Budget Deadline Extensions

Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 112, authorizing the Division of Consumer Affairs to temporarily reactivate the licenses of recently retired health care professionals and grant temporary licenses to doctors licensed in foreign countries. The executive order also temporarily permits certain health care professionals to perform acts outside of their ordinary scope of practice and grants broad civil immunity to health care professionals and facilities providing services in support of New Jersey’s COVID-19 response efforts who are acting in good faith.

“My Administration is working tirelessly with our hospital systems and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expand bed capacities, reopen closed hospitals, and erect field medical stations to prepare for additional COVID-19 cases,” said Governor Murphy. “We need trained, experienced medical personnel to ensure proper staffing as we build out this new capacity, which is why we have put out the call to retired health care professionals to join our fight and support our existing workforce. By signing this executive order, we are removing bureaucratic roadblocks to quickly bring more health care professionals into our efforts and provide additional flexibility and protections for our front line responders to aid in New Jersey’s response to COVID-19.”