This Week in NJ:June 4th, 2021
Governor Murphy, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona Visit Bergenfield High School to Highlight Importance of In-Person Learning
Governor Phil Murphy and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited Bergenfield High School to discuss the importance of in-person learning.
“We know that in-person learning is crucial to the academic success and social well-being of our students,” said Governor Murphy. “I am pleased to say that almost all of New Jersey’s students are now back in their classrooms. Bergenfield High School is a shining example of a school community that worked tirelessly to safely reopen its doors to students for five days per week, in-person learning. I thank Secretary Cardona for taking the time to visit Bergenfield High School, and look forward to continue working with him to build on our shared commitment to a high-quality education for all our students.”
“Here at this school and in this state, it is clear that children come first,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona. “Students belong in school and that’s what we saw today. The experience for these students is more normal than it was three to four months ago, twelve months ago because of the work led by the Governor, the principal, the superintendent, the Commissioner to make sure we are keeping children first.”
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Governor Murphy Signs Legislation and Executive Order Ending COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
With all COVID-19 capacity restrictions on businesses and gathering limits having been lifted due to the continued improvement of New Jersey’s public health metrics, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (A5820/S3866) enabling the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency that has been in place since March 9, 2020. Immediately following the signing of the legislation, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 244, ending the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Under the legislation, the majority of executive orders issued pursuant to the Public Health Emergency will expire 30 days from today.
“Today’s lifting of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is a clear and decisive step on the path toward normalcy,” said Governor Murphy. “The past 15 months have been a challenge, and I thank every New Jerseyan who stayed home, masked up, took precautions to keep this virus in check, and got vaccinated for allowing us to get to this point. I also thank the Senate President and the Speaker for working with us to responsibly end the Public Health Emergency and meet the challenges ahead.”
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Governor Murphy, Attorney General Grewal, and Lieutenant Governor Oliver Visit the Camden County Police Department to Mark First Day of Body-Worn Camera Mandate
Governor Phil Murphy, Attorney General Grewal, and Lieutenant Governor Oliver joined federal, state, and local officials at the Camden County Police Department (CCPD) to mark the first day of a statewide body-worn camera (BWC) mandate for all uniformed patrol officers, a crucial step on the path toward cultivating trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.
“We are witnessing a new chapter in policing in New Jersey with the reforms we are implementing in partnership with law enforcement and community leaders. And, with the body cameras we are funding, we will literally have an objective witness to how police carry out their duties,” said Governor Murphy. “These powerful devices have been embraced by community members and advocates calling for transparency and by police officers, who see them as a critical tool to protect and assist law enforcement with their difficult jobs. On this important day, we’re also happy to announce funding for all 487 agencies that applied for body-worn camera grants.”
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Governor Murphy Announces Appointment of Laurie Doran as Acting Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
Governor Murphy announced the appointment of Laurie R. Doran as Acting Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), effective June 6, 2021.
“I am proud to appoint Laurie Doran to serve as Acting Director of NJOHSP,” said Governor Murphy. “Laurie has served our country and our state honorably for over three decades, and she could not be more qualified for this role. At the same time, our loss in Jared is the NHL’s gain. He set a standard of excellence, integrity, and honorable service that I am confident Laurie will continue to uphold. I thank him for his years of service across multiple administrations.”
Murphy Administration Celebrates 60th Anniversary of DEP Green Acres, Nation’s Longest-running State Conservation Program
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and several partner organizations gathered at the Holly Farm tract of the Menantico Ponds Wildlife Management Area to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DEP Green Acres Program.
“Having supported land conservation, open space stewardship, and recreational opportunities for 60 years, New Jersey’s Green Acres program is a source of great pride,” DEP Acting Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “As one of the first state land acquisition programs, Green Acres was groundbreaking in 1961 and is now the longest-running continuous program of its kind in the country, preserving nearly 700,000 acres of land and hundreds of recreation facilities across New Jersey.”
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