This Week in NJ: September 3rd, 2021
Governor Murphy Leads Tropical Storm Ida Response Efforts Across NJ
Following the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Ida, Governor Murphy and state government officials led the response to the widespread damage across New Jersey. To date, Governor Murphy has visited and surveyed damage in Mullica Hill, Hillsborough, Passaic, Elizabeth, Millburn, and Cranford. The Governor and administration officials continue to coordinate with federal, state, county and local officials to facilitate both immediate and long-term recovery efforts. Throughout the weekend, the Governor will visit impacted areas and continue to meet with local officials.
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Governor Murphy Declares State of Emergency in Response to Tropical Storm Ida
On Wednesday night, Governor Murphy declared a state of emergency in response to Tropical Storm Ida, in order to allow resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the storm. The state of emergency remains in effect as recovery efforts are ongoing.
During Wednesday afternoon's press briefing, Governor Murphy warned of the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Ida, making the following statements:
"The remains of Hurricane Ida will impact our state really today through the early morning hours of tomorrow. Please just stay in if you can over the next – really importantly over the next 12 to 15 hours and let this storm pass…particularly watch out for flash flooding, the potential for severe thunderstorms and God forbid, I hope not, tornadoes. That's a today reality. That'll go into the rain – at least we'll go into the early hours of tomorrow."
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Murphy Administration Announces $267 Million in Funding For Student, Staff COVID-19 Screening Testing at K-12 Schools
Governor Phil Murphy announced preliminary details of a proposed plan to provide grants to New Jersey small businesses impacted by severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Ida on Wednesday and early Thursday.
“As with any emergency situation, our top priority is the health and safety of New Jerseyans, and we extend our deepest condolences to those families experiencing the loss or grave injury of a loved one,” said Governor Murphy. “Now that the skies have cleared, we are eager to get to work on helping those who are waking up to harsh economic realities reclaim their livelihoods and mitigate Ida’s financial impacts to their businesses and the hardworking people they employ.”
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Governor Murphy and Department of Education Announce Grants Addressing School Safety and Lead Remediation in Schools
With schools reopening for in-person instruction, the Murphy Administration announced details of a $267 million testing program for students and staff at New Jersey’s K-12 schools, which will enable districts to access full testing services from designated vendors or receive funds to support programs already in place.
“In order to foster a safe in-person learning environment, we must do everything within our power to keep children from being infected with COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “This program will support our schools in setting up testing programs for students and staff and provide necessary assistance and resources to school districts so that they have the tools to keep their communities safe. We continue to encourage all those eligible for COVID-19 vaccines to go and get their shots to reduce the likelihood of infection, severe illness, and death from this virus.”
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Governor Murphy and Department of Education Announce Grants Addressing School Safety and Lead Remediation in Schools
Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) announced grants to improve school security and address lead in drinking water in public preschools, charter schools, and renaissance schools. These grant programs will provide critical resources to schools and help them comply with Alyssa’s Law, N.J.S.A. 18A:41-10, and support lead remediation efforts.
“The best public education system in America is here in New Jersey, and we need to ensure that our students and educators have the necessary tools for students to grow and thrive,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “By investing in school security and lead remediation, we are investing in critical improvements in our schools and creating safe and healthy learning environments for students across our state.”
“One of our greatest responsibilities is providing children with safe and healthy learning environments,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “The initiatives that we’re announcing today will bring about safety improvements to benefit more students in even more schools.”