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Governor Phil Murphy

This Week in NJ - October 7, 2022

10/7/2022

Governor Murphy Highlights Funding for Preschool Programs & Announces First Phase of Universal Preschool Strategic Plan

To emphasize his ongoing commitment to the goal of universal preschool access throughout New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy joined public officials and educators at the Betty McElmon Elementary School in West Long Branch to highlight preschool funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget and release phase 1 of the New Jersey Strategic Plan for Preschool Expansion.

West Long Branch was among 27 school districts to receive a portion of over $26 million in the FY23 budget to establish or expand high-quality preschool programs for local children. The programs in these districts will use the funding to implement full-day preschool programs that are inclusive of children with special needs, offer small class sizes, and have both a certified teacher and an aide. With these awards, high-quality preschool seats have increased by approximately 18,0tto00 since Governor Murphy took office, for a total of nearly 70,000 seats – including the almost 2,150 seats added through the $26 million awarded to districts last month.

“There are countless benefits to providing a high-quality education to every preschool-aged child in our state, including making New Jersey a more affordable place to live for young, working families,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “We have made significant strides in our effort to offer universal preschool throughout New Jersey and must continue to seek ways to achieve this critical objective. My administration will consider all possibilities as we move towards this goal and will continue to invest in preschool education so that more New Jersey children can have opportunities to succeed.”

“Governor Murphy’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality preschool programs will benefit our students and New Jersey for years to come,” said Dr. Angelica Allen McMillan, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education. “The $40 million investment is critical for all students to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and gain confidence as they continue their educational journey. The strategic plan will lead New Jersey towards providing all children access to preschool.”

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Murphy Administration Unveils New, First-in-the-nation Statewide Student Mental Wellness Support Infrastructure

In response to the sharp increase in rates of depression, anxiety, and stress facing New Jersey’s teens and young adults, Governor Phil Murphy and members of his administration announced a new infrastructure for student and family support, the New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) network, operated by the Department of Children and Families. 

“Building on our existing efforts to address the mental health needs of New Jersey’s students has never been more important, as countless young people throughout the state – and the nation – face mental health challenges that have been exacerbated by the turbulence of the past few years,” said Governor Murphy. “Implementing this new mental health support model will allow us to reach more students and offer the evidence-based resources and services they need. My Administration will continue to prioritize the well-being of New Jersey’s youth as we seek to support their mental health.” 

“New Jersey, like the rest of the nation, is still reeling from the trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and emotional and behavioral challenges that may have been there before have been exacerbated dramatically,” said NJ DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. “According to a recent CDC report, nearly one in four young adults in the United States has been treated for mental health issues during the pandemic, and the US Surgeon General issued a report indicating more than 1 in 3 students reported feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness. Depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts are all on the rise. We are at a crisis point, and we need new tools and new strategies that reflect this new reality – that's what the NJ4S proposal delivers.”

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Governor Murphy Announces Groundbreaking of Hoboken Connect Project

Governor Phil Murphy commemorated the groundbreaking of a major new development and public infrastructure improvement project near Hoboken’s historic train station. The long-stalled redevelopment effort, now called Hoboken Connect, will produce new office and retail space, affordable housing, and improvements to public infrastructure and the surrounding streetscape. The project, which had been in development for 15 years, was jump-started by the Murphy Administration through cooperation among various partners, including NJ TRANSIT, LCOR, and the City of Hoboken.

 

“Made possible by a combination of vision, tenacity, and public-private synergy, the Hoboken Connect project will serve as a microcosm of all that my Administration is determined to accomplish,” said Governor Murphy. “In addition to incorporating environmentally sustainable design features, this long-awaited development will also produce millions of dollars in revenue for both Hoboken and NJ TRANSIT. Just as crucially, this game-changing project will connect New Jerseyans to economic opportunity through affordable housing, public and active transportation options, and thousands of good-paying jobs.”

 

Hoboken Connect is a multi-phased initiative that consists of private and public components to be implemented in coordination over the coming five plus years. When complete, the project will directly and indirectly support 15,290 permanent jobs and $234 million in tax revenue annually. The City of Hoboken will see 4,433 jobs on site with $9.6 million in annual retail spending and $4.5 million in annual revenue, while NJ TRANSIT will benefit from ground lease payments, increased ridership, and customer experience improvements. More than 9,800 construction jobs will be created.

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Governor Murphy Signs Bill Amending State Child Tax Credit, Allowing for NJ Taxpayers to Receive Relief a Year Sooner

Governor Phil Murphy signed S-3046/A-4640, amending the effective dates for a previously signed bill regarding state child tax credits. The original bill, S-2523, was scheduled to take effect for the 2023 tax year, making credits available to taxpayers in 2024. The bill pushes that schedule forward, allowing for the tax credit to take effect for the 2022 tax year and for credits to become available to taxpayers in 2023.

“Making New Jersey more affordable for our families has been one of my highest priorities since day one,” said Governor Murphy. “Tax relief is critically important and this amendment will put money into the pockets of families as early as next year. I look forward to our continued progress in making New Jersey stronger, fairer, and more affordable for all of our residents.”

The child tax credit program, estimated to be a $100 million state revenue loss for FY 2023, is available to New Jersey taxpayers with incomes of up to $80,000 and is broken down as follows:

  • Resident households with an income of $30,000 or less will receive a refundable gross income tax credit of $500 for each child
  • Resident households with an income of $30,000 to $40,000 will receive a refundable gross income tax credit of $400 for each child
  • Resident households with an income of $40,000 to $50,000 will receive a refundable gross income tax credit of $300 for each child
  • Resident households with an income of $50,000 to $60,000 will receive a refundable gross income tax credit of $200 for each child
  • Resident households with an income of $60,000 to $80,000 will receive a refundable gross income tax credit of $100 for each child

“This will make the lives of working families more affordable and more manageable,” said Senate President Nick Scutari. “It will provide direct tax relief as quickly as possible to help families during challenging economic conditions. The child tax credit is part of our ongoing commitment to tax relief, financial assistance and affordability for the people of New Jersey.”   

“As we work to make New Jersey more affordable, one of the best and most meaningful investments we can make is into our working families,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “With a new state child tax credit being delivered as intended – directly and this year – New Jersey families can rest assured that the relief they need, at a time when rising costs have stretched budgets, will be there.”

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Governor Murphy Announces Launch of Statewide Clean Buildings Working Group

Governor Phil Murphy announced the launch of the Clean Buildings Working Group at the Clean Energy Conference. The Working Group, a collaboration between the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy (OCAGE) and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), will serve as a cross-sector collaborative of stakeholders and experts in industry, government, building science, organized labor, environmental justice, and workforce development that will inform pathways to greener, cleaner buildings in New Jersey. Governor Murphy’s bold climate action agenda requires innovative solutions to decarbonize our building sector in order to fulfill the State’s commitment to achieve a 100% clean energy state economy and reduce emissions by 80% from 2006 levels by 2050.

“Accomplishing our aggressive but achievable emissions reduction targets requires a comprehensive approach to climate action, one that unites the State, labor, industry, and communities in pursuit of a common goal,” said Governor Murphy. “Public and private entities must work not only together, but hand in hand with the communities they serve, to explore every possible avenue for climate mitigation. From the buildings in which we live and work to the vehicles that safely bring us there, my Administration remains committed to a multi-pronged approach to emissions reduction in New Jersey.”

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