Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Providing Support to School Districts Seeing Reductions in School Funding Aid
Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills offering flexibility and relief to school districts across New Jersey as they work to finalize their 2024-2025 school budgets. The first bill (A4161) aims to increase funding for school districts experiencing reductions in aid under S2, easing the impact of the final year of its seven-year phase-in as school districts adjust to funding levels calculated under the School Funding Reform Act.
By signing the legislation, the Governor establishes a Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program in the Department of Education to provide grants equal to 45 percent of a school district’s State school aid reduction for the 2024-2025 school year. The bill appropriates $44.7 million to support the program. In addition to providing supplementary state aid, the legislation allows certain districts experiencing reductions in state aid to request increases in their adjusted property tax levies above the two percent cap established under current law.
“From the onset of my Administration, we have strived to ensure every child in New Jersey receives the top-notch education that has become synonymous with our state’s public education system. Through seven budget cycles, we have never wavered on our commitment to our school communities – and that rings true today,” said Governor Murphy. “With this legislation, we are giving local school districts critical support during trying times, as difficult financial realities muddy the already complex process of adopting a balanced budget. I am pleased to provide relief to school districts facing reductions in aid and, as we look ahead, I anticipate working alongside Commissioner Dehmer to ensure our tax dollars are being used responsibly to uplift all of our students.”
“The combination of additional state aid and school district tax levy growth cap flexibility achieved by this legislation strikes a key balance: easing the transition to full funding amounts while further empowering school districts to sustain education and support programs beyond S2’s phase-in schedule,” said Kevin Dehmer, Acting Commissioner of Education. “For our part, the Department is committed to working with districts on finalizing their budget plans for next school year; for their part, this legislation provides districts additional revenue sources to further help transition to sustainable spending plans that meet the needs of all students. I commend the Governor and the Legislature for their commitment to this impactful legislation.”
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Governor Murphy, DEP Commissioner Latourette Announce First-in-Nation Suite of Reforms to Build Resilience to Coastal Flooding and Better Protect Communities From Climate Change Impacts
Governor Phil Murphy and Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette announced the Administration’s intent to modernize a suite of DEP regulations to better protect New Jersey communities from coastal flooding, sea-level rise, and other public health and safety risks that are increasing due to climate change.
The forthcoming rule proposal, known as REAL – Resilient Environments and Landscapes – reforms, will make New Jersey the first state in the nation to initiate a comprehensive update of land resource protection regulations to address the current and future impacts of a changing climate.
“The Resilient Environments and Landscapes reforms are a critical component of our Administration’s comprehensive strategy to bolster New Jersey’s resilience amid the worsening impacts of climate change,” Governor Murphy said. “A product of scientific study and robust stakeholder engagement, the REAL reforms reflect the best available climate science specific to New Jersey and will better protect homes and businesses from current and future climate threats, including sea-level rise, extreme weather, and chronic flooding.”
“The Murphy Administration continues to set a national example of leadership on climate change—the greatest long-term threat facing our communities, economy, and environment,” Commissioner LaTourette said. “By engaging deeply with stakeholders over the last four years and utilizing reliable science to modernize our land use rules, the Murphy Administration has developed reforms that will help ensure that investments in New Jersey today will stand the test of time and a changing climate. The REAL reforms will provide property owners, investors, and the public with the tools necessary to build more resilient communities while improving environmental quality and flood protection, especially in neighborhoods most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”
The REAL reforms would amend New Jersey’s existing flood hazard, stormwater, coastal zone, and freshwater wetland regulations statewide to address these ongoing impacts, while improving water quality and flood protections and addressing issues that are of particular concern to overburdened communities.
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Lt. Governor Tahesha Way Delivers Remarks at Essex County Dedication of Memorial Bronze Bust Honoring Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated a memorial bronze bust of the late Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver on Wednesday, May 15th. The Essex County Division of Family Assistance and Benefits building at 320-321 University Avenue in Newark also was dedicated as the Essex County Sheila Y. Oliver Division of Family Assistance and Benefits Headquarters. Ms. Oliver was the first African American elected to a statewide office when she was elected as Lieutenant Governor with Governor Murphy in 2017 and was the first female African American to serve as Assembly Speaker when she was elected in 2010.
“We have named buildings and fields and created statues and markers to highlight our history and remember the people who shaped the development of Essex County and our nation. This will keep the legacies of those who came before us alive and remind future generations about the people who impacted us,” DiVincenzo said. “Sheila had an extraordinary knowledge of government having served on the East Orange Board of Education, Essex County Board of Freeholders, NJ State Assembly and as Lieutenant Governor. She broke barriers in Trenton to become our first African American Assembly Speaker and our first African American elected to a statewide position as Lieutenant Governor. More importantly, Sheila pursued a career in government and politics because she cared about helping people and making the lives of those in need better,” he added.
“The Oliver Family is filled with an immense amount of pride and emotion to see the legacy of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend live on in Essex County, the place she called home. The dedication of a memorial bronze bust, the Essex County Sheila Y. Oliver Family Assistance and Benefits Headquarters and Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver Conference Room further cements the legacy of one of the greatest public servants not only Essex County, but New Jersey has ever had,” said Renee Oliver, Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver’s niece and President of the Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association. “My aunt dedicated her life to helping those in need and being a voice for the voiceless. May these dedications serve as a constant reminder for those that come across them, to lead with excellence and serve with grace,” she added.
“Lieutenant Governor Oliver was the embodiment of a true public servant: kind, passionate, and thoughtful. She cared deeply about social justice, racial equity, and looking out for the underserved, and showed up every day to work as an authentic and passionate advocate for the great people of New Jersey, especially those in most need,” said Lt. Governor Tahesha Way. “This memorial bust is another great dedication to the life and legacy of my dear friend and mentor. I hope its presence will inspire the public servants of Essex County who can look to Sheila, literally, as they serve our communities,” she added.
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Treasury's Division of Investment to Join the Dime New Jersey Investment Collaborative as an Anchor Participant
The New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Division of Investment (DOI) announced that it is joining the Diversity Investment Management Engagement (DIME) New Jersey Investment Collaborative as an anchor participant. DIME is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to building the next generation of young investors.
DIME’S investment program gives a diverse group of high school students the opportunity to compete for scholarships while learning about the core fundamentals of the U.S. capital market system. The program pairs high school students with investment professionals with the goal to provide participants with the knowledge and tools to build long-term wealth.
"We are extremely excited to work with DIME as they actively engage in the education of future investors. The New Jersey Division of Investment aims to serve as a resource, committed to enhancing students' understanding of the investment industry and equipping them with essential skills for success," said Shoaib Khan, director and chief investment officer at DOI.
As part of its participation, DOI will provide educational support to the students enrolled in the program, with a focus on enhancing their understanding of the investment industry.
"This is not your parent’s financial literacy program,” said Dion Woods, DIME co-founder. “Thanks to the support of the New Jersey Division of Investment and leading investment advisory firms, we have the unique opportunity to create new pathways for wealth creation to students in New Jersey."
The DIME program offers a free immersion course that teaches high school students about financial decision-making and wealth creation. The course runs for seven weeks annually during a student’s junior and senior year.
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Attorney General Platkin and Division on Civil Rights Issue Guidance on Protections for Remote Workers
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced that DCR has issued guidance explaining that the protections afforded by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) apply to individuals who work remotely for New Jersey-based employers, even if they work remotely from outside of New Jersey or reside in a different state.
The LAD prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, and other protected characteristics. The new guidance, which was issued to provide greater clarity to employees and employers in light of the rise in remote work, clarifies that the LAD’s protections apply to all employees of New Jersey-based employers, regardless of the employee’s state of residence or whether some or all of their work schedule is remote.
“For many people, the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in profound changes to how we live and work. And although those changes brought questions about who is protected by New Jersey’s civil rights laws, our belief that everyone has the right work without discrimination has never wavered,” said Attorney General Platkin. “No matter where you live, no matter where you work, if you’re employed by a New Jersey employer, our laws protect you from bias. The guidance announced today makes clear that New Jersey employers are obligated to follow the Law Against Discrimination, even when their employees are out of state.”
“New Jersey’s robust civil rights laws protect people who work for New Jersey companies, even if they work remotely from outside of New Jersey,” said Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights. “New Jersey employers must respect their employees’ rights, no matter where they live or work, and we will continue our work to enforce the strong protections our laws provide against workplace discrimination and bias-based harassment.”
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