By Carl Golden | September 21, 2021

Insider NJ

Jack Ciattarelli

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When the state Constitution was adopted in 1947, it provided for a four-year term for the governor, beginning with the 1949 election — a clear intention by the document’s framers that New Jersey’s chief executive would be chosen in the off year free from the influence of presidential election politics.

Writing it into the state’s governing charter would guarantee that New Jersey voters would be the ultimate decision-makers for the state’s leader and would not be unduly swayed — either beneficial or detrimental — by a top of the ticket national candidate.

By and large, the decision proved to be a wise one.  Presidential landslides have lost momentum by the time New Jersey chooses a governor a year later, effectively clipping the victor’s coattails and foreclosing the potential for a candidate to ride into the Statehouse on the back of a president rather than on his or her own strengths.

It is, of course, impossible to totally isolate a national Administration from state politics, but the off year election does serve to minimize the impact of presidential performance and make success or failure less dependent on outside forces.

JOHN REITMEYER, BUDGET/FINANCE WRITER | SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 

NJ Spotlight News

Carolyn Allen, left, a 69-year-old widow who has suffered two strokes, is shown with roommate Marcia Rosenfeld, who owns the apartment where Allen lives.

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New Jersey just increased funding for a key state property-tax relief program, and this month homeowners across the state are getting their first opportunity to apply for those beefed-up tax breaks.

Thousands of New Jersey homeowners have begun receiving applications from the state Department of Treasury via the mail and electronically for the latest round of Homestead property-tax relief benefits.

By Joey Fox, September 20 2021 

New Jersey Globe

Gov. Phil Murphy. 

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Gov. Phil Murphy announced today at his twice-a-week Covid briefing that, beginning on November 1, all employees in the state’s child care facilities must either be fully vaccinated or get tested a minimum of once per week.

The requirement is identical in most respects to many of the state’s previous vaccine and testing mandates, which covered health care workers, state workers, and school employees.

Murphy’s new executive order also affirms that, beginning this Friday, the state’s previously announced school mask mandate will also apply to child care facilities; all employees, visitors, and children over the age of two must wear masks inside the facilities.

“This brings us no joy, trust me,” Murphy said. “But it’s the right thing to do.”

By Insider NJ | September 20, 2021

Mayor Ras J. Baraka joined U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge at a virtual event to launch House America: An All-Hands-On-Deck Effort to Address the Nation’s Homelessness Crisis.

House America is a national partnership in which HUD and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) invite mayors, county leaders, Tribal nation leaders, and governors to use the historic investments provided through the American Rescue Plan to address the crisis of homelessness through a Housing First approach by immediately re-housing and building additional housing for people experiencing homelessness.

“As part of our continued commitment to eradicate homelessness in the City of Newark, I am proud to join with Secretary Fudge on House America,” said Mayor Baraka. “Everyone should have a safe, stable home, and I’m grateful for President Biden’s American Rescue Plan resources to help house people experiencing homelessness here in our city, state, and across the country.”

TOM JOHNSON, ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT WRITER | SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 

NJ Spotlight News

July 27, 2015, construction of the nation's first offshore wind farm off Block Island, Rhode Island.

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Launching a new era in the offshore-wind sector, at least two companies submitted bids to the operator of the regional power grid to fundamentally change how power from offshore wind farms is delivered to customers.

PJM Interconnection sought bids to address the power transmission needs created by offshore wind farms so the state can reach the Murphy administration’s goal of 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2035.

There are likely more bidders seeking the right to build an onshore energy hub that could handle up to 3,000 megawatts of electricity from offshore wind farms and deliver it to homes and businesses. But neither PJM nor the Board of Public Utilities would say how many other bids were submitted.

Published: Sep. 19, 2021

By Matt Arco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting about the coronavirus response with Gov. Phil Murphy, D-N.J., in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 30, 2020, in Washington. 

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JOHN REITMEYER, BUDGET/FINANCE WRITER | SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

NJ Spotlight News

Toll booths at entry to NJ Turnpike

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The latest finance plan for a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River makes it clear that the New Jersey Turnpike Authority — and not the state’s mass-transit agency — will cover the state’s contribution to the long-sought project.

The updated finance plan for what’s known as the Hudson Tunnel Project, released late last month, says the New Jersey Turnpike Authority will be responsible for New Jersey’s share of the tunnel project, now estimated to be $1.6 billion.

The turnpike authority operates and collects tolls on both the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. It most recently increased tolls last year during the coronavirus pandemic. The agency has also laid the groundwork for a series of automatic toll increases that will likely begin next year.

Published: Sep. 17, 2021

By Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Published: Sep. 17, 2021

By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Chef Ehren Ryan prepares a dish at Common Lot in Millburn.

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