Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Week in NJ - July 2nd, 2023
Governor Murphy Signs Fiscal Year 2024 Budget into Law
Governor Phil Murphy signed the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act into Law on Friday, building on the historic progress made over the last five years with new investments centered around increasing affordability, promoting fiscal responsibility, and creating world-class opportunities for everyone to succeed.
The budget approved by the Legislature earlier in the day provides record levels of direct property tax relief with additional aid for seniors and renters while once again providing the highest level of school funding in history; making a third consecutive full pension payment; and supporting significant investments in the economy, workforce development, and affordable housing.
The Governor signed the budget in the rotunda of the newly renovated New Jersey State House where he was joined by Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald, Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo, Assembly Budget Chair Eliana Pintor Marin, and State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio.
“When I first proposed this budget, I said it was a budget designed with a singular purpose – to continue building an economy where every family can afford to make their American Dream come true. Today we are delivering on that promise,” said Governor Murphy. “Over the last two years we have committed over $6 billion in direct property tax relief, tackling one of the single greatest and longest standing affordability challenges our state faces. This budget will also lower prescription-drug costs for seniors, help hardworking families by expanding free pre-K for kids, create good-paying jobs and fight climate change by building a green economy, expand mental health services for our kids, build and preserve affordable housing so everyone has a place they can call home, help first-generation homebuyers achieve the safety and security of owning a home, and so much more. We are accomplishing all of this in a fiscally responsible way. This budget continues to fully deliver on our commitments to our pension payments and school funding, while also maintaining a healthy surplus.”
Governor Murphy Signs Package of Housing Affordability Bills
Governor Phil Murphy, on Friday, signed a package of bills supporting housing affordability in New Jersey. The three-bill package advances the Murphy Administration’s efforts to prioritize housing investments and initiatives, making New Jersey a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.
“As we strive to make New Jersey more affordable for all, we must ensure we remove barriers that prevent people from becoming homeowners,” said Governor Murphy. “Stable and affordable housing has the potential to be transformative in people’s lives as well as our communities. I am proud to sign legislation that will not only expand opportunities for first-time homebuyers and those seeking affordable housing, but will further advance our state as the best place in the nation to raise a family.”
Governor Murphy Signs Bill Establishing Social Impact Investment Fund
Governor Phil Murphy signed bill S3977/A5670, which establishes a Social Impact Investment Fund (SIIF) to deploy below-market-rate-capital for critical investments in affordable housing, infrastructure, and early childhood education facilities. Co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and Assemblyman John F. McKeon, the bill appropriates $20 million in seed funding for the SIIF, which will in turn leverage social impact investments from the philanthropic and private sectors, multiplying the impact of the State’s funds.
Created through the work of the Public Bank Implementation Board, the SIIF will deploy below-market-rate loans, guarantees, or other financial tools to fill gaps in State financing programs, such as providing access to capital for early-stage affordable housing developers in partnership with New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, supporting Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank) infrastructure investments in distressed municipalities that cannot currently qualify for I-Bank support to modernize local drinking water systems, and helping finance the construction and maintenance of early childhood education facilities.
"I’m proud to deliver on a promise I’ve been determined to realize since the outset of my Administration: the creation of a socially motivated public financial vehicle serving the state of New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “In far too many cases, our underserved and underinvested communities lack access to critical capital, rendering housing unaffordable, infrastructure ineffective, and opportunity unattainable. In addition to diversifying and expanding the affordable housing development ecosystem, the Social Impact Investment Fund will also enhance access to funding for the water infrastructure and early childhood education facilities upon which New Jersey’s families depend.”
Statement from Governor Murphy on Senate Confirmation of New Jersey Supreme Court Associate Justice Michael Noriega
“I am extremely pleased that the State Senate has confirmed Michael Noriega with unanimous and bipartisan support to serve as an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. An exceptional legal talent, Michael will bring a unique combination of experience and expertise to the bench, making history as the first former public defender to serve on our state’s highest court and restoring representation from the Hispanic community at the highest level of our judiciary.
“Michael’s integrity, compassion, and intellect have earned the admiration of all who are fortunate enough to know him, and I have no doubt that he will bring these qualities to our state’s highest court.
“I thank Senators from both parties who put partisanship aside and considered this nomination with seriousness and diligence, once again demonstrating why New Jersey’s judicial appointment process remains a model for the nation. I am especially grateful to Michael’s home county Senators, Senate President Scutari, Senator Cryan, and Senator Bramnick, as well as Senate Judiciary Chair Stack, for their leadership throughout the confirmation process. I am looking forward to seeing Michael serve on our Supreme Court with honor and distinction for many years to come.”
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Governor Murphy Signs Bill Eliminating Public Defender Service Fees
In another monumental step for one of the most progressive criminal justice systems in the nation, Governor Phil Murphy signed A5587/S3771, which eliminates fees, liens, and warrants issued for public defender services in New Jersey.
The bill signing not only eliminates public defender fees going forward but applies retroactively to all unpaid outstanding costs previously assessed or imposed upon a defendant, as well as any unsatisfied civil judgements, liens on property, and warrants issued based on the unpaid balances, for services rendered by the Office of the Public Defender.
“The right to an attorney should be a universal right for those who are navigating our criminal justice system. For too long, we have witnessed many residents suffer from the steep prices of a public defender, many times causing them to go into debt just to cover their legal fees, and disproportionately affecting people of color. The elimination of these fees gives them the chance to defend themselves against charges without worry of their finances,” said Governor Murphy. “I am grateful to our legislative partners who recognize the significant toll public defender fees have on those awaiting a verdict and share this Administration’s goal to create a fairer criminal justice system in our state.”