POLICE DIVERSITY BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW

September 28, 2021

Trenton – Three bills that will help bring greater diversity to the ranks of law enforcement in New Jersey were signed into law today. Sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Ronald Rice, Senator Joe Cryan and Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, the new laws will help break down the obstacles encountered by minorities in the hiring practices of police departments in the state.

The laws, formerly S-2765, S-2766 and S-2767, will analyze the make-up of police forces and other law enforcement agencies, maintain a statewide database tracking membership, create a mentoring program to improve recruitment, and have the state Civil Service Commission undertake a series of initiatives to break down the institutional biases that block equal opportunities for minorities.

“We can bring more diversity to police forces and other law enforcement agencies by breaking down the barriers that make it much harder for minorities to join the ranks and to be treated fairly,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “This will help applicants overcome some of the institutional obstacles and biases that minorities face at the same time we help make police departments better reflect the communities they serve. This is a matter of equal opportunity and social justice.”

“New Jersey is the most diverse state in the nation and we should have a police force that reflects the residents and communities they patrol,” said Senator Rice (D-Essex). “As a former Newark police officer, I understand that diversity in our departments is crucial for building trust between the police and the people. This will help us build that diversity in departments that so many municipalities need.”

“More diversity among law enforcement is a matter of equal opportunity and social justice, but it is also a means to more effective law enforcement,” said Senator Cryan, the former Union County Sheriff. “It will help improve the working relationship between police departments and the communities they serve by preventing crime, working effectively with victims and teaming up with residents to keep their communities safe.”

“If we are ever going to see our police forces and law enforcement truly reflect the diversity of our state, we must start by understanding their current make-up, collecting data, and tracking the progress so we can be more deliberative and intentional in our reforms,” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex). “Such provisions will lead to a more inclusive workforce at state and local law enforcement agencies. The more departments reflect the racial and ethnic make-up of the people they serve the better suited they will be to meet the needs of all communities.”

The three laws:

• Diversity Analysis and Oversight (S-2767/Cryan, Rice, Sweeney, Ruiz) will have the Civil Service Commission develop and maintain a statewide database to collect and track the background information of the make-up of all law enforcement entities as well as candidates seeking positions.

• Diversity and Inclusivity (S-2765/Sweeney, Rice, Ruiz) will have the Civil Service Commission conduct an analysis of law enforcement agencies in New Jersey to determine racial composition, salaries, geographic and socio-economic variances and the impact of residency requirements.

• Mentoring (S-2766/Sweeney, Rice) will have the Civil Service Commission establish and maintain a program to assist minority law enforcement candidates through the application and selection process.

SWEENEY ATTENDS DEDICATION OF THE RUTGERS CENTER FOR ADULT AUTISM SERVICES

September 22, 2021

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney today attended the dedication of the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) building.

The facility is designed to help enhance the lives of adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder while also educating students on the skills and tools needed to help these individuals in their own careers.

“For individuals living with intellectual and development disabilities, there is often a significant drop off in support when they age out of school and enter into adulthood,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “The RCAAS facility will play a significant role in ensuring that these individuals continue to receive the support they need as adults, providing them a place to continue to learn and grow with vocational training and social support. I am inspired by Rutgers’ efforts to integrate adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder into the university setting, and I look forward to seeing the impact this facility will have on the I/DD community.”

“We celebrate more than a new structure; we also celebrate the building of new awareness, new relationships, and new dimensions of our community,” said Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway. “Today we reaffirm Rutgers’ commitment to becoming a national leader in the areas of research, professional training, and practical service in support of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.”

The RCAAS offers adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder unique support through various programs, making an independent and fulfilling life possible for these individuals.

SWEENEY, BURZICHELLI ATTEND SALEM COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOMECOMING

September 17, 2021

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney was joined today by Deputy Speaker John Burzichelli at Salem Community College’s 2021 Homecoming to celebrate the school’s return to normalcy. The event featured food, music and a silent auction.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered many lives, especially those of our students. Safely returning to campus is an essential first step in the right direction,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “Although the spread of the Delta variant has complicated some of the efforts to return to normalcy, we need to continue to work together to fight this unprecedented health crisis. My hope is that with a continued effort, we can continue to attend more events like Homecoming, safely, in the future.”

“Seeing Salem Community College’s staff and students come together to celebrate the beginning of the school year encouraged a feeling of hopefulness for the coming months,” said Assemblyman Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “As students are welcomed back on campus while abiding by the proper health measures, it is our hope that we can see a true return to normalcy, with all able to have access to a higher education without the risk of a virtual learning loss, as we’ve seen in the past.”

“Homecoming is an evening to celebrate on many fronts. First, it marks the return of in-person events at your Salem Community College. Second, Homecoming celebrates our local healthcare heroes from Salem Medical Center and Inspira Health Network,” said Salem Community College President, Mike Gorman. “Third, we recognize the many generous Homecoming sponsors who have contributed $50,000 for scholarships. Finally, we pay tribute to Atlantic City Electric, Franklin Bank and PSEG Nuclear’s longtime commitment to partner with Salem Community College to improve the lives of Salem County residents.”

Salem Community College is a Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredited 2-year institution located in southern New Jersey.

SWEENEY BILL TO APPROPRIATE $5 MILLION TO THE New Jersey PEDIATRIC CANCER FUND IS NOW LAW

September 16, 2021

Trenton – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Anthony M. Bucco to dedicate $5 million to the New Jersey Pediatric Cancer Fund to fund research to fight the growing scourge of childhood cancer was signed into law today.

“New Jersey has the nation’s third highest rate of pediatric cancer, and cases are increasing every year,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “Cancer is now the leading cause of death by disease for children under 15. That’s why the New Jersey Pediatric Cancer Fund is so important.

“We can be proud that our state is a leader in the fight against cancer, but we know that more research will help to identify ways to prevent and treat pediatric cancers. Additional support for pediatric cancer research is a top priority so that we can continue to make progress to reduce cancer incidence and improve outcomes for young cancer victims,” Senator Sweeney said.

Senate Bill 3724, signed into law by Governor Murphy today, appropriates $5 million for pediatric cancer research projects with a focus on the causes, prevention, education, treatment, or cure of pediatric cancer and its symptoms.

“This funding is critical because less than 5% of federal funding for cancer research is dedicated specifically to seeking cures and treatments for pediatric cancer,” Senator Sweeney noted.

SWEENEY ATTENDS CRISIS RESPONSE CANINE FAMILY’S APPRECIATION LUNCH

September 16, 2021

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney today attended the Crisis Response Canines Family’s Appreciation Luncheon, where he spoke to attendees and took part in surprising retired State Police Major John Hunt with an award for his work with the Crisis Response Canines.

Hunt is a 27-year-veteran of the New Jersey State Police and has national and international experience as a keynote speaker, with his involvement including presentations at the Weapons of Mass Destruction Exercise in Israel, the Global Terrorism symposium in Belgium, and multiple presentations in Washington regarding terrorism and active shooters. Hunt was also trained in Crisis Intervention following 9/11 and has utilized his expertise many times throughout his service in the State Police while dealing with critical events.

“This organization does amazing work to support individuals in New Jersey, as well as across the country, as they recover from highly traumatic events,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “John and his dog Gunther have provided support to survivors of mass shootings around the country, including Pulse Nightclub, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and the Tree of Life Synagogue. It was an honor to be here today as he received this award in recognition of all the work he does for this organization. I am very proud to share a home in South Jersey with Crisis Response Canines and I look forward to seeing how they continue to help our residents going forward.”

“Crisis Response Canines was born out of the need to provide real-time, on-the-ground support for our first-line responders who do the very difficult work of rescue and recovery,” said Andrea Hering, co-founder of Crisis Response Canines. “Time and time again we have heard that the presence of our K9 teams has provided comfort, and has contributed to the healing of those at the scene. Our work could not be completed without the support of public officials such as Senator Sweeney. As a team, we work together with our elected officials to provide support and healing for those at the center of a crisis.”

Crisis Response Canines is a non-profit organization comprised of certified K9 teams throughout the United States who provide strength, comfort, and emotional support to individuals, families, communities, and first responders in the aftermath of traumatic incidents.

SWEENEY STATEMENT ON 20th ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11

September 11, 2021

TRENTON – Senate President Steve Sweeney issued the following statement today marking the twentieth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks:

“Today marks the twentieth anniversary of one of the most tragic and traumatic days in our history. The wounds may never be fully healed for the families, coworkers and friends of those whose lives were lost, but they will be forever remembered for their courage and sacrifice in the face of fatal danger.

“The firefighters, police officers, first responders, military members and civilians who gave their lives became an inspiration to us all. They serve as a constant reminder of the resilience of our country, our fortitude as Americans and our strength when we are unified.

“The terrible loss of the service members in Kabul is a tragic reminder of the courage and sacrifice that continues to this day. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of others and to protect the ideals of freedom.

“Our response to 9-11 and the continued service over two decades are examples of what is great about America and our limitless potential when we are united. Our nation has always been at its best when we stand together, as we did in the wake of the 9-11 attacks.”

SWEENEY, BURZICHELLI, TALIAFERRO: NEW WIND PORT WILL MAKE SALEM COUNTY THE HUB OF OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY

September 9, 2021

Legislators applaud ground-breaking for Wind Port that will create 1,500 permanent jobs

Lower Alloways Creek - Senate President Steve Sweeney, Deputy Assembly Speaker John J. Burzichelli and Assemblyman Adam J. Taliaferro today said the New Jersey Wind Port would make Salem County the center of a $150 billion East Coast offshore wind industry that will eventually employ tens of thousands of workers from Maine to the Carolinas.

“This new Wind Port will fulfill a dream we had a decade ago to make South Jersey the staging, assembly, manufacturing and shipping base for the offshore wind industry for the entire Atlantic Seaboard,” Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) said at the ground-breaking ceremony today.

“The Wind Port will create 1,500 permanent jobs, employ hundreds of construction workers, and generate up to $500 million in economic activity in Salem County,” Assembly Deputy Speaker John J. Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) noted. “Offshore wind will be one of the nation’s fastest-growing industry sectors, and Salem County is poised to grow along with it.”

“This is the perfect location,” added Assemblyman Adam J. Taliaferro (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “The wind turbines that are being assembled are so massive that they cannot go under bridges, which is why Artificial Island on Delaware Bay is such a perfect location. It is also adjacent to the PSE&G nuclear plants, which are far from population centers but have the sophisticated infrastructure needed.”

Senator Sweeney and Assemblymen Burzichelli and Taliaferro thanked U.S. Labor Secretary Martin Walsh for coming to the 3rd Legislative District to attend the ground-breaking for the Wind Port, citing it as a prime example of how government investment in infrastructure can spur economic growth and create jobs.

“Wind energy is our future – it’s clean, it’s safe, and it offers the opportunity for New Jersey to be a dominant leader in creating a new sector for our nation's economy,” said Senator Sweeney. “That’s why I sponsored the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act in 2010, and today we saw that vision become a reality.”

SWEENEY SLAMS ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC FOR FAILURE TO RESTORE POWER

September 3, 2021

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney issued the following statement today criticizing Atlantic City Electric for its failure to restore power, after promising public officials all outages would be restored by midnight last night:

“Even after catastrophic storms like the one we saw this week, residents should be provided a reasonable timeline for when their power will be restored. Yesterday, Atlantic City Electric promised all service would be restored by the end of the day, now they are saying it will not be until midnight tonight. Currently, nearly 1,200 of its customers in Gloucester County are still without power, and the overwhelming majority of the outages have nothing to do with safety concerns. Atlantic City Electric needs to keep its promises. Unfortunately, it is impossible to know when power will actually be restored because Atlantic City Electric clearly cannot meet its own goals. That is unacceptable.”

SWEENEY JOINS WITH AFSCME IN SUPPORT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKERS

August 26, 2021

Trenton - Senate President Steve Sweeney today joined with AFSCME-NJ Council 63 and the behavioral health workers at SERV Mercer County in their protest for a fair contract, better pay and improved work conditions.

AFSCME is fighting on behalf of the Residential Counselors and Maintenance Workers at SERV Behavioral Health Services Headquarters in Ewing Township for a contract that will improve pay, provide better staffing levels and safer working conditions. They are also protesting the company’s refusal to fully respect the bargaining rights of AFSCME’s representation of the workers who provide vital services for behavioral health, mental health and addiction treatment in Mercer County.

“I stand with you in support of your right to be represented by AFSCME and to have SERV negotiate a contract for fair pay, improved working conditions, and adequate staffing,” Senator Sweeney told the workers and union members assembled for the protest. “You should be treated with respect and appreciation. The work you do is difficult, demanding and vital. Greater support for workers will result in better care for consumers and a quality behavioral health system in Mercer County and New Jersey.”

Senator Sweeney referred to a law he sponsored that specifies that any contract by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Children and Families with a private contractor requires the employer to enter into labor peace agreements so that workers who want to form a union can do so without harassment or intimidation.

Negotiations with SERV began in late July 2020 and have since dragged on for over a year with little to no progress and the company trying to undermine the rights of the union to represent the workers, according to AFSCME officials.

“There is a behavioral health crisis in New Jersey and at the core of it is the inability of behavioral health providers to recruit and retain employees,” said Steven Tully, Executive Director, AFSCME NJ Council 63. “This is a crisis of the providers own making. While the State of New Jersey has increased the funding to behavioral health providers to help deal with this crisis, many providers, like SERV, have chosen to increase top executive pay instead of investing in the workforce. SERV’s failure to invest in frontline workers has left them critically understaffed to the detriment of the consumers. The Residential Counselors and Maintenance Workers at SERV Mercer County are fighting for a fair contract that will improve pay, provide better staffing levels, and safer working conditions, which will lead to better care for the consumers.”

SWEENEY, SINGLETON BILL TO UPGRADE WATER & VENTILATION SYSTEMS NOW LAW

August 24, 2021

Trenton – Governor Murphy today signed into law legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Troy Singleton that will help schools and small businesses in New Jersey upgrade their water and ventilation systems to protect the health of students, educators, customers and employees.

“The importance of clean air and clean water takes on greater importance as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “As schools reopen and more businesses work to return to full operations, we have to do all we can to protect the health and safety of students and educators, as well as the customers and employees of small businesses that are so important to communities. Everyone needs to have confidence that the air they are breathing and the water they are using is clean and safe. This is an investment that will benefit schools and businesses for years to come.”

The law, S-3995/A-5944, will establish the School & Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Fund in the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to provide the resources to ensure that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in schools and small businesses are in good repair and working order.

“As schools and businesses continue to reopen, there are concerns around whether they have adequate ventilation systems to meet health and safety requirements,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “This new law will provide the necessary funding assistance to allow these already cash-strapped businesses and school districts to upgrade their systems, which will improve the air our residents breathe and the water they drink overall.”

Funding for the programs will come from the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP). The BPU would approve grant awards that cover up to 75 percent of the project costs.

SWEENEY HAILS OPENING OF NJMEP OFFICE AND TRAINING FACILITY IN BELLMAWR

August 19, 2021

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney today joined officials of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) at the ribbon-cutting of the NJMEP’s state-of-the-art office and training facility in Bellmawr.

"The opening of the NJMEP South Jersey office represents a commitment by NJMEP to serve the needs of manufacturers all across New Jersey,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “Manufacturing facilities of today resemble Mission Control at NASA – with clean, high-tech facilities and state-of-the-art safety protocols. NJMEP helps develop successful training programs where workers can be reimbursed for some or all of their training and education, and can be working at well-paid, skilled jobs in less than a year’s time. Manufacturing is one of our state’s most important industries – one whose companies and workers function with the cooperation and support of government to thrive."

The goal of the new NJMEP facility is to better serve the manufacturers located in South Jersey. The facility will be an asset in providing in-person training services for South Jersey manufacturers, Senator Sweeney noted.

The NJMEP has named the Bellmawr facility in honor of Chris DePace, one of NJMEP’s longest-running account managers who lost his life to COVID-19 complications. As South Jersey-based manufacturers recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic, they can take advantage of the training being offered or consulting services available at the facility.

“It’s our responsibility to ensure that every manufacturing business in New Jersey has the option to take advantage of our services as New Jersey’s MEP center,” said Dr. John W. Kennedy, CEO of the NJMEP. “We’ve always been able to serve South Jersey-based manufacturers from our Cedar Knolls headquarters, but the opening of the Bellmawr training center makes it even easier for these businesses to upskill their staff and engage with NJMEP; and this all doesn’t happen without the support of Senate President Sweeney and the Manufacturing Caucus.”

One challenge facing the manufacturing workforce will be the ongoing shift brought on by technological advances, and the continuing evolution of clean energy development and delivery. New Jersey’s public education system, as well as private and public-private partnerships, will be needed to make sure tomorrow’s workforce is trained up and ready to go as we move into the middle of the 21st century.

NJMEP is a private, not-for-profit organization that improves the profitability and competitiveness of New Jersey’s manufacturers. Backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NJMEP enables organizations to enhance their productivity and efficiency, reduce costs, and improve employee performance. For more than 25 years, NJMEP has used its extensive network of connections and a proven record of success to help manufacturers adapt to the latest innovative technologies and best practices to realize more than $5.4 billion in value.

SENATE PRESIDENT ATTENDS NJEA SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

August 7, 2021

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney attended the New Jersey Education Association’s virtual Summer Leadership Conference today to discuss the Legislature’s work surrounding the Education Support Professionals (ESP) Job Justice Bill, school funding, pension payments, the state budget, and the state’s next steps concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With NJEA as an important partner, the Legislature has accomplished a lot in the past year,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “As part of the 2022 state budget, we made a full payment to the state’s pension system, which will benefit our dedicated educators across the state. Together we are working to maintain the health and safety of teachers, and NJEA leadership is helping design the Garden State Health Plan to further reduce healthcare costs for educators. The NJEA also worked closely with us to protect non-teaching jobs from being unfairly subcontracted out by schools and county colleges.

“I particularly want to thank members of the NJEA leadership; President Marie Blistan, Vice President Sean Spiller, Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beatty, Secretary-Treasurer-elect Petal Robertson, Executive Director Steve Swetsky, Deputy Executive Director Kevin Kelleher. This is a collaboration of which I am very proud, one that will carry forward in the months and years ahead.”

Participating in the New Jersey Education Association’s Summer Leadership Conference are the newly elected NJEA local presidents across the state. Joining Senator Sweeney in today’s session were Governor Phil Murphy and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.

“We greatly appreciate Senate President Sweeney, along with Governor Murphy and Speaker Coughlin, meeting with our local affiliate presidents today to talk about what is at stake in the upcoming election,” said NJEA Vice President and President-elect Sean M. Spiller. “We have worked together over the last two years to strengthen our profession, and we are going to work just as hard in the months ahead so we can continue to keep our public schools the very best in the nation.”

OP-ED: COMBINE LOCAL COURTS TO ACHIEVE SAVINGS AND PROMOTE FAIRNESS

August 6, 2021

Trenton – For several years now, many of us in state and local government have sought ways to make government, and our public institutions, work better — to make them more efficient, less costly and perhaps most of all, easier for the people who pay for them to access services.

Our Regional Municipal Court Pilot Program is one way to accomplish all three of those goals. Under legislation I sponsored recently along with Sen. Jim Beach, a pilot program to establish regional municipal courts would be established in no fewer than three counties and no fewer than five municipalities in each county.

Through municipal court regionalization, we will be able to achieve many of the same reforms we are attempting to enact in regard to school regionalization. Through court consolidation, we can leverage resources to save money, make the overall mechanics of the justice system more equitable and more efficient for all, and promote judicial independence.

But don’t just take my word for it. Those who work in our justice system, including judges, have been advocating for more municipal court consolidation for years.

The New Jersey Supreme Court Working Group on Municipal Courts has strongly recommended consolidating smaller courts as a means of promoting efficiency, fairness and cost savings. An earlier report issued by a committee formed by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner found that consolidation would help prevent municipal courts from imposing inequitable fees for the purpose of generating revenue, a practice that disproportionately burdens communities of color and the poor. Consolidation would also improve access to the courts, through more frequent sessions, and be another way to bolster court security.

In the end, court regionalization, like school regionalization, is just one more common-sense way of sharing services to achieve savings, which I have been pushing for since my first days as a county officeholder. This sort of consolidation provides a practical path to cut expenses and deliver relief to the taxpayer, all the while making the system fairer and more efficient.

Indeed, the Working Group noted that of New Jersey’s municipalities, 299 have individual, stand-alone courts, 188 already share some type of service, and 76 municipalities have agreed to form 25 separate joint municipal courts. The working group found more than 100 municipal courts that handled fewer than 20 filings per week in the previous year — and three that handled no cases at all.

I applaud the places where visionary leaders have already begun to see the benefits of consolidating court services. In 2020, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson proposed a regional consolidation program for municipal courts in Atlantic County. The county has since been awarded a $150,000 Local Efficiency Achievement Program Challenge Grant from the state Department of Community Affairs to support a countywide municipal court system.

Under the legislation, regional courts would have jurisdiction over all matters falling within the jurisdiction of the municipal courts that are part of the pilot program. All fees and fines collected by the regional municipal courts would be shared on a pro-rated basis equivalent to the costs of operating the regional system.

We understand there might be growing pains, and that court regionalization might not work everywhere immediately, given existing structures. This is why the pilot program will be so instructive in informing where consolidated services work best. While our court systems are already strong, they can be made better and more equitable.

Judge Glenn A. Grant, acting Administrative Director of the Courts who chaired the working group, put it well when commenting on New Jersey’s existing municipal court system when he noted that “as in all other areas of government and in society as a whole, we must remain vigilant and pursue meaningful reform where needed.”

Sen. Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, is the president of the New Jersey Senate.

SWEENEY-BEACH LEGISLATION CREATING PILOT PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL MUNICIPAL COURTS IS SIGNED INTO LAW

August 5, 2021

Trenton – Reform legislation spearheaded by Senate President Stephen Sweeney that will help achieve savings and promote fairness through Municipal Court regionalization was signed into law today. The legislation, S-3049, sponsored by Sweeney and Senator James Beach, would create a pilot program to establish regional municipal courts in at least two counties and no fewer than five municipalities in each county.

The pilot program would take place only in municipalities and counties that apply to the Administrative Office of the Courts to participate.

“Through municipal court regionalization, we will be able to achieve many of the same reforms we are beginning to see realized in regard to school regionalization. Through court consolidation, we will be able to leverage resources to save money, make the mechanics of our justice system run more smoothly, and make it more equitable and efficient for all,” said Senator Sweeney (D - Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland).

The New Jersey Supreme Court Working Group on Municipal Courts has strongly recommended consolidating smaller courts as a means of promoting efficiency, fairness and cost savings. Court consolidation is also widely seen as a way to improve access to the courts -- through more frequent sessions – as well as bolster court security and promote judicial independence.

The Supreme Court’s working group found that more than 100 municipal courts handled fewer than 20 filings a week in the previous year, including three that had handled no cases at all.

“A few years ago, the State Supreme Court set out to research merging the smaller municipal courts in New Jersey. They found that by doing this, it would reinforce fairness throughout our judicial system, encourage higher efficacy and effectiveness and improve overall cost-savings and access to the courts,” said Senator Beach (D-Burlington/Camden). “By conducting a smaller pilot program from this research, we will be able to consider the results first without making significant statewide changes. If the pilot program proves successful, we can further implement this system to other municipalities around the state.”

The regional courts would have jurisdiction over all matters falling within the jurisdiction of the municipal courts that are part of the pilot program. All fees and fines collected by the regional municipal courts would be shared on a pro-rata basis equivalent to the costs of operating the regional system.

“Another committee formed by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner found that consolidation would help prevent municipal courts from imposing inequitable fees for the purpose of generating revenue, a practice that disproportionately burdens communities of color and the poor,” added Senator Sweeney.

“Clearly, municipal court regionalization will improve the quality of justice in our state at the local level at the same time it produces taxpayer savings,” he concluded.

STATEMENT BY SWEENEY ON THE PASSING OF AFL-CIO PRESIDENT RICHARD TRUMKA

August 5, 2021

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney (D- Gloucester/Salem/ Cumberland) issued the following statement today on the sudden passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Trumka, 72, had served as president of the federation for almost 12 years, representing more than 12.5 million unionized workers.

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. He had dedicated more than a decade of his life to leading the AFL-CIO, and many more years before that fighting for the rights of unions and workers here in New Jersey and across the country. This is a devastating loss for everyone.

“Like his father and grandfather, Richard Trumka worked for a period of time as a coal miner, and that experience helped shape his commitment to unions and to the workers who have helped build this nation. His loss will be felt by many and I am keeping his family in my thoughts during this difficult time.”

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD

August 4, 2021

Trenton – Since the start of the pandemic, unemployment fraud has reached peak levels, with more than $63 billion being paid out improperly since March 2020.

Due to the excess of unemployment insurance claims (UI) being filed, New Jersey residents must remain diligent in preventing fraud.

If you believe you are a victim of unemployment fraud, it is imperative you take action. The following steps are necessary to combatting fraud:

• Reach out to the Division of Unemployment Insurance immediately to avoid delaying your own legitimate benefits claims;

• Contact your employer to ensure that they are aware of the situation;

•   Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission to prevent any further identity theft;

• Reach out to each of the three credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — to put a fraud alert on your account and freeze your credit;

• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud by completing an NCDF Complaint Form online, or by calling 866-720-5721; and

• Report the scam to your local police department or Sheriff’s office.

While these steps will not prevent unemployment fraud from happening, they are essential in order to deter further crime from occurring.

New Jersey had been working diligently to prevent unemployment fraud through its contract with ID.me, a security vendor that specializes in providing a multi-factor identity verification using an online, self-service application to assist in authenticating claims. Additionally, the American Rescue Plan provided an additional $2 billion to states administering unemployment, including fraud prevention activities. 

TENANT PROTECTIONS AND $750 MILLION IN RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE ENACTED INTO LAW

August 4, 2021

Trenton – In an effort to address the looming evictions crisis, legislation sponsored by Senators Brian Stack, Ronald Rice and M. Teresa Ruiz, which phases out the eviction moratorium, provides significant tenant protections and allocates $750 million in rental assistance and utility payment assistance was signed into law today by Governor Phil Murphy.

“This past year has been some of the hardest times in most people’s lives. I’ve been desperately trying to help my constituents in Union City and the greater Hudson County since the very beginning of the pandemic, and have heard first hand all that they have gone through,” said Senator Stack (D-Hudson). “We have to recognize that includes many landlords, especially those with only a few tenants, who are also struggling to pay their own bills. Being a public servant is about finding solutions to problems we never thought we would have to face, and ultimately, it is about helping the people of New Jersey when they need it most. That is what we did with this law and I am proud to have been a part of it.”

“This provides a lifeline to people who need it most at a time of real crisis. It will help prevent renters from losing the safety and security of their homes and allow landlords to continue to maintain their properties in a safe and secure way. It’s real eviction prevention because it backs up housing protections with finances so tenants aren’t burdened with debt and landlords aren’t forced into bankruptcy,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “Housing and utilities are essential needs that should be protected as we continue to work to emerge from the most challenging crisis of our lifetime. I want to praise Senator Stack, Senator Ruiz, Senator Rice and Senator Singleton for their productive work with advocates and other public officials to develop this plan. It is a wise use of federal funds to address two of the most serious threats caused by the pandemic.”

“As a long-time Newark resident, I understand the struggles most families are going through and have dealt with long before the pandemic. Large majorities of Newark residents are renters, and a significant portion of that group was rent-burdened even before the pandemic started. And yet, they are a portion of all New Jersey renters who owe about $2 billion in back-rent and utilities,” said Senator Rice (D-Essex). “There are countless numbers of other cities and towns across the state that also have struggling renters. Simultaneously, I recognize many landlords are at risk of foreclosure or bankruptcy due to uncollected rent. Any loss of residential properties would be catastrophic to both tenants and the municipalities. This is why we introduced this bill we want to be decisive and prevent both evictions and foreclosures.”

“Residents here in Newark and around the state were hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in unemployment and a loss of income for many. Tenants have been unable to make rent and will face eviction when the moratorium is lifted if there is not a plan in place,” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex). “Many are struggling to figure out how to make up for past rent payments as the state begins to re-open over a year after the declaration of the state of emergency. Individuals should not have to worry about being displaced as the state, itself, is working to get back on its feet. This program, coupled with my court navigation legislation, will divert residents away from eviction court while providing them a means of rent assistance and ensuring property owners are able to recuperate the money lost due to missed payments.”

The new law, formerly S-3691, will protect low, moderate and middle-income households from residential evictions based upon nonpayment or consistently late rent payments accrued between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2021. Additionally, eviction cases will move from the Landlord/Tenant Court to a small claims civil court to prevent evictions and turn back-rent into civil debt to pay-off over time.

The law will also establish the “Eviction Prevention Program” to supplement the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II started in March by the Department of Community Affairs. The program is funded by $750 million in federal assistance, with $500 million dedicated to rental assistance and up to $250 million for utility assistance. Eviction protections will continue until August 31, 2021, for those making over 80 percent of the area median income. The eviction moratorium will be in place until December 31 2021 for those with very low, low and moderate incomes.

According to Moody’s Analytics and the Urban Institute, an estimated 9.4 million U.S. renter households owed an average of $5,586 in back-rent, utilities and other bills as of January 2021. In total, the countrywide back-rent debt is around $52.6 billion. According to the New Jersey Apartment Association, tenants across the state alone owe around an estimated $2 billion in back-rent.

There are currently tens of thousands of eviction cases pending statewide and another 194,000 filings expected by 2022. Separately, according to the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, close to 500,000 residential utility customers in debt is on the cusp of being disconnected from both their electricity and gas services.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXPLAINED

August 3, 2021

Trenton – Over the course of the last year, the State of New Jersey has been inundated with unemployment insurance (UI) claims due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many individuals, understanding the different types of unemployment compensation can be a difficult process, with each program having different requirements.

To file a claim for UI benefits, please visit

https://www.myunemployment.nj.gov/apply/.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for any type of compensation, an individual seeking out a claim must have worked 20 base weeks, or have earned 1000 times the minimum wage, within the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately prior to filing for benefits. A base week is a week in which a worker earns at least 20 times the minimum wage, which is $200 for the 2020 base year and $220 for 2021 base year.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)

In an effort to assist workers during these unprecedented times, the PEUC provides an additional 48 weeks of unemployment compensation to all workers eligible to file UI claims. Benefits provided through the PEUC are fully federally funded and are paid out before any Extended Benefits (EB) a workers may be eligible for.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

PUA guarantees 74 weeks of unemployment compensation to a broader range of workers than what is typically covered by UI. This includes independent contractors and self-employed workers. If an individual can also claim regular compensation, EB or PEUC, the weeks they can claim those benefits will be subtracted from the 74 weeks of PUA benefits.

Extended Benefits

During times of economic hardship, there are mechanisms in place for extending benefits after an individual has used up a state’s primary UI program. Benefits are extended by one half the length of regular unemployment compensation, or 13 weeks, whichever is lower and half the cost is covered by the federal government. For New Jersey, this means an extension of 13 weeks. They can be extended up to 20 weeks in extremely high unemployment conditions. New Jersey is currently triggering 13-week extended benefits.

Temporary Program Modifications

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Labor and the CARES Act are advising all states to interpret the requirement that a worker seeking unemployment compensation must be “able, available, and actively seeking” to work as broadly as possible. This is in recognition of the fact that there is likely limited available work due to the pandemic.

All programs are set to end on September 4, 2021, regardless of when a claim was started or how many weeks were claimed. Claimants on PEUC that are eligible for extended benefits will transition to those benefits instead provided they are still in place. PUA claimants are not eligible for extended benefits, which follow the same requirements as standard unemployment compensation.

In an effort to combat insurance fraud as the number of claims rose throughout the country, the American Rescue Plan provided an additional $2 billion to states administering unemployment, including fraud prevention activities. To prevent fraud within New Jersey, the state began a contract with ID.me, a security vendor that specializes in providing a multi-factor identity verification using an online, self-service application to assist in authenticating claims.

SWEENEY STATEMENT ON BEIGENE DECISION TO CONSTRUCT NEW MANUFACTURING AND R&D FACILITY IN HOPEWELL

August 3, 2021

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney issued the following statement on today’s announcement by the biotech firm BeiGene that it will open a major new facility in Hopewell:

“I am thrilled to see that BeiGene, an international biotech company, has chosen New Jersey for its new, state-of-the art manufacturing and clinical research and development operations. This will not only create hundreds of new jobs, but also further cement our state’s well-earned reputation as a hub for the life sciences industry, including for cancer research.

“BeiGene’s commitment is a testament to New Jersey’s continued ability to attract cutting-edge, growing firms that have a global impact. We look forward to seeing their new facility open at the Princeton West Innovation Campus in Hopewell, and seeing BeiGene’s continued success.”

SWEENEY PRAISES RELEASE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT FUNDS

July 30, 2021

Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney today praised the announced distribution by the New Jersey Department of Transportation of more than $160 million dollars in county aid for local infrastructure improvements.

The distribution of county aid includes $7,576,535 for Gloucester County, $4,846,362 for Salem County, and $7,777,405 for Cumberland County.

“Rehabilitating our roads and bridges is vitally important to every aspect of life in New Jersey,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “The County Aid creates projects that will improve public safety, fuel our local economy, and enhance our state’s livability. I look forward to seeing these infrastructure projects become reality in the months ahead.”

County Aid funds are appropriated by the Legislature annually for the improvement of public roads and bridges under county jurisdiction. Public transportation and other transportation projects are also included.

The full distribution statewide totals $161.25 million. The county-by-county breakdown can be found here. The funds are apportioned based on population and road mileage in each county. Each county selects the projects that receive funding.