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Mercer County Clerk announces digitization and preservation of land records

TRENTON, N.J. — Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello announced that her office completed a book-scanning project that preserved and digitized over one million of Mercer County’s historic property records.

These records, dating back to the County’s inception in 1838, are now available to the public online.

This will allow for business transactions to take place more efficiently, via computer, permitting more of Mercer County’s property searches to be conducted remotely. It also preserves the records of the County for future generations.

The project involved the scanning of 1,214 books in the Mercer County Clerk’s vast record collection. It includes deeds dating back to January 1839, Mortgage Releases from the early to mid-20th century, and Chancery Notices, also known as “lis pendens,” recorded from 1932-1960, all on one platform. Once scanned, the images were uploaded onto the Mercer County Clerk’s land record management system, New Vision Systems, for online searching.

The preservation of historic records is a critical responsibility of the Mercer County Clerk’s Office.

County Clerk Sollami Covello said, “This project represents my ongoing commitment to innovation and public service. As Mercer’s official property recorder, I know the importance of this project to our region’s title companies and real estate professionals. I’m especially proud it preserves valuable historic information before that information was lost due to the decay of aging books or other damage.”

The scanning project involved meticulous planning and collaboration over several years. It was also completed with the utilization of advanced technologies by vendor, County Business Systems, following a competitive contracting process wherein it was stressed that the records must be clear and legible for real estate professionals and future generations to be able to read them. Some images were enhanced to improve readability while other technologies were implemented to eliminate the “bleed-through” of words from two-sided copies.

To access the digitized records online, individuals must first register by visiting the Mercer County Clerk’s Online Public Record Search Page.

For more information regarding the services of the Mercer County Clerk’s Office, please visit the Clerk’s page here. The County Clerk’s Office and its Public Record Room is located at 209 South Broad Street, Trenton, from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and late on Wednesdays until 6:45 p.m. (with the exception of three Wednesday evenings from July 19 through Aug. 2

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Mercer County Exec. Hughes recently administers oath to five new board, commission members

 TRENTON, N.J. — Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes administered the oath of office to five community members to serve on Mercer County’s boards and commissions.

Sworn in were Jayson Maksymovich of Hopewell, Mercer County Vo-Tech Board; Robert Jackson of Princeton, Mercer County Disabilities Advisory Council; Dawn Oller of Robbinsville, Mercer County Library Commission; Eleanor V. Horne of West Windsor, Mercer County Park Commission; and Andrew Koontz of Princeton, Mercer County Park Commission.

“The members of our boards and commissions are taken seriously, and we value your input and experience,” Mr. Hughes said to the new members. “I can’t think of a better group of individuals to serve, and I know you will be dedicated to helping improve the lives of the people of Mercer County.”

Mr. Maksymovich is training director for IBEW Local 269 JATC.

Mr. Jackson works at the N.J. Department of Human Services where he assists people with disabilities to obtain services.

Ms. Oller is a volunteer with the Robbinsville Library Advisory Committee and an avid reader, along with homeschooling her daughter.

Ms. Horne is retired from Educational Testing Services and is the founder and former co-president of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, along with membership on countless boards and committees.

Mr. Koontz is an educator, teacher, film maker and film editor. He also is a former County Commissioner, Princeton Borough Council Member, a longtime member and now chair of the Princeton Parks and Recreation Commission and founder of Princeton Parks Alliance.

Mercer County’s boards and commissions, made up of citizen volunteers, advise the Hughes Administration on a wide range of policy issues and functions, including parks, planning, culture and heritage, and more. Most boards and commissions meet monthly to discuss various projects, events, programs and other pertinent issues. To be considered for a seat on a Mercer County Board or Commission, please go to https://www.mercercounty.org/boards-commissions or click the LEARN MORE button.

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Gov. Murphy signs package of housing affordability bills, earlier this month

Builds on the Murphy Administration’s Historic Investments in Affordable Housing

 

TRENTON, N.J. – Gov. Phil Murphy signed a package of bills supporting housing affordability in New Jersey for the new Fiscal Year 2023-24 at the beginning of July.

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.”

The three bills signed today include:

  • A-5596/S-3991, which establishes the Urban Preservation Program within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA). Supported by an $80 million investment of federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in the FY2024 budget, the Program allows investments in rehabilitation and reconstruction projects dedicated to preserving affordable housing in urban areas.
  • A-5595/S-4026, which expands certain State programmatic interventions related to residential foreclosures. Supported by a $15 million investment of ARP funds in the FY2024 budget, this bill provides NJHMFA with a broader set of tools to intervene in foreclosures, keeping New Jerseyans in their homes and rehabilitating and reselling vacant homes.
  • A-5415/S-3780, codifies and expands NJHMFA’s immensely successful down payment assistance program, building on the Governor’s Wealth Disparity Task Force’s work to ensure meaningful benefits specifically for first-generation homebuyers . The bill also establishes Resilient Home Construction Pilot Program in DCA to provide funding for developers to rehabilitate existing homes and construct new affordable homes for sale.

 

“The three housing bills signed today provide breakthrough opportunities for citizens to establish roots and enrich communities in the great state of New Jersey. As the most densely populated state in the U.S., the need for quality, affordable housing for low, and moderate-income residents and opportunities for first-generation homebuyers is a priority. Stable housing provides a stable workforce for business expansion and economic vitality. With homeownership and affordable housing, comes thriving communities, strengthened family bonds, and stable homes for children,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who also serves as Commissioner, Department of Community Affairs.

“This legislation, in conjunction with the fiscal year 2024 budget, meaningfully advances the Murphy-Oliver administration’s historic commitment to housing affordability in New Jersey. We thank our partners in the legislature for their tireless advocacy and are committed to utilizing these resources to produce, preserve, and provide access to homes that are affordable to all New Jersey residents,” said NJHMFA Executive Director Melanie R. Walter.

“Owning a home is a key component of the American Dream and critical to creating generational wealth,” said Senator Singleton, Chair of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

“But, for so many, saving enough for the necessary down payment has made homeownership unattainable and those that do manage to buy a home are often one catastrophe away from losing it. By providing financial assistance to first-time homebuyers and expanding access to foreclosure intervention, we can make homeownership more affordable, accessible and most importantly, sustainable.”

“In our approach to expanding access to affordable housing, we have to consider the current impact of the affordability crisis and lack of income growth for working families,” said Senator Brian Stack, nothing that the Urban Preservation Program “is an investment that will preserve and bolster the supply of affordable housing for low and moderate income families within our urban communities.”

“Housing is a human right,” said Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez.

“Access to safe, affordable housing is life changing for struggling families. In too many households, the majority of a family’s monthly income goes towards housing costs, leaving little to cover bills, food, health care, and other essentials. By expanding existing programs and supporting the redevelopment of residential properties, we are putting affordable housing in reach for New Jerseyans.”

“New Jersey families should not have to live paycheck to paycheck struggling to make ends meet due to the overwhelming cost of housing. We need to fine viable solutions to New Jersey’s affordable housing shortages,” said Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly.

“Investing in programs that increase affordable housing options for New Jerseyans will help combat housing instability and reduce the number of residents at risk of homelessness.”

“Every family in New Jersey deserves the opportunity to purchase their dream home, and we can do more to help young people overcome barriers to homeownership that for too long have prevented them from putting down roots in our state,” said Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald.

“Buying a home is a significant milestone in a person’s life. For many, it’s the first step to growing a family and building generational wealth. By providing down payment assistance to certain first-time homebuyers and establishing a Resilient Home Construction Pilot Program, we are making homes more affordable and accessible for New Jersey families.”

“Fair Share Housing Center commends Governor Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Oliver, and the sponsors of this critical legislation to address significant facets of our state’s housing crisis,” said Adam Gordon, Executive Director, Fair Share Housing Center.

“By maintaining and rehabilitating public and affordable housing in New Jersey’s cities, the Urban Preservation Program will help keep families in their homes and prevent displacement. And the First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program will help close our state’s massive racial wealth gap by giving lower-income Black and Brown families, historically redlined out of opportunity, access to building generational wealth.”

 

“Access to quality, affordable homes is a serious concern in NJ and it’s going to take bold investments and policy interventions to get us on a path where we can HouseNJ, making our state a place everyone can afford to call home,” said Staci Berger, president and chief executive officer of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.

 

“We thank the Murphy Administration and legislative leaders for prioritizing housing affordability, creating opportunities for lower-income residents, and helping New Jerseyans stay in their homes.”

 

About Us: The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) advances the quality of life for residents of and communities throughout New Jersey by investing in, financing, and facilitating access to affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with specialized housing needs. To learn more about NJHMFA, visit: https://NJHousing.gov/

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National Integrated Group Plan averts insolvency and reduction of benefits through receipt of Special Financial Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) recently announced that it has approved the application submitted to the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) Program by the National Integrated Group Pension Plan (National Integrated Group Plan). The plan, based in Scranton, Pa., covers 48,254 participants in the manufacturing industry.

The National Integrated Group Plan will receive approximately $887.1 million in special financial assistance, including interest to the expected date of payment to the plan. The plan was projected to run out of money in 2034. Without the SFA Program, the National Integrated Group Plan would have been required to reduce participants’ benefits to the PBGC guarantee levels upon plan insolvency, which is roughly 15 percent below the benefits payable under the terms of the plan. SFA will enable the plan to continue to pay retirement benefits without reduction for many years into the future.

“These 48,254 manufacturing workers went to work with the promise of a pension when they retired. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration has fulfilled that promise,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Lisa M. Gomez.

“Under President Biden’s leadership, the National Integrated Group Plan received Special Financial Assistance to deliver the pensions that these manufacturing workers have earned.”

About the Special Financial Assistance Program

The SFA Program was enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. The program provides funding to severely underfunded multi-employer pension plans and will ensure that millions of America’s workers, retirees, and their families receive the pension benefits they earned.

The SFA Program requires plans to demonstrate eligibility for SFA and to calculate the amount of assistance pursuant to ARP and PBGC’s regulations. SFA and earnings thereon must be segregated from other plan assets and may be used only to pay plan benefits and administrative expenses. Plans are not obligated to repay SFA to PBGC. Plans receiving SFA are also subject to certain terms, conditions and reporting requirements, including an annual statement documenting compliance with the terms and conditions. PBGC is authorized to conduct periodic audits of multi-employer plans that receive SFA.

As of June 29, 2023, PBGC has approved about $49.7 billion in SFA to plans that cover over 687,000 workers, retirees, and beneficiaries.

The SFA Program operates under a final rule, published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2022, which became effective Aug. 8, 2022, and was amended effective Jan. 26, 2023.

About PBGC

PBGC protects the retirement security of over 33 million American workers, retirees, and beneficiaries in both single-employer and multi-employer private sector pension plans. The agency’s two insurance programs are legally separate and operationally and financially independent. PBGC is directly responsible for the benefits of more than 1.5 million participants and beneficiaries in failed pension plans. The Single-Employer Program is financed by insurance premiums, investment income, and assets and recoveries from failed single-employer plans. The Multi-employer Program is financed by insurance premiums. Special financial assistance for financially troubled multi-employer plans is financed by general taxpayer monies.

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Governor Murphy recently signs Fiscal Year 2024 budget into law

Budget Provides Historic Levels of Property Tax Relief, Another Record Investment in School Funding

Increases Investments in Affordable Housing, Higher Education, and Economic Growth

Continues Path of Fiscal Responsibility with Another Full Pension Payment of $7.1 Billion and Surplus of over $8 Billion

TRENTON, N.J. – Governor Phil Murphy signed the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act into Law June 30, 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.”

“The budget signed into law today will help make New Jersey more affordable for hardworking residents and families by boosting tax relief and investing in affordable housing, social services, and education,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, who serves as Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs.

“This budget demonstrates that we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing New Jerseyans of all walks of life the opportunity and resources to thrive.”

“This is a great budget for the people of New Jersey. It will help make their lives more affordable with an historic amount of property tax relief, including increased rebates, an expansion of Senior Freeze and a down payment on StayNJ, which will provide additional tax relief for senior citizens,” said Senate President Nicholas Scutari.

“We are also distributing $150 million in energy tax receipts to municipalities to further hold down property taxes. This is a fiscally-responsible spending plan that includes a record level of school funding, a full pension payment and a surplus of more than $10 billion. This budget will help improve the lives and livelihoods of New Jersey’s residents in meaningful ways.”

“This budget ensures our state will be more affordable for everyone,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.

“It also meets our obligations with yet another full pension payment, increases in school aid, support for our most vulnerable neighbors, and a healthy surplus for any future economic uncertainty. I am especially proud of what we’ve done for New Jersey seniors, with the StayNJ program set to deliver historic property tax relief. I proposed StayNJ because seniors deserve the dignity of remaining in their homes, enjoying their later years near their families. Thanks to Governor Murphy, Senate President Scutari, and all our partners in the legislature for their work on this. We have demonstrated that we can do big, bold things for New Jersey while being fiscally responsible.”

“The budget signed today represents the culmination of months of long meetings and thoughtful deliberations and includes significant investments in our communities, our families and our future,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz.

“We are doubling the child tax credit, continuing on the pathway towards universal Pre-K and once again increasing school funding. We are continuing to fund the postpartum home visitation program and lifesaving mental health initiatives. This budget represents our continued effort to make New Jersey more affordable for all of our residents while making lasting investments in our children and the institutions and programs which will nourish their growth and success.”

“The FY24 State Budget reflects our shared priorities, spending on programs that will make a difference in the lives of New Jersey residents while maintaining a healthy surplus,” said Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald.

“New Jersey residents will benefit from new and expanded property tax relief programs and an expanded child tax credit. We are funding programs to support education, affordable housing and healthcare, which will have a meaningful impact.”

“This is a responsive and responsible budget that meets the economic challenges of our time,” said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo.

“It will provide significant tax relief, install economic safeguards and help fuel economic growth. It addresses our top priority of making the lives of New Jersey’s residents more affordable. It includes a full pension payment, a record amount of school aid, a robust surplus to protect against economic uncertainty and a debt defeasance fund to drive down debt. We need to continue to be fiscally responsible with the use of our resources at the same time we expand economic opportunities that build a better future for New Jersey and our residents.”

“This budget highlights the priorities of a New Jersey that values its residents, promotes inclusivity, and invests in our future,” said Assembly Budget Committee Chairwoman Eliana Pintor Marin.

“Together, we are ensuring that hardworking families receive the retirement security they deserve, access to safe and affordable homes, relief from property taxes, and quality education that empowers our children to thrive.”

“I would like to thank my staff at the Department of the Treasury, particularly the hardworking folks at the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Revenue and Economic Analysis for their tireless dedication and professionalism. The budget signed by the governor today continues our commitment to making the state a more affordable place to live, work, raise a family, and retire,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio.

“With unprecedented tax relief for our seniors and middle-class families, a third full pension payment in as many years, record funding of our best-in-the-nation schools and a budget surplus of approximately 15 percent, this budget maintains sound fiscal management that helps prepare for the Next New Jersey.”

The $54.5 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY2024) includes a historic surplus of $8.3 billion, which is more than 15 percent of budgeted appropriations, dwarfing the surplus inherited five years ago.

Increasing Affordability

With the FY2024 budget, a total of 20 tax cuts for working and middle-class families and seniors have been enacted under the Murphy Administration, including more than $2 billion in direct property tax relief for the second year of the ANCHOR property tax relief program. As the State begins to phase-in the newly enacted StayNJ property tax relief program championed by Assembly Speaker Coughlin, ANCHOR will provide a $250 boost in relief for senior homeowners and renters this year. Eligible senior tenants will now see their relief boosted by more than 55 percent to $700 in the coming year and homeowners will receive $1,250 or $1,750, depending on their income.

 

The StayNJ senior property tax credit affordability program expands income limits and modifies ownership requirements with the aim of cutting property taxes in half for many eligible New Jersey seniors by providing a direct credit of up to $6,500 on property tax bills when fully implemented.

 

Additional relief for seniors was also enacted alongside the budget, which will expand eligibility for the Senior Freeze property tax relief program next year for those with incomes up to $150,000, up from roughly $100,000. To further help boost affordability for seniors, the budget and legislation signed alongside it (S3/A3), sponsored by Senator Joseph Vitale and Assemblyman Chris Tully, also increases eligibility for the State’s senior prescription drug and hearing aid programs to help make New Jersey more affordable for individuals of all ages.

 

In addition to raising the income eligibility limits for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Program (PAAD) to benefit more seniors, the new law includes a number of directives to encourage enrollment in both PAAD and the Senior Gold Prescription Program, including establishing a grant program in the Department of Human Services to support the hiring and training of Senior Save Navigators to assist residents in applying for programs such as PAAD and Senior Gold.

 

For working- and middle-class families, the budget delivers significant relief by including the Governor’s proposal to double the Child Tax Credit that was enacted last year. The program will now provide up to $1,000 per child under age six for families earning under $30,000.

 

For the second year in a row, the budget includes a back-to-school sales tax holiday and waives the fee for entrance into all State parks for another year, including Island Beach State Park. To help boost the ranks of teachers in New Jersey the budget also waives the fee for teacher certification, as proposed by the Governor this year.

 

For the sixth straight year, the Governor has also promised no fare increases for NJ TRANSIT commuters.

 

Additionally, the budget continues to increase indirect property tax relief by providing $150 million in Energy Tax Receipts-related payments to extend the Municipal Relief Fund for an additional year, doubling last year’s funding, which is designed to offset the burden on local property taxpayers by providing additional aid to municipalities.

Expanding Educational Opportunity

The budget also supports the Governor’s commitment to supporting New Jersey’s best-in-the-nation public education system by providing another record total of $11 billion in direct K-12 aid for public schools, including an increase of $832 million, as well as $103 million in supplemental stabilization aid enacted in April for school districts adjusting to changes in aid based on enrollment. With this latest budget, the State has now increased overall K-12 support to New Jersey’s public schools by more than $2.6 billion over six years, a more than 30 percent increase, all of which helps offset local property taxes.

Advancing the Governor’s goal of universal pre-K, the budget includes an additional $116 million for pre-school education aid, $40 million of which will go towards expanding programs in new districts as well as other critical needs for further expansion.

Additionally, the Governor is working to shore up the ranks of teachers, budgeting over $20 million in new investments and other supports to help ensure New Jersey has the trained and dedicated workforce to provide a top-quality education for public school students years into the future. This includes $10 million for student teacher stipends to help future educators meet the costs of living while working and studying for their credentials, $5 million to waive teacher certification fees, $2 million for Culture and Climate Innovation Grants to help improve educator quality of life, $1 million for the Teachers Loan Redemption Program, $1 million to develop local partnerships for para-professional training, $800,000 for a teacher apprenticeship program, and $500,000 to expand the Teacher Leader Network. The proposed budget also maintains funding for Men of Color Hope Achievers (MOCHA) and the Minority Teacher Development Programs to support a diverse educator workforce.

To accelerate learning outcomes, the State will also dedicate nearly $55 million this year in federal funds for learning acceleration and other recovery programs, as proposed by the Governor.

The budget also strengthens the Governor’s “College Promise” programs by increasing the eligibility threshold for both the Community College Opportunity Grant and the Garden State Guarantee so that students with family incomes up to $100,000 can benefit. Additionally, the budget increases the value of Tuition Aid Grants for over 20,000 students and expands the Some College, No Degree program, so that former students with some credit receive the support they need to complete school.

The budget also provides over $150 million in the Outcomes-Based Allocation this year for State colleges and universities, compared to $55 million in FY2023, to help keep tuition affordable and support the next generation of New Jersey’s educated workforce. Additionally, it includes $70 million to help cover fringe benefit costs at public research universities, an additional $20 million for community colleges, and an additional $5 million for independent colleges and universities.

Increasing Affordability

With the FY2024 budget, a total of 20 tax cuts for working and middle-class families and seniors have been enacted under the Murphy Administration, including more than $2 billion in direct property tax relief for the second year of the ANCHOR property tax relief program. As the State begins to phase-in the newly enacted StayNJ property tax relief program championed by Assembly Speaker Coughlin, ANCHOR will provide a $250 boost in relief for senior homeowners and renters this year. Eligible senior tenants will now see their relief boosted by more than 55 percent to $700 in the coming year and homeowners will receive $1,250 or $1,750, depending on their income.

 

The StayNJ senior property tax credit affordability program expands income limits and modifies ownership requirements with the aim of cutting property taxes in half for many eligible New Jersey seniors by providing a direct credit of up to $6,500 on property tax bills when fully implemented.

 

Additional relief for seniors was also enacted alongside the budget, which will expand eligibility for the Senior Freeze property tax relief program next year for those with incomes up to $150,000, up from roughly $100,000. To further help boost affordability for seniors, the budget and legislation signed alongside it (S3/A3), sponsored by Senator Joseph Vitale and Assemblyman Chris Tully, also increases eligibility for the State’s senior prescription drug and hearing aid programs to help make New Jersey more affordable for individuals of all ages.

 

In addition to raising the income eligibility limits for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Program (PAAD) to benefit more seniors, the new law includes a number of directives to encourage enrollment in both PAAD and the Senior Gold Prescription Program, including establishing a grant program in the Department of Human Services to support the hiring and training of Senior Save Navigators to assist residents in applying for programs such as PAAD and Senior Gold.

 

For working- and middle-class families, the budget delivers significant relief by including the Governor’s proposal to double the Child Tax Credit that was enacted last year. The program will now provide up to $1,000 per child under age six for families earning under $30,000.

 

For the second year in a row, the budget includes a back-to-school sales tax holiday and waives the fee for entrance into all State parks for another year, including Island Beach State Park. To help boost the ranks of teachers in New Jersey the budget also waives the fee for teacher certification, as proposed by the Governor this year.

 

For the sixth straight year, the Governor has also promised no fare increases for NJ TRANSIT commuters.

 

Additionally, the budget continues to increase indirect property tax relief by providing $150 million in Energy Tax Receipts-related payments to extend the Municipal Relief Fund for an additional year, doubling last year’s funding, which is designed to offset the burden on local property taxpayers by providing additional aid to municipalities.

Expanding Educational Opportunity

The budget also supports the Governor’s commitment to supporting New Jersey’s best-in-the-nation public education system by providing another record total of $11 billion in direct K-12 aid for public schools, including an increase of $832 million, as well as $103 million in supplemental stabilization aid enacted in April for school districts adjusting to changes in aid based on enrollment. With this latest budget, the State has now increased overall K-12 support to New Jersey’s public schools by more than $2.6 billion over six years, a more than 30 percent increase, all of which helps offset local property taxes.

Advancing the Governor’s goal of universal pre-K, the budget includes an additional $116 million for pre-school education aid, $40 million of which will go towards expanding programs in new districts as well as other critical needs for further expansion.

Additionally, the Governor is working to shore up the ranks of teachers, budgeting over $20 million in new investments and other supports to help ensure New Jersey has the trained and dedicated workforce to provide a top-quality education for public school students years into the future. This includes $10 million for student teacher stipends to help future educators meet the costs of living while working and studying for their credentials, $5 million to waive teacher certification fees, $2 million for Culture and Climate Innovation Grants to help improve educator quality of life, $1 million for the Teachers Loan Redemption Program, $1 million to develop local partnerships for para-professional training, $800,000 for a teacher apprenticeship program, and $500,000 to expand the Teacher Leader Network. The proposed budget also maintains funding for Men of Color Hope Achievers (MOCHA) and the Minority Teacher Development Programs to support a diverse educator workforce.

To accelerate learning outcomes, the State will also dedicate nearly $55 million this year in federal funds for learning acceleration and other recovery programs, as proposed by the Governor.

The budget also strengthens the Governor’s “College Promise” programs by increasing the eligibility threshold for both the Community College Opportunity Grant and the Garden State Guarantee so that students with family incomes up to $100,000 can benefit. Additionally, the budget increases the value of Tuition Aid Grants for over 20,000 students and expands the Some College, No Degree program, so that former students with some credit receive the support they need to complete school.

The budget also provides over $150 million in the Outcomes-Based Allocation this year for State colleges and universities, compared to $55 million in FY2023, to help keep tuition affordable and support the next generation of New Jersey’s educated workforce. Additionally, it includes $70 million to help cover fringe benefit costs at public research universities, an additional $20 million for community colleges, and an additional $5 million for independent colleges and universities.

Promoting Fiscal Responsibility

In addition to a record projected ending surplus of $8.3 billion – 20 times larger than the surplus the Murphy Administration inherited – the FY2024 budget also makes good on the Administration’s commitment to public sector employees by including the third consecutive full pension payment. The $7.1 billion payment, which includes contributions from the State Lottery, brings the total contribution to the pension fund under the Murphy Administration to $32.6 billion, nearly triple the $12.2 billion paid under the previous six administrations combined. The FY2024 payment will mark the first time in a quarter of a century that the State has contributed 100 percent of the Actuarially Determined Contribution three years in a row.

The budget also puts additional money in the Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund, bringing the current available balance to $2 billion to support important State infrastructure projects and avoid incurring new debt in the future. The FY2024 deposit brings the total allocation to the fund to $9.25 billion over the last two years, which has been used to retire existing debt while setting aside money to pay for upcoming projects that might otherwise be bonded. Over a two-year period, $3.5 billion from the fund has already been used to defease $4.7 billion in State debt service through FY2042, saving the State’s taxpayers $1.2 billion.

The continued commitment by the Governor and the Legislature to bolster the pension system, reduce debt, and build up the State’s surplus has saved taxpayers money and garnered a total of seven credit rating upgrades from the four major rating agencies over the last 16 months.

The budget also includes substantial funding to continue upgrading the State’s service-based infrastructure to ensure a more efficient delivery of essential services to taxpayers, including more than $40 million to continue improving the unemployment insurance system, digitizing more services at the Motor Vehicle Commission, and expanding the Division of Taxation’s property tax relief call center.

Expanding Opportunity and Promoting Economic Growth

The budget also places a concerted focus on expanding opportunities for every New Jerseyan in tandem with supporting economic growth, a hallmark of Governor Murphy’s time in office.

An $80 million allocation of federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds will be used to create an Urban Investment Fund and Atlantic City Economic Foundations Fund to work alongside current and proposed business incentive programs. The funds will aid in the revitalization of urban areas and catalyze new economic and community activity where shifting patterns of work and commuting since the pandemic have reduced foot traffic and created ongoing challenges to community vitality.

Grants from the fund would be flexible and responsive to the needs of cities and could include funding to reimagine the use of now-underutilized office space, support capital construction projects that renovate or restore vacant buildings, or build new destinations and spaces for urban communities. As proposed by the Governor in February, the budget also includes a specific set-aside for Atlantic City to improve public safety, rebuild distressed housing, and diversify economic development in the city.

The FY2024 budget also allocates $50 million in continued support for the Main Street Recovery Program, which funds multiple financial assistance products aimed at supporting the growth and success of small businesses in New Jersey.

The budget continues to expand job opportunities for New Jerseyans, increasing the allocation for the Workforce Development Partnership Fund (WDPF) by $5 million, to $27.5 million, to invest in apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and other programs that develop skills while bringing more women and minorities into job training opportunities. The State has invested a total of $50 million through grant programs since the Governor took office to create and develop work-based learning, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs across the state.

The budget also includes significant investments to grow New Jersey’s green economy and combat climate change, including $12 million more for the Clean Energy Program, which previously went to NJ TRANSIT, a $40 million Green Fund to leverage both private capital and federal funds, $20 million for the Resilience and Stormwater Planning and Infrastructure program, and an additional $10 million to support the continued installation of EV charging infrastructure throughout the State.

Additionally, the budget agreement includes $20 million to support the creation of a Social Impact Investment Fund, an innovative new financing tool to provide below-market loans for socially conscious projects in distressed municipalities.

The budget agreement also includes the $100 million Boardwalk Fund Governor Murphy initially proposed in February, which will support repairs and renovations to boardwalks up and down the Jersey shore that support the State’s tourism industry and provide a crucial economic engine.

The budget also includes an additional $20 million for continued development of the ambitious, new, nine-mile Greenway that will convert a former rail line into a new State park connecting eight Essex and Hudson County communities.

The budget agreement not only reduces NJ TRANSIT’s capital-to-operating transfer to its lowest level in 21 years, it also includes $137 million in new funding from the Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund to match federal funding earmarked for transportation-related capital investments. Additionally, the budget will expand the Department of Transportation’s innovative Simple Fix Safety program.

The FY2024 budget also funds substantial investments to improve public health and social outcomes and reduce long-standing disparities.

To that end, the budget includes nearly $300 million for a host of housing affordability initiatives, including over $100 million in federal ARP funds to build upon last year’s $300 million landmark creation of the Affordable Housing Production Fund. A new Urban Preservation Fund will provide $80 million to maintain affordability of existing units in New Jersey cities, and additional funds will be used to develop new workforce housing units to improve affordability in transit-served areas, enhance urban vitality, and launch a Resilient Homes Construction Pilot program to expand building stock and affordable homeownership across the state. All told, the Murphy Administration will have committed over $1.3 billion in federal ARP funds to housing programs over the last three fiscal years.

Drawing on the work of the Wealth Disparity Task Force, the budget also includes an additional $15 million to enhance the existing Down Payment Assistance Program to provide game-changing assistance for first-generation homebuyers and help families who have been excluded from homeownership for generations.

The budget also includes over $300 million more than last year in ARP and State funding to support hospital capital investments to bolster New Jersey’s public health infrastructure. This includes $30 million to create the City of Newark Access to Health Care Partnership, and $60 million in additional funding for University Hospital to expand and improve its emergency and maternity departments.

Additionally, the budget includes $86 million that was initially proposed by the Governor in February to support a one-time program through the Department of Human Services to subsidize training and recruitment for mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities service providers to help address what has become a national crisis.

As part of Governor Murphy’s national leadership on youth mental health, the budget also includes $43 million to launch the New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) network, which will deliver wellness and prevention supports from regional hubs. An additional $40 million will support providers across multiple divisions in the Department of Children and Families, including the Children’s System of Care.

The budget also continues to invest in improving maternal and infant health and mortality rates throughout New Jersey. As part of First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ initiative, the proposed budget includes new funds for a maternal health data center and to train community health workers and doulas. Additionally, $15.6 million in State funding will support the continued expansion of the landmark, statewide Universal Newborn Home Nurse Visitation Program, putting New Jersey further along the path to being one of the first states in the nation to provide this critical care for all mothers and newborns within the first two weeks of birth.

The budget also continues to provide crucial investments to make health care more affordable and accessible for every New Jerseyan, leveraging State and federal funding through the Get Covered New Jersey exchange, while also supporting Cover All Kids and funding a $10 million pilot program to eliminate personal medical debt.

To address the disparate, long-term impact that many justice system fees and fines can have on people of limited means, the budget includes Governor Murphy’s proposal to eliminate public defender fees, which are currently assessed on indigent clients regardless of whether they are ultimately found guilty. Additionally, the budget provides funding for the Parole Revocation Defense Unit and to increase the rates paid to attorneys assisting the Office of the Public Defender to help ensure that residents of limited means have access to an effective legal defense.

The budget also includes the Governor’s proposal to provide over $8 million in increased State funds to support the first-in-the-nation statewide expansion of the ARRIVE Together program, which stands for Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation and pairs police officers and State Troopers with mental health professionals when responding to a person who is experiencing a mental health crisis.

To ensure that the State’s first responders and law enforcement professionals receive the training and equipment necessary to protect and serve New Jersey’s nine million residents, the budget funds the Governor’s proposed doubling of the successful Firefighters Grant Program, bringing the total to $20 million. The budget also makes significant investments to strengthen the ranks of the New Jersey State Police, allocating $120 million to begin building a new training center for the next generation of New Jersey State Police and including an additional $5 million for the 166th State Trooper recruit class.

An additional one-page policy summary on the central commitments of the FY2024 budget can be found online here.

In addition to the Appropriations Act, Governor Murphy also signed the following bills into law today:

A-1/S-1 (Coughlin, Greenwald, Freiman, Swain, Moriarty, Wimberly, Lopez, Tully/Scutari, Gopal, Lagana) – Establishes Stay NJ senior property tax credit affordability program; expands income limit and modifies ownership requirement for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement; appropriates not more than $300 million

S-3980/A-5673 (Sarlo/Freiman) – Credits $400 million to “New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund”; appropriates $371 million to DOC, DLPS, South Jersey Port Corporation, and DOT; establishes process for authorizing future appropriations for debt defeasance and capital projects

A-5668/S-3978 (Pintor Marin/Sarlo) – Makes FY 2023 supplemental appropriations of $158,525,000 and modifies certain language provisions

A-5590/S-3941 (Lampitt, Carter, Jasey/Gopal) – Waives certain certification and credentialing fees for teachers for one year

S-3940/A-5672 (Ruiz, Singleton/Reynolds-Jackson, Speight, Spearman) – Increases child tax credit under gross income tax

A-3/S-3 (Tully, Moriarty, McKnight, Freiman, Quijano, Mukherji, Swain, Carter/Vitale, Lagana, Zwicker) – Revises income eligibility criteria for, and provides for promotion of, PAAD and Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program; establishes “Senior Save Navigator Grant Program” to assist applicants with NJ Save applications.

A-590/S-405 (Spearman, McKnight, Haider/Johnson, Singer) – Codifies, and increases under certain circumstances, current minimum Medicaid per diem reimbursement rates for assisted living residences, comprehensive personal care homes, and assisted living programs; makes appropriation

A-5082/S-3587 (Greenwald, Mukherji, McKnight/Lagana, Gopal) – Establishes Medicaid per diem rate for pediatric medical day care services delivered by provider offering on-site services; appropriates $3.6 million to DHS

A-5173/S-2362 (McKnight, Speight, Tully/Beach, Madden) – Requires hourly reimbursement rate for home health aide services provided through Statewide Respite Care Program and Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving Program to be no less than Medicaid fee-for-service rate for personal care services; makes appropriation

A-4674/S-3278 (Moriarty, Danielsen, McKnight/Stanfield, Bucco) – Concerns eligibility for senior freeze reimbursement if eligible claimant exceeds income limit

S-2857/A-4167 (Gopal, Ruiz/Benson, Sumter, Verrelli) – Establishes “Sustainable New Jersey Fund” in DEP to support certain sustainability initiatives; appropriates $1 million

A-5209/S-3615 (Freiman/Sarlo, Zwicker) – Establishes Agritourism Fund; requires annual appropriation of $2.5 million from General Fund; appropriates $2.5 million

S-4052/A-5654 (Smith/Freiman, Reynolds-Jackson, Quijano) – Appropriates $9,184,427 to DEP from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and for certain administrative expenses.

S-4018/A-5584 (Johnson, Turner/Jimenez, Freiman, Moriarty) – Revises New Jersey False Claims Act to comply with federal law for purposes of entitling State to enhanced recovery in Medicaid fraud cases

A-2190/S-3075 (Caputo, Chaparro, Greenwald/Beach, Polistina) – Extends authorization for Internet gaming law to 2028

A-5606/S-3953 (Haider, Moen/Sarlo) – Appropriates unexpended funds from “1999 Statewide Transportation and Local Bridge Fund”

Revenue Certification

S-2024/A-5669 (Sarlo/Pintor Marin) – LINE ITEM VETO – Appropriates $54,357,547,000 in State funds and $26,144,171,463 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2023-2024.

Line Item Veto Statement

Line Item Veto Message

The Governor also conditionally vetoed the following bills earlier today and signed them later in the day upon concurrence by the Legislature:

A-4701/S-3144 (Pintor Marin, Speight, Schaer/Gopal, Ruiz, Singer) – Supplemental appropriation of $3.6 million to DHS to increase adult medical day care Medicaid per diem rate from $86.10 to $89.54

Conditional Veto Message

S-4053/A-5655 (Greenstein, Turner/Sumter, Tully) – Appropriates $87,783,515 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.

Conditional Veto Message

About Us: The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) advances the quality of life for residents of and communities throughout New Jersey by investing in, financing, and facilitating access to affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with specialized housing needs. To learn more about NJHMFA, visit: https://NJHousing.gov/

Categories
Energy Government International & World Regulations & Security Science Technology

EMP expert shares message of hope, advises about impact of strikes and attacks

For nearly two decades, William R. Forstchen, Ph.D., a military historian and renowned expert on nuclear energy (electromagnetic pulse) EMP strikes, has been spreading the word about the importance of updating America’s aging power grid to not only protect our population in the event of an EMP attack, but to also make our opponents think twice about launching one in the first place. Dr. Forstchen is also a New York Times bestselling author who has written extensively about EMP weapons.

 

EMP expert shares message of hope, and says working together as a community is key

 

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Military historian William R. Forstchen, Ph.D., considers himself an optimist by nature, even though he has written extensively about the catastrophic impact of an EMP strike and has spent nearly two decades urging national and local governments to heed his warnings.

 

“In the first hours, people will be relatively civil to each other … but at what point does that start changing?” he said in a recent interview. “Within about 24 hours, it’s going to start to get squirrely, and the big factor right at the start is water.”

 

Widely considered one of the foremost experts on EMP attacks, Forstchen is the New York Times bestselling author of the One Second After series, a fictional exploration rooted in the cold, solid facts of how an EMP strike above U.S. soil would impact society. There are now four books in the series, which should give people hope that survival is possible, with the right measures and mindset in place.

 

“The component of my [first] book that was so important … is the realization that the only way we’re going to get through this as a community is by working together as a community, helping those who need help … and then planning realistically for how we’re going to get through the next six months, the next year, and still have food on hand, water supply, medication, etc.,” Forstchen added.

 

The latest book in the series, Five Years After, follows protagonist John Matherson as he contends with new threats to the fragile civilization that he helped rebuild.

 

In Five Years After, the Republic of New America has all but collapsed into regional powers, and the world at large is struggling to remain stable as regional conflicts ravage the post-EMP landscape. After several years attempting to lead a quiet life, John receives word that the President is terminal with cancer, and John is asked to take over the reins of government.

 

Pulled back into the fray, John struggles to hold the tottering Republic together. Facing threats on multiple fronts, he races against time to stop another EMP attack on the former United States and China, putting years of progress at risk. With so much of his work under threat, John must find the strength within to start over, so that he can save the country and the people that he holds dear from even greater calamity.

 

Forstchen’s depiction of a post-EMP society throughout his One Second After series is rooted in years of extensive research, and he has long been advocating for greater awareness and preparation against an EMP strike, which he considers a very real threat. His goal is not to alarm, but to prompt proactive measures to protect the American public.

 

“We’ve got to live our lives; we’ve got to enjoy ourselves … don’t make this the obsession,” Forstchen said of the topic of EMPs. “But it should be out there. You should be thinking about this and doing some basic planning.”

 

About the Author

William R. Forstchen is a New York Times bestselling author and a Professor of History at Montreat College, in Montreat, North Carolina. He holds a doctoral degree from Purdue University with a specialization in military history and technology. He is the author of more than 50 books, including the One Second After series that details the realistic effects of an EMP strike.

 

He is a noted expert historian and public speaker and has been interviewed on FOX News, C-SPAN and many others on topics ranging from history to technology and cultural issues, to space technology development, to security threats.

 

For more information about the One Second After series, please visit https://www.onesecondafter.com/.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Five-Years-After-Matherson-Novel/dp/1250854563/

Categories
Culture Environment Government Healthcare Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events Science

Who you gonna call? Mercer Mosquito Control

Summer’s most unwelcome guest, the mosquito, is here, and even though Mercer County runs a highly sophisticated Mosquito Control program to safeguard the health of residents, mosquitoes remain a reality throughout the warmer months.

PHOTO: Mercer County Mosquito Control staff with Gen. Supervisor Nick Indelicato, kneeling, right.

“While our crews can help mitigate the nuisance, mosquitoes are a backyard problem, and community involvement is crucial for success in controlling them,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

“I urge our residents to take some simple measures, such as eliminating standing water in and around their homes, to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes.”

Female mosquitoes lay eggs on the walls of water-filled containers. To keep those eggs from hatching and becoming adult mosquitoes, residents should do the following:

• Empty out water from containers in your yard such as buckets, recycle bins and potted-plant saucers.
• Store tires indoors or away from rain. Check for tire recycling programs in your area.
• Empty and replace water in bird baths at least once a week. Remember: water plus seven days equals mosquitoes.
• Make sure drain pipes slope downward. These drain pipes are dominated by Asian tiger mosquito immatures, and this species is an aggressive day biter.
• Maintain your pool. Remove water from tarps and pool covers.

 

Other steps residents can take include keeping mosquitoes out of the home by installing or repairing window screens and using air conditioning when available; and preventing mosquito bites by using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent with an active ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD).

 

If you’ve done all you can to control the mosquito populations by removing water sources and believe you need further help, you can fill out an inspection request and a member of our team will assist.

 

For more information about protecting your family from mosquitoes all summer long, as well as up-to-date information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit the Mercer County Mosquito Control website or watch our video, Mercer County Mosquito Control in the field – YouTube.

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Culture Government Lifestyle News Now! Politics Programs & Events Regulations & Security Travel & Leisure

Temporary Protected Status designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua reinstated and extended for 18 months

Current Beneficiaries Must Re-register to Maintain Their Status After June 30, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently posted Federal Register notices extending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua for 18 months.

 

These notices follow the decision of Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, announced June 13, 2023, to rescind the 2017 and 2018 terminations of these designations and extend the reinstated designations for 18 months.

 

Secretary Mayorkas decided to extend TPS after consulting with interagency partners and carefully considering the ongoing conditions in El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. As always, DHS closely monitors conditions around the world to assess whether new TPS designations are warranted.

 

TPS beneficiaries under the four designations must re-register to maintain their TPS throughout the 18-month extension. DHS previously extended the validity of TPS-related documentation for current beneficiaries through June 30, 2024, to ensure continued compliance with court orders in the litigation challenging the now-rescinded termination decisions. The new notices do not affect that action. Re-registration is limited to individuals who previously registered for and were granted TPS under the prior designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua.

 

Individuals who arrived in the United States after the continuous residence dates for these designations are not eligible for TPS. The respective continuous residence dates are Feb. 13, 2001, for El Salvador; Dec. 30, 1998, for Honduras; June 24, 2015, for Nepal; and Dec. 30, 1998, for Nicaragua.

 

El Salvador
DHS is extending the designation of El Salvador for TPS for 18 months, from Sept. 10, 2023, through March 9, 2025. Additionally, DHS considers that the designation of El Salvador for TPS has been automatically extended in 6-month increments since March 9, 2018, under INA § 244(b)(3)(C). The extension allows approximately 239,000 current TPS beneficiaries to re-register to retain TPS through March 9, 2025, if they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through March 9, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from July 12, 2023, through Sept. 10, 2023.

 

Honduras
DHS is extending the designation of Honduras for TPS for 18 months, from January 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025. DHS considers that the designation of Honduras for TPS has been automatically extended in 6-month increments since July 5, 2018, under INA § 244(b)(3)(C). The extension allows approximately 76,000 existing TPS beneficiaries to re-register to retain TPS through July 5, 2025, if they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through July 5, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024.

 

Nepal
DHS is extending the designation of Nepal for TPS for 18 months, from Dec. 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025. DHS considers that the designation of Nepal for TPS has been automatically extended in 6-month increments since June 24, 2018, under INA § 244(b)(3)(C). The extension allows approximately 14,500 existing TPS beneficiaries to re-register to retain TPS through June 24, 2025, if they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through June 24, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from Oct. 24, 2023, through Dec. 23, 2023.

 

Nicaragua
DHS is extending the designation of Nicaragua for TPS for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025. Additionally, DHS considers that the designation of Nicaragua for TPS has been automatically extended in 6-month increments since Jan. 5, 2018, under INA § 244(b)(3)(C). The extension allows approximately 4,000 current TPS beneficiaries to re-register to retain TPS through July 5, 2025, if they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through July 5, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from Nov. 6, 2023, through Jan. 5, 2024.

 

The rescission of the terminations for the designations of these four countries for TPS is effective as of June 9, 2023

Categories
Economics Government Lifestyle Local News Perks Programs & Events

MOU finalizes $305 million allocation of federal funds for New Jersey’s Affordable Housing Production Fund

TRENTON, N.J. -– The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to finalize federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for the State’s Affordable Housing Production Fund (AHPF) on June 20.
The MOU between NJHMFA and the Department of Community Affairs finalizes the $305 million allocated in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget towards the AHPF, aiding in the development of thousands of new affordable housing units in New Jersey.
The AHPF, which is administered by NJHMFA, was established by Governor Murphy in his Fiscal Year 2023 budget with the goal of building over 3,300 new affordable housing units across approximately 43 developments statewide. The AHPF was designed to allow for the full completion of all 100 percent affordable housing projects identified in municipal housing settlements that have yet to be built, eliminating the state’s backlog of these projects by the end of the Governor’s second term.

 

“In launching the Affordable Housing Production Fund last year, we took an urgent approach to addressing the affordable housing needs in our state,” said Governor Murphy.

 

“No family should ever have to experience the stress of finding an affordable place to call home. In building the Next New Jersey, this Administration remains committed to making affordable housing accessible to the individuals and families who call this great state home.”

 

“Governor Murphy’s full funding of 3,300 housing units through the Affordable Housing Production Fund is a huge step forward towards meeting the extreme need for quality, affordable housing in New Jersey,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver who serves as the Commissioner of the NJ Department of Community Affairs.

 

Since the launch of the AHPF, NJHMFA has already dedicated $202 million to support the construction of 3,020 new affordable housing units. The remainder of the funds will create close to another 1,000 new units.

 

“The Affordable Housing Production Fund is a key component of New Jersey’s comprehensive strategy to address housing access and affordability,” said Melanie R. Walter, Executive Director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

 

“As of June 2023, we have committed two-thirds of the entire allocation amount, and we expect to allocate the remainder by the end of the upcoming fiscal year. With this MOU, we can begin expending the funds immediately. The Production Fund is helping New Jersey communities realize their affordable housing goals at an unprecedented rate, ensuring its impact will be felt for decades to come.”

 

The MOU approval allows for distribution of funds to begin immediately.

 

About Us: The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) advances the quality of life for residents of and communities throughout New Jersey by investing in, financing, and facilitating access to affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with specialized housing needs. To learn more about NJHMFA, visit: https://NJHousing.gov

Categories
Business Economics Energy Environment Government Lifestyle

OPT adopts tax benefits preservation plan to protect long-term shareholder value By Preserving Significant Tax Assets

MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (“OPT” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: OPTT), a leader in innovative and cost-effective low-carbon marine power, data, and service solutions, announced on Friday that its Board of Directors has approved the adoption of a tax benefits preservation plan (or “the plan”) in the form of a Section 382 Rights Agreement.

 

The plan is designed to protect and preserve OPT’s tax assets primarily associated with net operating loss carryforwards or NOLs that could potentially be utilized in certain circumstances to offset OPT’s future taxable income and reduce its federal income tax liability.

 

Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes limitations on the future use of a company’s NOLs if it undergoes an “ownership change.” OPT’s ability to benefit from its tax assets would be substantially limited by Section 382 if an “ownership change” occurred. A company experiences an “ownership change” for tax purposes if the percentage of stock owned by one or a group of its 5% stockholders (as defined for tax purposes) increases by more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period over the lowest percentage of stock of such corporation owned by such stockholders at any time during that period.

 

OPT’s tax benefits preservation plan is similar to those adopted by numerous other public companies with significant NOLs. In order to protect OPT’s NOLs from being limited or permanently lost under Section 382, the tax benefits preservation plan is intended to reduce the likelihood of an unintended “ownership change” occurring through the buying and selling of OPT’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “common stock”). OPT’s tax benefits preservation plan is intended to deter any person or group from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more of OPT’s outstanding common stock without the approval of the Board. OPT’s tax benefits preservation plan does not, however, block anyone from buying or selling OPT’s common stock. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the tax benefits preservation plan will prevent an “ownership change.”

 

Under the terms of the tax benefits preservation plan, OPT will distribute to its stockholders one preferred stock purchase right for each share of OPT’s common stock held as of the close of business on July 11, 2023. Any shares of common stock issued after the July 11, 2023 record date will be issued together with associated preferred stock purchase rights.

 

Under the tax benefits preservation plan, the rights will initially trade with OPT’s common stock. The rights will generally become exercisable only if a person (or any persons acting as a group) acquires beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more of OPT’s outstanding common stock, without the approval of the Board, after the first public announcement by OPT of the adoption of the tax benefits preservation plan. A person or group who acquires, without the approval of the Board, beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more of OPT’s outstanding common stock could be subject to significant dilution.

 

If the preferred stock purchase rights become exercisable, all holders of rights, other than the person or group triggering the rights, will be entitled to purchase OPT’s common stock at a 50% discount. The Board also has the option to cause the exchange of one share of common stock for each preferred stock purchase right held (other than the rights held by the person or group triggering the rights). Preferred stock purchase rights held by the person or group triggering the rights will become null and void and will not be exercisable, exchangeable, or transferable.

 

Stockholders who beneficially owned 4.99% or more of OPT’s outstanding common stock prior to the first public announcement by OPT of the adoption of the tax benefits preservation plan will not trigger any penalties under the tax benefits preservation plan so long as they do not acquire beneficial ownership of any additional shares of common stock (other than pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, or similar transaction effected by OPT) at a time when they still beneficially own 4.99% or more of such common stock. The Board also has the discretion to exempt any acquisition of OPT’s common stock from the provisions of the tax benefits preservation plan.

 

The preferred stock purchase rights and the tax benefits preservation plan will expire no later than June 29, 2026. The preferred stock purchase rights and the tax benefits preservation plan may also expire on an earlier date upon the occurrence of other events, including a determination by OPT’s Board that the tax benefits preservation plan is no longer necessary for the preservation of OPT’s tax attributes. The preferred stock purchase rights may also be redeemed, exchanged, or terminated prior to their expiration.

 

Additional information with respect to the tax benefits preservation plan will be contained in the related Current Report on Form 8-K and Registration Statement on Form 8-A that OPT will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these documents can be obtained free of charge, when available, at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, and at OPT’s website, www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com.

 

About Ocean Power Technologies

OPT is a provider of ocean energy and intelligent data services. OPT provides these services through its innovative low-carbon distributed and autonomous ocean power and data solutions, combined with its offshore engineering and design services. ‘OPT’s PowerBuoy® platforms offer persistent, reliable, and economical power and communications for remote surface and subsea applications for markets such as offshore energy, defense and security, science and research, and communications. OPT is headquartered in Monroe Township, New Jersey. To learn more, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is subject to the safe harbors created by such laws. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may relate to, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future taxable income, our ability to utilize and realize the value of our net operating loss carryforwards and how they could be limited or eliminated if we experienced an ownership change as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and whether the tax benefits preservation plan will reduce the likelihood of such an unintended ownership change from occurring. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Information on factors that may impact these forward-looking statements can be found in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections contained in OPT’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and its latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained from www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof. Notwithstanding changes that may occur with respect to matters relating to any forward-looking statements, OPT assumes no obligation to publicly update, amend, or clarify its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may otherwise be required by the federal securities laws. OPT, however, reserves the right to update such statements or any portion thereof at any time for any reason.

Contacts

Investors:

609-730-0400 x401

InvestorRelations@oceanpowertech.com

Media:

609-730-0400 x402

MediaRelations@oceanpowertech.com

or

Longacre Square Partners

Dan Zacchei / Rebecca Kral

dzacchei@longacresquare.com / rkral@longacresquare.com