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Families will have a happy & healthy summer w/ top picks from Sugar Plum & more

From Sugar Plum‘s zesty nuts for summer get-togethers to Modular Closets‘ Value Closet Kit that will help declutter the home, to the PURGGO car air eco-purifier & freshener that will freshen up family road trips, these products will help families have the best summer yet!

 

Sugar Plum’s Zesty & Delicious Nuts Are Tasty Summer Snacks

Sugar Plum Around The World Spicy Nut Sampler (Amazon)
Spices have been used since antiquity and even led to the Age of Discovery, in which explorers traveled the world looking for these elusive flavors. Sugar Plum’s Around the World Sampler lets you do some culinary exploration of your own without even leaving your couch. You’ll enjoy globally-inspired peanuts with flavors consisting of African Piri Piri, Caribbean Jerk, Coconut Curry Thai, Mexican Spiced Cocoa, and Moroccan Harissa Lime. These five sweet and spicy flavors of peanuts are sure to take you on the journey you didn’t know you needed – no passport required. Retails for $34.99 at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5Y6744N
Sugar Plum Kettle-Cooked Pumpkin Spice Almonds
Crunchy, tasty, vegan-friendly and packed full of flavor, Sugar Plum’s handcrafted Kettle-Cooked Pumpkin Spice Almonds are the undisputed taste-of-the-fall snacking champion! Generously coated with specially-crafted and tailor-made blend cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and other exotic spices which tastefully amplify the nutty flavor of the almonds to craft a pumpkin spice flavor that is second-to-none. Five 3-Ounce Bags retails for $24.99 at https://www.sugar-plum.com/products/pumpkin-spice-almond?_pos=1&_sid=83cd91080&_ss=r
Organize Your Home This Summer w/ the Modular Closets Value Closet Kit (ShareASale & Skimlinks)

*Limited Samples Available* 

Made in the USA, Modular Closets’ DIY, pre-designed Value Closet Kit will give you the gift of an organized and decluttered closet! A must-have for decluttering, it tastefully maximizes the space in a reach-in closet, making storage convenient and appealing. Neat and minimalistic, this kit doubles some hanging areas while still accommodating longer garments.

The shelves are designed strategically for utmost convenience (includes adjustable shelving). With its neutral look blending into and even complementing any decor, this easy-to-install closet is a timeless favorite. The high-quality closet system is wall-mounted with the company’s patented cleat system and features eco-friendly wood production. Available in White or Grey, the closet kit retails for $494.99+ at https://www.modularclosets.com/products/value-closet-kit?variant=41586109218998
Modular Closets offers media affiliates 8% commissions via ShareASale and Skimlinks. We would also be more than happy to offer an exclusive discount for your readers.

Improve Your Family’s Summer Sleep Hygiene w/ Manta Sleep Masks (Refersion & Amazon)

Manta Sleep Mask KIDS, the World’s Comfiest Sleep Mask for Children

The world’s comfiest sleep mask for children, Manta Sleep Mask KIDS offers 100% blackout even in broad daylight, so little ones can fall asleep more easily and get better, deeper sleep. This kids’ sleep mask is infinitely adjustable for a perfect fit, year after year. It has a fully adjustable head strap and eye cups that allow for fine customization of its size. The mask also puts zero pressure on the eyelids or lashes. And the super-soft, hypoallergenic materials offer total comfort — whether they sleep on their back, side or stomach.

 

A generic kids’ sleep mask uses poor-quality materials and falls apart within weeks. In contrast, Manta Sleep Mask KIDS’ high-quality materials and durable build ensure that it will last for years. Manta Sleep Mask KIDS comes in 2 bold colors: arctic blue or periwinkle. From the fit to the materials to its striking, colorful design, every aspect of Manta Sleep Mask KIDS is engineered for kids. Retails for $29.00 at https://mantasleep.com/products/manta-kids-mask

 

Manta Sleep Mask

Manta Sleep Masks will help you get a great nap and enjoy a wonderful night of deep sleep. Manta Sleep Mask is the only mask designed, constructed and optimized for deepest-possible sleep in any environment. Great for naps, it provides 100% blackout for maximized sleep quality — so users feel 100%, all the time. Just a pinprick of light can disrupt REM and deep sleep, leading to post-sleep tiredness. That’s why Manta perfectly covers and conforms to the eyes to block 100% of light. Manta Sleep Mask retails for $39 on Amazon.

 

**Manta Sleep’s Shopify store offers an affiliate program, with much higher percentage payout compared to Amazon’s program. The sign up link for the affiliate program is: https://mantasleep.refersion.com/

 

Freshen Up Family Road Trips with the PURGGO Car Air Eco-Purifier & Freshener (Amazon)

A smelly car will make any family road trip much more stressful — freshen up your car with the minimalistic and all-natural PURGGO car air eco-purifier & freshener! It’s made with pure and sustainable natural bamboo charcoal, which absorbs & eliminates odor instead of masking it. Fragrance- & allergen-free, the PURGGO is all-natural, non-toxic, and 100% asthma and allergy friendly.

 

PURGGO perfectly combines nature, science, and love. All the product contains is pure all-natural moso bamboo charcoal, one of the most renewable natural resources in the world and Mother Nature’s purifier, which has been carbonized and activated at 1110°F – 1300°F (600°C – 700°C). Bamboo charcoal is a tried and tested air cleanser that’s been used in Asian countries for thousands of years. On top of this, it lasts for 365+ days (longer lasting than any product available worldwide) and works continuously in the background! Retails for $23.99 on Amazon.

 

 

Stay Comfortable & Stylish this Summer w/ Medical Scrubs Collection Fashions (ShareASale)

Medical Scrubs Collection strives to offer customers comfortable and chic fashions at the lowest prices on the web. The company’s sales reps are dedicated to guiding customers to find the perfect outfit that suits their needs and taste, all while offering incredible savings. Here are breezy and stylish fashions that will help parents & teens stay comfortable and chic all summer:
For Him

Medical Scrubs Collection Med Couture Activate Men’s Bonded Fleece Zip-Up Warm Up

This warm men’s bonded fleece jacket is perfect for layering! It features 2 in-seam welt pockets, a zipper closure, a sporty lapel collar, and hidden inside pockets. Made with Hi-Tech innovation, it retails for $43.99+ at https://medicalscrubscollection.com/med-couture-activate-mens-bonded-fleece-zip-up-warm-up-scrub-jacket-8688

 

 

Medical Scrubs Collection Barco Unify M6PKT Joggers

These comfy joggers are a must for running errands! They have a breezy fit, pockets, and are available in several classic colors. The joggers retail for $39.99+ at https://medicalscrubscollection.com/barco-unify-m6pkt-jogger-bup602

 

 

For Her

Medical Scrubs Collection WonderWink Renew WRN Wmns Convertible Hood Jacket

This jacket is so comfy and chic! Featuring a convenient pocket for a cell phone or keys and available in Caribbean and Rosebud, this jacket is a must-have for stylish ladies. Retails for $47.98+ at https://medicalscrubscollection.com/wonderwink-renew-wrn-wmns-convertible-hood-jacket-black-8134

 

 

Medical Scrubs Collection Dickies EDS Essentials Women’s Drawstring Jogger Scrub Pants-DK065

Joggers are the go-to for all on-the-go fashionistas! These snuggly, mid-rise joggers have a contemporary fit and feature a rib knit covered elastic waistband, front drawstring closure, 6 pockets, and comfy moisture-wicking fabric that has a 4-way stretch. They retail for $28.98+ at https://medicalscrubscollection.com/dickies-eds-essentials–womens-drawstring-jogger-scrub-pants-dk065

 

 

Medical Scrubs Collection WonderWink 123 Women’s Knit Waist Cargo Jogger Scrub Pants

 

 

With their multitude of pockets and comfy fabric, these pants are wonderful for summer travels. Featuring a full elastic knit waistband, 5 practical pockets, and elastic cuffs at the hem, they retail for $30.98+ at https://medicalscrubscollection.com/wonderwink-123-womens-knit-waist-cargo-jogger-scrub-pants-5555

Categories
Economics Government Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events Regulations & Security

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/

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Business Economics Healthcare Lifestyle Perks Technology

COVID-19 accelerates omnichannel shopping trend

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards omnichannel shopping, with consumers utilizing multiple channels and devices before making a purchase decision.

 

Businesses must understand the importance of creating a seamless and personalized experience that respects the consumers’ buying cycle with the help of technology or they may lose big on their revenue.

 

 

With the integration of omnichannel strategies, e-commerce businesses are now expected to account for 22.3% of all retail sales, with online retail sales projected to reach $6.51 trillion in 2023.

 

“Omnichannel is more than just multiple purchasing options. It’s a personalized journey that respects the consumer’s buying cycle and immerses them in a tailored experience through harmonious channels,” says Mikel Lindsaar, CEO and Founder of StoreConnect.

 

To succeed in an omnichannel world, businesses need a customer-centric focus.

 

Technology should reduce complexity and allow businesses to build an immersive unified experience for their customers. They need to choose an e-commerce platform that connects workflows, integrates with third-party solutions, and offers automation tools to scale faster across channels. The technology should incorporate:

  • One-click channel integration – One-click channel integration eliminates technical barriers to selling on popular platforms and helps in focusing on growing that channel rather than the development work behind it.
  • Cross-channel automation – Cross-channel automation helps in automating workflows to save time and reduce the manual work necessary to manage multiple channels.
  • Multi-channel payment gateways and POS – A robust POS system is needed to connect pop-up or brick-and-mortar sales with online sales through a centralized reporting hub.

 

For e-commerce businesses, it’s crucial to assess various channels and integrate them effectively into their ecosystem. Failure to do so can result in missed opportunities for growth, reduced customer satisfaction, and ultimately, decreased revenue. By carefully evaluating and optimizing their channels, businesses can ensure they are reaching their target audience and providing a seamless customer experience across all touchpoints.

 

Mikel Lindsaar, CEO and Founder of StoreConnect can speak on the following:

  1. What specific benefits can businesses expect to gain from the seamless integration, in terms of time savings and increased data accuracy?
  2. Are there any limitations or considerations that businesses should be aware of when integrating their existing systems with your e-commerce platform?
  3. What level of technical expertise is required for businesses to implement and manage the integration with the leading payment gateways, ERP platforms, and other software packages?
  4. Any examples or case studies of businesses that have successfully implemented the integration and experienced significant improvements in their operations?
  5. What are the leading payment gateways and ERP platforms that your ecommerce platform seamlessly integrates with?

About StoreConnect

Mikel Lindsaar, CEO and Founder of StoreConnect, is an experienced technology entrepreneur whose mission is to infuse small and medium-sized businesses with the power to be successful in eCommerce 3.0 and scale to meet growing demand. Small businesses can’t waste time setting up their business on a platform only to repeat the process by changing platforms when they want to scale, nor do they want to waste time figuring out how to integrate multiple platforms. StoreConnect (built on the World’s Number 1 CRM, Salesforce) gives clients a complete, powerful, configurable eCommerce and CRM solution where they can manage their website, online and in-store sales, provide amazing customer service, run all their digital marketing campaigns and have up-to-date detailed metrics, reporting and full understanding of their customer. They were awarded Salesforce’s 2021 International Partner Innovation Award of the year for the Retail sector. They are changing the ease with which small businesses are run — with a manageable price tag. StoreConnect is Time. Well Spent. For more information, visit https://getStoreConnect.com/

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Economics Environment Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events Travel & Leisure

Mercer County gets $175,000 grant for Johnson Trolley Trail study

TRENTON, N.J. — Mercer County has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) for a Johnson Trolley Trail Corridor study, County Executive Brian M. Hughes recently announced.

The County will develop an alignment for the Johnson Trolley Trail. This identified Circuit Trails network component provides enhanced connections from the City of Trenton through Ewing and Lawrence townships, and the Municipality of Princeton.

The project is the largest among the six selected in New Jersey by the DVRPC and will be funded through the Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) grant program.

“I thank the DVRPC for this generous grant award to help Mercer County, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, and our municipal partners advance this proposed bicycle and pedestrian trail link,” said Mr. Hughes. “The Johnson Trolley Trail Corridor would benefit our communities by promoting economic opportunity, transportation, recreation, and health in a climate-friendly way.”

“We are very grateful to the DVRPC, Mercer County, the City of Trenton, Ewing and Lawrence townships, and the Municipality of Princeton as partners in this endeavor,” said Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation Chair David Sandahl. “Working together, we will make the vision of reconnecting our communities a reality.”

The Johnson Trolley, named after Albert Johnson, a Kentucky native who operated a streetcar company in Cleveland and then acquired franchises in New Jersey among other states, began operating in 1902 and in its peak year of 1921, carried 1.6 million fares. A one-way trip between Princeton and Trenton took 35 minutes. The trolley’s heyday was short-lived, cut short by the automobile. The last passengers traveled the line in 1940. Today, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and many other trails make use of former rail lines, offering hikers and bikers a calmer alternative to the highway.

Created by DVRPC, TCDI grants utilize federal transportation funds to support planning initiatives that further our region’s progress toward DVRPC’s vision for an equitable, resilient, and sustainable region. Since its beginning in 2002, the TCDI program has awarded over 300 grants, invested over $22 million, and leveraged over $250 million to municipal and county partners.

“The TCDI program furthers local efforts to improve the quality of life for communities,” said Ariella Maron, Executive Director, DVRPC.

“This year’s projects seek to expand access to existing public transit, business centers, and recreational areas; make streets safer for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists; contribute to healthier neighborhoods by encouraging active transportation and decreasing congestion; and help to reduce our region’s carbon footprint.”

About the Transportation and Community Development Initiative

Initiated in 2002, TCDI is a competitive grant opportunity that provides funds to local planning initiatives that further progress towards the region’s long-range plan, Connections 2050: Plan for Greater Philadelphia. TCDI focuses on linking land use, transportation, and economic development by improving community quality of life; enhancing the existing transportation infrastructure access; promoting and encouraging the use of transit, bike, and pedestrian transportation modes; building municipal capacity; and protecting our environment. To date, the TCDI program has invested over $22 million and leveraged over $250 million to municipal and county partners.

About DVRPC

DVRPC is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the bi-state, nine-county Greater Philadelphia region. It includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer counties in New Jersey.

The Connections 2050 Long-Range Plan vision is an equitable, resilient, and sustainable Greater Philadelphia Region that: preserves and restores the natural environment; develops inclusive, healthy, and walkable communities; grows an innovative and connected economy with broadly shared prosperity; and maintains a safe, multimodal transportation network that serves everyone. Learn more at www.dvrpc.org.

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Art & Life Culture Economics Education Lifestyle Regulations & Security

Heading toward splitsville? Here’s how to take the high road

GREENWICH, Conn. — Attorney Jeffrey Stephens and psychologist Ronald Raymond help pave the way through legal and emotional aspects of divorce in their new book, The Road to Splitsville: How to Navigate the Road to Divorce without Making Yourself Crazy, Your Children Miserable, or Your Lawyer Wealthy … and Then Discover Your Path to Happiness.

 

Intended for folks seeking a less stressful, more amicable approach to divorce, The Road to Splitsville offers an abundance of practical, impartial and immensely helpful information designed to help keep matters less combative — and therefore less costly.

“Our purpose is to demystify this journey, simplify the expedition, minimize the emotional turmoil and expense, and have you reach the other side of this path without the scars so many suffer unnecessarily on the road to a new life,” the authors write in the book’s first chapter.

Topics covered include:

  • Confronting and understanding the “why” of the divorce
  • Techniques for dealing with the inevitable emotional factors
  • Choosing the legal process best suited for your individual circumstances
  • Selecting an attorney, managing that relationship and limiting the costs
  • What to do if you need help from a therapist and how to choose one
  • Avoiding advice from well-meaning, but dangerous, friends
  • How to deal with adult children of divorce
  • How to deal with young and adolescent children of divorce
  • How to handle the loss of love
  • How to rebuild your life and find happiness

Useful and interactive — with brief questionnaires to help readers see things more objectively — The Road to Splitsvilleis intended to make the journey toward ending a marriage a little less rocky.

“This book is for people who have concluded that divorce is inevitable,” Jeffrey Stephens added. “We hope to minimize the emotional and economic damage and point them toward a path to happiness.”

About the Authors

A native of New York City, Jeffrey Stephens is a successful attorney in private practice, having handled many divorces and family law issues, both in New York and Connecticut. Stephens has lived for more than 30 years in Greenwich, which is where he and his wife, Nancy, raised their two sons, Graham and Trevor. Stephens is the author of the Jordan Sandor thrillers, Targets of Deception, Targets of Opportunity, Targets of Revenge and Rogue Mission, as well as the Anthony Walker murder mystery Crimes and Passion and the Pencraft First Place Award winning novel, Fool’s Errand. His newest novel is the just released thriller The Handler from Post Hill Press.

Dr. Ronald Raymond is a clinical and neuropsychologist who has been practicing for over 50 years. His background includes being a professor and adjunct professor at several universities. He served as the Director of Psychology at one of the nation’s most prestigious psychiatric hospitals, Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, and was the developer of Transition, Inc., where he had the opportunity to counsel, in group fashion, over 5,000 prospective corporate transferring families. In private practice, Dr. Raymond has counseled children and adults, including many going through the issues of divorce. He is also the coauthor of Ring of Destiny, Destiny Revealed and The Four Essential Ingredients for Effective Parenting.

For more information, please visit www.theroadtosplitsville.com.

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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

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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

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Business Economics Technology

Zoetis to host webcast and conference call on second quarter 2023 financial results

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $ZTS #animalhealthZoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) will host a webcast and conference call at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Chief Executive Officer Kristin Peck and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Wetteny Joseph will review second quarter 2023 financial results and respond to questions from financial analysts during the call.

 

Investors and the public may access the live webcast by visiting the Zoetis website at http://investor.zoetis.com/events-presentations. Information on accessing and pre-registering for the webcast is available beginning today. A replay of the webcast will be made available on Aug. 8, 2023.

 

About Zoetis

As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock farmers and ranchers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $8.1 billion in 2022 with approximately 13,800 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

ZTS-COR

ZTS-IR

Contacts

Media Contacts:

Bill Price

1-973-443-2742 (o)

william.price@zoetis.com

Kristen Seely

1-973-443-2777 (o)

kristen.seely@zoetis.com

Investor Contacts:

Steve Frank

1-973-822-7141 (o)

steve.frank@zoetis.com

Nick Soonthornchai

1-973-443-2792

nick.soonthornchai@zoetis.com

Categories
Business Economics Lifestyle Regulations & Security

Former Bank of America and Apple Pay leaders retire to oversee Chargeback prevention

Two industry leaders in payments recently retired from Bank of America and Apply Pay, to move to Chargebacks911 to tackle chargebacks and innovate it across the payment and fintech industries.

 

Banks have become unwittingly complicit in friendly fraud.

As once a solution to a growing problem, banks and financial institutions have made the chargeback process more convenient for consumers, who now find it more convenient and faster to file a dispute with their banks than to contact the merchant. Wells Fargo settles disputes within 10 working days, while Bank of America has a 30-day dispute settlement policy.

 

But industry leaders say financial institutions cannot continue these enormous write-offs.

 

New solutions needed to prevent chargebacks and increase merchants’ win rates.

Considering this, Monica Eaton, CEO of Chargebacks911, the first global company fully dedicated to developing the most effective strategies for helping businesses manage disputes, mitigating chargeback risk, and eliminating chargeback fraud, announced today, Tuesday, June 6, the appointment of payments industry leaders Guy Harris as its Chairman of the board, and Eric M. Hoffman as President of Interbank Solutions and board member.

 

Guy Harris is the former Bank of America merchant services titan and 2021 Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) president, while Eric M. Hoffman is the current ETA president and a previous Apple executive.

 

“With an increase in transactions, usage, and reliance, comes consumer and merchant protection through chargeback services. E-commerce has gone deeper into convenience and shifting to different merchant categories,” states Hoffman.

 

“Settlements now happen by both financial institutions and merchants. Financial institutions are in urgent need of information to make informative payment dispute decisions,” affirms Harris.

 

Read more:

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Art & Life Business Economics Education Regulations & Security

Kirby McInerney LLP continues investigation of shareholder claims against John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

NEW YORK — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $WLY #classaction — The law firm of Kirby McInerney LLP is investigating potential claims against John Wiley & Sons, Inc. “(John Wiley” or the “Company)” (NYSE: WLY). The investigation concerns whether John Wiley and/or certain of its officers have violated the federal securities laws and/or engaged in other unlawful business practices.

 

John Wiley publishes print and electronic products, with headquarters in New Jersey.

 

On March 9, 2023, the Company announced its third quarter financial results for 2023, as part of which it disclosed problems at its subsidiary, Hindawi. According to the Company, “[o]ur third quarter results and revised full year outlook are clearly below [] expectations” and “[w]hile our core business and markets are strong, we’ve been challenged this year by unpredictable market headwinds and an unplanned publishing pause at Hindawi.” John Wiley added, “Research was down 4% as reported, or down 2% at constant currency and excluding acquisitions, primarily due to a pause in the Hindawi special issues publishing program. The program was suspended temporarily due to the presence in certain special issues of compromised articles. As a result, Hindawi revenue declined $9 million versus the prior year, offsetting growth in other open access publishing programs.” On this news, the price of John Wiley shares declined by $7.48 per share, or approximately 17.35%, from $43.11 per share to close at $35.63 on March 9, 2023.

 

If you purchased or otherwise acquired John Wiley securities, have information, or would like to learn more about this investigation, please contact Thomas W. Elrod of Kirby McInerney LLP by email at investigations@kmllp.com, or by filling out this contact form, to discuss your rights or interests with respect to these matters without any cost to you.

 

Kirby McInerney LLP is a New York-based plaintiffs’ law firm concentrating in securities, antitrust, whistleblower, and consumer litigation. The firm’s efforts on behalf of shareholders in securities litigation have resulted in recoveries totaling billions of dollars. Additional information about the firm can be found at Kirby McInerney LLP’s website: http://www.kmllp.com.

 

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Contacts

Kirby McInerney LLP

Thomas W. Elrod, Esq.

212-699-1180

https://www.kmllp.com
investigations@kmllp.com