LATEST UPDATES
Murphy’s Approval Soar Amid Coronavirus Response: According to a new Monmouth University Polling Institute study released this week, New Jerseyans overwhelmingly support Governor Murphy as he manages the state’s coronavirus response. According to the survey, which polled 704 New Jersey residents, Murphy has a 71% approval rating for job performance.
Tri-State Partnership Working on Contact Tracing Program: Governor Murphy, along with NY Governor Andrew Cuomo and CT Governor Ned Lamont, announced that the tri-state partnership is working on a contact tracing program. Murphy said that this discussion is in its very early stages and that “contact tracing is vital to any serious reopening efforts.
NJ Purchases 500 More Ventilators: Governor Murphy announced that the state has purchased an additional 500 ventilators that are now ready for use in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.
According to state data, 1,570 of the 1,983 COVID-19 patients in critical condition or in intensive care units are on ventilators. That represents slightly more than 50% of the total number of machines the state has in total.
Murphy Strongly Pushes Back on McConnell for Bankruptcy Suggestion; At Wednesday’s press conference, Governor Phil Murphy blasted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for saying that state and local governments in financial distress due to the coronavirus response, should be allowed to file for bankruptcy rather than rely on federal aid.
“Really? This is the time, in a moment of crisis unlike our country has faced in at least 100 years, to suggest it’s a good thing for states to go bankrupt?” the governor asked.
“Come on, man. This is completely and utterly irresponsible. There’s no level of responsibility associated with that. And I don’t care what party you’re in,” Said Murphy.
At the same briefing, Governor Murphy said that he was grateful for the passage of nearly $500 billion in supplemental appropriations for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the disaster loan program, but that state government was still in need of federal support for OVID-19 related recovery efforts.
New Jersey’s Credit Rating Downgraded: For the first time in three years, New Jersey’s credit rating was downgraded by Fitch Ratings. The downgrade lowered New Jersey’s debt rating one notch, from “A” to “A-“, and also changed the state’s rating outlook from “stable” to “negative.”
"You never want to see a downgrade," Murphy said Tuesday during his daily coronavirus briefing in Trenton. He added, "particularly in this environment, I'm not shocked." The state's revenues are expected to take a hit as a consequence of the massive slowdown in economic activity during the pandemic.
More Student Loan Relief for NJ Residents: Governor Murphy announced a new policy that would allow New Jerseyans who borrowed money for college through private lenders the same help as those who received student loans from the federal government. An estimated 200,000 state residents could benefit from this policy.
Latest NJ COVID-19 Statistics: The number positive coronavirus test results in New Jersey has increased to a total of 95,865. The number of statewide coronavirus-related deaths is currently 5,063.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
All NJ residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to them should visit: www.covid19.nj.gov
US Small Business Administration Loans: New Jersey’s small businesses and private non-profit organizations facing hardship due to the coronavirus outbreak are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. These working capital loans are designed to help small and most non-profits meet their ordinary and financial business obligations during the pandemic.
Applicants may apply online and download applications at https://www.disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
CARES Act: The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed in Congress are intended to assist small business owners with whatever needs they have right now. For more information on the small business owner’s guide to the CARES Act, click here.
Jobs and Assistance: A new online portal to provide information to impacted small business owners. The portal includes information on Executive Orders, regulations impacting small businesses and access to financial assistance from the US Small Business Administration (SBA).
Testing Sites: There are currently 66 COVID-19 testing sites open across the state, including state-sponsored and private facilities. Click here to get updated information and locations of public testing sites.
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