LATEST UPDATES
NJ Casinos, Racetracks and Indoor Dining to Re-open in Time for July 4: This week, Governor Murphy announced that Atlantic City casinos and all restaurants with indoor dining may reopen to the public on July 2, with 25% capacity. Murphy said that additional health and safety guidance will be released within the next several days.
Amusement and Water Parks to Reopen: Governor Murphy also announced that amusement parks, water parks (including Boardwalk rides) and playgrounds can reopen on July 2 but must maintain 50% capacity.
State Reaches Preliminary Deal with CWA: Governor Murphy announced that the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the state have reached a preliminary agreement that includes employee furloughs in lieu of layoffs. The final agreement remains subject to employee ratification.
“These furloughs are designed to limit the loss of wages for employees while providing the state with substantial cost savings. Additionally, this agreement defers planned cost of living adjustments on wages, another cost-saving measure,” said Governor Murphy.
Short-term State Budget Due Next Week: Under normal circumstances, the Legislature and governor would be engaged in their annual budget deliberations for the fiscal year running July 1 to June 30, 2021. But they agreed in April to extend the current fiscal year into the fall to allow the state to delay tax filing deadlines to July 15 and to allow themselves time to get a handle on significantly impacted tax collections.
Next week, New Jersey lawmakers and Governor Murphy are required to adopt a three-month, stop-gap spending bill that will fund state operations through September 30. Senate President Stephen Sweeney said that talks with the state Assembly and the administration are beginning in earnest, and he’s expecting a vote on a short-term budget June 29 or June 30.
“I don’t anticipate any problems. I certainly hope not, but you never know. We’re in a strange place, and we’ve never been in this position before,” said Sweeney. “There’s going to be a lot of cutting. That’s where the struggle comes in. There’s going to be a lot of money de-appropriated.”
Latest NJ COVID-19 Statistics: The number positive coronavirus test results in New Jersey has increased to a total of 169,734. The number of statewide coronavirus-related deaths is currently 12,914.
RIP Nick Acocella: RCSG extends our condolences to the family of our friend, Nick Acocella, who passed away over the weekend at age 77. A Hudson County legend, Nick was a noted baseball writer, the founding editor of Politifax, the host of Pasta & Politics and was widely regarded as one of the great political reporters in the history of New Jersey. Nick will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
All NJ residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to them should visit: www.covid19.nj.gov
Jobs and Assistance in NJ: An online portal is available 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: Click here to get updated information and locations of public testing sites.
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