When Chris Christie was governor, he vetoed two measures similar to Senate Bill 1214, which would authorize towns to establish "land banks," over concerns the legislation provided insufficient oversight and accountability.
Read More »Author Archives: Daniel J. Munoz
Lawmakers want stricter Uber, Lyft ID laws following Robbinsville student death
Assembly Bill 5321 would require drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft to put a QR code, or some other kind of barcode, on their window that would-be riders could scan using a smartphone to confirm the car is correct. Only then could the ride actually start.
Read More »Murphy ‘not a big fan’ of marijuana decriminalization
Following cancelled votes on the measure in both houses of the Legislature, and joining a sentiment put forth by Senate President Stephen Sweeney earlier in the week, the governor is also expressing reticence concerning the proposal.
Read More »Top Dems upset over Murphy ‘dark money’ millionaire’s tax ad
Combined with the governor's scrutiny of Grow New Jersey tax breaks, tensions are rising in Trenton as the July 1 start of the 2020 fiscal year gets closer.
Read More »Sweeney tax break committee finalizes membership (updated)
Marking one of the first actions for the legislative task force, the participants of the Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth were announced Wednesday, with Sen. Bob Smith named chair.
Read More »Newark officials warn against gentrification side-effect of opportunity zones
The feature of the 2017 federal tax cuts could be a massive boom for cities, but they need to be done in a way that they do not gentrify the city and push out longtime residents, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said Tuesday at the Forbes Opportunity Zone Summit in Newark. “This whole concept of equitable development is constantly something that mayors have been struggling with all over the nation."
Read More »Sweeney shoots down marijuana decriminalization proposal
The state Legislature’s top elected official has shot down the motion, calling it “problematic” and saying it would enhance the black market in New Jersey.
Read More »Cannabis expungement, decriminalization bills pulled from Thursday Assembly vote
Following the news Monday that the Senate was cancelling plans to hold a vote on the measures this week, the lower house of the state Legislature is now set to vote on just a measure to expand the New Jersey's medical marijuana program.
Read More »Norcross suing Gov. Murphy over Camden tax break scrutiny (updated)
South Jersey power broker George Norcross, along with his insurance company Conner Strong & Buckelew, The Michaels Organization, Cooper University Health Care and Parker McCay filed the suit against the governor, his administration and the task force over its work in recent weeks.
Read More »Lawmakers look to dueling bills to alleviate AirBnb tax on summer rentals
The first measure, Assembly Bill 4814, is worded in a way that the levy would essentially apply only to AirBnB properties while the second measure, Assembly Bill 4520, excludes rentals in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties from the tax.
Read More »Booker pitches opportunity zones as social justice for Newark, urban centers
A decade ago, “If I told people what was coming [to Newark], they would not have believed me,” U.S. Sen. Cory Booker said speaking at the Forbes Opportunity Zone Summit Tuesday morning in Newark. “This is what happens when you create uncommon coalitions, they create uncommon results.”
Read More »Bill would extend contested tax breaks – set to expire July 1 – for one year
Under Assembly Bill 5343, introduced by Assembly Budget Chair Eliana Pintor-Marin, the state would extend Grow New Jersey and the Economic Redevelopment and Growth gap financing programs through 2020 in an effort to let "cooler heads prevail" during budget discussions.
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