The number came in at 6.7% for the month of September, down from its record-setting 16.8% high in June. Heading into the pandemic it was 3.7%.

The proposed legislation – which has met fierce criticism from business groups and the New York Stock Exchange, but in addition to Sweeney also has the support of Gov. Phil Murphy – is slated for an Assembly committee hearing on Oct. 19

Micro-businesses are eligible for grants up to $5,000, companies with between six and 25 full-time employees can get up to $10,000, and those with between 26 and 50 full-time employees can get up to $15,000 in grants.

Originally scheduled for March, the ceremony and work was delayed due to COVID-19's impact across the state. Now, the 416-bed dwelling is slated to be completed for fall 2023.

The translated version of Business.NJ.gov offers information and resources from more than 15 difference agencies in a "first digital stop" for companies. It will also offer live chat capabilities with experts from the Business Action Center.

The meeting will offer critics of the plan – such as the major stock exchanges and other financial institutions – the opportunity to express concerns over the proposal.

No locations were removed under the latest announcement, bringing the total list of states and territories to 38.

The money will come from the state's $2.3 billion in federal aid, with the largest portion being handled by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

Under the proposed legislation, workers that test positive for the virus during the public health state of emergency will be presumed to have gotten it at on the job, making them eligible for worker’s compensation and other benefits.

On Monday, New Jersey logged an additional 478 cases of the virus – well below the 1,301 that Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Oct. 8.

In what ordinarily would seem like the 11th hour, due to COVID-19, bipartisan advocacy groups on either side of the issue are navigating new waters: How can they get through to voters, who they can’t interact with in person, to answer one way or another Public Question No. 1: “Do you approve amending the Constitution to legalize a controlled form of marijuana called ‘cannabis’?”

Many of these local governments have not received federal aid thus far, while also seeing revenues dry up and new costs due to the pandemic.