“We are on our way to putting New Jersey firmly back in our rightful place as a world leader of innovation,” the governor said July 9. “This modernization of our energy sector isn’t just going to be good for cleaner air and our longtime fight against climate change - which it will be - it’s going to be good for our economy.”

As part of the proposal, any building above six stories would need an exterior assessment every five years and a structural one every 10 years for features including foundations and balconies. 

The legislation was introduced on June 14 and sailed through the state Legislature, garnering Gov. Phil Murphy’s approval on July 1, just when Fourth of July weekend business kicks off.

A task force convened by the governor previously reported the state misses out on tens of millions of dollars in unpaid employment taxes due to the practice.

The legislation was approved in a party vote during the June 22 Assembly Budget Committee hearing, even though a copy of the 197-page measure was not available to the public. It was later approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

A bill sponsored by one of the state’s most influential lawmakers would overhaul New Jersey’s workplace discrimination and sexual harassment laws. Labor rights organizations and women’s rights groups say the proposal includes much-needed reform to clamp down on these practices as they run rampant in the workplace.

When indoor dining was limited to 25% capacity during the cooler months many switched to offering outdoor dining and services. But because of colder weather they shelled out thousands of dollars on tents, snow removal, igloos and space heaters.

With the public health emergency lifted, employers face tighter layoff notice requirements.

Under the legislation, employees would be entitled to up to two weeks to self-quarantine if they are experiencing symptoms, if they are awaiting test results, or caring for a sick family member or child.

“Small businesses are the backbone of New Jersey’s economy and assisting them as we reopen our state is paramount," reads a joint statement from 14 Democratic sponsors in the state Assembly. "We need to bolster our small business community in every way possible."

The legislation, which has the support of both Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Stephen Sweeney, would keep in place 14 separate executive orders Murphy has signed since the onset of the pandemic.

A package of bills to assist microbusinesses, child care providers, restaurants, bars, other food and beverage establishments, businesses and nonprofits, startups, and the “Sustain and Serve NJ” program, which effectively pays restaurants to prepare meals for some of the state’s most in-need residents, will be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.