The successful launch and distribution of vaccines in New Jersey has allowed the residents and businesses to start their return to normalcy. In April, the CCSNJ was proud to release the Preparing for the Next Normal Report, which made recommendations to policymakers on how state government can help businesses recover and succeed post-pandemic. The report received high bipartisan praise from lawmakers, and as New Jersey reopened the CCSNJ is proud that several suggestions were enacted by state officials.

On June 4, Governor Phil Murphy signed A-5820(Coughlin/Chiaravalloti/Sweeney), which enabled the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency that had been in place since March 9, 2020. Governor Murphy also signed Executive Order No. 244 (2021), which officially ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Under A-5820, the majority of Executive Orders issued that relied on the existence of the Public Health Emergency expired on July 4 with certain exceptions. Masking, social distancing, and other health and safety protocols originally set forth Executive Order No. 192 (2020) are no longer mandatory across businesses and facilities, regardless if they are open to the public or not.

The legislature is now on break for the summer as members campaign for reelection. All 120 seats in the legislature and the Governor are up for reelection on November 2, 2021.

While pleased, the end of the Public Health Emergency allows the legislature to tackle issues outside of the pandemic, the CCSNJ remains committed to opposing burdensome labor mandates and working towards a better business climate in the state. The CCSNJ continues to be in constant contact with the Murphy Administration and Legislature to help ascertain the information and facilitate the connections that our valued members desperately need as New Jersey continues its economic recovery from the pandemic.

We welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions on how we can better serve you and your thoughts on the issues the CCSNJ has weighed in on during the second quarter of 2021.
On June 29, Governor Murphy signed the FY2022 State Budget, which passed both Houses of the Legislature swiftly by a vote of 49-26 in the Assembly and 25-15 in the Senate. The $46.4 billion budget is the largest budget in state history and includes property tax relief measures, COVID-19 relief for businesses and a full pension payment. The Governor signed the state budget in the same form it was sent to him, not using his line item veto power to remove certain provisions. In its final form, the Legislature included an additional $1.5 billion in appropriations for various legislative priorities, including some that impact South Jersey.

In the CCSNJ's written testimony, the Chamber supported certain measures of the budget, including the $100 million to expand childcare so residents can return to work, but took issue with the exclusion of A-5870/S-2022 (Pintor Marin/Burzichelli/Sarlo/Cunningham) which appropriates $46,380,012,000 in State funds and $21,026,030,082 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2021-2022.

To read the CCSNJ position on the FY22 State Budget, click here.

On May 5, the Murphy Administration released a report from the Atlantic City Restart and Recovery Working Group, which Governor Phil Murphy and Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver convened last summer to examine the unique pandemic-related challenges in Atlantic City and the surrounding area. CCSNJ President & CEO Christina Renna was proud to serve as Vice Chair of Working Group, alongside Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) Executive Director and CCSNJ member Matthew Doherty, who served as Chair.

Each section of the report details the recommendations put forth by each subcommittee. The report also includes guidance for six industries the Atlantic City region should target and information on the Blue Economy, which involves the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic and job growth.

To read the report, which was designed by CCSNJ Digital Communications Manager, Josephine Tanopo, please click here.
CCSNJ was proud to support a package of bills to provide funds to New Jersey Economic Development Authority
(EDA) to assist businesses affected by COVID-19. The package passed on June 3 and was signed into law by the Governor on June 22. To read the CCSNJ position on the bill package, click here.  

As always, your feedback is important to us.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please contact Hilary Chebra, Manager, Government Affairs, at hchebra@chambersnj.com or by clicking here.
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