Governor Murphy and Senate President Scutari Announce $5 Million to Expand Access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care Services in Union County
During a panel discussion on youth mental health at Kean University, Governor Phil Murphy and Senate President Nicholas Scutari announced $5 million in American Rescue Plan funds to help Union County expand access to equitable, affordable child and adolescent mental health care services. The Governor and Senate President were joined by Department of Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer and Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges for a panel discussion about mental health systems in New Jersey.
“My Administration continues to take a whole-of-government approach, alongside our legislative and community partners, to addressing the mental health needs of New Jersey youth,” said Governor Murphy. “It is imperative we work to ensure every young person has access to the resources and services they need to thrive, particularly in light of the national youth mental health crisis that has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We must continue to have these conversations to help reduce the stigma around mental health as we work to expand access to mental health support in every community in our state – including right here in Union County with the allocation of this $5 million to help children and adolescents throughout the region.”
“The children of New Jersey have been through so much over the past few years, we need to support them, listen to them, and provide resources for them to overcome feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness,” said Senate President Scutari. “Improving access and affordability is critical and can be the difference between life and death. This infusion of state funding will go towards removing the barriers keeping them for getting the help they need. ”
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Governor Murphy Reiterates Opposition to New York City's Proposed Congestion Tolling Program
This week, Governor Phil Murphy submitted comments to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) expressing his Administration’s opposition to the Final Environmental Assessment and the Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Central Business District Tolling Program. The comments mark the Administration’s most recent stand against a poorly designed tolling program – devised without adequate input and regard for New Jersey’s interests – that, if allowed to go forward, will unfairly toll New Jersey commuters while disproportionately burdening environmental justice communities in the Garden State.
Since the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) first revealed its proposed tolling program, Governor Murphy has remained a staunch advocate for the New Jersey commuters, transportation agencies, businesses, and residents who would suffer unjustly as a result of the unreasonable and unprecedented proposal. The FHWA is deciding whether to allow the MTA’s plans to go forward without a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and the comments submitted by the Murphy Administration argue that this additional review is necessary to address impacts on New Jersey and its residents.
“We have always been receptive to a thoughtfully crafted congestion pricing proposal,” said Governor Murphy. “But we take serious issue with any scheme that is designed not to lessen congestion or pollution, but to line the coffers of the MTA on the backs of hardworking New Jerseyans. Despite the limited environmental review conducted so far, what remains obvious are the severe and long-lasting detriments that will be endured not just by our commuters and transportation agencies, but by residents of environmental justice communities who will see traffic unfairly redirected into their neighborhoods. Until the appropriate environmental review is completed for a project that will literally affect millions of New Jerseyans, we will continue to evaluate every legal option at our disposal.”
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Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Lifting COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Employees in Health Care Settings
Following recent changes to federal requirements regarding COVID-19 vaccines, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order (EO) No. 332 to lift the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for health care settings in New Jersey.
An executive order signed on April 3, 2023 previously lifted the requirement for employees in health care settings who were not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations to undergo routine testing, while also lifting both the COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for workers in congregate settings. This EO lifts the remaining requirement that health care settings maintain a policy requiring their workers to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.
“This order aligns our state with recent updates to federal requirements and reflects our different circumstances now, as compared to the past few years. My Administration will continue to take responsible steps to adjust New Jersey’s COVID-19 policies and guidance accordingly,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and I continue to encourage all residents to stay up to date on their vaccinations. Vaccination remains a key public health tool to help protect our health care workers and the patients in their care.”
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Governor Murphy Announces Appointments to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission
Governor Phil Murphy announced his appointments of Tom Prol, Ryan Peters, Norma Evans, and Jon-Henry Barr to serve as Commissioners on the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). Mr. Prol, who was the first openly gay President of the New Jersey State Bar Association, has been selected by the Governor to serve as the Chair. The Commission, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, monitors campaign financing in New Jersey elections and oversees filing obligations for lobbyists and their clients, among other responsibilities.
“The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission plays an important role in protecting the integrity of our elections and the fairness of our democratic process, and today I’m pleased to appoint four highly qualified members to lead the Commission,” said Governor Murphy. “These members bring a variety of backgrounds and perspectives — including experience in private legal practice, as state and municipal prosecutors, and in elected office. I’m also pleased to designate Tom Prol to serve as ELEC Chair, a highly-respected and trailblazing attorney who made history by becoming the first openly LGBTQ President of the New Jersey State Bar Association.”
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NJDEP Reminds Public to Be Cautious of Clinging Jellyfish in Coastal Estuaries and Rivers
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection reminds the public to be aware of clinging jellyfish, a small jellyfish capable of inflicting an extremely painful sting that is found in some bay and estuarine waters of New Jersey. The DEP continues to monitor populations, recently integrating a new testing technique that improves early detection capabilities through environmental DNA, or eDNA, markers in the water column.
“Fortunately, populations of clinging jellyfish and their distribution have been largely stable since the species was first confirmed in New Jersey in 2016,” said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “However, clinging jellyfish pack such a potentially powerful sting that it is important for the public to be vigilant and take precautions when recreating in coastal bays and rivers where they are found.”
To minimize chances of an encounter, the DEP urges the public to:
- Avoid wading into areas where the species has been observed; clinging jellyfish attach themselves to algae and submerged aquatic vegetation such as seagrass.
- Reduce the risk of being stung by wearing waders and long-sleeved clothing in these waters.
Reactions to stings can vary from person to person. Those who are stung by a clinging jellyfish will experience an initial burning sensation.
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