Murphy Administration Announces $75 Million for Emergent and Capital Needs Projects in School Districts
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) announced $75 million to provide funding for emergent construction and capital needs in school districts throughout the state.
Districts can use these funds for emergent or capital maintenance projects or to offset eligible project or maintenance costs incurred this fiscal year. Funding may be directed toward projects such as addressing site upgrades, HVAC repairs or replacement, renovations to the building envelope (masonry, roofing, etc.), safety and security needs, as well as building maintenance activities.
“This announcement builds on our work to improve education outcomes for all New Jersey students. Providing our students with a top-notch education means ensuring their classroom environments are safe and conducive to learning,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This funding will go toward critical school infrastructure projects throughout the state, bolstering our school communities and ensuring districts are able to meet the needs of their students.”
Of the total amount, $50 million will be provided for projects in the SDA Districts, which are the 31 districts where the SDA oversees school construction. The remaining $25 million will be available for all other districts, i.e., regular operating districts.
“Continuing Governor Murphy’s staunch support of public education, and partnership with the School Development Authority, the funding will provide necessary renovations and facility upgrades to school buildings across the state,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Education. “Every New Jersey student and school staff member deserves a space for learning that is safe, secure, and supportive of the highest educational outcomes.”
“The steadfast support of Governor Murphy to provide New Jersey students with quality learning environments allows the SDA to disburse this State funding to maintain and improve the state’s educational infrastructure,” said Manuel Da Silva, SDA Chief Executive Officer. “The SDA is ready to expeditiously distribute these funds to help Districts offset costs associated with addressing important and necessary repairs in their schools.”
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First Lady Tammy Murphy, DCF Commissioner Beyer, State Legislators, and Others Join Together to Celebrate Launch of Family Connects NJ
First Lady Tammy Murphy hosted a roundtable discussion to celebrate Maternal Health Awareness Day. During the discussion, the First Lady, Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, and others discussed the importance of the recently launched Family Connects NJ program. Family Connects NJ is a new state program offering a free, voluntary, in-home visit by a specially trained nurse to support all families and their newborns within two weeks after delivery.
In July 2021, Governor Murphy signed legislation to create a statewide, universal home visitation program for newborns, making New Jersey the second, but by far the largest and most diverse, state in the nation to legislate such a program for families. New Jersey’s program is the largest and most robust program in the country, supporting not just birthing families but adoptive and resource parents as well as those who have experienced the tragedy of a stillbirth.
Because more than 50 percent of maternal mortalities occur after childbirth, and in an effort to catch complications as early as possible, Family Connects NJ includes basic health and developmental screenings for mothers and their babies, postpartum education, feeding and sleeping tips and much more. Families may also be connected to community programs and supports such as WIC, community doulas, food assistance programs, and more.
“The weeks following delivery are some of the most crucial moments for mothers and babies,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Inspired and informed by the lived experiences of mothers themselves, Family Connects NJ ensures New Jersey families receive the critical support they need to prevent complications during that tenuous and sensitive time. As we recognize Maternal Health Awareness Day, we reflect on the significant progress we have made over the past year toward becoming the gold standard of maternal and infant health care, including ensuring mothers have access to a doula before, during and after labor and delivery; establishing the Maternal and Infant Health and Innovation Authority in Trenton; and now officially launching Family Connects NJ, a universal home visitation program. I am proud to see New Jersey moving determinedly in the right direction when it comes to maternal and infant health, which would not have been possible without the support of our thousands of partners.”
First Lady Tammy Murphy launched Nurture NJ in 2019 as a statewide program committed to reducing the maternal mortality rates in New Jersey and ensuring equitable care among women and children of all races and ethnicities. In January 2021, the First Lady unveiled the Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan, a blueprint to reduce New Jersey’s maternal mortality rate by 50 percent over five years and eliminate racial disparities in birth outcomes.
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Governor Murphy Announces Francis K. O'Connor to Serve as Commissioner of the Department of Transportation
Governor Phil Murphy announced his intention to nominate Francis (Fran) K. O’Connor as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT). O’Connor’s nomination follows the transition of current DOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti to her new role as Governor Murphy’s Chief of Staff.
“With more than four decades of experience working within transportation agencies across the country, Fran is immensely qualified to advance my Administration’s efforts to continue building a transportation system that is more modern and more accessible than ever before,” said Governor Murphy. “As a New Jersey resident and former New Jersey Turnpike Authority employee, Fran shares my commitment to safe, efficient transportation for all New Jersey residents and commuters. I thank Diane for her exemplary service as DOT Commissioner, and I am confident she will continue to excel in her role as my Chief of Staff.”
“It has been an honor to lead the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the past six years,” said current DOT Commissioner Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “I am turning the reins over to an extraordinary transportation leader in Fran O’Connor, who will continue to advance NJDOT’s important mission.”
"I am truly honored to be considered to serve the Governor as the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation,” said incoming DOT Commissioner O’Connor. “I am excited to be able to help implement the Governor's transportation vision for New Jersey and to build on the great work that Commissioner Gutierrez-Scaccetti has done over the past six years for transportation in our state.”
A seasoned transportation executive with over 40 years of shared public and private sector experience, O’Connor has established himself as a respected and trusted advisor in the development and execution of transportation projects. With a strategic focus on toll road agencies, O’Connor has a firm grasp of the project delivery process and has been responsible for delivering complex, multi-million-dollar projects for public sector clients across the country.
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Indiana Firearms Dealer Will Stop Selling Large Capacity Magazines Into New Jersey, Pay Penalty to Resolve Investigation Into Illegal Online Sales
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced that an Indiana-based firearms dealer has agreed to stop advertising, offering for sale, and selling large capacity magazines (“LCMs”) to New Jersey residents, and prevent the ordering and shipping of its LCMs to any New Jersey addresses, in order to resolve allegations stemming from an undercover investigation conducted by the Division.
Element Armament, LLC agreed to the injunctive terms contained in a Consent Order resolving the Division’s allegations that the company violated New Jersey’s consumer protection laws in selling and shipping four LCMs to an undercover State investigator. The company also agreed to pay a settlement amount of $17,705.
New Jersey law prohibits the possession and sale of LCMs, which are firearm magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. LCMs can range from 11 rounds of ammunition to 100 rounds or more, allowing a shooter to fire a high number of bullets in a short amount of time without requiring the shooter to pause and reload. As a result, gun violence involving LCMs can result in more shots fired, more persons wounded, and higher fatalities than other gun attacks. Tragically, given their heightened deadliness, LCMs have frequently been used in mass shootings.
“New Jersey has zero tolerance for unlawful large capacity ammunition magazines that significantly increase a shooter’s ability to injure and kill large numbers of people quickly,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We are committed to identifying and holding accountable those who market and sell LCMs in violation of the New Jersey laws that protect our consumers and keep our residents safe from gun violence.”
Based on its investigation, the Division alleges that Element Armament, which operates a walk-in retail store in Whiteland, Indiana, and sells firearms and related supplies online via its website, violated New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act and Hazardous Products Regulations by advertising, offering for sale, and selling LCMs to New Jersey residents without disclosing to them that knowingly possessing LCMs in New Jersey is a crime.
Specifically, on July 9, 2022, a Division investigator operating undercover used the Element Armament website to purchase four LCMs – two 13-round magazines, one 50-round magazine, and one 60-round magazine – that were shipped from the store to an undercover address in New Jersey.
As a result of this settlement, Element Armament will make significant changes to its business practices to comply with New Jersey law, including by clearly and conspicuously disclosing on its website that high capacity magazines are illegal in New Jersey, and by making consumers aware of the serious consequences they face for purchasing them in this state.
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Governor Murphy Ends Storm-Related State of Emergency
Governor Phil Murphy lifted the State of Emergency declared through Executive Order No. 350 on Monday, January 8, due to severe weather and the beginning of a series of winter storms across the state. With the signing of Executive Order No. 351, the State of Emergency ends across all 21 counties in New Jersey effective at 5:00 p.m., January 24, 2024.
“As we come out of the State of Emergency, we urge all residents to continue to exercise caution and monitor their weather forecasts as they resume everyday activities,” said Governor Murphy. “We are thankful to our first responders and essential workers who helped assist the residents and communities in need while we experienced flooding and extreme winter weather conditions across the state.”
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