Anchor Program Distributes Historic Property Tax Relief to More Than 1.8 Million New Jerseyans
Over $2.1 billion was distributed to more than 1.8 million New Jersey homeowners and renters during the most recent ANCHOR program, making it the single largest property tax relief program in State history.
The most recent filing season for the Affordable Communities for Homeowners and Renters program - or ANCHOR - covered the 2020 tax year. To date, more than 1.2 million homeowners received benefits totaling over $1.8 billion, and around 579,000 renters received benefits totaling over $278 million. Benefits ranged from $450 to $1,750 depending on income and age, among other factors; qualifying homeowners and renters over age 65 were eligible for an additional $250.
Compared to the first ANCHOR season covering the 2019 tax year, over 200,000 more taxpayers received a benefit for the 2020 season, breaking down to more than 60,000 homeowners and more than 141,000 renters.
The amount of benefits paid out through 2020 ANCHOR season surpassed the 2008 Homestead Rebate program, which previously held the record for most dollars distributed through a property tax relief program ($2.08 billion).
“Together with our partners in the Legislature, and through the non-stop efforts of Treasury’s Division of Taxation, we have delivered roughly $2 billion to hardworking homeowners and renters for the second consecutive year,” said Governor Murphy. “As the most ambitious property tax relief program in New Jersey history, ANCHOR is helping to make New Jersey more affordable for nearly two million households who need and deserve this relief.”
“I’d like to thank the hardworking staff at the Division of Taxation for devoting countless hours to processing applications and distributing benefits to nearly two million New Jerseyans,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “A program of this magnitude is an enormous undertaking, but the Division of Taxation worked diligently to ensure eligible homeowners and renters received this crucial property tax relief at a time when many residents need it most.”
“The ANCHOR program continues to provide direct tax relief with financial assistance that helps ease the burden of property taxes,” said Senate President Nick Scutari. “We are providing the highest level of property tax relief in history for homeowners and renters throughout the state. The success of the program reflects our ongoing commitment to affordability for the residents of New Jersey.”
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Governor Murphy, AG Platkin Announce New Jersey Has Filed Scotus Brief to Protect Access to Reproductive Medications
Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that New Jersey joined the amicus brief, led by the State of New York, in support of the FDA and Danco Laboratories in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Food and Drug Administration, et al., v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, which threatens to restrict or eliminate access to reproductive medications, like mifepristone, that have been the standard of care for most abortions and miscarriage management.
“I want to thank Attorney General Matt Platkin and his office for leading the charge with our New York neighbors against the activists who want to control what should be a deeply personal, individual decision,” said Governor Murphy. “My administration has worked tirelessly to ensure that New Jersey remains a bastion for the fundamental right to make one’s own reproductive choices. This includes protecting access to medications, like mifepristone, which have proven to be a safe and effective, medically-tested reproductive option for years.”
“Going backwards in time and limiting access to medication abortion is contrary to evidence-based healthcare,” said Attorney General Platkin. “I, and other attorneys general across the nation, urge the Supreme Court to reject this baseless attack on reproductive care. And I thank Governor Murphy for his leadership on this issue, so that reproductive decisions can be made where they belong: between patients and doctors.”
The Murphy Administration has been at the forefront of the fight to protect reproductive rights and expand access to reproductive health care. For example, the Board of Medical Examiners and Board of Pharmacy are finalizing procedures to remove barriers to a number of crucial family planning tools to make them even more accessible at pharmacies. An overview of recent administration actions can be found here.
New Jersey has also joined several other amicus briefs in this litigation already. In 2022, New Jersey signed on to an amicus brief opposing plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin FDA approval of mifepristone for medication abortion (# 22-171). Last year, New Jersey signed on to amicus briefs supporting the federal government’s application for an emergency stay in the Fifth Circuit and supporting the federal government’s request for emergency relief in the U.S. Supreme Court (# 23-057), and signed on to an amicus brief supporting the FDA and Danco in their Fifth Circuit appeal of the district court’s decision (# 23-070), as well as their petition for cert to the Supreme Court (# 23-283).
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Human Services Announces Expanded Income Eligibility Limits for Prescription Drug Assistance Programs, Efforts to Get More Eligible New Jerseyans to Apply for Savings
Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced that income limits for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) and the Senior Gold Prescription Discount drug assistance programs have increased by $10,000, making more older adults and individuals with disabilities eligible to save on prescription drug prices. This increase is funded through Governor Murphy’s FY2024 Budget and was included in a series of changes following the enactment of legislation to expand prescription drug savings for older adults.
“By expanding income eligibility for prescription drug assistance, hearing aid assistance, and utility assistance programs for older adults, we are delivering much-needed relief to families throughout our state,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “No one should have to face the difficult choice to skip or ration their medications, and this program expansion will make a real difference in the lives of New Jerseyans as we continue to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible.”
“Prescription drug costs can really add up, especially if you are on a fixed income. Expanding the income eligibility for these programs means more people in need of support can apply for these savings. We encourage anyone who thinks they are eligible, or knows someone who may be eligible, to visit aging.nj.gov to learn more about the different assistance programs available. Eligible residents can apply online for all of them at once at njsave.org,” said Commissioner Adelman.
The latest income limit increase is part of a larger effort by the State to reach and enroll more people who are eligible for the PAAD and Senior Gold programs, and raise awareness that people can apply for these and other assistance programs using the NJSave application.
“The NJSave application will check your eligibility for PAAD, Senior Gold, and other assistance programs that can help you save on prescription costs, as well as Medicare premiums, utilities and other living expenses. By raising awareness about the resourcefulness of the NJSave application and increasing application assistance we hope more eligible people will apply so they can start saving,” said Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services Kaylee McGuire.
The NJSave application screens applicants for eligibility to programs that can assist in lowering the cost of prescriptions, Medicare and hearing aids, as well as offering additional help with utilities, food, and prescriptions through other state and federal programs.
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First Lady Tammy Murphy's Nurture NJ Family Festival Serves Over 1,500 People in Passaic
First Lady Tammy Murphy marked her 19th successful Nurture NJ Family Festival at the Dayton Ave Educational Campus in Passaic on Saturday, January 27. Like others before it, the Passaic Family Festival served as a one-stop-shop for state, county, and local care, support, and resources. Over 1,500 people in the area were able to connect with more than 45 organizations that provide a wide variety of services for expectant and new moms and families, including health care, housing support, food assistance, child care, COVID vaccines, New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission services, and more.
“I am thrilled with the momentum we are building to support New Jersey’s mothers and babies, as evidenced by the incredible turnout in Passaic, and I am grateful to our many partners who made this event a huge success,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “These festivals enable our Nurture NJ community of partners to reach mothers, babies, and families directly and connect them with essential services. I look forward to continuing to host these festivals across our state and ensuring every New Jersey family has the support they need to thrive.”
Launched by First Lady Tammy Murphy in 2019, Nurture NJ is a statewide program committed to reducing the maternal and infant mortality epidemic in New Jersey and ensuring equitable care among women and children of all races and ethnicities. Since its inception, Nurture NJ has seen over 60 pieces of maternal and infant health legislation signed by Governor Murphy, including the doula access bill signed earlier this month. The initiative has also developed and implemented groundbreaking programs and policies, such as New Jersey’s universal home visitation program, Family Connects NJ, which launched this month in five NJ counties. Through these innovative policies and more, Nurture NJ has positioned New Jersey as a national leader in the fight against the maternal and infant health crisis.
The Passaic Family Festival was hosted by the First Lady’s Nurture NJ initiative in partnership with The Burke Foundation, Assemblyman Gary Schaer, Mayor Hector Lora, Passaic Public Schools, United Passaic Organization, and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ.
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Governor Murphy Announces Dave Cole as New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer
Governor Phil Murphy announced Dave Cole as Chief Innovation Officer. In this role, Cole will lead the State’s Office of Innovation in its mission to drive innovation in the Garden State and improve the design and delivery of policies and services to the state's residents, businesses, and institutions.
“I am proud to announce Dave Cole to serve as State Chief Innovation Officer, leading the New Jersey Office of Innovation,” said Governor Murphy. “Dave’s applied experience and expertise will be an integral addition to my team and I am confident that he will successfully guide the Office of Innovation’s work to design and develop iterative, continuous improvements to State programs. I want to also thank Beth Noveck for her service to the State as its first Chief Innovation Officer, and look forward to her success as our first-ever Chief AI Strategist.”
“I am honored by the trust that Governor Murphy has placed in me to lead the Office of Innovation into its next chapter,” said incoming New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole. “When we deliver government services that are responsive to residents' needs, we restore trust and lift up our communities. In addition to our efforts to improve State benefits and services for residents, Governor Murphy's day-one commitment to establishing New Jersey as the Innovation State has made it possible for us to make it easier than ever to start and operate a local business, enabling economic growth across our state. I am grateful for this opportunity to work with my colleagues across this Administration in service of the residents of New Jersey.”
Cole succeeds Dr. Beth Simone Noveck, who lead the Office of Innovation in 2018 when Governor Murphy appointed her as the State’s first-ever Chief Innovation Officer. Noveck has now transitioned to a new role as the State’s first-ever Chief Artificial Intelligence Strategist — an announcement Governor Murphy made at his recent State of the State address.
“Dave’s commitment to improving the lives of New Jerseyans can only be surpassed by the results he’s delivered during his years helping lead the Office of Innovation — the Office’s future and mission is in capable and expert hands,” said Beth Simone Noveck, New Jersey State Chief AI Strategist. “I’m ecstatic to formally take on the new role of Chief AI Strategist to implement Governor Murphy’s vision of having New Jersey lead the nation in the advancement of AI in both the private and public sectors.”
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