Governor Murphy Signs Law Reauthorizing New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund for Five More Years
Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation renewing the State’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) for five more years, which will invest billions to modernize and maintain New Jersey’s statewide transportation infrastructure, while providing additional capital funding for NJ TRANSIT, supporting local and county projects to alleviate the burden on local taxpayers, and creating thousands of good-paying union jobs.
“New Jersey sits at the heart of one of the busiest stretches of commerce in the entire world,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Whether it’s trying to get home to their families after a long day or shipping critical goods to keep our economy humming, our residents and our businesses depend on the strength of our transportation system to get where they need to go. This legislation will ensure we deliver for them by enabling us to rebuild and maintain our entire transportation system, while creating thousands of good-paying jobs in the years to come and easing the burden of property taxes by offsetting these costs for local governments.”
“New Jerseyans depend on safe and reliable public transportation to get to work and school, and the Transportation Trust Fund is a critical part of our state’s efforts to ensure our infrastructure is safe and accessible for everyone,” said Congressman Frank Pallone. “Today’s announcement is a win-win for residents, workers, businesses, tourists, and anyone else who uses our state’s roads or rails. I’m always grateful to our hardworking union members, who keep our public transportation running smoothly. I’ll continue to fight at the federal level to deliver funding to our state so we can build on this progress.”
“The reauthorization of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund is foundational to the continued investment in our transportation infrastructure,” said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Chief of Staff to Governor Murphy and former NJDOT Commissioner. “Transportation keeps our communities moving and our economy strong. I remember the impact it had on our brothers and sisters in labor when the previous administration could not reach a deal in time and projects all over the state were forced to halt or shut down. With this in mind, we were determined – and now proud – to reach a good agreement months ahead of time to ensure that this critical work will continue without interruption.”
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Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy Announce Appointment of Lisa Asare as President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, Name Her as First in the Nation Maternal and Infant Health Cabinet Member
Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy announced the appointment of Lisa Asare as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority. The announcement was made at the inaugural public board meeting held in Trenton, which officially marked the launch of the Authority. The first of its kind in the nation Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MIHIA) is tasked with overseeing the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center based in Trenton and will be the arm of government that continues the vital work of Nurture NJ past the Murphy Administration. This role will mark the beginning of a cabinet level role working on supporting maternal and infant health, the first of its kind in the nation.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Asare as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority,” said Governor Murphy. “Lisa’s track record in supporting mothers, babies, and families of our state over the past two plus decades makes her the ideal candidate to oversee our state’s progression in the maternal and infant health space. I am certain her work leading the Authority will continue to move our state in the right direction for years to come.”
“I’ve had the honor of working closely with Lisa Asare who has been instrumental to the success of our Nurture NJ initiative,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “The Strategic Plan, which she co-authored, has been our guiding light in establishing New Jersey as a national model and gold standard for maternal and infant health. I cannot think of a better individual to lead the Authority, especially at such a crucial time as we move closer to breaking ground on the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center in Trenton. The mothers and babies in our state are in the excellent hands with Lisa, who will make sure the critical work of Nurture NJ lives on well past our administration.”
“Today’s board meeting marks a major milestone in the years of work by countless partners who have dedicated themselves to improving maternal health across the state. In New Jersey, we respect and cherish women and mothers, and the work of this board serves as an expression of those values,” continued the First Lady.
“It is my honor and privilege to be appointed as the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the MIHIA,” said Lisa Asare, incoming President and Chief Executive Officer. “It has been my life’s work to deliver programs focusing on the health and well-being of birthing individuals, children, and families. I am passionate about advocating for communities that face disparities and inequities not just related to maternal and infant health outcomes, but on all elements that are fundamental to living a full life. It is my honor and a full circle moment for me to step into this role and build on the momentum of so many maternal advocates across the state. I am incredibly grateful to Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and board members for entrusting me with this opportunity to continue to serve the families of NJ in this new capacity. I look forward to delivering innovative approaches to birthing individuals, infants, and communities throughout New Jersey.”
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Joint Statement From Governor Hochul and Governor Murphy on Minimizing Supply Chain Disruptions Following the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
Governors Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Kathy Hochul of New York released a joint statement on Thursday morning, following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland earlier this week:
"The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has touched every corner of the nation, and we are ready to support Governor Moore and the people of Maryland in any way. We have seen over the past several years that indefinite port closures can impact national and global supply chains, which hurt everyday consumers the hardest. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey can take on additional cargo, and we have directed the Authority to further evaluate all available resources to minimize supply chain disruptions. Along with our federal partners, we will continue to work together to support our neighbors in Baltimore and consumers nationwide."
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The NJ State Library Has Received Over $34 Million in Federal Funding to Invest in Capital Improvements at Community Facilities Statewide
The New Jersey State Library (NJSL), an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University, is pleased to announce the launch of its Community Center Digital Connect program, a community resilience project that will address disparities in access to education, employment, and health services by investing in capital improvements at community facilities across the state. Community Center Digital Connect is funded by the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF), established by Section 604 of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The federal Capital Projects Fund was designed to address critical needs that emerged during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and provides crucial funding for enhancing the quality of life, economic vitality, and resilience of communities across the United States.
On March 15, 2024, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the State of New Jersey has been approved for a total of nearly $180 million through the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Project Fund to support a wide range of infrastructure projects that promote public health and safety, digital connectivity, and equitable access to critical services. More than $34 million of these funds have been approved for the State Library’s Community Center Digital Connect program, which will enable the construction or improvement of buildings that directly support employment, education, and health monitoring.
"The State Library’s Community Center Digital Connect Program is a prime example of the strategic investments we are making with federal pandemic funds to address key challenges in building more resilient communities,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This critical funding will help alleviate the disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and empower our communities through connectivity to ultimately improve literacy and education, boost employment, and protect public health across our state."
“We are excited to work with the selected libraries, community and health centers to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and communities across the state,” said Jen Nelson, State Librarian, New Jersey State Library. “Our mission is to empower residents by providing community-based access to high-quality modern infrastructure, including broadband, which is essential for accessing critical services.”
Communities with critical need were preselected, with eligibility determined by the community’s score on a Census-derived index. Eligible applicants participated in a competitive grant process, administered by the New Jersey State Library. The distribution of funding covers all corners of the state, from Phillipsburg in Warren County, to Atlantic City in Atlantic County.
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Official Site of The State of New Jersey
