Nancy Munoz

Lawmakers granted Gov. Phil Murphy’s request to delay his speech introducing the proposed state budget for fiscal 2023 by two weeks, from Feb. 22 to March 8.

Just one Republican voted for the resolution: Sen. Chris Brown (R-Atlantic). Other Republicans either voted no, voted to abstain, or didn’t vote.

Secretary of State Tahesha Way said the state has brought together local officials and national experts in a working group on early voting because it’s committed to getting it right.

Stockton University President Harvey Kesselman said colleges need to prepare for mental health issues exacerbated over the past year.

MVC locations have been closed a combined 1,291 agency days since reopening last July, equaling a 12% closure rate. Since Oct. 1, agencies have been closed due to COVID more than 16% of the time.

early 400 childcare centers in New Jersey have closed permanently, and more than 900 others are temporarily closed but plan to reopen, as capacity restrictions and safety concerns continue to hobble the industry and broader economy.

The change has been long-sought by some lawmakers and the union representing long-term care facility workers, predating the pandemic.

Murphy wants to levy $21.5M in new taxes and fees on pharmaceutical companies that make or distribute opioids to offset $100M in efforts to deal with the overdose epidemic.

Gov. Murphy's latest round of "tax anything and everything" includes a budget proposal to tax legal opioids.

Acting state Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio says 83% of proposed new spending goes toward pensions, health benefits, debt and Medicaid.