State lawmakers are approving a $50.64 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts Friday, including $2 billion to expand property tax rebates and credits and a $6 billion surplus to guard against a possible economic downturn.
Cost-of-living adjustments were suspended in 2011 and won't return for many years, even with full contributions -- but restoring them now costs $3.6 billion.
Sen. Michael Testa said that in addition to the federal aid, the state has to decide how to spend $4.3B from COVID emergency borrowing that wasn’t truly necessary and can’t be repaid early because of the way the debt was structured.
"I see this as a program that seems quite ambitious,” said Sen. Mike Testa, R-Cumberland. "…How long can this project be funded? I share the fears with Chairman Sarlo that we start this program and it’s going to be phased out quickly."
New Jersey lawmakers are aiming to crack down on some "spoofing" tactics being used by telemarketers to mask their true identity when your phone rings.
Five state senators have called for the investigation and removal of two Family Court judges who were criticized for downplaying the actions by accused teen rapists.