THIS WEEK IN TRENTON

This week, Governor Phil Murphy along with Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced authorization for children ages 6 months and older to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC director endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation enabling everyone 6 months of age and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This served as welcome news for parents concerned with ensuring their children’s safety against COVID-19.

Last weekend, the DOH announced the first probable case of monkeypox in the state. A PCR test conducted by the Department’s Public Health and Environmental Laboratories confirmed the presence of orthopoxvirus in a North Jersey individual on June 18 however, the DOH believes that the risk to New Jerseyans remains low. As a precaution, any New Jersey residents who experience flu-like illness with swelling of lymph nodes and rash occurring on the face and body should contact their healthcare provider.

This week in the Legislature, multiple Senate and Assembly Committees deliberated the passing of legislation concerning the issues of mental health, consumer rights and protections and gun violence and safety. 

Negotiations for a new state budget that must be in place by July 1 have continued but on Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced a back-to-school sales tax holiday as a part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. The sales tax holiday will be historic for the State, furthering Governor Murphy’s promise to ensure affordability in New Jersey. From Aug. 27 to Sept. 5, the sales tax will be dropped for all school supplies for students in pre-K through college. The tax break includes an exemption from a range of supplies from basics such as pens and pencils to sports equipment and technology like laptops. The back-to-school sales tax holiday builds on the $2 billion ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program announced last week and other affordability measures that the Governor expects to see in the enacted budget.