Gov. Mikie Sherrill this week signed S3945/A4791, a bill that revises restrictions on the sale of hemp products and intoxicating hemp beverages through November 2026.

The law tightens limits on online sales of certain hemp-derived products and delays stricter enforcement until November. Sponsors include Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly members Robert Karabinchak, Linda Carter, and Cody Miller. The legislation follows concerns from regulators and lawmakers over intoxicating hemp beverages existing in a gray area between cannabis and alcohol oversight.(Governor’s Office; ROI‑NJ)

Archives watchdog: military records release was human error

In Washington, an inspector general investigation has concluded that the release of Gov. Sherrill’s largely unredacted military records during last year’s gubernatorial race was not politically motivated, but the result of human error.

According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s watchdog, a technician failed to follow established protocols when responding to a Freedom of Information Act request. The report found no evidence of coordination or political intent behind the disclosure, which included sensitive personal information.(CBS News)

World Cup brings tax debate to the Meadowlands

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Jersey, Democratic lawmakers are advancing a proposal to temporarily raise taxes in areas expected to see the biggest tourism spikes, including around MetLife Stadium.

The plan would raise the sales tax to 9.625% in the Meadowlands district during the tournament and add temporary surcharges on hotels, transportation, and some sports betting activity. Supporters say the revenue would help cover security and infrastructure costs tied to hosting the global event.

Republicans argue the plan would violate Gov. Sherrill’s campaign pledge not to raise the sales tax, warning that residents and local businesses could feel the impact alongside tourists.(NJ.com; POLITICO)

Early polling shows strong approval for Sherrill

Gov. Sherrill is beginning her first budget season with solid political footing. A new Fairleigh Dickinson University poll finds nearly six in 10 New Jersey voters approve of her job performance roughly two months into her term.

The poll shows overwhelming support among Democrats and majority approval among independents, giving the new governor significant leverage as she begins negotiations over taxes and spending. The survey was conducted March 20–28 and is the first independent statewide measure of her tenure.(NJ.com; New Jersey Monitor)

Newark school deal draws scrutiny over donor ties

In Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka says he played no role in a potential $500 million deal to secure a new elementary school, after reporting revealed the developer tied to the proposal is one of his political donors.

The project involves developer Scott Fields, who contributed to Baraka’s gubernatorial campaign. At a recent school board meeting, district officials declined to identify the developer, listing only a limited liability corporation. NJ Spotlight News later identified Fields through public records.

Critics have questioned both the cost and the lack of competitive bidding for the project, which would lease — rather than purchase — the building over decades.(NJ Spotlight News)

McIver asks appeals court to toss federal charges

Rep. LaMonica McIver has asked the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss federal assault charges stemming from a 2025 scuffle outside Newark’s Delaney Hall migrant detention facility.

In a new filing, McIver argues her actions during a congressional oversight visit were protected by legislative immunity and that the prosecution violates separation-of-powers principles. She also contends the case is politically motivated. McIver has pleaded not guilty.(New Jersey Monitor)

That’s tonight’s Last Call: delayed hemp enforcement, a World Cup tax fight, strong early polling , and no shortage of legal drama. As always in New Jersey, everything is temporary except the controversy.

Thanks for reading D10/11! This post is public so feel free to share it.

We reflect on key moments from the event, the themes that emerged, and the broader political and cultural context shaping the No Kings movement today. From grassroots organizing to challenges ahead, this conversation explores what rejecting hierarchy and authoritarianism looks like in practice—and where this movement could be headed next.Whether you attended the event, followed it online, or are just hearing about No Kings for the first time, this episode offers critical insight and grounded analysis you won’t want to miss.Also check out Lo’s commentary on the subject.

WASHINGTON (D10/11) — The Senate confirmed Colin McDonald of California to be an assistant attorney general on Tuesday by a 52–47 vote. Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, New Jersey Democrats, voted against the nomination, according to GovTrack.

Earlier Tuesday, the Senate voted 51–47 to proceed to consideration of two Coast Guard nominations. Booker and Kim again voted no. The Senate later voted twice, 53–47, to table the SAVE America Act, with both senators opposing the motions, GovTrack records show.

That evening, the Senate rejected 47–53 a motion to discharge a resolution that would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities involving Iran. Booker and Kim voted in favor of the measure. On Wednesday, both senators also voted yes on unsuccessful motions to proceed on resolutions disapproving federal rules related to the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to GovTrack.

In the House, lawmakers passed the American Water Stewardship Act by a vote of 378–32, reauthorizing certain Environmental Protection Agency programs. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D‑N.J., voted yes.

The House also narrowly approved a resolution governing debate on the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, 214–210, with McIver voting no. Later Wednesday, the House passed the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act of 2026 by a vote of 218–206. McIver again voted against the bill, GovTrack shows.

New Jersey Energy

TRENTON, N.J. (D10/11) — Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Wednesday signed legislation aimed at accelerating clean energy storage development in New Jersey, according to GovNews from the governor’s desk.

The law modifies requirements in the state’s transmission‑scale energy storage incentive program and extends key approval deadlines through the end of 2026. The administration said the changes are expected to expand competition among bidders, protect ratepayers, and advance up to 500 megawatts of additional storage capacity.

No Kings Marches

NEW YORK (AP) — Organizers held “No Kings” marches across the United States over the weekend as part of a coordinated series of demonstrations emphasizing opposition to expanded executive power and calling for protection of democratic norms. Events were reported in dozens of cities nationwide and were largely peaceful, organizers said.

Thanks for reading D10/11! This post is public so feel free to share it.

TRENTON, N.J. — Candidates for federal office in New Jersey remain subject to petition challenges ahead of the June 2 primary. Under state law, voters may contest nominating petitions through March 27, with all disputes to be resolved by April 1, according to the state secretary of state’s office.

House candidates must submit at least 500 valid signatures from registered voters in their districts, while U.S. Senate candidates must submit at least 2,500 signatures statewide.Source: New Jersey Spotlight News

Filed Candidates for U.S. Senate

TRENTON, N.J. — Several candidates have filed to run for U.S. Senate in New Jersey, according to state election records.

Filed candidates include Democratic incumbent Cory Booker and Republican challengers Robert Lebovics, Justin Murphy, Richard Tabor and Alex Zdan.Source: New Jersey Spotlight News

Filed Candidates for U.S. House

TRENTON, N.J. — Candidates have filed for multiple New Jersey congressional seats ahead of the June 2 primary.

In the 8th District, Democratic incumbent Rob Menendez faces challenger Mussab Ali. In the 9th District, Democratic incumbent Nellie Pou is running against Republicans Tiffany Burress and Rose Pino. In the 10th District, Democratic incumbent LaMonica McIver faces challenger Lawrence Poster and Republican Carmen Bucco. The 11th District includes Democrats Donald Cresitello, Joseph Lewis II, Analilia Mejia and Justin Strickland, as well as Republican Joe Hathaway.Source: New Jersey Spotlight News

Montclair Approves 30-Year Tax Abatement

MONTCLAIR, N.J. — The Montclair Township Council approved a 30-year tax abatement Tuesday for BDP Holdings LLC, the developer of the planned Lackawanna Plaza redevelopment.

The measure passed on a 6–1 vote. Supporters said the incentive is required to preserve historic elements of the former train terminal and construct a new parking deck, while opponents said the deal would limit revenue for the township’s financially strained school district.Source: Montclair Local

New Jersey Dedicates First Fire Tower in 78 Years

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has dedicated the Veterans Fire Tower, the state’s first new fire tower in 78 years.

The tower is intended to improve wildfire detection in Monmouth and Ocean counties as the state enters its spring wildfire season, which typically runs from mid-March to mid-May. Forest Fire Service officials also demonstrated prescribed burn operations.Source: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Jury Awards $12M in Paterson Wrongful Conviction Case

PATERSON, N.J. — A federal jury has awarded $12 million to a man who spent 24 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of murder.

Jurors found that three former Paterson police officers conspired to frame the man. His conviction was later dismissed, and the lawsuit alleged civil rights violations tied to the investigation.Source: Paterson Press

Jersey City to Modernize Snow Removal After Storm Report

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Jersey City plans to replace outdated snow-removal systems after a city report found that paper maps and routes dating back to the 1990s contributed to delays following a January snowstorm.

Mayor James Solomon said the city will transition to digital maps and routing tools accessible online and on tablets by next winter.Source: NJ.com

Urban New Jersey is not a dumping ground for suburban convenience. In this episode of Auto Asphyxiation Kimberly and Lark unpack how Newark, East Orange, and Orange are expected to absorb traffic, parking pressure, and environmental harm while the people most affected are too often sidelined from the decision-making process on a sporadic Zoom meetings (because I guess the big apple is scared to come to Jersey).

Thanks for reading D10/11! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

We take on the politics behind congestion pricing mitigation funds, the limits of so-called stakeholder input, and the larger question of who matters in regional planning. This is bigger than transit. This is about racialization, gender, class, power, and whose communities are treated as expendable.

Lo Sontag is joined by Damien Newton, former Tri‑State Transportation Campaign New Jersey coordinator, founder of LA Streetsblog, and current Executive Director of the California Streets Initiative, for a wide‑ranging conversation on New Jersey transportation policy, congestion pricing, regional equity, and why journalists are stakeholders—not neutral bystanders.

We examine how redlining, disinvestment, and racialized dispossession in Newark, Orange, and East Orange created today’s displacement threats—and how exclusion from decision‑making perpetuates harm. This is not an accident. It’s a crash: of dignity, voice, and democratic participation.

The MTA’s congestion pricing program, administered by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA), is reshaping the New York–New Jersey region. But New Jersey communities are too often informed last—if at all—about policies they live with every day. The program’s $100 million in place‑based mitigation funding is meant for working‑class, overburdened communities—not financial district insiders.

We break down where that money is supposed to go, including:

* Newark: $5.7M

* East Orange: $1.8M

* City of Orange: $0.9M

If congestion pricing is truly about public good, communities must be at the table from day one. Start with dignity. Design for inclusion. Audit for harm.

The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to begin floor debate on the SAVE America Act, a voting‑related bill backed by Republican leadership, clearing a key procedural hurdle while leaving the legislation short of the votes required for final passage.

The Senate approved a motion to proceed by a vote of 51–48, allowing debate to begin on the bill. The vote largely followed party lines, with Democrats opposing the motion and Republicans supporting it. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R‑Alaska) voted against the motion, and Sen. Thom Tillis (R‑N.C.) did not vote. [yahoo.com], [nbcnews.com], [cnbc.com]

What the SAVE America Act Would Do

The SAVE America Act (S. 1383 / H.R. 7296) proposes several changes to federal election procedures, including:

* Requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections

* Mandating photo identification for in‑person voting

* Requiring most mail‑in voters to include a copy of their photo ID

* Directing states to submit voter registration data to federal agencies for citizenship verification

Supporters say the bill strengthens election integrity. Democrats and voting‑rights organizations argue it could restrict access to voting for eligible citizens who lack easy access to required documentation. [yahoo.com], [nbcnews.com], [cnbc.com]

New Jersey Senators Vote Against Advancing Debate

Both of New Jersey’s U.S. senators voted against the motion to proceed:

* Sen. Cory Booker (D‑NJ): Nay

* Sen. Andy Kim (D‑NJ): Nay

Democrats have indicated they will block efforts to end debate on the bill. Under current Senate rules, invoking cloture and moving to a final vote requires 60 votes, a threshold Republican leadership has acknowledged it does not currently have. [nbcnews.com]

Earlier Senate Vote on Judicial Nomination

Earlier the same day, the Senate voted on cloture for a district court nomination. The Senate agreed to limit debate by a vote of 48–45. Booker and Kim both voted against cloture. The nominee was later confirmed. [dailypress...senate.gov]

House Advances Bipartisan Legislation

While the Senate debated the SAVE America Act, the U.S. House of Representatives passed multiple bipartisan bills on March 17.

The House approved the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act of 2026 by a vote of 320–66. The bill establishes a pilot program under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support new markets for invasive blue catfish harvested from the Chesapeake Bay. [robwittman....house.gov], [govtrack.us]

The House also passed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act by a vote of 345–41. The legislation reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through 2031. [clerk.house.gov], [sbir.org]

Rep. LaMonica McIver’s Votes

Rep. LaMonica McIver (D‑NJ‑10) voted in favor of both bipartisan measures.

She also voted against a House rules package that would have advanced a bill addressing restrictions on lead ammunition on federal lands and voted against final passage of that measure. [congress.wiki]

What Happens Next

Despite advancing to debate, the SAVE America Act remains unlikely to reach a final vote without bipartisan support. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said Republicans do not have the votes needed to invoke cloture and end debate. [nbcnews.com], [cnbc.com]

Debate on the legislation is ongoing.

🗞️ New Jersey Political and Policy News — March 2026

🗳️ Special Election in NJ‑11: New York Post Endorses Joe Hathaway

The New York Post has issued an editorial endorsement in the upcoming special election for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, backing Republican candidate Joe Hathaway. The April 16 election was triggered by Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s resignation from the House following her election as governor.

In its endorsement, the Post characterized Democratic nominee Analilia Mejia as a “radical, antisemitic socialist” and described Hathaway, the mayor of Randolph, as a “sensible centrist.” The editorial marks the first major newspaper endorsement in the race.(New Jersey Globe | New York Post via MSN) [newjerseyglobe.com] [msn.com]

⚽ World Cup Security Funding Delays Raise Concerns in New Jersey

More than $625 million in federal funding allocated by Congress for security at FIFA World Cup host cities has not yet been distributed, raising concerns among state and local officials with the tournament now less than four months away.

Rep. Nellie Pou (D‑N.J.), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee whose district includes MetLife Stadium, says the Department of Homeland Security missed its Jan. 30 target date for releasing the funds and is intentionally withholding the money for political reasons. DHS officials have cited an ongoing funding impasse and partial department shutdown as the reason for the delay.

New Jersey is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches, including the final on July 19, 2026. Local officials say the funding is critical for staffing, crowd control, emergency response, and security infrastructure.(Front Office Sports | USA Today) [frontoffic...sports.com] [usatoday.com]

🏥 Senate Panel Advances Raynard Washington as Health Commissioner

Raynard Washington, Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s nominee to lead the New Jersey Department of Health, was unanimously approved by a state Senate panel following a hearing that covered hospital funding, healthcare costs, vaccine policy, and anticipated federal funding reductions.

Washington, an epidemiologist from North Carolina, told lawmakers the state faces uncertainty due to potential federal healthcare funding cuts and policy changes under the Trump administration. His nomination now moves to a full Senate vote.(National Today | New Jersey Monitor) [nationaltoday.com] [newjerseymonitor.com]

🏛️ Congress and New Jersey’s Senate Delegation

📚 Sen. Andy Kim Introduces Civics Education Resolution

Sen. Andy Kim (D‑N.J.) introduced a resolution to establish an annual Senate academic civics competition for secondary school students. The resolution cites declining civics assessment scores and survey data showing that one in six adults cannot name the three branches of government.

The resolution has been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.(Congress.gov – S.Res. 639)

🚰 Sen. Cory Booker Introduces Rural Water Infrastructure Bill

Sen. Cory Booker (D‑N.J.) introduced legislation to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand funding for rural decentralized water and wastewater systems.

The bill would increase loan and grant caps and allow funds to cover performance warranties for decentralized wastewater systems. A similar bill failed to advance in a previous Congress. The new bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.(Congress.gov – S.4096)

🧠 Multiple Civics Bills Introduced by Sen. Andy Kim

On March 11 alone, Sen. Kim introduced several civics‑focused measures, including:

* A bill to expand American history and civics education programs

* A proposal to create a congressional commission on American civics renewal

* A bill to authorize arts and humanities funding for civic education

* A resolution establishing an annual Senate academic civics competition

All measures have been referred to relevant Senate committees for consideration.

✅ Senate Vote Update

On March 11, the Senate approved a substitute amendment to H.R. 6644 by an 84–10 vote.

* Sen. Cory Booker: Present

* Sen. Andy Kim: Yes

(Congress.gov – S.Amdt. 4308)

🚆 Transportation Update: Portal North Bridge Opens for Regular Service

The new Portal North Bridge officially entered full weekday passenger service on March 16, restoring normal NJ Transit schedules after several weeks of disruptions tied to the project’s “cutover” phase.

The bridge replaces the aging 116‑year‑old Portal swing bridge over the Hackensack River, a major bottleneck on the Northeast Corridor shared by NJ Transit and Amtrak. Unlike the old bridge, the new fixed‑span structure does not need to open for marine traffic, allowing for more reliable service and higher operating speeds.

Transit officials say a second track will be transferred to the new bridge later this fall, further improving reliability for the roughly 200,000 daily riders who use the corridor.(CBS News | Gothamist) [cbsnews.com] [gothamist.com]

We will see what the legislature says. The New Jersey state budget requires a simple majority vote in both houses of the Legislature to pass: at least 21 votes in the Senate (out of 40) and 41 votes in the General Assembly (out of 80

UPDATED: Governor Sherrill Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Address

“Rising to the Mission: A More Affordable & Accountable New Jersey”

March 10, 2026

Remarks As Prepared For Delivery

Lieutenant Governor Caldwell.

Senate President Scutari. Speaker Coughlin.

Majority Leaders Ruiz and Greenwald. Republican Leaders Bucco and DiMaio. Members of the 222nd Legislature.

Chief Justice Rabner and Judge Blee. Members of the Cabinet. Former Governors Christie, McGreevey, and DiFrancesco. Former Lt. Governors Way and Guadagno.

Our brothers and sisters in organized labor, faith leaders, and friends. My family – Mom, Dad, Ike, and Marit.

And my fellow New Jerseyans.

We’re here today to discuss a central issue of government: our budget. But before we begin, I think it’s important to recognize the servicemembers killed or injured in the Middle East this month, and their families. Please join me in a moment of silence. [moment of silence] And I’d like to give special thanks to all of our New Jersey National Guard troops and their family members, including two who are here today:

Krista Romano – whose husband, Tech Sergeant Seth Schoenfeld, has been with the Air National Guard for 17 years. And Stefanie Garcia – who has served alongside her twin sister, Sergeant First Class Darlene Gomez, since they enlisted together when they were just 17. Both Sergeants Schoenfeld and Gomez are now deployed in the Middle East. Thank you all for your service.

And thanks to all of you for coming together in this chamber today. *

Some people see government service as a job. Some people see it as a calling. Some are in it for the prestige; and sadly, others are in it simply to enrich themselves. As I stand here, presenting a budget that relies on the hard-earned tax dollars of over 9 million New Jerseyans – it’s fair to ask why I’m in government service. It’s because I know what well-run government can do. It’s life-changing. And I know what people can lose when government fails. I’ve seen it in my own family. My grandfather’s parents lost everything in the Great Depression. Through generations of hard work – fleeing a famine, starting a farm, selling cars in the suburbs – they built our family’s American Dream, only to lose it all, because of bad decisions by government that crashed our nation’s economy. But my grandfather was young; and even though he started with nothing, he got drafted, became a pilot, and flew in World War 2. After the war, he joined the UAW and worked as a welder for years. He raised eight kids in a tiny house with only one full bathroom – a house built by FDR’s Works Progress Administration, the WPA – eligible because of his service to our country. When he and my grandmother got older, Social Security, Medicare and a good union pension meant my family didn’t go bankrupt caring for them. They even had a little left over for their kids. In the swings of my grandfather’s life, I saw the two sides of government: what happens when it’s run poorly; and the promise of a government run well. I stand before you because our country helped my grandfather succeed. The fact that our family could go from having nothing, to me becoming Governor of New Jersey in just two generations, is what the promise of America is all about.

It’s why I’ve always been so proud to serve this country – in the Navy, at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in Congress, and now as Governor of our state. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what service means, and what it means to lead.

I took my first oath to the Constitution as a teenager, and the lessons I learned then have followed me since:

Focus on the mission.

Find a way or make one.

The only easy day was yesterday. Public service calls us to do hard things. But dedicated public servants, working day-in and day-out, are what make stories of opportunity like my family’s possible. Unfortunately, though, today, we’re not creating enough of those opportunities.

Government hasn’t been working the way it can – the way it should. And here in New Jersey, a broken budget is at the heart of so much of that. For too long, too many in Trenton have taken the easy way out – opting for a quick fix, instead of laying the foundation for a solid future.

Last November, voters were clear:

They sent me here to be a different kind of leader.

To make their lives more affordable.

To protect our kids.

To make our government more accountable and change how business is done.

I take that trust seriously, so I got right to work.

I’ve signed 16 Executive Orders so far – freezing utility rate hikes, boosting energy supply, streamlining government, cutting red tape. We responded to two historic snowstorms – we were prepared, we communicated, and we cleaned up. Time after time, we’ve taken the Trump Administration to court – and we’ve won. We’re fighting and winning for the Gateway tunnel and its thousands of jobs. I just announced the state’s largest infrastructure investment in decades. And that’s just my first month-and-a-half.

* But the hard truth is: we’re going to have to make some tough choices to deliver for people long-term. To get to affordability, we have to start with responsibility.

When we started this budget process, we were staring down an estimated 3-billion-dollar structural deficit for this year, or about 5 percent of state expenses, historically one of the worst budget gaps in the nation.

If we do nothing, our entire 7.2-billion-dollar surplus will be gone in less than two years – and we’ll be another 750 million in the hole.

Since our Constitution requires a balanced budget, failing to act now would trigger far worse in the future.

It could mean blunt cuts to public services, for everything from school funding to pensions. It could mean credit downgrades and higher interest rates, pushing us deeper into debt. And it could mean tax hikes for businesses and families.

I won’t let that happen.

I refuse to put off for tomorrow what we have to fix today. Because right now, we’re facing a perfect storm of fiscal challenges; short-term and long-term, federal and state. The Trump Administration is recklessly slashing critical programs –from healthcare and housing, to food aid and foster care, schools and infrastructure. And yes, Trump’s massive cuts are blowing an immediate hole in our budget, hurting New Jerseyans. At the same time, the covid-relief money is ending. Six years of emergency cash flooding in from Washington helped to paper over our very real fiscal problems. Meanwhile, costs everywhere keep rising. It’s hurting families’ wallets – and increasing costs the state pays to provide healthcare, to fund schools, and to buy the utilities and services needed to serve New Jerseyans.

Trump’s devastating cuts. Covid relief drying up. Costs continuing to rise. Those things have all collided to put us in this position.

But we also have to face the fact that for decades, previous administrations have allowed for business-as-usual in Trenton, and failed to find any real and solid fiscal footing.

There have been too many one-offs. Too many temporary fixes. Too little willingness to challenge what’s always been done.

As a result, the state budget has doubled in size since 2010.

Utility rates have skyrocketed, and leaders were slow to respond. School funding has soared, but too many third graders still read below grade level, and kids’ mental health keeps getting worse.

Just look how pensions have been mishandled. This year, we’ll spend over 7 billion dollars to fully fund our state pension system. New York, in comparison, spends 2 billion. New Jersey owes nearly 6 billion a year in back-payments – because for or 30 years, other administrations, Democratic and Republican alike, simply refused to pay our bills. I give Governor Murphy and many of you here a lot of credit for resuming those payments. But if others had done their jobs – if they’d honored the promises made to public workers – we’d be paying 6 billion dollars LESS per year now. Imagine what we could be doing with that money, if for 30 years, elected officials hadn’t mortgaged our kids’ futures. Imagine what we could do for schools, healthcare, small businesses, law enforcement. That’s the price we all pay. And it’s what we have to come together to change now. I promised a different kind of leadership. To do not what’s easy for me, but what’s best for our state. That’s our duty as public servants.

It’s time to close the deficit the right way, structurally, so we’re not just plugging new holes every year. It’s a simple lesson we learn as kids: You can’t spend more than you earn.

In these past weeks, my team and I have reached out to every member of this legislature, both Democratic and Republican. I’m grateful how many of you have committed to tackling these tough choices together – so we can build a New Jersey that’s more affordable, accountable, and financially sound.

* Today, I’m submitting to this legislature the most fiscally responsible budget that our state has seen in years. It fully funds our pension system.

It does NOT raise taxes on individual New Jerseyans.

And it includes 2.6 billion dollars in budget solutions – nearly 2 billion in tough, necessary cuts; and over 700 million in new revenue from closing corporate tax loopholes. Together, it’ll put us on the path to balancing our budget structurally, in 2028 and beyond.

And it rewards our tough choices with savings – savings we’ll invest back into lowering costs for New Jerseyans. Providing a better future for our kids. Building a government that’s accountable. This budget is the path to getting our fiscal house in order. And it’s a platform from which we’ll generate jobs and opportunity – for the working families who sent us here to fight for them.

New Jersey is the 22nd largest economy in the world. We have the best entrepreneurs and builders. The most scientists and engineers per square mile. The most courage.

The reason I take this work so seriously is I know we have a chance to build something incredibly special – if we make the effort to lay that foundation. So here’s how we’ll get it done.

*

Our work starts by ending previous administrations’ bad habit of tacking last-minute giveaways onto each budget.

These days, we simply can’t afford that.

For example, in the final working days of the last Administration, New Jerseyans were stuck with nearly 3 billion dollars in extra spending – 2.5 billion in corporate tax breaks and 240 million in giveaways.

That can’t happen. We can’t afford that process anymore. It’s not accountable; it’s not efficient; it’s not what the people of New Jersey deserve.

I’ve spoken to leadership in both houses – we have to chart a new way forward. And at the same time, this budget protects middle-class families, who are bearing the burden of soaring property taxes.

In fact, it provides the most property tax relief in state history: nearly 4.2 billion dollars next year.

Relief is essential. And Stay NJ is a great program – it keeps seniors, so often living on a fixed income, in their homes. But it benefits households that make as much as 500,000 dollars a year.

I’m changing that, to safeguard Stay NJ for middle class seniors. If you make 250,000 or less, your tax relief is in this budget.

That’s going to save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year. And we’ll target more relief to low- and middle-income senior renters, through the ANCHOR program.

That’s a fairer, more efficient use of taxpayer money.

*

And we’re also paring back some corporate tax breaks – capping the deduction that our highest-earning companies can take for net operating losses. After COVID, more started claiming this deduction, to write off losses seen in those years. It’s time to move on. We won’t keep shortchanging the future. Limiting this loophole saves taxpayers almost 500 million dollars. At the same time, some companies have been using a deduction that was introduced 15 years ago, to help small businesses weather the Great Recession. It’s called the Alternative Business Calculation, and the whole point was to level the playing field for entrepreneurs. But bigger companies started using it, too. So our budget limits that deduction to the actual small businesses it was meant for, capping eligibility at business income of a million dollars a year. The car repair shop and the diner down the block are the ones who should benefit.

This fix will save another 120 million dollars a year – without taxing families a dollar more. *

Altogether, the commonsense changes outlined in my budget will reduce our structural deficit by 1.2 billion dollars from its level last month. Those savings will help plug the gap left by expired covid funding. They’ll help protect the fundamental opportunities that Trump is trying to gut. They’ll free us to invest in the future that New Jerseyans have asked us to build. And they’ll help create a government that delivers for the people it’s meant to serve. People like Tracy Porter, a union worker who’s been building the Gateway tunnel project.

I met Tracy last month at a rally in Secaucus, fighting for Gateway funding. Tracy’s dad moved to New Jersey from Georgia in the Sixties. He had a third-grade education, but he put himself through night school to start his own subcontracting business. Tracy’s dad called New Jersey “the land of opportunities.” Like my grandfather, he raised eight kids in a tiny place with only one full bathroom, this time in Newark. Tracy worked his first construction job alongside his dad, helping to lay apartment foundations when he was just 11. Years later, he joined a union, LiUNA Local 472. Over 30 years, he worked up and down the Turnpike, building many of the roads and bridges that all of us use every day. Now, Tracy is putting his own kids through college. The youngest is a freshman, on the Dean’s List, studying psychology. He pays her full tuition. I want to give Tracy a big hand – he’s here with us today.

But there’s a catch to Tracy’s story – something else that’s all too common.

Even though he loves and sees a future here in New Jersey, he doesn’t live here now. He commutes from Pennsylvania, because the cost of living here is just too high.

*

I heard that same story again and again on the campaign trail as people would come up and tell me: “Mikie, it’s getting too expensive. I don’t know how I’ll afford to stay.”

People kept awake at night worrying about rising costs. For them, affordability isn’t just a slogan; it’s a basic measure of whether they can live a secure life.

And when everyday expenses keep rising faster than paychecks, and leaders don’t respond, people lose faith in the idea that government can work for them.

I promised to change that – to lower costs for working families and stand up to the bad actors ripping them off. How we respond is a key test of how well government does its job. * I started on Day One by taking action to lower utility costs – and in New Jersey, we have some of the nation’s highest. Imagine you’re on a fixed income. Imagine you’re Herb and Mary Michitsch. They’ve lived in their red brick house in Kenilworth for 55 years. Herb retired after 40 years as a manager for AT&T. They saved their whole lives for a comfortable retirement, but now find themselves paying up to 400 dollars a month on electricity bills. They’re both almost 90, and watching today on the livestream. Hi Herb and Mary! I made a commitment to fight for people like them. There’s no question that New Jerseyans are facing higher electricity bills because our regional grid operator, PJM, has seriously mismanaged it.

It’s failed to get enough power online to meet growing needs, and it’s been too slow in finding a way to manage new demand from data centers. It’s left people like Herb and Mary holding the bag. So, I declared a State of Emergency to freeze utility rate hikes. And I signed an executive order to increase new power generation, to lower costs long-term. We’re growing solar and battery capacity: in my first month-and-a-half, I’ve already approved six new projects. And we’re modernizing natural gas facilities and exploring the opportunities that new nuclear sites bring. Because more power means more supply and lower costs. * But that’s not all that’s squeezing families. We can’t make New Jersey more affordable until we make housing more affordable.

I’m a mom; I want my kids to be able to move back here – but not into my basement. Home prices and rent have soared 60 percent in some places since 2020. We have to increase supply, to bring costs down. My budget moves to do that by protecting the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to the tune of 70 million dollars, so we can use that money as it was intended: to build housing that’s affordable.

It increases downpayment assistance for people looking to buy a first home – sometimes the first in their families to do so. It helps us to brace for the impact of federal cuts to emergency housing programs, expanding our work to end homelessness. And it supports programs to get vets into permanent housing. Because this is the year we effectively end veteran homelessness in New Jersey. As a veteran, I know what those who served have sacrificed for this nation. The least we owe them is a safe place to live. At the same time, there are new challenges in the housing market. Rent these days can be set by algorithms that use your data to charge the highest price they think you can bear. The same goes for groceries – where they switch prices based on things like time of day, or even your gender, or phone browsing history.

That means if you have to shop after work, when stores are crowded, you’ll pay more than if you’re free to shop at noon. It means if the store knows you just searched for a certain product online, it might charge a higher price. That’s outrageous. I’ll work with all of you to pass legislation limiting this kind of for-profit surveillance by Big Tech.

*

And when it comes to healthcare – we’re facing one of the biggest crises of our time. We all know the healthcare system in America is broken. Costs in New Jersey are among the nation’s highest, and that affects everything: families, businesses, schools, property taxes, the state budget. And Trump’s cuts are about to make everything worse. Because Washington refused to extend Affordable Care Act credits, nearly half-a-million New Jerseyans will see their premiums triple this year. And because his H.R.1 law makes people jump through hoops to stay on Medicaid, 300,000 more New Jerseyans will be kicked off.

To prevent that, this budget invests in new technology to help people meet Trump’s burdensome paperwork requirements. But many families will still lose coverage – and the cost of insuring them directly would be billions of dollars. Instead of asking taxpayers to foot that bill, this budget looks to large employers. It asks any company with 50 or more employees on Medicaid – companies like Amazon and Walmart – to cover their workers, which they should do anyway; or pay a fine. That helps warehouse workers, cashiers, healthcare aides – people who keep our economy running. It’ll reduce strain on hospitals, easing the expected surge in E.R. care, the most expensive kind.

And it’ll raise 145 million dollars a year, to cover Trump’s extra Medicaid costs. But that’s just the start. As devastating as federal cuts are – New Jersey hasn’t done itself any favors by letting overall healthcare costs skyrocket for so long. The bills are a burden to anyone who buys insurance, for themselves or their employees – and that includes the State, and local governments. The State Health Benefits Program has been pushed to the brink, putting coverage for hundreds of thousands of public workers at risk. So in the coming year, we’ll enact real reforms, with everyone at the table, to fix the program, keep it solvent, and bring down costs now. We’ll also continue to change the way we manage prescription drug costs. Today, a type of shadowy middleman, called a “Pharmacy Benefit Manager,” or PBM, sits between insurers, drugmakers, and pharmacies. They drive up the cost of medications as much as 10 times, while padding their profits with secret manufacturer rebates and insider tricks. Our state Medicaid program could save 20 million dollars if PBMs weren’t allowed to inflate the prices it’s forced to pay. All New Jerseyans pay the price for that. And PBMs harm independent pharmacists, too – dictating copays and pocketing reimbursements. Pharmacists like Amit Sikka at Liberty Drug in Chatham, who’s here with us now. I visited his pharmacy last year. It has been a fixture in the community for over 60 years, and now employs 20 people, as so many great small businesses across our state do. I promised him I’d crack down on PBMs – reducing their power, and with it, the price of prescription drugs. I intend to keep that promise, Amit. I know many of you in this legislature have been doing great work on this, and I look forward to partnering with you to pass a comprehensive and historic PBM reform bill. * But the pain of higher costs doesn’t come just from big-ticket items like housing and healthcare. It adds up in small ways every day.

Take transportation, which costs the typical New Jersey family 14,000 dollars a year. But as we see with New Jersey Transit, for example, riders aren’t always getting what they pay for. This budget ensures there are no cuts to service. And it’ll help to fully modernize one of the oldest rail fleets in the nation – starting with 40 new rail cars and 250 new buses this year. And shortly, we’ll be opening the brand new Portal Bridge, on the line from Newark to Penn Station –replacing a century-old swing bridge, finally ending the signal failures and delays.

And of course, I’m going to keep fighting for every dollar owed to the Gateway Tunnel project, the biggest, most urgent infrastructure project in America. I’ll keep standing up for the thousand workers, like Tracy, who are already on the job, and the thousands more who will soon begin work. A few other members of LiUNA Local 472 are here with us today – it’s been an honor standing with you all these past months! I’ll also keep standing up for the 200,000 daily commuters for whom this project means finally knowing you’ll make it home in time to get your kids at daycare, or to have dinner with your family. And we’ll keep fighting for the 20 billion dollars in economic growth it’s expected to bring. If President Trump threatens it again, we’ll keep suing him – and keep beating him – in court. I’m always going to stand up for workers.

And I’m always going to stand up for our kids. *

When I think about the work we’re doing, when I recall my family’s path and the doors of opportunity that America opened for us – I always think about my kids. I think about all of our kids, and the future we’re building for them. I know parenting is hard. Parenting right now is even harder. That’s why this budget invests in our children from the moment they’re born. It expands the “Family Connects” home visitation program to EVERY county – so parents of all newborns can have a specially-trained-nurse visit them at home. It invests in our state childcare program. And it continues to fund the school formula with a record investment in K-12 education – although everyone in this room knows we’re not getting the bang for the buck that we need.

Evidence shows the huge benefits of shared services for things like special education, transportation, books, and software. So this budget invests in and lays the groundwork for consolidating services and curricula. It’s better for students, offering continuity as they move from elementary to middle to high school in one unified system. And it’s better for districts, providing needed savings. At the same time, we’re investing in evidence-based literacy tools and high-impact tutoring programs that have launched in 300 districts since covid, to bring kids back up to speed. They’re working: In Camden, math scores jumped 80 percent, and literacy scores doubled. In Franklin, 83 percent of students improved a full grade-level in math. In Elk Township, 74 percent improved a full grade in reading – and some improved as many as five.

But the pandemic not only affected kids’ learning; it had a huge impact on their mental health, and social media continues to make that worse. Kids are struggling with pressures that didn’t exist when we were young: the always-on online culture, fierce competition, worries about school violence, and concerns about the future. We know the current model of care has not been good enough for our kids. So this budget sunsets it, and brings specialized, intensive mental health support back into schools, with a new program called “SPARK,” that meets students in their own environment.

That work is so important, especially given the impact of social media today.

My four kids are between the ages of 14 and 20. And I can tell you with certainty: our country is failing our children when it comes to protecting them online. It’s personal – to me, and to millions of parents on whom Big Tech has dumped an impossible responsibility. You’ve seen the commercials: the companies masquerading as good actors; providing parents with “tools;” making us feel like whatever happens to our kids online, it’s somehow our fault. We just haven’t used their “tools” right. The truth is, a new platform or feature rolls out every day, with the most advanced algorithms designed to addict us all. Trying to keep up with this would be a full-time job, and the platforms know it. Not long ago, they started studying the effect that social media has on young people – and they suspended their research, because the early results were so bad. Instead, we’re left hearing devastating stories from parents about the last thing their kids saw online. The last chat they had with AI as it told them how to take their own lives. All while Big Tech CEOs and their companies become the biggest and richest in the world. This isn’t just the Big Tobacco of our era – it’s worse. And it’s exactly the kind of situation where government has a role to play to keep our kids safe.

But instead, Washington has walked away.

Not here. Not in New Jersey. In my campaign last year, I outlined a full Kids Online Safety Agenda, to protect our children and hold Big Tech’s feet to the fire. I look forward to working with you all, as you craft strong, evidence-based legislation to protect our kids and their future.

I also want to thank my friend, Adam Renteria and his mom, Robin, for joining us. In just 7th grade, Adam went through some of the worst bullying and harassment that a kid could face, which the apps should’ve flagged. I met Adam last year and asked him to share his story. With hard work, he went from a kid who for months couldn’t even come out of his room – to a star speaker at events across the state. He served on one of my transition action teams and gave policy recommendations. Thank you, Adam – I’m so proud of your leadership. This budget funds our new Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness – which I launched, as promised, with an executive order on my first day as Governor. And it creates a Social Media Research Center, to study the impact of digital technology on young people’s mental health. In New Jersey, we’re not going to rely on Big Tech to come clean about the harm these technologies cause. We’re going to lead the way, and give overworked parents some relief.

* I believe we’re at a unique moment in history, a time of enormous change. Rather than fix what’s wrong with government, Washington is looking to dismantle it.

But in that wreckage, there’s opportunity. Things are possible now that would’ve been unthinkable a decade ago. We have a chance in New Jersey to do things differently. To change government for the better. To make it work for people. And we have to start with the basics, which have lagged here for too long. Trenton often overlooks how critically important businesses are. They’re key to creating good jobs and opportunity, and to boosting our economy; and their success can help to close this budget hole. But I hear again and again how hard it is to do business here. Permitting is too slow. Licensing is a black box. Projects fail because they simply can’t afford the uncertainty or the wait. I promised to change that, with a “Save You Time and Money” Agenda. And we’re already delivering. In my first days in office, I signed Executive Orders to start cutting red tape. I said I’d review burdensome regulations – so I paused all new and pending rules for 90 days.   I promised to streamline permitting, including with a live dashboard where businesses can track their applications – we’re building it. I said I’d slash Business Registration Fees – this budget does that. I promised to create our state’s first Chief Operating Officer, to modernize systems across departments – I named Kellie Doucette to the job. I said I’d launch an online “New Jersey Report Card” for people to see where their tax dollars are going – it’ll be live next month. I said I’d expand assistance for Minority, Women, and Black-owned Enterprises, to help them get capital and contracts, and start closing the disparity gap. This budget does that, too – by investing in new training and support. It upgrades IT at state licensing boards – so professionals aren’t stuck waiting months for a piece of paper to do their jobs. It invests in staff to monitor state health benefit processing and to catch pension fraud. And we’re trusting agencies to hire their own staff without the Governor’s approval, eliminating delays that keep agencies from delivering for New Jersey.

These investments are an important first step in building an efficient, transparent government that delivers for working people. They reduce costs to taxpayers. And there’s another reason to do this – to support the dedicated public servants who support us all. New Jersey has the finest public servants in the nation. We just saw it again, as we went through both the storm of the decade, and then the storm of a generation, in less than one month. The reason we’re all sitting here not thinking much about that, is because of the thousands of people who worked through the night in the cold – plowing roads, clearing train tracks, fixing downed powerlines in near white-out conditions. Some of them are here with us today from IFPTE Local 194, the Turnpike workers’ union – thank you! The best way we can thank them is to build a government that’s worthy of their service. * I’ve only been in office a month-and-a-half. I know we have big things to do together. And while this is the most fiscally responsible budget our state has seen in years, it’s just the start. We can’t solve every problem overnight. But with this budget, we’ve almost halved the structural deficit, avoided raising taxes, and fully funded pensions. We’ve given notice that special interest giveaways are over, and moved resources to help working people instead. And this is the budget we can afford. If there are things you think we need to add – come to me with places we can cut. It’s simple math: any additions require subtractions.

At the same time, this budget does make us less vulnerable to Washington. Less vulnerable to a President who puts himself above the country, enriching himself at everyone else’s expense.

From his illegal cuts to Gateway, to his illegal tariffs, to his skyrocketing gas prices – whenever Donald Trump gets involved, costs go up, jobs get lost, and working people suffer.

But while his Administration is demonstrating how much damage a poorly run government can do, we’ll prove how much strong state leadership can transform lives.

That’s what we’re building together here.

I know these changes aren’t easy. But that’s what public service is all about.

I was taught in the Navy that leaders have a responsibility: not just to tell people what to do, but to listen. To think not of themselves, but of the mission. They call it servant leadership. And I see it around this room – in many of you, who’ve served this state with honor, sometimes for a lifetime, sacrificing time with your families, putting your communities first.

I see it in your leadership:

Speaker Coughlin and President Scutari – in their commitment to this institution, its members, and our work together to make this the session where our state finds sure footing.

I see it in members of the Budget Committee– who’ll be staying here for the coming months of hearings and hard work, until we see this through. Thank you!

I see it in my Republican friends – I worked with many of you when I was in Congress, and I know there are plenty of things we all agree on.

And I see it in the military veterans and the Gold Star mom here on the floor today, serving in this legislature.

I see it in all of you – people who’ve stepped up throughout your lives, ready to do hard things together, for the good of this country and the good of our state. *

Today, reality is forcing us to change not just the way we do our budget, but how we approach our work. It’s asking us to make hard choices, for the sake of a better future.

But one of the best things about New Jersey is that when we’re called to it, there’s no challenge we’ve backed away from. I’m in this with you for the long haul. Sometimes there’s a mentality that says: “Why do you care? You won’t be here in 10 years.” Maybe it’s because when you have kids, you suddenly have a longer time horizon. The whole reason I’m standing here, submitting this budget, even serving in this office, is because of my four kids. Because of all of our kids. The decisions we make now, the foundations this budget builds, will have an impact for decades, long after all of us have left the statehouse. It means doing things differently – but it’s worth it. Because it’s worth building the kind of government that really does make New Jersey – as Tracy’s dad said – the land of opportunity, for generations to come. This is an affordability budget, rooted in fairness for hardworking families. It answers first to people around their kitchen tables, not in the boardroom or the backroom. It lays the groundwork to expand opportunity, and tackle even harder problems in the years ahead.

I want to build a future where working families can afford to live and thrive here.

Where the world’s brightest minds can innovate and build here.

Where government delivers for the people and businesses it’s meant to serve. In life, you rarely get to choose your mission; you rise to it. This is our mission. This is what we’re building. This is the time to do it. Thank you.

God bless the great State of New Jersey.

And God bless the United States of America.

###

Also on YouTube:

Governor Sherrill to Unveil First State Budget

Gov. Mikie Sherrill will present her first New Jersey state budget on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the State House in Trenton. The address will stream live on NJSpotlightNews.org.

In a Feb. 26 briefing, Sherrill and Treasurer Aaron Binder warned that New Jersey faces a $3 billion structural deficit, driven by rising Medicaid costs, pension liabilities, increased school funding obligations, public‑worker benefits, and the expiration of federal COVID relief and federal funding cuts.Source: NJBiz

Supreme Court Social Media Case Tested in N.J.

A lawsuit in New Jersey will examine how a 2024 unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling applies to local officials’ use of social media. The case centers on whether the mayor’s Facebook page was a personal page or a government page.

The Court ruled officials may block users from personal pages, but not if those pages are used for official business, stating: “An official cannot insulate government business from scrutiny by conducting it on a personal page.”Source:

https://www.nj.com

Crash Data on Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell

Data from the Caldwell Police Department, obtained by Montclair Local, shows 172 vehicle crashesoccurred on Bloomfield Avenue between Jan. 1, 2023 and Feb. 18, 2026, resulting in 22 injuries. The roadway has been a long‑standing point of concern, including a fatal hit‑and‑run earlier this year.Source:

https://montclairlocal.news

Bloomfield Receives MIG 1 Rating for $16.2M in Notes

Bloomfield earned a MIG 1 rating from Moody’s for its $16.2 million in 2026 bond anticipation notes, including $14.2 million in general improvement notes and $2 million in water utility notes.

Bond anticipation notes (BANs) are short‑term, interest‑bearing securities that help municipalities fund projects before securing long‑term financing.Sources:

https://patch.com

•

https://www.investopedia.com

Jersey City Appoints Acting Deputy Public Safety Director

Jersey City Mayor James Solomon has appointed Deputy Fire Chief Loren Hart as the city’s acting deputy public safety director, serving as second‑in‑command to Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.Source: Hudson County

Middy Baraka to Manage NJ‑12 Congressional Campaign

Middy Baraka, brother of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, has been named campaign manager for the NJ‑12 congressional campaign of candidate Mapp, reinforcing Newark’s continued political influence in regional races.Source:

https://newjerseyglobe.com

Federal Legislation — Introduced March 5, 2026

S.J.Res.118 — Iran Hostilities

A joint resolution directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in Iran.Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (D‑NJ)Referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (Booker is a member).

S.4018 — Arts & Music Funding in Schools

A bill to expand access to school‑wide arts and music programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (D‑NJ)Referred to the Senate HELP Committee (Sen. Andy Kim is a member).

S.Res.628 — “Music in Our Schools Month”

A resolution supporting the designation of March 2026 as Music in Our Schools Month.Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (D‑NJ)Referred to Senate HELP Committee (Sen. Andy Kim is a member).

House Votes — March 5, 2026

H.Res.1099 — Iran as Largest State Sponsor of Terrorism

Passed 372–53Rep. McIver (NJ‑10): Nay

H.Con.Res.38 — Removal of U.S. Forces from Iran Hostilities

Failed 212–219Rep. McIver (NJ‑10): Yea

Motion to Recommit H.R. 7744 (DHS Appropriations)

Failed 212–217Rep. McIver (NJ‑10): Yea

H.R. 7744 — DHS Appropriations Act, 2026

Passed 221–209Rep. McIver (NJ‑10): Nay

Governor Sherrill Public Schedule

Sunday, March 8, 2026 — 11:00 a.m.Gov. Sherrill will appear on the first episode of Univision’s new Sunday program Esta Seman.

Congressional Overview: Iran War Votes

Both chambers voted on disapproving the President’s unauthorized military action in Iran:

* House: Failed 212–219

* Senate: Failed 53–47

A separate House resolution, H.Res.1099, reaffirming Iran as “the largest state sponsor of terrorism,” passed 372–53, though it carries no legal effect.

Ethics Developments

Rep. Gonzales (TX‑23) ended his reelection campaign following news of an ethics investigation.Rep. Nancy Mace introduced H.Res. 1100, seeking preservation and public release of Ethics Committee misconduct records. The Committee opposed the resolution, stating mandatory disclosures could discourage victim and witness cooperation. The House voted 357–65 to refer it back to committee, effectively stopping the measure.

Legislative Floor Activity

Most suspension‑calendar bills passed by voice vote. Exceptions include:

* H.R. 4467 — received no vote

* Bills expected under a rule did not reach the floor

Measures that passed:

* S.723 — Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act (384–40)

* H.R. 6472 — Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act (351–72)

* H.R. 7744 — DHS Appropriations Act, 2026(221–209)

DHS remains partially shut down, with ICE and CBP operating on prior‑year reconciliation funding.

New Jersey Republicans can’t quite Chris Christie:

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/04/new-jersey-republicans-cant-quit-chris-christie-00808972

Our schools survived Christie, how do we move forward:

https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2018/01/18-01-25-op-ed-our-schools-survived-christie-how-do-we-move-forward/

Check out our Montclair School Tax interview, yes yes:

And Montclair School Tax interview, no no:

Body‑camera video from a September DUI arrestshows former Fulop deputy chief of staff Phillip Orphanidis slurring his words, citing his government role, and alleging political motivation in his arrest. Mayor James Solomon has since reassigned him following public release of the footage. [https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/03/jersey-city-mayor-aide-police-body-cam-00809025]

NJ’s New Flood-Resilience Rules Take Effect July 20

New construction in flood‑risk zones will soon need to be elevated 4 feet above existing FEMA flood‑elevation standards when the state’s R.E.A.L. rule takes effect July 20. Renovations exceeding 50% of a home’s value will also trigger the new requirements, but existing homes or those already under construction are not affected. [https://l.nj.com/8rt8yd]

Gov. Mikie Sherrill Endorses Joe DiVincenzo for 7th Term

Governor Mikie Sherrill has endorsed Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo as he seeks his seventh term, praising his hands‑on leadership during COVID and food‑distribution efforts. Sherrill said DiVincenzo “leads from the front” and focuses on “what is right for the people of Essex County.” Release: [https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/essex-county-executive-divincenzo-endorsed-by-governor-mikie-sherrill/]

Congress Tracking

* March 4, 2026, 11:01 a.m. — Vote

Motion to Proceed on H.R. 6644: Housing for the 21st Century Act

Motion to Proceed Agreed to 90/8

Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Present

Sen. Kim [D-NJ]: Yea

* March 4, 2026, 1:59 p.m. — Vote

On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 1095: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7744) making appropriations for the Department …

Passed 213/208

Rep. McIver [D-NJ10]: Nay

March 4, 2026, 2:06 p.m. — Vote

H.Res. 1095: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7744) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

Passed 211/209

Rep. McIver [D-NJ10]: No

* March 4, 2026, 2:13 p.m. — Vote

S. 723: Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025

Passed 384/40

Rep. McIver [D-NJ10]: Yea

* March 4, 2026, 2:20 p.m. — Vote

H.R. 6472: Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act

Passed 351/72

Rep. McIver [D-NJ10]: Yea

* March 4, 2026, 2:33 p.m. — Vote

On Motion to Refer: H RES 1100 Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records of the Committee’s review of violations or alleged violations of clause 9 (as it pertains to acts of sexual harassment) and clause 18 of rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

Passed 357/65

Rep. McIver [D-NJ10]: Yea

* March 4, 2026, 4:08 p.m. — Vote

On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 104

Motion to Discharge Rejected 47/53

Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Yea

Sen. Kim [D-NJ]: Yea

* March 5, 2026, 1:53 p.m. — Vote

Upon Reconsideration, Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Proceed to H.R. 7147

Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected 51/45

Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay

Sen. Kim [D-NJ]: Nay

Montclair Tables Lackawanna Plaza Tax Abatement

The Montclair Township Council has paused action on a proposed 30‑year tax abatement for the Lackawanna Plaza redevelopment. The measure, originally expected to move forward last week, has been tabled until the council’s March 17 meeting.

Sources:

https://nationaltoday.com

https://yahoo.com

Montclair Prepares for March 10 School Funding Vote

Montclair voters will head to the polls on March 10 for a special election involving two funding questions totaling $17.6 million.

Key details:

* A $12.6 million one‑time tax increase

* A $5 million permanent levy

* Funding is intended to stabilize the district after years of financial strain

* Voters may approve both (“YES/YES”) or reject both (“NO/NO”)

Sources:

https://njspotlightnews.org

https://newjerseyglobe.com

Jersey City Ends Pompidou Satellite Plan After $20 Million in Consultant Spending

Jersey City has formally ended its plan to host a Centre Pompidou satellite, following the revelation that the city spent more than $20 million on consultants for a museum that never came to fruition.

Mayor James Solomon announced a pivot: the site at 808 Pavonia Ave will now be incorporated into the Artwalk Towers project, which is expected to include affordable housing and community space in partnership with the Kushner Real Estate Group.

Despite the cancellation, the 30‑year tax abatement originally tied to the museum project remains active.

Sources:

https://cbsnews.com

https://270towin.com

https://newjerseyglobe.com

Gov. Mikie Sherrill Backs $6.7B Newark Bay Bridge Replacement

In her first 100 days, Gov. Mikie Sherrill has instructed the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to move forward with a $6.7 billion single‑span replacement of the Newark Bay Bridge.

The administration says the project has the support of Newark and Jersey City officials and is expected to generate roughly 19,000 jobs. A construction start date has not yet been finalized.

Essex Democrats Expected to Endorse Analilia Mejia

The Essex County Democratic convention, set for March 21, is poised to endorse Analilia Mejia for Congress without opposition.

Her GOP challenger, Joe Hathaway, is running on a platform that includes ICE reform, ending sanctuary policies, and criticism of former President Trump’s role in blocking Gateway Project funding.

Sources:

https://foxnews.com

https://northjersey.com

Rep. LaMonica McIver Expands Federal Investment in NJ‑10

Rep. LaMonica McIver has announced several federal initiatives for her district:

* Introduction of the Parks to People Active Transportation Act, which aims to expand federal support for greenways and shared‑use trails.

https://northjersey.com

* Securing over $10 million in federal community project funding across NJ‑10.

https://insidernj.com

* Delivering $1 million for STEM youth programming in Newark.

https://newjerseyglobe.com

🔹 PASSAIC COUNTY

Lawsuits, pay raises, and municipal swagger.

$10M Lawsuit Over Wrongful Carjacking Arrest

A Paterson man says cops had video proving his innocence but left him in jail anyway — for over a year. He’s now suing for $10 million.🔗 https://dailyvoice.com/nj/paterson/10m-suit-says-cops-had-video-proving-paterson-mans-innocence-he-sat-in-jail-anyway/

Wayne is politicians want to bring their salaries to 2026, a modest request for the mayor to get a raise from $18,750 to $35,000, seems reasonable to me.🔗 https://www.tapinto.net/towns/wayne/sections/government/articles/wayne-proposes-pay-raises-for-mayor-council

🔹 ESSEX COUNTY

Always doing the most.

Snow drifts, election riffs, and a mayor with fragile vibes.

❄️ Final Results of the Special Election

The special election results are in.🔗 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-special-elections/new-jersey-house-results

Belleville Mayor Says is demanding legal protections for insults online.🔗 https://www.tapinto.net/towns/newark/sections/government/articles/belleville-mayor-calls-out-online-harassment-says-public-officials-should-be-protected

🔹 UNION COUNTY

Tragedy and gas mains

A 19-year-old with autism who went missing in Plainfield was tragically found dead.

🔗https://newjersey.news12.com/officials-man-with-autism-who-went-missing-in-plainfield-found-dead

A major gas main and service upgrade project in Scotch Plains is set to begin on or about Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

🔗https://www.tapinto.net/towns/scotch-plains-slash-fanwood/sections/business-and-finance/articles/gas-main-upgrade-in-scotch-plains-set-to-begin-feb-23

🔹 HUDSON COUNTY

Jersey City socialism, Gateway resurrection, Hoboken misery, financial doom, and a canceled World Cup rave.

🌹 DSA Plot Twist: Brooks & Ephros Endorse Guirgis

Two Jersey City councilmembers are endorsing David Sabry Guirgis for County Commissioner.🔗 http://hudsoncountyview.com/jersey-city-councilmen-brooks-ephros-backing-guirgis-for-d-4-county-commissioner/amp/

🚇 Gateway Project: Workers Finally Un‑Paused

The Gateway Project is back after a funding freeze.Construction restarts this week, assuming nothing else collapses besides morale.🔗 https://www.otdowntown.com/news/funds-ok-d-workers-finally-returning-to-gateway-project-IJ5597192

😭 Commuter Misery in Hoboken

A Hoboken resident described his commute as “hours of agony,” which is exactly the vibe NJ Transit requires of all riders. 🔗 https://www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-policy/nj-transit-riders-see-simple-commutes-turn-hours-agony

📉 Hoboken’s Debt Outlook Turns… Negative

S\&P revised Hoboken’s GO debt rating outlook to negative, meaning the city has officially entered its “We need to talk about our finances” era.🔗 https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/3518940

⚽ World Cup Fan Festival Canceled

Liberty State Park was supposed to be home to a massive FIFA fan fest, but it’s been canceled. Instead, Governor Sherrill is spreading $5 million across the whole state. 🔗 https://patch.com/new-jersey/jersey-city/amp/33686239/fifa-world-cup-fan-festival-at-liberty-state-park-is-canceled-to-be-replaced-with-events-all-over-ne

💸 $3.1M Wonder Lofts Sale Breaks Records

A Hoboken condo just resold for $3.1M, setting a price-per-square-foot record. Congratulations to whoever bought it — please enjoy your 970 square feet of pure, uncut financial anxiety.🔗 https://njbiz.com/3-1m-wonder-lofts-resale-psf-record-hoboken/

🔹 MORRIS COUNTY

Democrats unite to stomp out an ICE warehouse.

Statewide Dem Delegation Opposes ICE Facility

A huge lineup of Democratic electeds — Watson Coleman, Menendez, Kim, McIver, Gottheimer, Norcross, Pallone, Pou — have joined forces to say: absolutely not to an ICE warehouse in Roxbury.🔗 https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/watson-coleman-joins-new-jersey-democratic-delegation-in-statewide-initiative-to-stop-proposed-ice-warehouse-in-roxbury/

🔹 TRENTON COUNTY

Bills, bans, and big environmental energy.

🧑‍⚖️ Bill A4302 — “ICE Employees Need Not Apply”

A new bill introduced Feb. 19 would prohibit certain ICE workers from holding certain state/local jobs. Translation: “If you terrorize immigrant families, you don’t get to manage payroll for Secaucus.”

Sponsors include Ravi Bhalla, Annette Quijano, Katie Brennan, and Alixon Collazos-Gill.

⚖️ Bill A4446 — The “F.U.C.K. ICE Act”

They’ve called it the Fight Unlawful Conduct and Keep Individuals and Communities Empowered Act

Not officially the acronym, but spiritually yes.This bill lets people sue for constitutional violations related to immigration enforcement. Sponsored by Katie Brennan and Ravi Bhalla. Consider it restorative justice… with paperwork.

Environmentalists Share a New Agenda

NEW JERSEY LCV LAUNCHES 2026 ‘COMMON AGENDA’ WITH ADVOCATES AND LEGISLATORS TO PROTECT WORKING FAMILIES, ADVANCE CLEAN ENERGY AND SAFEGUARD DEMOCRACY

Strengthening Our Democracy: John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey (S282/A1715)

Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands: Liberty State Park Protection Act (S2924)

Delivering an Equitable Clean Energy Future: Making Large Users Pay their Fair Share (S731/A796)

The NJ League of Conservation Voters released its “Common Agenda for the Environment” for the 2026–27 session. Expect a lot of talk about transit, clean energy, and stopping people from paving every remaining blade of grass.🔗 https://patch.com/new-jersey/westorange/amp/33687860/nj-environmentalists-push-for-new-agenda-with-sherrill-in-governors-office

👉 Stream today’s episode of The D10/11 Podcast

👉 Subscribe for weekly and daily hyperlocal breakdowns

👉 Share with your neighbors — democracy is a group project

🎙️ From The D10/11 Podcast: Your citations

🔹 PASSAIC COUNTY

The land where black ice and developers roam freely.

• There Was A Black Ice Alert:The National Weather Service woke up and chose chaos, warning Passaic residents at 7:46 a.m. that they had about 74 minutes to avoid breaking a hip. Slip at your own risk.🔗 https://www.nj.com/weather-alerts/2026/02/be-prepared-for-black-ice-in-passaic-county-until-thursday-morning.html

• Totowa Glow-Up:A 27,000 sq. ft. industrial building at 611 Union Blvd. is getting “modernized” into mixed-use commercial space. Developers paid an undisclosed amount.🔗 https://re-nj.com/legacy-commerce-park-buy-27000-sq-ft-industrial-property-in-totowa/

🔹 ESSEX COUNTY

Always doing the most.

• Newark vs. Bad Landlords:Mayor Ras J. Baraka signed an executive order creating an annual list of the city’s worst landlords.

• Roseland + ICE??Patch is reporting that Roseland may lease office space to ICE. Nothing says “affluent suburb” like a secret immigration office tucked between Pilates classes.🔗 https://patch.com/new-jersey/livingston/ice-plans-lease-office-space-affluent-essex-county-suburb-report-says

• $42M for Safer Streets:Essex County secured $42 million from NJTPA to fix 36 intersections. 🔗 https://www.tapinto.net/towns/bloomfield/sections/essex-county-news/articles/essex-county-receives-42-million-from-njtpa

• Maplewood Housing Plan Rejected:Legal challenges plus a planning board vote = Maplewood must redo its affordable housing plan. The saga continues.🔗 https://patch.com/new-jersey/maplewood/maplewood-s-affordable-housing-plan-jeopardy-changes-may-be-needed

🔹 UNION COUNTY

Water, housing, and door‑knockers.

• Summit Lead Line Assessments:Contractors from CDM Smith will be knocking on doors for NJ American Water’s lead service line replacement program. 🔗 https://www.tapinto.net/towns/summit/sections/government/articles/nj-american-water-contractor-conducting-lead-service-line-assessments-in-summit-nj

• Summit Housing Plan Approved:A Superior Court judge greenlit Summit’s affordable housing plan.🔗 https://www.tapinto.net/towns/summit/sections/government/articles/affordable-housing-update-summit-moves-forward-after-court-approval

• Plainfield’s $3.5M Water Upgrade:NJ American Water is replacing pipes from the 1930s. 🔗 https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/union-county/2026/02/18/plainfield-nj-water-mains-to-be-replaced-in-3-5m-upgrade/88742035007/

🔹 HUDSON COUNTY

The drama capital of New Jersey politics.

• Bhalla & Brennan vs. ICE:After a raid at a Jersey City light rail station, Assembly members Ravi Bhalla and Katie Brennan is presenting a bill package to limit ICE’s powers.🔗 https://hudsoncountyview.com/after-raid-in-jersey-city-light-rail-bhalla-brennan-sponsor-bill-package-to-fight-ice/#google_vignette

• Menendez Jr. Says Divest:Rep. Rob Menendez is urging the State Investment Council to pull $130 million out of Palantir because of its ICE contract. 🔗 https://hudsoncountyview.com/menendez-urges-nj-state-investment-council-to-divest-from-palantir-citing-ice-deal/

• Jersey City Budget MELTDOWN:The city claims former Mayor Fulop left behind a “fiscal house of cards” while chasing the governor’s mansion. The deficit is bigger than the combined cost of the police AND fire departments.🔗 https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=6189744&pageId=21168043

🔹 MORRIS COUNTY

Dental schools and ICE confusion.

• Delta Dental Drops $1M:The County College of Morris got a $1 million grant for new dental training programs opening in 2027. 🔗 https://www.newjerseyhills.com/chatham_courier/morris_county/college-foundation-receives-1m-grant-for-dental-programs/article_d98dabf1-b063-41d4-82b9-1f3677e4fa65.html

• Roxbury ICE Rumor Walked Back:DHS walked back its claim that it bought land in Roxbury for a detention facility.🔗 https://gothamist.com/news/no-nj-towns-officials-say-feds-havent-purchased-an-ice-site-in-roxbury

👉 Stream today’s episode of The D10/11 Podcast

👉 Subscribe for weekly and daily hyperlocal breakdowns

👉 Share with your neighbors — democracy is a group project

PASSAIC COUNTY

Air Quality Action Day Yesterday: Dangerous particulate spikes across the region.Weather Whiplash: Paterson braces for another wintry mix.New Green Space: Paterson opened Vista State Park, it opened in November, but I just discovered as it is relatively new, maybe you can too![northjersey.com] [patersontimes.com],[tapinto.net]

ESSEX COUNTY

The air was awful here too: Essex remained under the same Air Quality Action Day impacting Newark and the Oranges.[northjersey.com]

Aircraft emergency shuts down Newark Airport:An aviation emergency forced the temporary closure of Newark Liberty International Airport, causing flight disruptions and rerouting across the Northeast. Airport officials and the FAA confirmed the incident; operations resumed after emergency protocols were lifted.

Ash Wednesday in Newark:At St. Patrick’s Pro‑Cathedral, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin marked Ash Wednesday, by supporting those kidnapped by ICE. [https://religionnews.com/2026/02/18/cardinal-tobin-celebrates-ash-wednesday-mass-at-newark-ice-facility/]

Montclair residents revolt over a 30‑year tax abatement at Lackawanna Plaza:A skeptical public confronted township experts over the proposed long‑term tax abatement for the developer of the 8.2‑acre Lackawanna Plaza site. Residents pushed back on the financial modeling, weak community benefits, and what is perceived as a lack of transparency. [https://montclairlocal.news/2026/02/a-skeptical-public-presses-montclair-over-lackawanna-plaza-tax-deal/]

$1 million for Newark youth STEM programs:The United Community Corporation (UCC) secured $1 million in federal funding to expand STEM opportunities for Newark students, launching a program aimed at building long‑term tech capacity and educational equity. [https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/newark-nonprofit-ucc-awarded-1-million-federal-grant-by-u-s-rep-lamonica-mciver-to-launch-youth-stem-innovation-and-exploration-program/]

The local “Yes/Yes vs. No/No” school vote drama intensifies:Competing Letters to the Editor continued circulating around Montclair’s upcoming school vote — some passionately urging residents to vote Yes/Yes, others pressing No/No. The latest round activated a bit of snark on FB groups and parental anxieties before ultimately landing back on shared concern for Montclair’s kids. Montclair Local

And the Superintendent entered the chat:Montclair’s superintendent issued a letter stating plainly that a “No” vote will cause immediate fiscal pain and a loss of district autonomy, even as the letter avoided taking an outright editorial stance. Montclair Local

UNION COUNTY

The harm of misogyny remembered in Cranford, as mother of Isabella Salas reminds people to keep the murder of Maria Niotis and Isabella as the focused. Union County Hazard Mitigation Plan final meeting.Roselle Park closes the Chestnut Street Parking Lot. [mycentraljersey.com] [ucnj.org] [unionnewsdaily.com]

HUDSON COUNTY

ICE access banned from county property.NJ Transit cancels 27 trains, then five trains, then three train; Portal Bridge cutover slashes service 53%. Remember this is Chris Christie‘s fault!Jersey City faces $250M deficit, ward meetings coming. [nj.com] [hudsonreporter.com]

MORRIS COUNTY

Water‑main break hits Morris Township.Highlands school funding crisis.Planning Board meets tomorrow; hybrid hearing continues.[thelegaladvocate.com][dailyrecord.com][morriscountynj.gov]