Very recent actions by the Governor or Legislature due to COVID-19
5/13 Governor Murphy announces reopening with conditions for retail and construction
Today, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday he will allow nonessential retail stores to sell their goods curbside, or from a distance of 6 feet from the customer. If the buyer is in a convertible the top must be up. He also says nonessential construction may resume at the same time with the proper protections observed.
Murphy’s new executive order requires businesses deemed nonessential to still not allow customers in the store. Only employees arranging curbside pickup can be inside. The Governor says drive up customers should remain in the car and financial transactions should be made in advance if possible.
The malls cannot open, but stores inside the mall can also do curbside pickup.
The Governor’s executive order can be found here.
4/28 Governor Murphy announces property tax payments due date extended
Gov. Phil Murphy has announced that he is extending property tax payments till June 1st. They were previously due on May 1st. This impacts property owners who don’t pay this municipal tax through their mortgage lender.
NJ Last state in US to Approve July 15 Tax Date
Governor Murphy signed legislation to change New Jersey’s gross income and corporate tax due date to July 15th. He also signed the bill moving the NJ primary date to July 7th from June 2nd.
The NJ Legislature passed a number of other COVID-19 related bills in virtual voting sessions on Monday that require the Governor’s signature.
- Extend the State’s current fiscal year through September 30, 2020 and change the next fiscal year to begin on October 1, 2020 and end on June 30, 2020
- Allow notaries to conduct acts remotely during the current State of Emergency
- Expand New Jersey’s Family Leave Act to allow an employee to provide care to a family member suffering from COVID-19 related illness
- Authorize remote instruction for schools to meet New Jersey’s 180-day school year requirement
- Provide civil and criminal immunity to health care professionals treating patients during this health crisis
- Impose a 60-day moratorium on the cancellation or non-renewal of insurance policies
Northeast Governor’s Planning a Reopening
Governors Murphy was joined by 7 Northeast governors announcing a coordinated re-opening effort. The intention is a regional re-opening of businesses, schools, transportation networks, parks, and other aspects of life that have been shut down. The governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut and Massachusetts will work together on a balanced approach intended to effectuate a public health and economic recovery.
NFIB in New Jersey will continue to advocate for small businesses during this reopening process making sure policy makers are aware of our members concerns.