logo
Google Play App Store
Log In subscribe and/or renew Eeditions
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
    • Search the Archives
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • subscribe and/or renew
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
      • Search the Archives
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • subscribe and/or renew
    • Contact
  • Home
  • E-Edition
    • This Week Newspaper
    • Archives
    • Local Shops
    • This is Westfield
    • Search the Archives
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Life Events
    • Community Calendar
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Classified
  • Legals
  • Advertise
    • Advertorial
    • Paid Political
    • Sponsored Content
  • subscribe and/or renew
  • Contact
    • Home
    • E-Edition
      • This Week Newspaper
      • Archives
      • Local Shops
      • This is Westfield
      • Search the Archives
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Sports
    • Community
      • Life Events
      • Community Calendar
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Obituaries
      • Submit an Obituary
    • Classified
    • Legals
    • Advertise
      • Advertorial
      • Paid Political
      • Sponsored Content
    • subscribe and/or renew
    • Contact
State Government Officials Pass End-of-the-Year Legislation
News
REBECCA MEHORTER on
December 23, 2020
State Government Officials Pass End-of-the-Year Legislation

TRENTON — The New Jersey Senate and Assembly both met on December 17 and passed a handful of end-of-the-year legislation, including advances to drug reform and economic revitalization. The legislative bodies met again on Monday to vote on the Economic Recovery Act of 2020, which Governor Phil Murphy spoke in favor of the day before.

The Economic Recovery Act of 2020 offers nearly $14 billion in corporate tax breaks, which will “help attract more high-growth businesses to the Garden State and provide additional support to small businesses during this unprecedented time,” the Governor, senate president and assembly speaker said in a statement. State leaders have said the bill will keep businesses in the state, which they said will help New Jersey recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The bill, which was drafted as 219 pages and then amended to 249 pages, was introduced to the Senate and Assembly less than a week before passing both houses. The bill now goes to Governor Murphy’s desk.

One section of the bill, the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, establishes a program to provide “grants, loans and loan guarantees to eligible small businesses” and appropriates $50 million to this program. Main Street is a downtown revitalization program for business districts in New Jersey. Westfield belongs to the organization, which emphasizes historic preservation and economic redevelopment of downtown districts.

Another section relevant to Westfielders is the Historic Property Reinvestment program, which provides tax credits for some of the costs of rehabilitating historic properties. “Tax credits under this program are capped at $50 million annually for six years,” the bill’s statement reads.

Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle has been a proponent of historic preservation in Westfield. The town recently revised its own historic preservation incentives. The new historic preservation ordinance requires any property identified as historic, not necessarily officially designated, to go to the planning or zoning board with subdivision or development applications. In addition to the ordinance, the council passed a resolution to provide five-year tax abatements on the value of improvements to historically-designated homes.

“I’m very grateful to the Governor and legislature for passing this much-needed economic recovery and tax incentive reform package,” Mayor Brindle said in a statement. “In particular, the Main Street Recovery Finance Program and the Historic Property Tax Credit will be important to luring new investment to Westfield as we focus on the post-pandemic future of our historic downtown.”
Two bills related to marijuana reform passed both houses on December 17. Bill No. A1897/4269, if signed into law by Governor Murphy, would, among other things, decriminalize the possession and distribution of small amounts of marijuana. Decriminalizing marijuana would affect those caught with marijuana who are under age 21 as well as those found with marijuana before the full legalization and regulation of the drug is completed.

Bill No. A21 also passed both houses and was sent to the governor. The bill establishes the licensing and criminal justice reform related to legalizing recreational marijuana for adults. According to the bill’s statement, the reform will “free up precious resources to allow our criminal justice system to focus on serious” crime. Both bills now go to Governor Murphy, who has been outspoken regarding his desire to pass marijuana reform in recent months.

Also passing both houses was S3256, a bill to reclassify possession of one ounce of psilocybin as a disorderly persons offense. Psilocybin, also known as shrooms or magical mushrooms, currently is a Schedule I-controlled substance. Possession of a Schedule I substance is a third-degree crime and punishable by three to five years of prison. Possession of mushrooms currently has an enhanced fine of up to $35,000. If signed into law, this bill would drop punishment to a six-month maximum imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine.

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Most Read
Mayor Provides Update on Lidl, Announces New Grant Funding
Main, News
Mayor Provides Update on Lidl, Announces New Grant Funding
By FRED T. ROSSI 
Thursday, May 22, 2025
SCOTCH PLAINS — Mayor Joshua Losardo on Tuesday made two announcements pertaining to the downtown redevelopment efforts, including an update on the pl...
this is a test
Westfield BOE Hears Swastika Concerns From Student
Main, News
Westfield BOE Hears Swastika Concerns From Student
By MADOLYN LAURINE 
Thursday, May 22, 2025
WESTFIELD — The Westfield Board of Education met Tuesday to hear brief updates on the bond referendum projects set to begin in July, and to hand out i...
this is a test
Westfield Council Advances Amended Plans For OWP
Main, News
Westfield Council Advances Amended Plans For OWP
By KATIE MOEN 
Thursday, May 29, 2025
WESTFIELD — The Westfield Town Council voted Tuesday to adopt three new legislative ordinances that will effectively finalize the details of the amend...
this is a test
Raiders Topple Hilltoppers For UCT Softball Crown, 4-2
Sports
ROOF WHACKS 2-RUN HR, BOGART BRAVES OUT WIN
Raiders Topple Hilltoppers For UCT Softball Crown, 4-2
By DAVID B. CORBIN 
Thursday, May 29, 2025
One year ago, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School softball team came ever so close to winning the Union County Tournament (UCT) crown but were denie...
this is a test
Blue Devil Boys Lead Day 1 At UC Track & Field Relays
Sports
COUGAR BOYS WIN JAVELIN, RAIDER BOYS WIN 400-H
Blue Devil Boys Lead Day 1 At UC Track & Field Relays
By DAVID B. CORBIN 
Thursday, May 29, 2025
TheWestfield High School boys took the lead on Day 1 of the Union County Track & Field Relays held at Gary Kehler Stadium in Westfield on May 20. Due ...
this is a test
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy
This site complies with ADA requirements

© Copyright The The Westfield Leader