John Reitmeyer

6 days ago | njspotlightnews.org | John Reitmeyer

With housing prices rising steadily and aggravating affordability concerns, Gov. Phil Murphy wants to hike fees levied on New Jersey’s priciest real estate sales, a tax increase that would be paid by buyers. Murphy is calling for that tax hike, as well as about $1 billion in other increases, to help narrow a wide gap between how much state government spends and collects from taxes each year.

1 week ago | njspotlightnews.org | John Reitmeyer

Top fiscal experts from Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration are in virtual agreement with the Legislature’s nonpartisan analysts when it comes to forecasting tax collections for the fiscal year that begins July 1. This near-perfect alignment on revenue forecasting resolves one potential sticking point as lawmakers now face the task of drafting the annual spending bill to be approved by the governor by the end of June.

2 weeks ago | njspotlightnews.org | John Reitmeyer

A broad package of legislation aimed at easing an affordability crisis faced by many in New Jersey was advanced by the state Assembly on Thursday. Among the measures approved by the Democratic-controlled lower house were several seeking to ease rapidly rising housing and residential utility costs.

2 weeks ago | njspotlightnews.org | John Reitmeyer

As trains resume running following New Jersey Transit’s first labor strike in decades, state lawmakers are breathing a sigh of relief now that a prolonged and economically consequential work stoppage appears to have been averted. The statewide bus and rail agency’s tentative contract agreement with officials from its locomotive engineers union, which was announced on Sunday evening, is a “major victory for New Jersey,” said Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union).

1 month ago | njspotlightnews.org | John Reitmeyer

As a warming climate makes dangerous wildfires more likely to occur in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy is asking lawmakers this year to increase funding for the state’s dedicated Forest Fire Service. The push to hike the budget for fighting wildfires by more than 10% year-over-year comes as New Jersey is already experiencing a significant uptick in acreage burned so far compared to the same period last year.