Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, Choose New Jersey, and NJEDA Head to California

On Sunday, April 14, Governor Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, members of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), and members of the Choose New Jersey nonprofit embarked on an economic development trip to California. There, they met with industry leaders across the technology, innovation, and entertainment sectors.

Several meetings were held with executives from corporations including Netflix, Paramount, the Motion Picture Association, Plug and Play, and OpenAI. In these meetings, Governor Murphy pitched New Jersey as a rising hub for film and television production and for AI innovation. Specifically highlighting the abundance of talent, unbeatable location, and incredible resources for production, the Governor was able to deepen existing relationships and build new partnerships on the west coast.

The group returned to New Jersey on Thursday, April 18.

Governor Murphy, Attorney General Platkin, and New Jersey State Police Announce a Nearly 70% Reduction in Expungement Backlog

Governor Phil Murphy, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), and the Division of Criminal Justice announced a 117% increase in processed final expungement orders from 2022 to 2023 and a nearly 70% reduction in the number of pending applications from its peak. Through the State’s significant efforts, the number of expungement orders awaiting final processing is at its lowest point since legislation took effect that significantly increased the pool of people eligible to expunge their criminal records. NJSP is actively working to clear remaining expungement orders eligible for final processing. Continued efforts are underway to better integrate law enforcement systems with systems utilized by the courts to allow for further streamlining of the process in the future.

“Our Administration believes in second chances and we’re proud to have processed over 100,000 expungements orders to date,” said Governor Murphy. “Expunging criminal records will help expand opportunities for individuals who have successfully rehabilitated their lives and allow them to make further contributions to society. Our Administration remains committed to this work, including clearing the remaining backlog, and will continue to advance the cause of criminal justice reform and reintegration in New Jersey.”

“New Jersey is dedicated to aiding and supporting individuals who have made mistakes that have created obstacles to employment opportunities and housing. True reform includes helping to remove the stigma associated with an arrest or conviction that often stands in the way of success,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We are committed to continuing to improve the expungement system in order to help individuals to overcome their past, as we help pave the way for a brighter future for countless individuals.”

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NJEDA Establishes New Jersey Green Bank to Advance Climate Goals

Last week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved the creation of the New Jersey Green Bank (NJGB), which will make investments in the clean energy sector that will help advance the state’s efforts to make an equitable transition to 100 percent clean energy. The NJGB will make investments through debt, credit enhancements, and other financial vehicles to attract private capital to enable the state to reach its climate goals.

The Murphy Administration has taken significant steps to meet the ongoing challenges of climate change and has set several clean energy targets, including 100 percent clean electricity by 2035, 11 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2040, and 50 percent economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030. The NJGB is a component of the 2019 Energy Master Plan and Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 316 directed the NJEDA to implement programs supporting building electrification through the NJGB.

“From more violent storms to increased flooding, the effects of climate change have become all too familiar here in New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “My administration has established aggressive goals to combat climate change and the creation of the New Jersey Green Bank will help us meet those goals by making major investments in the clean energy sector. This approval is a significant step in our fight against climate change, which will help us reach a clean energy future that will protect our environment and bolster our economy for generations to come.”

“Establishing the New Jersey Green Bank is a pivotal step in the State’s continued push to meet the ongoing challenges of climate change,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The NJGB will inject capital into New Jersey’s clean energy economy and support green businesses and good-paying jobs in the field. Additionally, the investments made by the NJGB will pave the way for a cleaner and healthier environment for our residents and future generations.”

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Governor Murphy, Attorney General Platkin Announce $12 Million in Funding for Community Crisis Response Teams

Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that up to $12 million in funding will be made available to establish the Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT) Pilot Program. The program will allow certain municipalities and community-based organizations that meet specific funding requirements to seek up to $2 million per municipality through a competitive grant process.

“Community Crisis Response Teams have the potential to play an integral role in connecting those suffering from mental health crises with the services they need. These teams, in partnership with programs like ARRIVE Together and 9-8-8 mobile response, will continue strengthening the continuum of response for individuals in mental distress,” said Governor Murphy. “This funding will see that Community-Led Crisis Response Teams are able to continue to provide their services while safely and efficiently expanding in communities throughout our state.” 

“Thanks to the support of Governor Murphy and the Legislature, our department has made great strides in improving and expanding the state’s public safety infrastructure and in doing so has saved lives,” said Attorney General Platkin. “With today’s announcement of $12 million in funding for the Community Crisis Response Teams, we are bolstering community-led, trauma-informed services and empowering individuals at the ground level. This follows our existing initiatives like the ARRIVE Together and Community-Based Violence Intervention programs, which underscore the potency of data-driven, community-informed strategies to foster resiliency in underserved populations.”

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Final Required Documents for Full-Funding Grant Agreement Submitted to FTA, GDC Announces at Board Meeting

The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) announced at its April board meeting that it has submitted all documents required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to reach a Full-Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for $6.88 billion in Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program funding for the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP).

This comes as GDC transmitted the last of its Critical Third-Party Agreements to the FTA on March 30, 2024, clearing the way for the HTP to secure all $16 billion by June 2024 for the project’s full delivery. The HTP has the largest federal funding commitment to a mass transit project in modern history.

In a joint statement, Alicia Glen, New York GDC Commissioner and Co-Chair, Balpreet GrewalVirk, New Jersey GDC Commissioner and Co-Chair, and Tony Coscia, GDC Amtrak Commissioner and Vice Chair, said, “GDC and the FTA have worked hand-in-hand to secure an historic investment in this vital tunnel. Today, we can confidently say that a Full-Funding Grant Agreement to guarantee the Hudson Tunnel Project’s future is on its way. We are grateful to the Biden administration, Majority Leader Schumer, and Governors Hochul and Murphy for their support at every step.”

GDC CEO Kris Kolluri said, “This submission represents the last milestone in the roadmap and puts GDC on a glidepath to secure a $6.88 billion CIG FFGA for the HTP. The pace of progress has been unprecedented, and GDC has never missed a submission deadline during this process.”

Since 2022 GDC has transmitted sixteen submittals to the FTA, consisting of six management plans, a robust financial plan, and the completion of critical agreements. GDC, with the support of its partners, has completed a total of forty-three agreements, including: 

- Six Utility Relocation Agreements

- Four Real Estate Agreements Ten Regulatory Compliance Permits

- Eight Programmatic and Labor-Related Agreements

- Eleven Project Funding Agreements 

Further developments at the board meeting included the Board of Commissioners approving GDC’s audited financial statements for FY 2023, and appointing Patrick McCoy Chief Financial Officer of the GDC.

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