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Sal Risalvato
Executive Director
 

 

1/27/21
NJEDA Announces Second Phase of Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will open pre-registration for Phase 2 of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program at 9 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Feb.10, 2021. The $10 million program expansion will support New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and will be capitalized by a United States Economic Development Administration (USEDA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act appropriation. Any business or entity that intends to apply for a loan must first pre-register during this pre-registration period, which will run from 9:00 a.m. EST on Feb. 10, 2021 to 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 22, 2021.

1/27/21
Democrats Reintroduce $15 Minimum Wage Bill
Emboldened by their majority in Congress, Democrats yesterday reintroduced legislation in the U.S. House and Senate to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour in gradual steps by 2025, CNBC reports. A $15 minimum wage is part of President Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus relief package. Under the Raise the Wage Act, the federal minimum wage would rise to $9.50 this year from $7.25, then increase every year until it reaches $15 in 2025. Future increases would be tied to median wage growth.
 
1/27/21
Biden To 'Pause' Oil And Gas Leasing On Public Lands And Waters
In an effort to slow the nation's contribution to climate change, President Biden will begin halting oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters. The much-anticipated move is one of several executive actions the president is scheduled to make Wednesday to address the worsening climate crisis and the broader decline of the natural world, but it won't come without pushback. According to White House officials, Biden will order the Department of the Interior to "pause" new oil and gas leasing on public land and offshore water "to the extent possible" and to also review existing leasing and permitting practices "related to fossil fuel development" on the properties. 

1/26/21
Flavored Tobacco Ban on Hold in California
California's new law banning the sale of flavored tobacco products has been put on hold after state officials said a petition calling for a referendum qualified for the November 2022 ballot. According to the L.A. Times, that means the law approved last year is in limbo until California voters decide next year whether to approve or repeal it. Last week, the Secretary of State's Office confirmed that it had validated at least 623,312 signatures from registered voters on petitions, the required amount to call for a vote. More than one million signatures were submitted by the California Coalition for Fairness.

1/25/21
Biden Vows To Replace U.S. Government Fleet With Electric Vehicles
President Joe Biden on Monday vowed to replace the U.S. government's fleet of roughly 650,000 vehicles with electric models as the new administration shifts its focus toward clean-energy. "The federal government also owns an enormous fleet of vehicles, which we're going to replace with clean electric vehicles made right here in America made by American workers," Biden said Monday. Biden criticized existing rules that allow vehicles to be considered U.S. made when purchased by the U.S. government even if they have significant non-American made components. Biden said he would close "loopholes" that allow key parts like engines, steel and glass to be manufactured abroad for vehicles considered U.S. made. The White House did not immediately answer questions about over what period Biden planned to replace current vehicles. It could cost the U.S. $20 billion or more to replace the fleet.
 
1/25/21
Educate Employees About COVID-19 Vaccines
As the vaccines against COVID-19 become more available, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has published a toolkit to help essential employers inform their workers about vaccines to protect against COVID-19, raise awareness of the vaccines and address common questions and concerns. Designed specifically for employers of essential workers, the toolkit contains a variety of resources that employers can use virtually or in person. There are downloadable posters and flyers to encourage vaccinations, a draft article for a company newsletter or blog, sample social media messages and images, a summary of key messages to use in communications, an educational slide deck about vaccines and a draft letter introducing the materials to employees, among other materials which businesses can customize.

1/22/21
Mass Confusion As N.J. Sends Mass Emails On COVID Vaccine Eligibility
Only about 2% of New Jersey residents eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine have scheduled appointments, state health officials said. And those eligible are likely to face more challenges securing an appointment, as several confused residents told NJ Advance Media the state gave them the OK to get vaccinated even though they fall outside the current eligibility requirements. Those currently eligible for the vaccine are health care workers, first-responders, long-term care residents and staff, those above the age of 65 and residents with medical conditions - including smokers. Yet some residents, who meet none of these requirements, received an email alert Thursday night to schedule their vaccination appointment, they told NJ Advance Media. A spokeswoman with the state Department of Health, Donna Leusner, said emails went out Thursday to about 1,264,684 people who are eligible to get vaccinated. Approximately 2 million people have signed up with the state to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday, Leusner said. Of those who have signed up, more than 1 million have received emails saying they are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Each week, the Energy Information Administration publishes a list of average gasoline prices for the previous three weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior. Remember, these prices are reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.