Mercer Times

Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., who served as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 10th Congressional District since 2012, passed away on April 24. Governor Phil Murphy expressed his condolences in a statement, saying, "Tammy and I are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our friend, and a steadfast champion for the people of New Jersey, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr." Murphy praised Payne's dedication to public service and highlighted his contributions to Newark and his family.

In environmental news, Governor Murphy announced new solar initiatives aimed at increasing accessibility and affordability. These efforts align with New Jersey's goal of achieving 100 percent clean electricity by 2035. The state expects to surpass 200,000 solar installations soon, with significant progress made during Murphy's administration. Murphy emphasized the importance of action during Earth Week: "Earth Week is not just a time for reflection or contemplation. It is a time for action."

New Jersey received $156.1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Solar For All competition under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. This funding will support solar programs benefiting low-income communities and result in significant energy savings and CO2 emission reductions.

The state's Fiscal Year 2023 Debt Report indicates that New Jersey's bonded debt has reached its lowest level in a decade. Since 2018, overall state debt has decreased from $239 billion to $200.9 billion. Governor Murphy attributed these improvements to prudent financial management: "Since we established a fund to pay down state debt roughly three years ago, we have saved taxpayers a total of more than $1.3 billion."

The New Jersey Department of Health is emphasizing the importance of vaccinations during National Infant Immunization Week and World Immunization Week amid rising cases of preventable diseases like measles and mumps. Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston stated, "Making sure children are up to date on all vaccines is the best way to protect them from preventable infectious diseases."

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance urges student loan borrowers with privately held Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans to consolidate their loans before April 30 for federal loan forgiveness eligibility. Acting Commissioner Zimmerman highlighted this opportunity: "The department wants borrowers to be aware of this upcoming deadline to participate in this federal loan forgiveness program."