MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce’s barber pilot program signed into law in 2019 would be expanded to professionals from states or countries that do not issue licenses under a bill released by the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee.

Under current law, the three-year pilot program applies only to barbers and hairstylists who possess a license from another state or country.

“Preventing a new resident of New Jersey from working and making a living could put their welfare in jeopardy. Many of these highly-skilled professionals have been cutting hair for years, but can’t produce a non-existent license from another country,” said DeCroce, who is a prime sponsor of the bill (A1256) that passed in committee today. “Expanding this successful pilot program to include more barbers is the right thing to do, especially given the economic crisis we are currently experiencing.”

As long as new residents apply for a license from the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and meet state standards for cutting hair, they can receive a 120-day temporary license. If the applicant continues to meet the requirements of the pilot program and the application for issuance of a license remains pending, the temporary license could be extended.

MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) is ranked among the top 50 Best Community Colleges in the nation in the 2021 Academic Influence rankings. CCM is consistently listed among the best in New Jersey and now among the top 1.8 percent in the country.

Academic Influence generates rankings through its unique Influence Ranking Engine, scanning the web to map the impact of a school’s thought leadership across a variety of disciplines. Academic Influence is part of the Education Access Group family of sites dedicated to lifelong learning and personal growth.

Options are endless at CCM. Along with degree and certificate programs, over 165 transfer agreements guide students towards a bachelor’s degree. CCM also offers extensive professional development programs as a springboard for those looking for a new career or to level up in an existing one.

CCM is a leader in the changing landscape for students pursuing a college education. Ranking among the best in the country for  “Community Colleges Whose Graduates Earn the Most Money” and maintaining the number one spot on the “Best Community Colleges in New Jersey by Salary Potential” for four years, CCM is an excellent choice to build a future.

To learn more about CCM’s degree, certificate, and professional development programs click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act (A5130).

The New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act creates the ‘New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Prevention Program’, implementation of which will be led by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) in furtherance of the agency’s commitment to affordable housing ownership and foreclosure mediation. This program empowers NJHMFA to address the rising number of foreclosures in New Jersey, not only helping to stabilize families’ homeownership but their neighborhood as well. By establishing public-private partnerships with nonprofits, NJHMFA will be able to undertake supportive interventions including bulk purchases of non-performing loans from institutional lenders, advancing recommendations set forth in the 2018 Report of the Housing Transition Advisory Committee.

“Combatting housing insecurity in New Jersey is essential during these extraordinarily trying times. We have an obligation to identify new and innovative ways to aid our state’s residents in this time of stress,”　said Governor Murphy.　”This bill provides pathways to help more New Jersey homeowners remain in their homes.”

Stable housing for New Jersey residents is a focal point of this administration. Prior to this legislation’s enactment, Governor Murphy directed NJHMFA in March of 2020 to expand its Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program (FMAP) to include pre-foreclosure counseling to help homeowners avoid potential foreclosure, and to begin offering counseling assistance to renters. This expanded program has assisted approximately 2,163 families, comprising roughly 1,430 rental households and approximately 500 owner-occupied　households.

Stable housing is an economic, health, and community imperative.  The New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act is designed to help address the impacts of growing housing insecurity, from homeowners in need to communities confronting vacant and abandoned properties. By addressing these intersecting challenges, this legislation is a crucial step toward housing stability for families and communities across our state.

“The New Jersey Foreclosure Act acknowledges and seeks to assist struggling homeowners in New Jersey. It has proven prescient as that need has grown exponentially within the last year,” said Lt. Governor Oliver, who serves as New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner and NJHMFA board chair. “This Act and its ensuing　programs will work in tandem with the State’s existing programs to help prevent our most vulnerable residents from losing their homes.”

“This legislation will help New Jersey families keep their homes and ensure that foreclosed properties reenter the homeownership market, stabilizing neighborhoods and helping families become homeowners”, said Melanie R. Walter, Executive Director, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.”It facilitates crucial interventions including the expansion of NJHMFA’s partnerships with Community Development Financial Institutions, creation of new mortgage products, and establishment of a revenue stream to support housing stabilization in our state.”

“New Jersey has　made great strides in addressing the previous　foreclosure crisis, and we do not want to see history repeat itself when　the foreclosure moratorium is eventually lifted,” said　Senator Singleton. “With the pandemic decimating　the economy, countless people　around the state are on the brink of losing their homes. Now law, the New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act will help to stave off a wave of foreclosures, and more importantly, keep families in their homes.”

“New Jersey is in a housing crisis and has been for many years. There are many foreclosed vacant residential properties throughout the state that are undermining the health, safety, and economic vitality of neighborhoods. They depress neighboring property values, reducing revenues for municipalities,” said Assembly sponsors Mila Jasey, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Benjie Wimberly.”The New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Prevention Program will assist struggling homeowners facing foreclosure and also help with the redevelopment of currently vacant properties due to foreclosures.”

MORRIS COUNTY — “It is with great sadness of the passing of Deputy County Clerk John Wojtaszek,” said Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi.

John was a diligent and tireless worker on behalf of the Morris County Clerk’s Office and the residents of Morris County. He was a visionary who introduced many new and innovative programs, focused an eagle eye on election details, foresaw and remedied issues, was at ease speaking with politicians at all levels, the press, and the public. Prior to becoming the Deputy County Clerk, John was an educator in the Rockaway Borough School District.

During his lifetime, John was an elected official, political mentor to many, possessed an acute political mind, with an encyclopedic knowledge of elections, and an expert in US and NJ History.

He was a gentle giant who always looked out for everyone and he will be missed. There is a saying that “anyone can be replaced”, but John is irreplaceable.

Our deepest condolences are extended to his family and his wife Bette.