MORRIS COUNTY — On Friday, Speaker Craig Coughlin announced the postponement of all Assembly business for 10 days, a move designed to allow the governor and Senate more time to come to an agreement on the details of marijuana legislation.

“An internal political feud is not more important than providing funding to help businesses, keep renters in their homes and guarantee people don’t lose their full earned income tax credit,” said Bergen (R-Morris).

Gov. Phil Murphy has refused to sign legislation regulating the legal sale of marijuana until there are clear punishments for users below the age of 21. The Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee passed a bill on Jan. 29 establishing those penalties, but the Senate remains firm that the legislation on Murphy’s desk achieves their social justice and criminal justice goals.

“Suspending all business because of one bill is completely unnecessary. We have more than 5,000 bills in the queue for consideration addressing a wide breadth of issues in our state. We should meet and do our jobs. To ignore all of the other important issues awaiting action because establishment Democrats have become myopic about everything other than their political needs is ridiculous.”

Bergen has been advocating to provide $300 million to help small-businesses (A5085) that are at risk of going out of business because of Murphy’s executive orders in response to Covid-19.

He also wants to help renters at-risk of eviction by increasing their property tax deduction to 30 percent of rent from 18 percent (A3928) – saving struggling renters thousands to help them keep a roof over their head, and guarantee that EITC recipients don’t receive a lower credit because they aren’t aware of needing to refile 2019 tax information (A5090).

“I hate to admit this, but I think even Congress is less dysfunctional than the state legislature right now,” exclaimed Bergen. “At least they meet in person and conduct their business. We are skipping meetings and having conference calls to vote on bills while letting Governor Murphy make unilateral decisions affecting the entire state without our input. What is going on here?”

The Morris County assemblyman was the first to introduce legislation requiring the legislature to review executive orders within 14 days after they are issued. Both houses would have to approve the orders or they expire on the fifteenth day after enactment.

MORRIS COUNTY — Although the lights of Broadway are dark for the foreseeable future, the lights in Dragonetti Auditorium at County College of Morris (CCM) are shining bright! Paying homage to the dazzling excitement of Broadway, the Music, Performing Arts & Music Technologies department at CCM presents “Broadway Night: Reflections From the Past” on February 11, 12, and 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the college’s Dragonetti Auditorium. Tickets to the Broadway review are free with limited seating.

Tickets can be ordered by clicking here and using the password: Broadway.

Directed by Professor Marielaine Mammon, of Mount Olive, 35 performing arts majors will dazzle and delight in singing iconic musical selections from a dozen beloved Broadway shows. “Broadway Night: Reflections From the Past” incorporates a video montage of past CCM productions, celebrating the rich history of the college’s theater program and immersing the vibrant, young thespians of the future. Professor Matthew Swiss, of Randolph, is the musical director, and Professor Colleen McArdle, of Riverdale, is the choreographer.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are only 70 tickets available for each show and there will be no intermission. Masks must be worn at all times. Please park in Lot 6. CCM is located at 214 Cedar Grove Road, Randolph.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 219, which increases indoor capacity limits from 25 percent to 35 percent for several businesses, including food and beverage establishments and entertainment and recreational businesses, effective Friday, February 5 at 8:00 a.m.

The Executive Order also lifts the 10:00 p.m. curfew for in-person indoor restaurant service, however, local officials may continue to regulate the hours of operation of indoor restaurant service and indoor operations of other non-essential businesses after 8:00 p.m., as they have been able to since November 12. The prohibition on seating at indoor bar areas remains in effect.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, my Administration has used science, data, and facts to guide our decision-making process,” said Governor Murphy. “The downward trend of COVID-19 cases in our hospitals, coupled with the state’s decreasing rate of transmission, allows us to confidently expand our indoor capacity limits without leading to undue further stress on our health care systems. I am incredibly grateful to the millions of New Jerseyans who have been vigilant in practicing social distancing and wearing face coverings, and I urge everyone to continue their efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

The Executive Order increases the following indoor capacity limits from 25 percent to 35 percent:

• Food or beverage establishments, including restaurants, cafeterias, private non-profit clubs, and food courts, with or without a liquor license, and bars;
• Entertainment and recreational businesses, including casinos and gyms; and
• Personal care services, including barbershops and nail salons.

The Order will also rescind the previous statewide requirement that food and beverage establishments close their indoor areas to in-person service between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. each day.  Casinos and any other retail, recreational, or entertainment business open to the public may also resume indoor food and beverage service during those hours.

Municipalities and counties will still be permitted to impose hours of operation restrictions on non-essential businesses between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. each day. This includes restrictions on dining in restaurants, although they cannot restrict takeout or delivery services. Municipalities and counties have been able to impose these hours restrictions since November 12 of last year, when Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 195.

Religious ceremonies or services, political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals, and memorial services that are currently limited to 25 percent of the room’s capacity up to 150 people will now be limited to 35 percent of the room’s capacity up to 150 people. Performances at entertainment centers, including movie theaters and performing arts centers, and concert venues, will similarly be capped at 35 percent up to a maximum of 150 people.  Indoor meetings of addiction groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, will also be limited to 35 percent up to 150 individuals.

The Order will take effect on Friday, February 5 at 8:00 a.m.

A copy of Executive Order No. 219 can be downloaded by clicking here.