Big Wins in Trenton:
Legislature Advances Network Policy Priorities 

The Emergency Assistance compromise is one step closer to becoming law! We're pleased to announce that the Assembly has concured with the Senate, sending the bill to Governor Murphy! This bill (A5203/S3586) requires that emergency assistance benefits received by an individual more than seven years prior to submitting an application for emergency assistance will not be counted toward the cumulative 12-month limit on benefits that may be provided to an individual under the program. Under a compromised reached by the governor and legislative leaders, the program costs would be limited to $20 million annually. Gov. Murphy is expected to sign the bill in the near future.

In addition to the emergency assistance bill, legislation appropriating $3 million to the Department of Community Affairs to establish the Office of Homelessness Prevention has also been sent to Gov. Murphy to be signed into law. Sponsored by Sen. Sweeney and Asm. Mukherji, this bill is a huge win for homelessness prevention advocates! 

We're also very excited to share that NJ may soon no longer be known for having the highest foreclosure rate in the country. Legislators have voted to send Governor Murphy a package of bills that address our foreclosure crisis including a bill that funds the Foreclosure Mediation Program as well as housing counseling. One of the prime sponsors of the bill (A664/S1244) is also one of our 30th Anniversary honorees, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey. Make sure you're there in person for our celebration luncheon on April 10th to congratulate her!

Other Network policy priorities advanced through the Legislature this week including:

• A revision to the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program to increase the annual tax credit allocation to $15 million. (S3599/A5185) sponsored by Sen. Singleton and Asm. Wimberly.
  3/25/19: Passed Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
  
  
• An extension of foreclosure protection and mortgage relief programs for certain Superstorm Sandy-impacted homeowners. (A5096/S3582) sponsored by Asm Armato and Sen. Greenstein.
  3/25/19: Passed Assembly
  

• Amending the "New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act" to apply certain standards for the licensing and business practices of residential mortgage lenders, brokers, and loan originators and providing the Dept. of Banking and Insurance authority to oversee the operation of the mortgage lending industry. (A4998) sponsored by Sen. Oroho and Asm. Wimberly. 3/25/19: Passed both Houses. Awaiting action from the Governor. 
  
  
• Requiring the Dept. of Community Affairs to inspect a multiple dwelling on a tiered schedule based on their track record of abating violations (S1150/A5041) sponsored by Sen. Ruiz and Asw. Reynolds-Jackson. 3/25/19: Passed Senate 3/14/19: Passed Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee
  
  
• Allowing New Jersey residents to deduct charitable contributions from their state income taxes. (S2179/A307) sponsored by Sen. Kean/Singleton and Asm. Webber/Bucco.
  3/25/19: Passed Senate unanimously