Governor Murphy Announces That Schools Will Be Required to Provide Full-Time, In-Person Instruction Beginning Fall 2021

Continuing his commitment to ensuring that students have access to a high-quality education, Governor Phil Murphy announced that upon the conclusion of this school year, portions of Executive Order 175 allowing remote learning will be rescinded, meaning that schools will be required to provide full-day, in-person instruction, as they were prior to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

“When schools across New Jersey first closed their doors in March of last year, little was known about COVID-19 and how it spread. But over a year has passed, and we are now facing a very different reality,” said Governor Murphy. “With our health metrics trending decisively in the right direction, the significant progress we have made in our vaccination effort, and vaccines now available to those as young as 12, we are in a position to get our students back into the classroom full-time come fall. We know that there is no substitute for in-person education and know that a full opening of our schools is critical to the well-being of our students.”

Governor Murphy, Congressman Gottheimer Highlight Nearly $190 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding for Capital Projects Including Broadband Expansion in New Jersey

Governor Murphy and Congressman Gottheimer visited Sussex County to highlight federal funding through the American Rescue Plan to expand broadband access for rural, low-income, and moderate-income areas of New Jersey.

“Every New Jerseyan deserves access to reliable, affordable, and fast broadband internet,” said Governor Murphy. “Unfortunately, too many residents and businesses, especially in rural and low-income areas of our state, are still unable to take advantage of broadband internet access. Along with our congressional delegation and our Legislature, we are working to ensure that those living and working in New Jersey have access to reliable high-speed broadband services.”

"For the sake of our families, economy, schools, and health care, we must continue fighting for communities across Warren and Sussex Counties to help boost their broadband connectivity. That's why I fought to include dedicated investment for broadband infrastructure in the recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Now, every county and town in Sussex and Warren County will be clawing back federal dollars that they can use to improve connectivity. We also need to get the dollars sent to the State of New Jersey for rural broadband to right here in Sussex and Warren," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. "With partners on both sides of the aisle and at every level of government, I believe we can get this done."

Murphy Administration, Mercer County Executive Hughes, Trenton Mayor Gusciora, and RPM Development Break Ground on 150-170 South Broad Street and the Historic Van Sciver Building in Trenton

Governor Phil Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, State Treasurer Liz Muoio, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) Executive Director Melanie R. Walter, RPM Development representatives, and state and local officials celebrated the groundbreaking for historic 150-170 South Broad Street and the historic Van Sciver Building in Trenton. 

“This is an exciting day for the City of Trenton, Mercer County, and the State of New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “The redevelopment of this historically significant site, with new housing units and retail space, marks a new chapter in Trenton’s revitalization.”

Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy Announce “Grateful for the Shot” Vaccination Events to Reduce Vaccine Hesitancy in a Trusted, Fun, and Community Atmosphere

Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy announced that fourteen houses of worship will be hosting a “Grateful for the Shot” COVID-19 vaccination site this weekend, May 21, 22, and 23, to reduce vaccine hesitancy and ramp up vaccination efforts across New Jersey.

“Our diverse group of faith leaders are trusted members of the community, and trust is critical in winning our fight against COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “For the last several months, our houses of worship have generously turned their sanctuaries and community rooms into vaccination centers for their congregants. Through our work with the New Jersey Department of Health, and in partnership with the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, we are building on these efforts and making the vaccination process easy and accessible for our underserved communities.”

“From maternal and infant health, to food insecurity, to housing, and more, New Jersey’s faith community has been an incredible network of support long before the COVID-19 pandemic began,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy, Founding Chair, New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. “Now, our ‘Grateful for the Shot’ program allows us to continue our partnership with houses of worship to ensure equitable access to vaccines in many underserved communities. By opening their doors for COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics and sustaining our spirits through months of isolation, our communities of faith are key partners in this effort, and we are grateful to have them in New Jersey’s fight to end this pandemic.”