Office of the Governor | This Week in New Jersey: January 7th, 2022

GOVERNOR MURPHY LEADS RESPONSE TO WINTER STORMS

Governor Murphy led the State response to two winter storms with State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan, Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, and Board of Public Utilities President Joseph Fiordaliso to closely monitor the state's efforts to mitigate storm impact.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TO DELIVER 2022 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Governor Phil Murphy’s 2022 State of the State address will stream online and via social media on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, reaffirming his commitment to leading New Jersey through the COVID-19 public health crisis, improving the lives of middle-class families, and building a stronger and more resilient post-pandemic economy.

“Throughout the past year, New Jersey has proven its resiliency in the face of adversity. While still facing challenges brought by the pandemic, we have made undeniable progress for the working- and middle-class families who call New Jersey home,” said Governor Murphy. “This year’s State of the State address will focus on our ongoing commitment to education and economic opportunity, and making our state more affordable for families. Together, we will move forward on our path to building a stronger and fairer New Jersey.”

GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCES NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT TO ASSIST LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

Governor Murphy announced that the New Jersey National Guard will be deploying to long-term care facilities throughout New Jersey to assist with COVID-19 response efforts and to augment facilities’ staffing.

“Time and time again, the New Jersey National Guard has stepped up to the plate throughout this pandemic,” said Governor Murphy. “This deployment will send members of our National Guard to long-term care facilities with staffing needs and will act to protect the health and safety of long-term-care residents while the Omicron variant surges throughout the nation.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCES EXPANDED INCOME ELIGIBILITY FOR PERSCRIPTION DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Governor Phil Murphy announced that income limits for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) and the Senior Gold Prescription Discount drug assistance programs have increased by $10,000, making drug prices more affordable and benefitting over 20,000 seniors. Raising the income threshold, which was part of Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget, is the largest one-time increase in the history of both the PAAD and Senior Gold Prescription Discount drug assistance programs.

"Few issues have a greater financial impact on New Jersey families than the ever-increasing cost of prescription drugs,” said Governor Murphy. “Making New Jersey a more affordable place to call home means working to address the cost of prescription drug medicine. I am extremely proud of the progress we have made with this historic benefit increase that will expand benefits to thousands of New Jerseyans.”

GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCES SECOND LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION BOND ACT

Governor Phil Murphy announced the second round of funding for the Library Construction Bond Act (LCBA), which allocates $37 million to 36 library projects from 13 counties across New Jersey. The Library Bond Act was approved by voters in 2017 and authorizes $125 million in state bonds for technology updates, building improvements, and other library projects across the state.

“Libraries are the foundation of our communities and investing in them is just as critical as investing in our schools, in our cities and towns, and in our families,” said Governor Murphy. “The library offers critical resources and is where the concept of lifetime learning comes to fruition, where the spirit of community is celebrated, and where families come together. I am pleased to announce this second round of funding so we can continue to see progress in the modernization of New Jersey’s libraries."