Governor Murphy to Name Allison Chris Myers as Acting Chair/CEO of Civil Service Commission

Governor Phil Murphy announced he intends to name Allison Chris Myers as the Acting Chair/CEO of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (CSC). Myers will replace current Chair/CEO, Deirdré Webster Cobb, Esq., who recently announced her retirement, effective January 1, 2023, after serving over 30 years in state government. Myers will become the first transgender person to serve as a Cabinet Member in New Jersey state history.

“I am thrilled to announce Allison as the Acting Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. I couldn’t think of a better candidate to fill the shoes of Deirdré than Allison, who is a career public servant, having started her career in the United States Navy and serving over 20 years at the Civil Service Commission. I am truly grateful to Deirdré for all that she has helped us accomplish over the past 5 years. I wish her a happy and healthy retirement,” said Governor Murphy. “As I have said many times before, it is important that the leadership in this state reflect the communities we serve, and I am looking forward to working with Allison to determine how we can better serve our state workforce.”

“I am honored to have led the Civil Service Commission as its Chair/CEO over the last five years and very grateful to Governor Murphy for giving me the opportunity to help build a stronger New Jersey by ensuring that the people who serve our residents have the resources they need to effectively perform their jobs. I am extremely proud of the CSC leadership team and employees for their unwavering commitment to CSC’s priorities of renewed responsiveness, expert problem solving, transparency and education, and removing barriers to elevate the status and desirability of public service,” said CSC Chair/CEO Deirdré Webster Cobb, Esq. “I am confident that Allison will continue to build on the foundation I’ve successfully laid to ensure an effective and efficient civil service delivery system for years to come.”

“During my career with the CSC, I have assisted numerous public-sector employers and employees in addressing and resolving their civil service system related concerns. Our aim every day is to better serve the people of New Jersey through the selection and appointment of its public servants based on relative knowledge, skills, and abilities while ensuring equal employment opportunities at all levels of public service.  In cooperation with labor and management, the CSC will continue to work diligently to implement Governor Murphy’s agenda to provide the finest public services delivered by a top-notch and diverse public workforce,” said Allison Chris Myers, incoming Acting CSC Chair/CEO.

Governor Murphy Announces Appointments to Task Force on Public School Staff Shortages

Governor Phil Murphy announced the appointments of 23 members to the Task Force on Public School Staff Shortages in New Jersey. The task force, established by Executive Order No. 309, will provide recommendations to address the challenges facing New Jersey’s educational workforce and develop short and long-term recommendations to increase the quantity of K-12 school staff – including teachers and support staff – in the state. 

“Educators play an invaluable role in shaping the lives of their students and ultimately molding our country’s future,” said Governor Murphy. “As we emerge from the pandemic, we must recognize the impact that teacher shortages in our state and across the nation will have on our economy, the arts, and our civil society. My Administration remains steadfast in our commitment to identifying solutions to address this shortage and I am confident that this task force will offer the unique perspectives and experience that this moment requires.” å

AG Platkin Announces Actions to Protect Reproductive Health Care Providers and Those Seeking Reproductive Care in New Jersey

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced several actions aimed at facilitating access to abortion care in New Jersey, protecting health care providers, and safeguarding patients’ privacy in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturning Roe v. Wade.

"I applaud Attorney General Platkin for his continued efforts to support women’s fundamental right to reproductive health care in our state. By protecting reproductive care providers and women who travel to our state for such care, New Jersey will become a refuge for those seeking these critical services,” said Governor Murphy. “My Administration will continue to make true on its promises to all women seeking the reproductive care they need and will set a standard for reproductive health care across our nation.”

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, our State is deeply committed to protecting the rights of those who provide and receive reproductive services, and our office will continue to use every available resource to protect access to abortion care here in New Jersey,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The actions we are announcing today will provide vital information to patients and health care providers in order to facilitate unobstructed access to abortion services in New Jersey.”

Murphy Administration Awards $9.95 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Water Quality Improvement Projects

The Department of Environmental Protection is awarding $9.95 million in grants to local government agencies, nonprofit groups, universities, and others to fund projects that will improve water quality and reduce the impacts of nonpoint source pollution from stormwater on publicly accessible lakes throughout New Jersey, Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced this week. 

More than $8 million of the grants will fund projects on lakes in or next to overburdened communities in New Jersey, resulting in improved water quality and increased recreational opportunities for residents of these communities. 

“These grants will help a diverse group of DEP partners implement projects that will reduce the harmful effects of stormwater, nonpoint source pollution and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) that will only worsen due to the impacts of climate change,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “On behalf of the Murphy Administration, we are excited to facilitate these projects in various overburdened communities to meet Department environmental justice and statewide water quality goals and objectives.”