Official Site of The State of New Jersey
This Week in NJ - October 24th, 2025
Governor Murphy on Protecting Henry Family Farm in Cranbury
“New Jersey’s family farms are an essential and deeply cherished part of our state’s story. For 175 years, the Henry Family Farm has stood on South River Road in Cranbury as a proud symbol of that agricultural tradition. For that reason, I am proud that — with the help of our Administration — the Henry family, Cranbury Township, and Fair Share Housing have reached an agreement that will ensure the farm remains under the family’s ownership, while local leaders look elsewhere to meet the town’s affordable housing obligations.
“From the very beginning, I have opposed efforts to seize the Henry Family Farm through eminent domain. While every town in New Jersey must do its part to resolve our state’s affordable housing crisis, these efforts must be pursued thoughtfully and collaboratively.
“That is exactly why this agreement is so important. It hinges on an impending revision of a rule proposed by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency that we anticipate will be finalized by the end of the year, permitting responsible development that will make housing more accessible and more affordable for families in Cranbury and across our state.
“I want to thank Andy and Christopher Henry, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Jacquelyn Suárez, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Executive Director Melanie Walter, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, Fair Share Housing, and Cranbury Township for working in good faith to reach this resolution.
“New Jersey will always protect its farmers and farmland. And we will always live up to our reputation as the Garden State.”
2024 Film Industry Spending Breaks Yet Another Record in NJ
The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC), which is part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), announced that overall in-state production spending from filmmaking hit $833 million in 2024, surpassing the previous record of $701 million in 2022. 556 productions filmed in New Jersey last year, hiring a total of more than 30,000 crew members, nearly doubling the number of crew hires from 2023.
The film industry has surged since Governor Phil Murphy reinstated the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program in 2018. The program, which has been extended to 2049, offers tax credits to film and digital media productions of up to 40 percent for expenses incurred. New Jersey’s competitive tax incentive program supported an increase of 41 percent in total qualified spend from 2023 to 2024, while film spending in other North American production hubs decreased or remained stagnant.
“New Jersey has solidified its place as a formidable leader in the national and international film industries,” said Governor Murphy. “Our tax incentive program has been impactful in bringing new movies, television shows, and major studios to the state, which has resulted in good-paying jobs and revitalized communities. The film industry is here to stay and the future of entertainment now runs through the Garden State.”
“2024 was another banner year for New Jersey’s film industry, welcoming hundreds of productions and hiring thousands of crew members, generating meaningful economic activity across the state,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Governor Murphy’s vision to bring the film industry back to New Jersey has been achieved and we are on the radar of content creators everywhere. As we continue attracting productions and studios, it will lead to new job opportunities for residents and greater business for mom and pop shops.”
New Jersey Department of Education Announces Grant Awards to Support Student Literacy
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) announced it has awarded almost $13.6 million for the first year of federally funded Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants to improve student literacy throughout the state.
“My Administration has made it a priority to equip our children with the skills and support necessary to set them up for lifelong success. This includes our work to bolster literacy education and improve literacy rates among New Jersey students, ensuring our young learners can thrive in the classroom and throughout their academic careers,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Literacy is the tool that unlocks the opportunities education creates for our students. These grant awards will help sustain our efforts to infuse best practices into classrooms across our state, uplifting our school communities with crucial tools and resources.”
“Literacy is a foundational skill needed for learning in all subjects, and these grants build upon our commitment to improving literacy for students across New Jersey,” said Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. “The strength of this initiative is its comprehensive design. It builds a network of teacher coaches, equips schools with training and high-quality materials, and supports readers from birth through high school.”
“Literacy is the foundation for success in every lesson our children are taught, and building that foundation requires the commitment of everyone – parents, educators, and students alike,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “These new grant programs take a holistic approach to strengthening literacy – training educators to deliver effective instruction, equipping schools with evidence-based resources, and fostering meaningful familial connections through reading at home. This is just one of the first exciting strides in what will be a years-long pursuit to improve our literacy infrastructure and ensure we meet the needs of every young reader.”
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority Board Authorizes Lease Negotiation and Execution with Moran Foods to Transform Renaissance Plaza Supermarket
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) announced that its Board of Directors authorized the negotiation and execution of a long-term lease agreement with Moran Foods to operate and enhance a grocery store at Renaissance Plaza. CRDA, with funding from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, has invested nearly $20 million to support infrastructure improvement in the Plaza. The partnership launches a comprehensive revitalization initiative that will transform the downtown shopping center into a safe, modern commercial hub while elevating food access for city residents.
CRDA’s investment addresses longstanding community concerns about public safety and food access in Atlantic City’s urban core. The project creates a long-term partnership with a national wholesaler with nearly 50 years of expertise in the grocery industry to support the redevelopment of Renaissance Plaza while implementing substantial infrastructure improvements, including roof replacement, masonry restoration, enhanced security measures, and streetscape beautification.
“This partnership marks a major step forward in revitalizing Atlantic City’s downtown core,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “By investing in essential infrastructure and expanding access to fresh, affordable food, we’re strengthening the foundation of this community and ensuring that residents benefit directly from the city’s growth. The collaboration between CRDA and Moran Foods reflects our shared commitment to building a safer, more vibrant, and more equitable Atlantic City.
‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’ Showcases Springsteen’s Talent & Jersey’s Cinematic Versatility
With the Bruce Springsteen biopic set to hit theaters this week, the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC), which is part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), announced that ‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’ spent a total of $41.8 million during its 31 days of filming in the Garden State. The movie, which filmed in 16 towns across the state, utilized the NJEDA’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program. ‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’, starring Jeremy Allen White, hits theaters Friday.
“There was only one place that made sense to film a movie about Bruce Springsteen – the place where it all began, right here in New Jersey,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “From the Stone Pony to the Meadowlands, Springsteen’s career crisscrossed the state, eventually becoming an international sensation. Major productions like Deliver Me from Nowhere continue to create jobs, support small businesses, and fuel our economy. New Jersey’s growing film industry is delivering real economic impact and driving creative energy across the state."
Since the state’s film tax credit program was reinstated by Governor Murphy in 2018, film production in New Jersey has surged. In 2024, in-state production spending from filmmaking hit $833 million, surpassing the previous record of $701 million in 2022. 556 productions filmed in New Jersey last year, hiring a total of more than 30,000 crew members, nearly doubling the number of crew hires from 2023.
Attorney General Platkin, Labor Commissioner Asaro-Angelo Sue Amazon for Exploiting Delivery Workers
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo sued Amazon and its Amazon Logistics delivery network for misclassifying Flex delivery drivers as independent contractors and unlawfully depriving them of rightful wages, benefits, and a host of other legal rights and protections afforded to employees.
The case also alleges that Amazon, which is valued at more than a trillion dollars, shifted the risk of doing business and those associated expenses to Flex drivers, and, among other things, failed to make required contributions to the Unemployment Compensation Fund and the State Disability Benefits Fund. As a result of these violations, the lawsuit estimates that New Jersey Flex drivers and these funds have suffered millions of dollars in losses each year. As a result, as Amazon flouts the law, other New Jersey employers suffer because they must make up any shortfalls to the trust funds.
“Let’s not make any mistake about this: when a trillion-dollar company says it is providing you with ‘a flexible way of earning extra money on your own schedule,’ it is not offering this opportunity for your benefit. Amazon is looking out for itself,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Amazon is taking advantage of Flex drivers and enriching its bottom line by failing to obey our labor laws and offloading its business expenses for the benefit of shareholders.”
“Amazon’s misclassification of Flex drivers is illegal–plain and simple. We will not allow Amazon to expand its empire by exploiting New Jersey workers and our state’s unemployment trust funds,” said Labor Commissioner Asaro-Angelo. “Flex drivers deserve the dignity and respect of proper classification, ensuring they receive the benefits and rights they are entitled to. Classifying workers correctly is New Jersey law, there are no exceptions, regardless of the company size. We are bringing this action to protect New Jersey’s Flex drivers and our entire state.”