Here is The Jersey Bee’s top news for New Jersey for the week ending Dec. 5, 2025.
TOP NEWS
Disability Rights New Jersey will lead a webinar on Dec. 11 discussing ways the federal spending law, known as H.R. 1 or “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” can affect N.J.’s Medicaid program, NJ FamilyCare. OBBBA was signed into law July 2025 and cuts funding for Medicaid, Medicare, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The webinar is from 2-3:15 p.m. and will include information about the spending law, how it can affect people with disabilities and their caregivers, and state-level strategies and advocacy opportunities. A Q&A will follow. Registration is required.Add to 📅.
Disability Rights New Jersey
New Jersey will hold a special primary election on Feb. 5 to fill Mikie Sherrill’s vacancy in the 11th congressional district, according to a writ of election. The district includes parts of Morris, Essex, and Passaic counties. The special general election is Apr. 16. Partisan candidates must file their nominating petitions by Dec. 1 and independent candidates must file to run by Feb. 5.
Governor Phil Murphy
New Jersey Department of Human Services is reopening the state’s Child Care Assistance Program after advocates urged Gov. Phil Murphy to increase the program’s funding. In August, CCAP halted its review and acceptance of new applications because of limited state funding, and it increased its copays for families who were already enrolled. State officials say the applications will open in December and acceptance is determined by priority status. The registration form for December’s application is not yet live. Families can sign up online for text or email alerts to learn when the registration form becomes available.
New Jersey Department of Human Services
New Jersey’s gas tax rate will increase by 4.2 cents per gallon starting Jan. 1 because of a state law that collects tax revenue to pay for transportation infrastructure, the state Department of the Treasury announced. The N.J. Transportation Trust Fund Authority Act allows for annual tax adjustment to fund road projects and NJ Transit capital needs through 2029. The increase will adjust the tax of gasoline to 49.1 cents, and 56.1 cents for diesel fuel.
NJ Spotlight News
Strive North Jersey will host virtual information sessions for its “Career Path Program” for adults ages 18+. Strive North Jersey is a job training and career development nonprofit that serves Essex, Union, and Hudson counties. The program is free and information sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Job trainings will begin in January. Interested residents must complete an online intake form.
Strive North Jersey
Gov. Phil Murphy pardoned and reduced sentences of 55 currently or previously incarcerated people in N.J. That brings the total number of Murphy’s pardons to 283 since December 2024, the most by any N.J. governor in state history. Pardons officially forgive the recipient and relieve them of some consequences from conviction. Pardons were given to people throughout the state who were charged with drug possession, burglary, and weapon possession, among others. People can file clemency petitions online at nj.gov/clemency.
New Jersey Monitor
Newark hotels will charge guests a $3 per-day tax to fund the city’s firefighter services under a state law that passed on Nov. 13. The law currently only applies to Newark because it affects municipalities with an international airport. Newark is required to use the hotel surcharge revenue to supplement additional funding for the fire department. According to 2024 and 2025 city documents, Newark fire department received about $90 million in city funding. Michael Giunta, president of Newark Fire Union, said training and gear costs are outpacing budgets. The law is modeled after Atlantic City’s $2 per-day hotel tax that funds its fire department. Funds will be collected by the state and revenue will be sent to Newark on a monthly basis, and are only available if firefighter costs increase year-to-year, according to the law.
TAPinto Newark
