It’s an American holiday that pays tribute to workers in the U.S. and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894 and was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century. Labor Day is often celebrated with parties and parades, but that may change due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. NJ.com shares what you need to know regarding what is open and closed on Labor Day 2021.
Tax Waiver Ending 10/1
The New Jersey Division of Taxation recently announced that out-of-state businesses will have to resume withholding income taxes for New Jersey workers who telecommute beginning Oct. 1, as New Jersey ends temporary suspensions and waivers of some corporate business taxes. This means companies that have only been withholding income taxes for telecommuting workers based on their home state's laws will now have to withhold New Jersey income taxes. New Jersey bases its income taxes on where the work is performed. Companies also will have to pay corporate taxes based on the percentage of employees who work in New Jersey and, for out-of-state sellers, sales taxes on sales generated by New Jersey-based employees. All three rules were suspended when companies moved to having workers work from home for public health reasons during the early weeks of the pandemic.
Get Covered NJ
Now is the time to choose a health plan. Shop now and find out if you qualify for financial help. Open Enrollment runs through Jan 31, 2021. GetCoveredNJ is the only place that you can apply for financial help to lower the cost of your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs for health insurance. Learn how you can shop for a health plan. Browse health and dental plans to compare how much they cost. Before you shop for health coverage, find if you qualify for financial help to lower your costs. Find which plans have your doctors, and compare plans and prices. If you have a Marketplace plan now, you will enroll in 2021 coverage with GetCoveredNJ instead of HealthCare.gov. Learn about your new GetCoveredNJ account and your 2021 enrollment choices. If you had a health plan through HealthCare.gov in 2020, you will get a Form 1095-A in the mail in early 2021 for your taxes. Remember that changes in income, residence, or household size can affect your eligibility for financial help. Update your information when a change happens.
NJ Issues Lantern Fly Alert
This is the time of the year when the female adult Spotted Lanternfly starts to lay egg masses. Locating and destroying egg masses, as well as destroying adult Spotted Lanternflies, can help prevent the spread of this invasive pest. For instructions on how to scrape and destroy egg masses, you can watch this video. An adult female Spotted Lanternfly can lay up to three egg masses during its life cycle, and each egg mass contains between 30 and 50 eggs. While the adult Spotted Lanternfly cannot survive the winter, the egg masses do survive and hatch in the spring. The Department of Agriculture is asking homeowners to help in the effort to curb this invasive pest. What can you do to help? Join The Battle to report, identify and manage to "Beat the Bug”. This insect is an excellent hitchhiker and is easily moved if no one is looking so, if you are in the quarantine area, please “Look Before You Leave.” You can get more information through this Penn State Extension and here are also some safe treatment options.
NJ Working Families Endorse Murphy
New Jersey Working Families endorsed Governor Phil Murphy for reelection. During his first term in office, Governor Murphy has championed a progressive agenda, fulfilling key campaign promises from 2017 and laying the foundation for a stronger and fairer New Jersey that works for every New Jersey family. “Thanks to Governor Murphy, New Jersey residents have been able to benefit from expanded paid family leave which has helped millions of New Jersey residents take the time they need without struggling financially. I am looking forward to the Governor’s re-election in order to continue the progress in New Jersey to help our residents not just survive, but thrive,” said Billie Bauer of Merchantville, a New Jersey Working Families Member. Two key accomplishments during Governor Murphy’s first term include establishing a path to $15 an hour minimum wage and enacting earned sick and expanding paid family and medical leave.
Winter Storm Prep Begins
NJ Budget Impacts School Aid
The $335 million spending increase for schools that was originally proposed during the Gov. Murphy's budget address in February has been scrapped, the governor said Tuesday during his budget address at SHI Stadium at Rutgers University in Piscataway. The formula funding is part of Murphy’s $32.4 billion budget for the nine months beginning October 1st and will cause Merchantville to lose 11.5% of the 2020-21 funds originally promised. It includes $4 billion in borrowing and $1 billion in new taxes. The proposed budget cuts $89 million from 31 districts with budgets below the adequacy level.