By Dana DiFilippo | Senior reporter
Happy Saturday! And happy Fourth!
Here's what we learned this week:
State lawmakers approved a record-high $60.7 billion budget, plus more spending, after unusual Sunday night voting sessions.
They also passed bills on everything from data centers to voting rights before breaking for the summer.
They left some bills in limbo, irking advocates who also lamented budget decisions.
Other bills they passed would expand protections for transgender and reproductive healthcare …
… and impose new fees on private prison operators, amid continuing backlash to the feds’ migrant jails in Newark and Elizabeth …
… and fine employers with more than 50 workers on Medicaid, to lighten the cost taxpayers now bear …
… and expand school-based mental health services, with 1 in 5 students diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. resurfaced in D.C. after a four-month absence and said depression was to blame.
NJ Transit hiked fares. Again.
A new program to get blood transfusions to trauma victims before they arrive at the hospital is saving lives.
A new law took effect that’s intended to protect people with disabilities in group homes from abuse and neglect.
NJ is suing the Trump administration over new Medicaid work rules critics say reduce protections for people who are ‘medically frail.’
A federal judge declared the Trump administration’s move to block funding for the Gateway tunnel project ‘flagrantly’ illegal.
A judge tossed a former student’s lawsuit against faculty unions at Rutgers University for their weeklong strike in 2023.
And from D.C. and elsewhere:
Come on down to the Great American State Fair — there’s plenty of room.
US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order.
US Supreme Court deals blow to Trump, ruling states can accept ballots after Election Day.
A proud history and a cloudy future: Congressional Black Caucus hit by Supreme Court ruling.
Feds encourage public housing authorities to impose work rules, time limits.
States gird for new Medicaid ‘medically frail’ rule.
PJM gets green light to push data centers onto back-up power during heat wave.
Cities, towns nationwide revive teen curfews amid summer crowds.
Tick bites are surging in the US this year. Here’s what to know.
Have a great Semiquincentennial weekend! May you spend it someplace that brings you joy!
Beach Haven, N.J. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo / New Jersey Monitor)
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