GRAND THEFT AUTO: NEW JERSEY — The governor and the acting attorney general announced a $10 million investment in license plate recognition technology during a press conference in Marlboro today. The funding, derived from the federal American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Fund, is meant to curb motor vehicle thefts and violent crime through high-speed, automated camera systems that will be installed at fixed locations throughout the state and mounted on mobile units, according to a press release. Law enforcement agencies will be able to access images in a centralized database. "The alarming uptick we are seeing in vehicle theft is unacceptable, and our administration is making investments to combat these occurrences statewide," Murphy said. "To aid law enforcement in this endeavor, an investment in ALPR technology will provide them with the tools they need to reduce these incidents and make our communities safer." CASINO SMOKING BAN — Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. opposes legislation to ban indoor smoking in casinos. "I'm against it," Small said when asked by POLITICO Thursday whether he supports legislative efforts in Trenton to outlaw lighting up in gambling arenas. "We had a perfect example of … banning smoking in a casino with the former Revel," Small said, in reference to the $2.4 billion facility that closed in 2014. Revel had been Atlantic City's only smoke-free casino, but reversed course after facing a myriad of financial issues. Small did not respond to requests for further comment. The mayor's objection is notable as efforts in Trenton to ban indoor casino smoking gain momentum. New Jersey barred nearly all businesses from indoor smoking in a landmark 2006 law, but gave casinos as a carveout. Legislation to eliminate the exception was dormant for years, but has recently seen a surge of co-sponsors supporting the bill, NJ S264 (22R)/ A2151 (22R). The governor has said he would support the move. The casino industry has strongly opposed the measure, saying it could be detrimental to the local economy and Atlantic City's gambling facilities, putting them at a competitive disadvantage to a handful of Eastern Pennsylvania betting operations that allow indoor smoking. The largest union in the area representing casino workers, Unite Here Local 54, also gave the measure a thumbs down, citing similar economic concerns. — Daniel Han LABOR — The New Jersey Department of Labor has updated its Unemployment Insurance application. The updates were done with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), U.S. Digital Service (USDS), NJDOL's Division of Information Technology and the New Jersey Office of Innovation. DOL says these changes allow workers to apply easily from a mobile phone and increase accessibility for residents who are using screen readers or other assistive technologies. More changes are imminent, including re-wording of the application questions. — Katherine Landergan
|
Comments
Post a Comment