AGP Executive Report

Independent Contractor Rules: New Jersey’s new independent contractor regulations are set to take effect today, but business groups say the Sherrill administration should have delayed them to July 2027, warning the changes to the ABC test could create uncertainty for legitimate contractors and employers. Clean Energy Oversight: The NJBPU has started the search for the next administrator of the state’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP), a five-year contract that will manage incentives and day-to-day operations. Nuclear Education Push: NJBPU, NJDEP, and NJEDA launched “Nuclear NJ,” a new website aimed at educating residents on nuclear energy, reliability, public safety, and ratepayer protections. Broadband Expansion: Greenlight Networks is investing more than $20 million to expand fiber internet service in Easton City, PA, and Phillipsburg, NJ, with early 2027 serviceability expected. Workforce + Tech: Kean University won a $500,000 NSF CyberAICorps grant to build CyberAI academic pathways and training for the cyber workforce. Food Insecurity Funding: The PSEG Foundation announced its first 2026 Neighborhood Partners Program cohort, awarding $500,000 to 80 nonprofits across NJ and Long Island. Hunger Action Month: FEMA approved nearly $33 million in post-disaster funding for New Jersey and New York, supporting repairs and hazard mitigation. Local Arts + Community: Sussex County Art Society will feature Hopatcong artist Joe Citterbart at its Oct. 8 meeting in Hampton. Business + M&A: Puremaxx Filtration Solutions merged into Brookaire Air Filters, keeping service and ordering the same while expanding products and capacity.

NJ Politics & Elections: Gov. Mikie Sherrill named Shirley Emehelu as acting secretary of state after Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned, with the elections office change coming just 39 days before the midterms. Workplace Rules: New Jersey’s Oct. 1 worker-classification guidelines are drawing pushback from gig workers and amateur umpires, who warn the rules could upend how they’re paid and who bears the costs. Courts & Consumer Watch: A federal judge tossed a proposed class action over “waterproof/sweatproof” sunscreen claims, saying shoppers didn’t show financial harm. Public Safety & Infrastructure: The Delaware River Basin Commission released a drought-readiness screening report for key tributaries, aiming to flag where future water shortages could be a problem. Local Business & Fraud: An Edgewater luxury car rental owner was sentenced to four years for staging a crash and filing an insurance fraud claim. Culture & Community: Rutgers is launching an “Arts in Health” push linking art and well-being through concerts and research partnerships.

Housing & Economic Development: Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s housing push got a spotlight at the 2026 Governor’s Conference in Atlantic City, where the state also handed out Excellence in Housing and Economic Development awards and named a Housing and Economic Development Hall of Fame inductee. Local Election Rules: New Jersey counties are asking ELEC for clearer guidance on the 90-day rule, warning that routine government communications featuring incumbents could trigger campaign-finance reporting. College Sports Overhaul: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, setting national rules on athlete pay, transfers, and eligibility—now headed to the House. Minimum Wage: NJ’s minimum wage rises to $16.48 an hour for most workers on Jan. 1, 2027, with higher rates for agricultural and long-term care direct care staff. Public Safety & Health: A New Jersey man was sentenced to 70 months for threatening to detonate explosives outside St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Business/Ports: AAPA selected new leadership for 2026-2028, with major port CEOs taking top roles.

Nor’easter Recovery: Gov. Mikie Sherrill lifted the state of emergency for eight counties after the storm, but Brigantine residents are still focused on beach erosion and whether replenishment can restore access to the shoreline. Housing & Local Politics: A federal judge refused to toss Jersey City rent-control exemption claims tied to two waterfront apartment towers, keeping the dispute alive. Education Costs: New Jersey school and county college workers face a 34.4% jump in health premiums in 2027, raising fears of staffing cuts and higher local costs. Healthcare Innovation: Atlantic Health Overlook became the first NJ hospital to use the SetPoint system for rheumatoid arthritis, offering a vagus-nerve neuromodulation option. Business & Courts: A judge let a sprawling Revlimid antitrust case against Bristol-Myers and others move forward. Immigration Detention Plan: A GAO report says ICE facilities planned for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst were not built, ending the plan for now. Tech & AI Guardrails: Candidates are splitting from Trump’s AI self-regulation push, backing stricter government guardrails. Science & Culture: Liberty Science Center broke ground on its $40M Project Supernova expansion, adding new exhibits and a 9/11 memorial garden.

Caldwell Fallout: Former NJ Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is fighting back hard, mounting a detailed challenge to the investigation that led to his resignation, arguing investigators reached false conclusions and gave him no fair chance to respond. Nor’easter Aftermath: A powerful nor’easter left parts of the region flooded and battered, with thousands still dealing with outages and emergency declarations as cleanup continues. Data Center Pressure: New Jersey’s AI boom keeps colliding with local concerns—ranging from power demand and hidden generator issues to broader debates about whether data centers can coexist with community needs. Energy Policy Push: Rep. Paul Tonko introduced new federal bills aimed at charging high electricity users, improving state energy oversight, and building regional energy hubs—moves that could reshape how utilities and data-heavy facilities are regulated. Public Health Access: NJ health officials issued directives to make COVID-19 vaccination easier during the 2026–27 respiratory season, including pharmacist “no prescription needed” standing orders. Business & Community: Atlantic City’s concert-and-trade push is driving record gaming revenue, while local treatment providers expand adolescent addiction and mental health programs. Tech/Jobs: Claris Biotherapeutics is moving its HQ from Jersey City to South San Francisco as it gears up for upcoming trials. Retail Shock: Starbucks is closing hundreds of locations across North America, including some in New Jersey, as part of its “Back to Starbucks” strategy.

Hudson Tunnel Progress: New Jersey and New York officials marked the ceremonial start of tunnel boring for the $16B Hudson Tunnel Project, aimed at adding two new Hudson River rail tunnels to ease NJ Transit and Amtrak congestion, with completion projected for 2035. Nor’easter Aftermath: Rep. Frank Pallone pushed for a prompt damage survey after flooding and coastal erosion hit his NJ-06 district, setting up a possible federal disaster declaration. College Sports Overhaul: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act (77-22), a major step toward federal rules on athlete NIL, transfers, and medical coverage—now headed to the House, where the path is uncertain. Food Safety Alert: Nearly 333 pounds of tuna were recalled after elevated scombrotoxin levels were found; the product was distributed in NJ and several nearby states. Local Business & Jobs: EVgo is expanding fast-charging at grocery-anchored shopping centers, including locations in New Jersey, as part of a broader partnership with Regency Centers. Public Health/Pharma: Lupin won tentative FDA approval for an apixaban oral suspension, to be manufactured at its Somerset, NJ facility.

Hudson Tunnel: The Gateway Development Commission marked the start of tunnel boring for the new Hudson Tunnel Project, with two machines set to dig about a mile under the Palisades this fall—aimed at a first new rail tunnel under the river in more than 100 years. Healthcare Policy: The MGMA says insurers worry they can’t fully meet the Jan. 1, 2027 electronic prior authorization deadline for Medicare Advantage and Medicaid, pushing back on any delay while CMS rules roll in. Banking Deal: Valley National Bancorp agreed to buy Bluevine, a Jersey City fintech, in a $340M cash-and-stock deal expected to close in early 2027. Sports & Culture: Macklemore’s pro-Palestine remarks at MetLife Stadium led to his removal from the rest of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, after venues and promoters pushed for “neutral” shows. Tech & Utilities: Verizon’s plan to retire copper lines in NJ and eight other states hit a snag after the FCC pulled it from expedited review, raising concerns about landline reliability. Local Business: Progress Delivery expanded its Elizabeth freight-coordination team with six new roles to handle growing regional and national demand.

Nor’easter Recovery: A powerful, slow-moving nor’easter kept flooding and outages rolling across New Jersey and the Northeast, with coastal problems, downed trees and utility lines, and travel chaos as officials urged residents to stay alert into Monday. Congressional Showdown (NJ-7): In the lone debate for New Jersey’s 7th District, Tom Kean Jr. and Rebecca Bennett clashed over the Iran conflict, gas prices, tariffs, and Trump’s agenda, with Bennett pushing diplomacy and Kean defending the U.S. approach. State Government/Storm Prep: Gov. Mikie Sherrill ordered a two-hour delayed opening for NJ state offices Monday, including the MVC, after the weekend storm. Work Rules for NJ 1099s: New Jersey begins applying new ABC-test rules for independent contractors on Oct. 1, raising stakes for freelancers and side-gig workers. Health Policy: The FDA warned three Northeast food importers over missing Foreign Supplier Verification Programs. Business & Local Growth: Jersey City special improvement districts are adapting to rapid growth, including new activation efforts around Journal Square and Exchange Place. Economy Watch: NJ construction spending rose 19% this year, but new starts are barely up, reflecting stalled projects amid higher interest rates.

Nor’easter Disaster: A powerful, slow-moving nor’easter is battering the Northeast, with coastal flooding, dangerous surf, and widespread outages. New York and New Jersey declared emergencies as high tides threaten more inundation; officials report at least one death tied to storm conditions and tens of thousands of customers without power. Local Storm Damage: Brigantine officials say the storm caused the most serious damage since Superstorm Sandy, including major beach erosion, severe dune loss, and heavy damage to the Promenade. Public Safety/Justice: New details emerged in a fatal Middle Township police-involved shooting, with investigators saying officers opened fire after forcing entry into a disabled vehicle where a man allegedly held a knife to a woman. Politics & Accountability: NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell’s resignation after an investigation found workplace ethics violations, including alleged sexual harassment. Food Safety: Nearly 333 pounds of tuna were recalled across five states after elevated toxin levels raised food poisoning risk. Community & Culture: WHYY won five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards, highlighting local journalism and programming.

Nor’easter Emergency: A powerful September nor’easter is battering the Northeast, with New York and New Jersey declaring states of emergency as coastal flooding, rip currents, strong winds, and heavy rain move toward the Jersey Shore and Long Island. Power & Travel Chaos: More than 100,000 homes and businesses lost power at peak, and hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed, with flooding reported in places like Surf City and Manasquan. Storm Safety: Officials urged residents to stay out of the water and avoid flooded roads; one death was reported in New York after a tree fell. NJ Politics: New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned after an ethics and sexual harassment investigation, with Gov. Mikie Sherrill accepting the resignation and naming an acting replacement. NJ Business/Health: A New Jersey seafood company recalled nearly 333 pounds of tuna after high histamine levels linked to scombroid poisoning were found. Local Culture: A new Prohibition-era themed event venue, Easton Speakeasy & Dining Room, is set to open in Easton, Pennsylvania, with ticketed events starting in October.

Nor’easter Emergency: New Jersey and neighboring states declared states of emergency as a powerful nor’easter brought flooding roads, power outages, and major coastal impacts—officials warned of significant inundation and urged residents to stay off roads and prepare for hazardous conditions. Local Storm Response: Middlesex County was among eight NJ counties covered by Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s emergency order, activating state coordination efforts as winds and rain intensified through the weekend. Travel Disruptions: The storm also triggered widespread flight cancellations and travel chaos across the Northeast, with thousands of customers reporting outages. Politics & Accountability: In Washington, NJ Rep. Chris Smith’s Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act would require State Department reporting on whether Nigeria protects threatened religious communities and prosecutes attackers. Culture Spotlight: Centenary Stage Company is set to host Indian classical virtuoso Ustad Shafaat Khan in October, blending sitar, surbahar, and tabla with cross-genre influences. Tech & Utilities: Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in NJ and other states was delayed by the FCC as the agency seeks more time to review concerns from communities relying on older service.

Nor’easter Watch: New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency as a powerful weekend nor’easter threatens flooding, strong winds, and dangerous surf from the Northeast to the Jersey Shore; officials warned of basement flooding, power outages, and travel disruptions, with airlines waiving fees and Amtrak warning of possible service impacts. Trenton Politics: NJ Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned after an independent investigation found ethics lapses and substantiated sexual harassment; Gov. Mikie Sherrill accepted the resignation and said it’s time to change the culture around harassment. Local Impact: Porchfest in Princeton pivoted indoors to eight stages after weather forced a change to the schedule. Public Safety & Crime: Four NJ residents face charges for allegedly helping a Toms River murder suspect stay on the run. Food & Health Alerts: Multiple recalls hit the region, including lead-contaminated cinnamon sold in NJ and a meat recall tied to falsified USDA inspection labels; also, certain synthetic kratom compounds became illegal in NJ under a federal order. Business/Policy: A federal appeals court ruled states can regulate prediction markets, dealing another blow to Kalshi.

Caldwell Fallout in Trenton: Gov. Mikie Sherrill has pushed Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign after a 61-page report substantiated sexual harassment and ethics violations, setting up a high-stakes political standoff over how an independently elected lieutenant governor can be removed. School Health Costs: The NJ School Employees Health Benefits Commission approved up to a 34% premium hike for active workers after months of deadlock, warning the plan’s future could still be in jeopardy. Nor’easter Disruptions: A powerful storm is already canceling major events and travel—Ed Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium shows were called off, and Global Citizen Festival in NYC was canceled as officials warn of dangerous conditions. Atlantic City Corruption Case: Atlantic City’s top cannabis official, “A.C.’s Weed Czar” Kashawn McKinley, was charged federally in an alleged bribery scheme tied to speeding up dispensary approvals. Public Health Watch: The CDC reports measles cases continue to rise nationwide, including in New Jersey, with outbreaks driving most infections. AI Safety Push: NJ and other AGs are urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after high-profile incidents involving major AI systems.

Statehouse Shake-Up: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is calling on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign after an independent investigation found “serious, repeated” ethics and workplace violations, including substantiated sexual harassment; Caldwell denies wrongdoing and has not said he’ll step down. Political Pressure: U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Andy Kim both demanded Caldwell’s immediate departure, while GOP leaders said the Legislature should act if he refuses. Workplace Tech Watch: The NJ AFL-CIO launched the FAIR Act campaign to limit how AI tools are used in hiring, monitoring, and benefits decisions. Community & Weather: Residents and businesses are bracing for a nor’easter, with flood-prone areas already seeing overflow, and Bayonne officials are asking for more flexibility for remote learning during severe weather. Culture Clash: Macklemore announced a “Free Palestine Tour” after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. shows, saying “being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore.”

Consumer Data & Health Privacy: New Jersey’s neighbors in the AG world secured a roughly $2.3M multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 breach tied to its debt collector, AMCA, potentially exposing data for 27.5M people nationwide, including 10.2M Labcorp patients. Local Broadband Expansion: Greenlight Networks announced a $14M fiber build in Camden County to connect 9,000 homes and businesses, with service targeted for early 2027. Telecom Lifeline Fight: Verizon is seeking FCC approval to end copper landline service in 18 states, drawing pushback from retiree groups warning it could hurt older residents and emergency access. Energy & Growth: A Millburn-based agency, New Frontier, won its third straight “Best E-Commerce Website” NJ Ad Club award, while a New Jersey-based firm is also backing solar planning efforts elsewhere. Culture & Politics: Macklemore announced a “Free Palestine” European tour after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour following pro-Palestinian remarks at MetLife Stadium. Sports Business: The Devils unveiled a new popcorn-puck hockey concession gimmick, adding to the stadium novelty arms race.

Cybersecurity: Threat actors are exploiting a newly disclosed critical WordPress flaw (CVE-2026-87902) for remote code execution, with reports of attempts tied to a New Jersey IP. Antitrust & Courts: The DOJ is set to weigh in on a fragrance-makers antitrust fight, pushing back on efforts to dismiss purchasers’ price-fixing claims in federal court. Local Policing & Privacy: Edison approved about 90 more Flock license-plate readers, expanding its existing system while critics warn about intrusive tracking and misuse. Politics & Voting Access: A New Jersey GOP lawsuit targets alleged withheld voter list records, as election safeguards and noncitizen-voting concerns stay in the spotlight. Business & Industry: SunOpta, now part of Refresco, opened a $35M plant-based dairy production line in Texas to boost capacity by 10%, underscoring continued growth in plant-based food manufacturing. Community & Education: Civic and Community Engagement Center events marked National Voter Registration Day and Constitution Day with campus tabling and voter pledges.