Liquor License Reform Alliance
After decades of advocacy from Downtown New Jersey and others, New Jersey is on the precipice of real liquor license reform. With an end goal in sight, we need your help once again to push reform forward!
Advocacy
Downtown New Jersey acts as an advocate for downtown commercial districts in New Jersey, tracking judicial and legislative issues that can affect the success of the state’s downtowns and then informing and educating members on these issues.The New Jersey Legislature maintains an active web-based archive of statutes, pending legislation, and legislators. Click the appropriate link below to take you to the information area you need.Is there an issue you on which think Downtown New Jersey should be advocating? Please let us know.
Policy Watch
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The Cannabis Industry and Municipal Planning
Cannabis can be a complex issue for municipalities to navigate without special guidance. Balancing both the real and perceived concerns of our residents with zoning regulations that are responsive to the desires of the business community and advocates is the work of planners.
What DEP’s Climate Rules Mean to Downtowns
The New Jersey Builders Association shares information about how NJDEP’s “Protecting Against Climate Threats” (PACT) regulations could affect revitalization in your downtown.
Oppressive Regulations are Limiting NJ’s Brewery Boom
Craft brewing and distilling is a developing industry in the Garden State. But while New Jersey passed legislation in 2012 to allow tasting rooms, the restrictive nature of New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) rules is hampering expansive growth.
Gov. Murphy Hosts Liquor License Reform Roundtable
February 23, 2023 – Downtown New Jersey attended Governor Murphy’s roundtable discussion with local restauranteurs and lawmakers about his plan to reform NJ’s antiquated liquor license laws. The legislative proposal would increase the availability of liquor licenses gradually over five years.
Gov. Murphy Announces Support for Liquor License Reform
January 11, 2023 – Governor Murphy galvanizes discussion to reform NJ’s antiquated liquor license laws in his State of the State Address.
New Jersey’s Single-Use Plastic bags and Polystyrene Foam Ban
New Jersey’s plastics and polystyrene ban went into effect May 2022 – what it means for small businesses in New Jersey.
Policy Watch – January 2022
January 12, 2022 – Downtown New Jersey acts as an advocate for downtown commercial districts in New Jersey, tracking legislative, regulatory, and policy issues that can affect the success of the state’s downtowns and then informing and educating members on these issues.
Action Alert: Legislation Puts Heavy Burden on Small Business
Legislation due for a vote on concurrence with the Governor’s conditional veto on Monday (December 20, 2021) will put a heavy burden on small business
Policy Watch – October 2021
October 11, 2021 – Downtown New Jersey acts as an advocate for downtown commercial districts in New Jersey, tracking legislative, regulatory, and policy issues that can affect the success of the state’s downtowns.
NJEDA’s Main Street Recovery Program Sets the Stage for Stronger, Fairer Recovery from COVID-19
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s ‘Main Street Recovery Program’ is working to ensure a strong and equitable recovery from the economic impacts of Covid-19.
Policy Watch – May 2021
May 25, 2021 – Downtown New Jersey acts as an advocate for downtown commercial districts in New Jersey, tracking legislative, regulatory, and policy issues that can affect the success of the state’s downtowns.
Policy Watch Prevailing Wage
February 8, 2021 – Action Alert: Advancing legislation is extremely detrimental to a municipality’s ability to incentivize and support downtown redevelopment.
Special COVID-19 Policy Watch Update
February 5, 2021 – Another round of PPP and a new State Economic Recovery bill. Check out the special COVID-19 update to see how your downtown is affected.