Government Relations
NJPSA is your representative before the U.S. Congress, State Legislature, Governor’s Office, State Board of education and other federal and state agencies on all issues affecting the quality of public education in the state. NJPSA’s Government Relations (GR) staff analyzes, monitors, and participates in the legislative and regulatory process advocating on your behalf on proposed legislation, code provisions, and policies affecting public schools and school leaders.
The GR staff develops association positions and advocacy priorities through direct interaction with NJPSA members through NJPSA committees, member surveys, and meetings. By developing trusting relationships with the decision makers at all levels of government, the GR staff has access to those who ultimately write, pass, and uphold legislation that affect YOU, your staff, and your school. NJPSA’s GR team communicates these views formally through official testimony during legislative committee hearings and Board meetings, as well as informally through conversations with State and federal lawmakers.
Through NJPSA’s Political Action Committee (NJPSA-PAC), which is funded through member contributions, your Government Relations team is able to maintain a strong and consistent presence with our State Legislature, providing political contributions to help support elected officials who support educational leaders, students, and schools. The NJPSA does not endorse candidates.
NJPSA Action and Updates
Update from the New Jersey State Board of Education September Meeting
By Jennie Lamon, Assistant Director of Government Relations The State Board of Education met on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 in what was the Board’s first meeting of the new school year. A number of [...]
Statehouse Update: Week of September 6th, 2021
-Jennie Lamon, Assistant Director of Government Relations (jlamon@njpsa.org) New Laws: These bills have recently been signed into law by Governor Murphy: S-3995 Establishes School and Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Fund [...]
Budget Reconciliation Bill Includes Two Major School Leader Priorities – Take Action Now!
The House of Representatives just announced two major school leader priorities that will be included in their upcoming $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill: $198 million for School Leader Recruitment and Support $82 billion for [...]
Responding to Students and Staff Who Travel
With Labor Day weekend marking the unofficial end of Summer, many New Jerseyans traditionally squeeze in one final summer getaway before returning to school. However, in light of the ongoing pandemic, such out-of-state or [...]
Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Related School Policies
(This FAQ was developed by the NJPSA Legal Team, Government Relations Team, and LEGAL ONE.) As schools reopen for the 2021-2022 school year, NJPSA members will face many challenges in safely operating their schools. [...]
NJPSA Supports Governor’s Murphy’s Announcement on Vaccine/COVID Testing Requirement for All School Employees
Today, Governor Murphy announced new safeguards for the public sector, including our schools, in order to guard against the spread of COVID-19. These include a requirement for school staff to either provide proof of [...]
SEHBP News – August 19, 2021
On August 5th the SEHBP Commission approved the rates for health benefits covered through the School Employees Health Benefit Plans. Many school districts provide their employees coverage through the SEHBP. Other district provide your [...]
NJPSA Supports Governor’s Decision to Require Masks in Schools
The New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) supports Governor Murphy’s decision to require all faculty, staff, students, and guests to wear masks inside school buildings as we begin the 2021-22 school year. We [...]
USDOE Issues K-12 Return to School Roadmap Guidance
The Biden Administration has developed a Return to School Roadmap to support educators and school leaders, parents, families, and communities and lead students on a path to return to in-person learning this fall, where [...]
Update from Trenton: Week of August 2nd, 2021
The State House is quiet as the Legislature recesses for the summer. No Legislative Committees met this week. However, there are currently 159 bills on the Governor’s desk, awaiting his action. NJPSA is [...]