Author: Christina M. Abreu

NJ Appeals Court Upholds Disqualification for $500 Pay-to-Play Violation

In a recent decision, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court affirmed agency decisions rescinding approximately $7 million in state contracts to a local paving company. As a result of the $500 political donation, the company was also disqualified from any state contract through the remainder of Gov.

Federal Judge Rules Camden Municipal Court Violated ADA

Last month, a federal court ruled that Camden Municipal Court and the City of Camden violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide a court interpreter for a deaf litigant. The decision in Perez v. Camden Municipal Court highlights that public entities must be mindful of their

NJ Legislature Looking to Bonds to Boost School Facilities Security

Third Circuit Rules Discrimination Claims Subject to IDEA Exhaustion Requirement

In S.D. v. Haddon Heights Board of Education, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals held that claims that a board of education discriminated against a student and his parents based on his disability, and retaliated against them for enforcing the child’s rights under various federal laws, are subject to the

Governor Vetoes New Jersey Pay Discrimination Legislation

Governor Vetoes New Jersey Equal Pay Legislation

Gov. Chris Christie has conditionally vetoed equal pay legislation. The proposed bill amends the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) to strengthen protections against employment discrimination and promote equal pay for women. Modeled after the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, Senate Bill 992 would make it an unlawful

NJ Assembly Committee Advances PILOT Legislation

NJ Assembly Committee Advances PILOT Legislation

The New Jersey Assembly is currently considering legislation that would impose new obligations on municipalities that grant long-term tax exemptions. Under the proposed bill, cities and towns would be required to share funds collected under payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreements with school districts. As we have previously discussed on the Scarinci Hollenbeck

NJ Municipal Employment Law Alert: New Criminal Records Rules Now in Effect

New Jersey municipalities should be aware that the state’s “ban the box” law went into effect on March 1, 2015. The New Jersey Opportunity to Compete Act prohibits employers from inquiring into an applicant’s criminal history during the initial employment application process. It also precludes employers from publishing job advertisements

Local Finance Notice Addresses Municipal Levy Cap Referendum Procedures

Actual Exercise of First Amendment Rights Required for Section 1983 Retaliation Claim

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals recently considered whether a public employee could be disciplined for his perceived exercise of First Amendment rights. In Heffernan v. City of Paterson, the appeals court held that the individual must provide some evidence that he or she actually exercised those constitutional rights in