Ahead of Major Global Sporting Events Coming to New Jersey, Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Expand Alcohol Beverage Licensing Framework

As New Jersey continues to lead as a premier location for global sporting events, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation enhancing the state’s alcoholic beverage licensing framework to support operations at host venues. The legislation permits alcohol licensing exclusively for global sporting events, expanding all-inclusive areas at New Jersey’s largest venues while maintaining public safety standards.

"New Jersey could not be more thrilled to welcome to world to the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026 matches,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “As we continue to plan for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we want to provide the greatest possible entertainment experience for our guests this summer and next. By modernizing our alcoholic beverage licensing framework, we can cement New Jersey’s legacy as an ideal destination for global events while also serving as an economic engine for the state and region.”

The FIFA World Cup matches played at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in 2026, including the final, are projected to generate over $2 billion in economic impact for the NYNJ region, and to support over 14,000 jobs. Moreover, it is expected that the tournaments will bring well over one million visitors to the region. The legislation signed by Governor Murphy will not only support planning for 2025 and 2026, but will help New Jersey continue to position itself as the ideal global destination for future sporting events.

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Murphy Administration Surges Resources to Reduce Veterans Homelessness to Functional Zero

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJDMAVA) yesterday began a two-day training session at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt highlighting New Jersey’s Bringing Veterans Home initiative to reduce veterans’ homelessness to functional zero. The Bringing Veterans Home initiative seeks to house all homeless veterans in the state by July 1, 2026, while strengthening the State’s homelessness prevention system so that any newly homeless veteran can be placed in stable housing within one month. 

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much to uphold our nation’s freedom and deserve our deepest gratitude and respect for their service,” said Governor Murphy. “Our Administration is committed to providing the many veterans who call the Garden State home the support and resources they need to thrive. I am grateful to Commissioner Suárez and Brigadier General Mays for their continued efforts to ensure every veteran in New Jersey has a safe and dignified place to call home.”

“The Bringing Veterans Home initiative formally unites federal, state, and veteran service organizations throughout the state in the fight against unsheltered veteran homelessness,” said NJDCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “Using this collaborative approach, we will be sheltering our homeless veterans this year and next, while creating a strategic framework that will carry momentum long into the future.”

“Bringing Veterans Home represents a groundbreaking step toward ensuring that no Veteran endures the hardship of homelessness.” said Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, Commissioner of the NJDMAVA and the Adjutant General of New Jersey. “Thanks to Governor Murphy, the Legislature, the NJDCA and NJDMAVA teams and so many passionate volunteers throughout the entire state, we are in a position to effectively end veteran homelessness.

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New Jersey’s Direct File Program Expands to Include Retirement Income Filers

Governor Phil Murphy announced that New Jerseyans with retirement income can now use New Jersey’s Direct File program. DirectFile.nj.gov launched January 28, and this update makes the online tool available to roughly 400,000 more residents. Eligible New Jerseyans can benefit from this free and secure way to file federal and state individual tax returns, along with live chat support.

“Direct File has simplified the tax filing process and helped thousands of New Jerseyans, saving many of them hundreds of dollars along the way,” said Governor Murphy. “With the filing deadline approaching, we are proud to expand Direct File to benefit thousands more of our seniors and taxpayers from all walks of life that want a free, secure way to file their taxes online.”

New Jerseyans may qualify to use Direct File this tax season if they lived in the state for all of 2024, earned all 2024 income in New Jersey, make below certain income thresholds, and plan to use the same filing status for both federal and state income tax returns. With the new update, the tool will support more filers with distributions from employer-sponsored pension and retirement accounts – like a 401(k), pension, annuity, 403(b), or governmental 457(b) – who typically receive 1099-R forms.

“We are pleased to expand on the success that we are seeing with Direct File, which is easing the burden on tax filers as we enter the final month of the filing season,” said New Jersey Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “The recent addition of retirement income to this tool will empower even more New Jerseyans to file their own taxes quickly and easily.”

“An estimated $160 savings on tax filing expenses is significant for many New Jersey seniors who live on fixed incomes," said Dave Cole, New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer. “Expanding eligibility for the Direct File program to include income from employer-sponsored pension and retirement accounts will help lower costs for retirees and other eligible New Jerseyans. We are proud to support this program as the latest example of how, working together, we can deliver effective and efficient government services that save residents' time and money.”

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Ten States Reach Goal to Put 3.3 Million Electric Vehicles on the Road by 2025

In a report released this week, NESCAUM announced that an ambitious goal set in 2013 to advance electric vehicles (EVs) has just been achieved. In a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by ten state governors, a collective target was set to put 3.3 million electric vehicles on their roads by 2025. Based on NESCAUM’s analysis of the data, over 3.3 million electric cars have been registered in these states as of December 31, 2024 – meeting and even exceeding the target on time. In 2013, there were only 87,506 electric vehicles in these ten states.

“I’m proud to celebrate the success of our states’ collaboration on making transportation cleaner and preventing harmful pollution from the largest emitting sector in the country. As more drivers go green, New Jersey will continue to work toward making electric vehicles accessible to all and expanding the state’s charging infrastructure to support regional demand,” said Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey.

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