Schools, Taxes, Internet: Big Decisions For NJ Amid Coronavirus

NEW JERSEY — One month after virtually everything was shut down in New Jersey, the questions are getting louder: When — or will — a decision be made to close schools for the rest of the year?

And Gov. Phil Murphy said he's also heard the pleas from people who've asked for a break on their phone and cable bills, as well as their Internet service, amid the coronavirus outbreak.

All of that has become so much more important as many parents are confined to their homes — many of them laid off — and making sure remote learning is working for their children.

Some important news is expected to come this week, and over the past several days, Murphy has provided a glimpse — or more — on what he's going to do about the schools, your cable, phone and Internet bills and your taxes during the coronavirus crisis.

Here is some insight on what to expect:

Schools

Murphy insisted during a weekend news conference that no decisions have been made on reopening the schools before the 2019-20 year ends. But he did say that he's sticking with a date he's talked about for possibly making a decision: Friday.

Murphy has said that Friday would be the day when New Jersey will likely have a clearer picture as to what lies ahead, and he promised to provide an update on the school situation by then.

During his Tuesday press conference, Murphy did provide some idea as to where his administration may be heading, and he seemed to suggest that some sort of reopening could happen.

"Some of you interpreted, I think, my saying we’ll make a binary yes-or-no decision on whether or not we’re going to close (schools) or stay remote for the rest of the year," Murphy said. "That’s actually not the case. We’re looking at a number of different alternatives."

Even though New Jersey's case and hospitalization rates have been flattening, however, Murphy said over the weekend that he's not interested in "throwing gasoline on the fire" and reopening the economy too soon before the virus is under control. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy said any decision would have to have "some harmony" in the region and be consistent with what neighboring states are doing.

Pennsylvania has already closed schools for the rest of the year. Also, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania are joining a coalition of six states hardest hit by the new coronavirus to form a task force for a regional approach to reopen their states in the wake of the outbreak. Read more: NJ, PA Join Regional Coronavirus Reopening Council

"I've been lobbied hard by parents to open schools," Murphy said. "But we have to make our decisions based on data and facts."

Internet, phone and cable bills

Murphy signed an executive order Monday prohibiting cable and telecommunications providers from terminating Internet and voice service due to nonpayment until 30 days after the current public health emergency has ended.

The order also prohibits all service downgrades, service reductions or late fees due to nonpayment unless they are essentially approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Additionally, any Internet or voice service that was disconnected after March 16 due to nonpayment must be reconnected.

“Most of our service providers voluntarily took these steps, in accordance with FCC policy, to protect their customers during this difficult time, and we are grateful for their partnership,” Murphy said. “However, these policies have been implemented inconsistently among companies, so today we are prohibiting the termination of internet and voice services due to nonpayment during this time."

Murphy noted that children need Internet access for remote learning, and "our workforce needs the resources to telework, and families need to be able to keep each other informed. It is critical for our New Jersey residents to maintain these connections and not have their ability to communicate with the outside world severed.”

Taxes

Murphy announced his intention to sign a bill into a law Tuesday to extend New Jersey’s income and corporate tax filing deadline to July 15. The bill received final passage in the Legislature.

“As we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that we give both the state and our residents every opportunity to endure financially,” Murphy said. “Pushing this deadline into the summer will give us additional time to combat the virus and get as many taxpayers as possible back on sound financial footing.”

The COVID-19 Fiscal Mitigation Act, (A-3918) extends the deadline for both gross income tax and corporation business tax filings, aligning New Jersey with the new federal deadline announced late last month.

Additionally, the bill extends the 2020 fiscal year to Sept. 30. The bill also extends the deadline for the quarterly payment due this week to July 15. The second-quarter payment will still be due June 15.

In addition to extending the filing deadline, the bill requires the state treasurer to report by May 22 on the financial condition of the budget for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021. It also requires that, by Aug. 25, the governor will submit a revised budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021.

The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Sens. Paul Sarlo, Steven Oroho and Anthony M. Bucco, and in the Assembly by Assemblymembers Eliana Pintor Marin, Harold Wirths and John Burzichelli.

“The ongoing public health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic is creating severe financial hardship for the people of New Jersey as well as fiscal fallout for the state,” Sarlo said. “We don’t yet know the full dimensions of the financial consequences for residents, businesses and the state, but there is no doubt that we all face some hard times. The extensions will give taxpayers more time to calculate and manage their finances, and will provide state officials a workable timetable to craft a budget that addresses our critical needs.”

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Murphy ordered stores across New Jersey on Wednesday, April 8 to require shoppers to wear face coverings or masks. Here's how you can get yours, and how the new rule will be enforced. Read more: NJ Shoppers Must Wear Masks: Where To Get Them, How It's Enforced
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump
• New Jersey residents are expected to start receiving stimulus payments soon. Here's what you need to do beforehand. Read more: Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Payments: What You Need To Do In NJ
• On Friday, March 27, Murphy allowed more types of New Jersey businesses – including gun sellers – to operate in the coronavirus outbreak. What's open and closed now? Read more: What's Open, Closed? More NJ Business To Operate Amid Coronavirus
• Murphy announced on Tuesday, April 7 that state and county parks will close. Read more: Gov. Murphy Closes Parks On NJ Coronavirus Crisis's Deadliest Day
• Here are four urgent tasks New Jersey wants you to do during the coronavirus outbreak, including wearing a mask. And here's why. Read more: Wear A Mask! 4 Things NJ Wants You To Do In Coronavirus Outbreak

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses.

This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.