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Lobbyist reports on ADU, tax and safety bills as council debates recording and cost impacts
Summary
City lobbyist James D’Shane updated Newark City Council on several state bills — including an ADU measure, a tax bill, a motorized scooter bill, proposed requirements to record executive sessions, a trauma‑kit mandate and new ADA parking rules — and presented a state revenue forecast that could affect grants and bond funding to the city.
James D’Shane, Newark’s lobbyist, briefed the City Council on developments at the statehouse on May 19 and warned that the state revenue forecast could affect how much money filters down to Newark for bonds and grants.
“May kinda gives you a precursor of what June may look like,” D’Shane said, summarizing the state’s May revenue outlook and noting continued uncertainty in consumer confidence and market softness that could reduce revenues available for bond bills and grants that benefit Newark.
The update covered several bills of interest to the city. D’Shane said an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bill “made it out of committee” and is awaiting a floor vote in the Senate; he said the bill’s language has not been amended since the council last reviewed it. He also said “House bill of 34 was released from committee very quickly” and that Representative Romer and the city manager spoke in committee. D’Shane reported that Representative Romer’s motorized scooter bill “made it out of committee,…
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