URGENT UPDATE: New Jersey residents will experience significant changes as new laws take effect on January 1, 2026. These measures, impacting wages and toll rates, are poised to affect the daily lives of millions across the Garden State.
Starting January 1, the statewide minimum wage will surge for most employees by 43 cents, reaching $15.92 per hour. Seasonal workers and small business employees will see a 70-cent increase to $15.23 per hour. Additionally, farm workers will benefit from a wage rise to $14.20 per hour, up from $13.40.
Long-term care facility staff will also see their minimum wage boosted by 43 cents, bringing it to $18.92. Tipped workers’ cash wage will increase to $6.05 an hour from $5.62. Employers must ensure that tips plus the cash wage meet or exceed the state minimum.
“This increase will provide vital support to all Garden State workers by making the dream of a livable wage reality,” stated Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.
In addition, New Jersey drivers will face increased toll rates as the New Jersey Turnpike Authority has approved a 3% hike for the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, effective January 1. Early next year, tolls on bridges managed by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission will rise to $2 for E-ZPass users and $5 for non-E-ZPass vehicles. The exact start date for this increase will be announced in mid-December. Furthermore, in the first week of January, tolls on Port Authority of New York and New Jersey bridges and tunnels are expected to rise by an additional 25 cents pending a vote on December 18.
In a significant shift for veteran services, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will officially become the Department of Veterans Affairs in mid-January. This change aims to focus exclusively on veteran-related matters, including benefits, healthcare, and mental health services. Governor Phil Murphy emphasized that this dedicated department will ensure veterans receive essential resources and support.
Starting in March 2026, changes to how legal notices are published will take effect. A law signed by Governor Murphy last summer mandates that public entities must publish legal notices, such as municipal meetings and foreclosures, on their official websites instead of in printed newspapers. This new requirement follows the announcement from New Jersey’s largest newspaper, the Star-Ledger, about its decision to cease printed editions last February. The aim is to enhance public access to essential legal information as print media continues to decline.
As these changes approach, New Jersey residents are urged to stay informed and adapt to the evolving landscape of work, transportation, and public information.
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Stay tuned for more critical updates as January 1, 2026 approaches, and share this article to keep your community informed!
