2 Possible NJ Bills With Big Impact Are Stalled: Here's Why

Who would have thought that Jets tickets may have a role in the holdup over two possible pieces of legislation that could have a big impact on New Jersey's future?

What's becoming apparent is that there are a few things standing in the way of what once appeared to be a fait accompli for the Murphy administration and state legislators: Passing marijuana legalization and raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Democratic lawmakers from Gov. Phil Murphy to Senate President Stephen Sweeney aren't even really talking, according to an NJ Advance Media report.

The report cites several factors standing in the way of passing what are two key pieces of legislation promoted by Murphy:

• The state lawmakers’ investigation into the Murphy administration's handling of a staffer’s sexual assault allegation "has ratcheted up distrust" between the governor and state lawmakers. Indeed, Katie Brennan testified before a state committee on Tueaday and detailed her allegations in a televised hearing. Read more: WATCH: Woman Details Rape Claims Against Ex-Murphy Staffer
• The state’s top leaders haven’t met privately for nearly two months, and they haven't even had a "transactional relationship," according to the NJ Advance Media report. As the distrust has deepened, Murphy’s office even decided to not give away complimentary New York Jets tickets to Loretta Weinberg, the co-chairwoman of the legislative committee investigating the sexual assault allegations, according to the report.
• Murphy cut off face-to-face meetings with Sweeney and other lawmakers and canceled a November leadership meeting, according to the report. Murphy will exchange pleasantries with Sweeney and others but nothing more.

Efforts to reach Sweeney and the Murphy administration were not immediately successful on Wednesdauy.

While both sides appear to not be speaking, both sides have been speaking out.

This past week, Murphy urged the state Legislature to pass a bill raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour for all working New Jerseyans before the end of the year.

Murphy, appearing to place the onus on the legislature, said establishing a livable wage of $15 per hour "provides New Jersey’s working families with the opportunity to put food on their tables and keep the lights on in their homes."

Murphy also said: "The time for the Legislature to act is now."

"Raising the minimum wage is a crucial piece in building the foundation for a robust and fair economy. We have talked about this issue and the benefits it will bring to New Jerseyans long enough,” he said. "Increasing the minimum wage to $15 will empower working families, which in turn will boost productivity and grow New Jersey’s economy."

New Jersey, meanwhile, took its biggest step last week toward legalizing marijuana. But lawmakers face an even bigger hurdle as they put the final touches on legsislation that could make pot available to the public as early as spring.

Lawmakers say there's still a bit of a snag, however, that could delay the legislation for weeks – maybe even months.

Even though Murphy has pushed for marijuana legalization, lawmakers still don't have an agreement with his administration that would allow the bill to move to full Senate and Assembly votes.

Here's what has happened, and what the "Marijuana Legalization Act," which would allow users 21 years old and up to possess up to an ounce of pot, faces before pot becomes legal:

• Full state Legislature votes: State Senate and Assembly committees voted Monday to advance the legislation to full votes by the state Legislature. No timetable has been set for those votes, however.
• Amendments: Various amendments could be proposed to try to appeal to those who are sitting on the fence – including some Democrats who oppose the legislation – before going to a full vote. Some, such as Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen Assemblyman Ronald Rice, D-Essex, don't buy the argument that legalizing pot would promote social justice. "It's all about the money," Rice has said.
• Murphy's signature: If the Senate and Assembly approve the legislation, then the Marijuana Legalization Act requires Murphy's signature to become law.
• Murphy-Legislature agreement: Here is where the legislation has hit its biggest snag: Conflicts have arisen over how much marijuana should be taxed that have impeded the legislation's progress. Sweeney has said that the tax should be no more than 12 percent; the Murphy administration has suggested higher.
• Regulation: Don't expect pot to be sold in stores right away. The regulatory and licensing process could take another six months after the legislation is passed, health officials say. That schedule could move a lot more quickly if medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed to meet the demand

Gov. Murphy photo