Chris Christie make last minute decisions on bill adopted last week by the Legislature.
View full sizeRepublican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed several bills adopted last week by the Legislature.It was the last day for action on the bills that were adopted last week by the Legislature.
The Star-Ledger covered Christie's State of the State address today. Check out the live blog here.
Here's a glance of the changes:
School elections
Communities can move their school elections to November from April, when turnout is low. In places that switch, school budget proposals will not need voter approval unless they increase by more than 2 percent.
Sports betting
Casinos and racetracks will be able to take bets on college and pro sports — if federal law, which bans such gambling in New Jersey, can be reversed.
Over-the-counter needles
Pharmacies can sell hypodermic needles to customers without prescriptions as long as they show IDs. The law is intended to slow the spread of blood-borne diseases by making clean needles available to IV drug addicts.
Shipping wine
New Jersey vineyards and small out-of-state wineries will be able to ship their products directly to customers' homes. Small wineries can also open up to 16 New Jersey retail outlets.
Sewer rules
Local governments will be barred from protecting areas from development by taking them out of areas approved for sewer lines. Proponents hope the measure spurs economic activity by encouraging big land development deals, but environmentalists say it will hurt water quality.
Political fundraisers
Candidates for office will no longer be allowed to solicit or raise political contributions on public property.