The battle for backyard chickens | Inquirer South Jersey

Good morning, South Jersey.

A small but mighty group of Collingswood residents are fighting to legalize backyard chickens.

And hospitals in New Jersey could lose an estimated $3.6 billion through 2032 because of Medicaid changes.

Plus, home insurance rates in New Jersey are on the rise, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

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The push to lift Collingswood’s ban of chickens has been an ongoing effort for years.

But after new leadership joined and reshuffled the board of commissioners, a small group of residents thinks this could be their year to finally get the green light to have backyard chickens.

Advocates have been showing up at board meetings lately. And most recently, they provided proposed language for the board to use in a future ordinance to support it during its last working meeting earlier this month.

In the past, commissioner and former Mayor Jim Maley has said he would not support a backyard chicken pilot program. Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Amy Henderson Riley said she suspects this effort has better chances than the ones before.

Reporter Sarah Nicell details the specifics of what advocates want in the proposal.

P.S. Read the article for the local government news, but stay for the chicken pictures.

During a panel discussion in Cherry Hill last week, Inspira Health Network CEO Amy Mansue said New Jersey hospitals could lose about $3.6 billion from Medicaid changes through 2032.

According to Mansue, these changes will force hospitals to alter the way they operate to bring expenses in line.

That high-figure estimate does not include the costs that hospitals absorb from the growing number of uninsured people who show up to emergency departments because they don’t have the money for a doctor’s visit.

Almost 69,000 people’s individual coverage from New Jersey’s Affordable Care Act marketplace have already lapsed, and thousands more are expected to lose their Medicaid coverage when new requirements go into effect next year.

The Inquirer’s Harold Brubaker explains the hospitals’ regulatory hurdles and workforce development efforts.

🎤 Allow me to pass the mic to South Jersey politics reporter Aliya Schneider.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill visited the SoccerFest26 fan fest at the Wiggins Waterfront in Camden on Friday afternoon.

“These are kind of heavy times, they’re kind of dark times; there’s a lot of conflict going on,” Sherrill said in brief remarks on stage in front of a scarce crowd during her Friday afternoon visit. “But what I love about soccer is, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, doesn’t matter who you voted for, it doesn’t matter who you pray to. We all come together as a world.”

Officials credited Sherrill for including South Jersey in World Cup festivities. Former Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration planned to hold a large fan fest in North Jersey but Sherrill’s administration canceled that plan and instead organized regional celebrations.

Her Camden visit came just days before the state budget deadline on Tuesday. The governor agreed on a budget framework with legislative leaders a week before the deadline, but the details remained unclear.

“I’m getting a little more concerned,” she told reporters on Friday. “And so I know they [legislators] are hard at work and I’m going to keep reminding them of the constitutional deadline.”

Sherrill proposed massive funding cuts to various South Jersey programs in her March budget proposal. But because of cuts she’s found in the budget with legislative leaders, there’s money for lawmakers to “really push into their local projects,” she said. Rowan University’s veterinary school, a medical center for abused children, and Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers are among the many causes asking for a piece of the pie.

What year was Burlington City established?

A) 1596

B) 1677

C) 1776

D) 2000

Think you know? Check your answer.

💧Borrowing: A kayak to explore the The Cooper River Water Trail.

🛍️ Shopping: For a new sundress at the Cherry Hill Mall.

🏡 Ogling: This two-bedroom bungalow built in 1930. (Did you recently buy a home in South Jersey? Share the story of how you did it. Email Inquirer real estate reporters at properties@inquirer.com)

My fiancé and I strolled through the festival, ate tacos, and watched the games as the sun was setting.

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Thanks for starting your week with The Inquirer. I’ll catch you tomorrow. 👋🏽

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