In New Jersey, public libraries are treated as civic infrastructure under state law. They are primarily funded by a mandatory municipal tax under N.J.S.A. 40:54-8, known as the “1/3 mill” formula: 33 cents for every $1,000 of a municipality’s equalized, or true, property value. This minimum must be raised annually for library operations, regardless of local budget pressures.

Many municipalities choose to fund their libraries above this minimum. Libraries often receive additional support from grants, donations, and Friends of the Library groups.

But in municipalities like Princeton, where developers are receiving tax abatements known as PILOTs, or Payments in Lieu of Taxes, that baseline funding can be slowly and quietly eroded.

Under a PILOT agreement, a developer pays the municipality an annual fee instead of conventional property taxes. These agreements can last up to 30 years. The fee is typically far less than what full taxation would generate, and it flows directly to the municipality. The county receives 5 percent. The library receives nothing.

That matters because the 1/3 mill formula runs on equalized property valuation, which is the total taxable value of assessed property in a municipality. When a large apartment complex receives a PILOT, the building’s value is exempt from assessment. Only the land beneath it remains on the tax rolls. A development worth $60 million might contribute the taxable equivalent of a modest vacant lot.

The result: as a town grows — new buildings rising, new residents moving in, new cardholders walking through the library’s doors — the funding formula can stagnate. The tax base the library depends on reflects a version of the town that no longer exists.

The gap has drawn some legislative attention. A 2022 bill proposed adding the value of PILOT-exempt properties back into the equalized valuation used for state aid funding calculations, an acknowledgment that the standard formula fails to account for the full scale of development in PILOT-heavy municipalities. The bill never made it out of committee.

On this episode of New Jersey Politics with Laura Jones: Princeton University students, led by the Whig-Cliosophic Society, NAACP Princeton Chapter, and Vote100, host a non-partisan forum for Democratic candidates vying to replace retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman in NJ’s 12th District. Student leader Alejandra Ramos joins us. Plus, Assemblyman Mike Inganamort explains why Governor Mikie Sherrill’s proposed shift from “net” to “gross” business taxation could impact small businesses operating on thin margins.

New Jersey bird lovers, now’s your time to track hummingbirds as they begin their spring return to New Jersey, with an interactive migration map offering a clear look at when the tiny birds are expected to arrive across the state as they head north from their wintering grounds.

With spring 2026 hummingbird migration season under way, the migration map tracks reported hummingbird sitings nationwide, giving New Jersey residents a real-time look at how the birds’ northward journey is unfolding as spring temperatures warm and food sources become available. The birds are already heading into New Jersey, though not North Jersey as much, but you can keep a close eye on the map to track the hummingbirds’ arrival in the state.

When hummingbirds arrive in New Jersey

The migration map shows early spring hummingbird sightings approaching the state — with the first ruby-throated hummingbirds typically appearing here in mid-April, followed by more frequent reports through early May as spring temperatures warm.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, hummingbirds generally return to New Jersey in mid- to late-April, though North Jersey and New York City start seeing the tiny birds closer to early- to mid-May.

While weather and local conditions greatly impact hummingbirds’ return, most NJ residents see the fast-flapping birds come to their feeders and yards through early May — when sightings really ramp up.

Should you put out hummingbird feeders yet?

Yes — late April is still a good time to put out hummingbird feeders in New Jersey, especially as sightings increase across the state and more birds arrive from the south.

Putting feeders up now can help support early arrivals and won’t interfere with natural feeding habits. Use a simple nectar mix of four parts water to one-part white sugar, and avoid red dye, according to the National Garden Bureau.

Here’s a full story on hummingbird food tips and what flowers to plant to attract hummingbirds to your garden.

What hummingbirds look like in New Jersey

Most hummingbirds spotted in New Jersey are the ruby‑throated hummingbird, a tiny bird — about three inches long — with shimmering green backs. Look for fast wing beats (up to 80 beats per second) and rapid hovering as they sip nectar at tubular flowers and feeders.

Adult males have a distinctive ruby-red throat that flashes in the sunlight, while females lack the red coloring and appear more muted, with pale gray or white underparts.

How to use the hummingbird migration map

The migration map tracks reported hummingbird sightings as birds move north during spring, offering a snapshot of how close they are to New Jersey.

As sightings begin clustering just south of the state, it’s a strong signal that hummingbirds are arriving or will soon — making the map a useful tool to check throughout late April.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based news reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network’s Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com.