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>Gov. Christie signs bill changing school board elections, budget votes

>Gov. Christie signs bill changing school board elections, budget votes


New Jersey voters may no longer have a direct say on their school boards’ spending, under legislation signed by Gov. Chris Christie today that would allow districts to dispense with seeking approval for budgets that meet the state’s spending cap.

The new law allows school districts to move their April elections to the November general election, either by asking voters for their OK — or by a resolution of the local school board or governing body.  (Rundquist, The Star-Ledger)

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>N.J. sports authority contracts reveal millions in secret rebates to promoters of Meadowlands acts

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N.J. sports authority contracts reveal millions in secret rebates to promoters of Meadowlands acts

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority kicked back millions of dollars to the nation’s largest music promoters over the last five years in an effort to lure top acts to the Meadowlands.

Details of the deals were revealed only after state courts forced the authority to release hundreds of contracts signed with performers ranging from Britney Spears to Jay-Z. The orders came because of a legal battle by The Star-Ledger to examine the now-public documents.  (Sherman and McGlone, The Star-Ledger)

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>County police plan touted in Camden

>County police plan touted in Camden


Two giant projection screens on the walls of a Rutgers-Camden conference room depicted the policing levels in Camden currently operating and what could potentially be if a proposed Camden County Police Department goes forward.

One map of the city showed a dozen digitized police cars representing the status quo. The other shows the cars roaming the city as if it were hit with buckshot if the city goes with a Metro Division.  (Murray, Gannett)

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>An Internet Blackout Over SOPA and PIPA

>An Internet Blackout Over SOPA and PIPA
Mike BrownfieldJanuary 18, 2012 at 8:19 am(58)
 
As of midnight, Wikipedia is shut down for 24 hours, and hundreds of other popular websites have gone dark right along with it. They are standing together in protest of two controversial pieces of legislation that threaten Internet security and undermine the freedom of speech all in an effort to crack down on online “piracy” — the illegal distribution of copyrighted material.

Hollywood, the music industry, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have gone to bat on behalf of the proposed laws on the grounds that they will help protect valuable copyrighted property. And while the goal is laudable, the ends don’t justify the means. The Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act have far-reaching consequences for the Internet’s infrastructure, individual liberties, and innovation in the digital age.

https://tinyurl.com/7zzwpqm

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>O’Toole: Must Continue Work of Reforming New Jersey in New Legislative Session

>O’Toole: Must Continue Work of Reforming New Jersey in New Legislative Session

Dear Friends:

On January 10, 2012, the New Jersey Legislature was sworn in for the 215th Session. On that day, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean announced the committee assignments of the Republican members.

I have been honored by Senator Kean to be re-appointed to two of the most crucial committees, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, to ensure that the Governor’s reform agenda is carried out.

“My friend, Senator O’Toole’s tenure in the Senate and the Assembly has been one of tireless advocacy for reform in order to make New Jersey a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family,” Republican Leader Kean said of O’Toole. “As a member of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, he will be in the forefront as we enter this extremely challenging period in state history.”

“I look forward to working with him to further our agenda of tax reform, job creation, and fiscal responsibility. Additionally, Senator O’Toole is an accomplished attorney who possesses the leadership ability and the skills to accurately evaluate gubernatorial nominees,” concluded Kean.

As the Governor outlined in his State of the State Address on January 17, 2012, a tremendous amount of hard work and bi-partisanship has gone into getting our state to this point in a very short two years, however, there still is more to be done. In the coming Legislative Session, I look forward to implementing the proposals outlined by Governor Christie, such as a 10% income tax cut for every taxpayer, reforming education, and continuing the economic revival of our state.

Here is a link to the text and video of the Governor’s State of the State Speech: https://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552012/approved/20120117c.html

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>Does Every Child Deserve the Opportunity to Succeed?

>Does Every Child Deserve the Opportunity to Succeed?

If you believe every child should have an equal opportunity to succeed…

If you believe education funds should be spent in the classroom – not on bureaucracy and administration…

Then join Americans for Prosperity Foundation for an exciting town hall Thursday, January 26. We will have New Jersey policy experts on hand to discuss how we can Restore American Exceptionalism in New Jersey education!

You can register for this free, ticketed event here! We will begin at 7 pm at Franklin Lakes Ambulance Corps Building, Bender Ct. in Franklin Lakes.

Restoring American Exceptionalism in education is not a partisan issue. It’s an American issue! Let’s work together to support the future workforce of America.

I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Steve Lonegan
New Jersey State Director
Americans for Prosperity Foundation
www.putkidsfirst.com

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>Christie’s proposed income tax cut wins instant business support

>Christie’s proposed income tax cut wins instant business support
By Andrew Kitchenman

A proposed 10 percent, across-the-board income tax cut proposed by Gov. Chris Christie won instant support from business groups today.

The proposal, made during Christie’s annual State of the State address, would be the largest tax cut in the state since the 30 percent cut enacted during Gov. Christine Todd Whitman’s first term.

“In my budget, I will fulfill a promise I made to all the people of New Jersey in 2009 — real relief from the heavy personal income tax burden that has strangled our families and forced many to move away,” Christie said.

https://www.njbiz.com/article/20120117/NJBIZ01/120119816/Christie’s-proposed-income-tax-cut-wins-instant-business-support

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>The Company Store :Buy One, Give One Comforter Program will deliver a truckload of comforters to the children of Family Promise Thursday, January 19th

>The Company Store :Buy One, Give One Comforter Program will deliver a truckload of comforters to the children of Family Promise Thursday, January 19th

This Thursday, January 19th, The Company Store will deliver a truckload of comforters to the children of Family Promise as part of their Buy One, Give One Comforter Program.  Now through the end of March, The Company Store will donate a comforter to a child in need for every comforter purchased through their website or catalogue.  This is among the first deliveries, with many more scheduled for the coming weeks.

The event will take place at 4:00pm at Family Promise of Bergen County, located at 100 Dayton Street in Ridgewood, NJ.  Karen Olsen, President of Family Promise, will be available for interviews, as will Keith Hagood, General Manager at The Company Store.

LaCrosse, WI (January 3, 2012): The Company Store today announced the launch of their Buy One, Give One Comforter Program, an important project benefitting thousands of homeless children throughout the United States. Now through January 31, 2012, The Company Store will donate a comforter to a child with every comforter purchased from their web site or catalog.  By placing their order, the customer is automatically donating a comforter to a child in need.

“The Company Store’s loyal customers can participate with us in an act of kindness and generosity every time they purchase a comforter,” says Karen Feldman, Director at The Company Store.  “There are a significant number of homeless children in this country who are living without a warm bed, and The Company Store is committed to bringing some comfort and warmth to children in need throughout the year, not just during the holiday season.  We are pleased to deliver these comforters through Family Promise and their affiliates in the United States.  Last year, The Company Store donated tens of thousands of comforters, and this year the hope is to fulfill an even greater amount.”

“The Buy One, Give One initiative was so beneficial for our Affiliates last year, and we’re thrilled The Company Store is expanding it even further this winter,” says Karen Olson, President of Family Promise.  “A comforter is something many of us may take for granted, but it makes a big impact on the lives of the children we work with daily—not only by keeping them warm at night, but by providing them in some small way with the comfort of home at a very difficult time.  The Company Store’s generosity will help us truly make a difference to thousands of families in need.”

For more information on this worthy undertaking, please contact either Lance Buckley via phone at (212) 243-1431, or via e-mail: lance@piercemattie.com

About The Company Store
The Company Store, known for its comfort, design and value since 1911, offers top quality, down comforters and pillows, sheets, towels, and home accessories.  The best-selling, American-made LaCrosse Comforter offers unique craftsmanship ensuring the ultimate in sleeping comfort, a lifetime guarantee and is available in a full palette of fashion colors.  Other top collections include wrinkle-free bedding, fashion quilts, and a bamboo collection that features sheets, towels, blankets and loungewear. The Company Store offers extensive monogramming, and other custom services in their LaCrosse, Wisconsin factory.  The Company Store sells its merchandise through catalogs and the internet at www.thecompanystore.com.

About Family Promise
Family Promise is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to helping homeless and low-income families achieve lasting independence.  Founded in 1986 in Summit, NJ, Family Promise today comprises 171 Affiliates across 41 states and engages 140,000 volunteers from coast to coast.  The organization has served more than 400,000 people since its inception, including 50,000 last year alone.  For more information about Family Promise and its programs, visit www.familypromise.org.

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>New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants all tax brackets cut by 10 percent

>New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants all tax brackets cut by 10 percent

(Reuters) – All New Jersey income tax brackets should be cut 10 percent, Governor Chris Christie proposed on Tuesday, saying the state was on the comeback trail due to harsh budget measures taken last year.

The governor, a Republican, in his annual State of the State address also recommended a series of changes in education, including some on teacher tenure and layoff criteria that likely will be opposed by unions.

He also condemned a ruling by the New Jersey’s top court on school funding and called for changes in the criminal justice system, including a ban on bail for violent offenders and mandatory drug treatment programs for non-violent drug users instead of jail.

He called on the top state court to “admit” that its decision requiring poor, often urban schools to get increased funding was “a failure” because pupil performance at those schools has not improved.

https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/us-christie-idUSTRE80G23620120117

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>Recovery at risk as Americans raid savings

>Recovery at risk as Americans raid savings
By Jilian Mincer and Jonathan Spicer
NEW YORK | Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:50am EST

(Reuters) – More than four years after the United States fell into recession, many Americans have resorted to raiding their savings to get them through the stop-start economic recovery.

In an ominous sign for America’s economic growth prospects, workers are paring back contributions to college funds and growing numbers are borrowing from their retirement accounts.

Some policymakers worry that a recent spike in credit card usage could mean that people, many of whom are struggling on incomes that have lagged inflation, are taking out new debt just to meet the costs of day-to-day living.

https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/us-recovery-risk-idUSTRE80G08320120117

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>"Commit to Be Fit" in 2012 at the YMCA/YWCA

>“Commit to Be Fit” in 2012 at the YMCA/YWCA

January Promotion offers FREE ONE WEEK Trial Membership.

Prospective members are invited to sign up for a free one-week trial memebership to sample virtually all that the two organizations have to offer.

This unique promotion offers facility-wide access to YMCA/YWCA programming, including fitness, sports, enrichment classes for children, youth, adults, and seniors; lap swimming in two heated indoor pools; and access to the Bolger Fitness Center’s cardio and strength equipment and group exercise classes. (Participants must be 13 and older to use the YMCA Strenght Training Facility and 16 and older to access the BFC.)

Complimentary Trial Membership Passes are available to first-time members only from January 1 throught 31.
For details or to sign up for a free week, call 201-444-5600 x313 or x 341.
Visit the YM/YW at 112 Oak Street Ridgewood, NJ 0745

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>NJ may call on electric utilities to revive solar sector

>NJ may call on electric utilities to revive solar sector


It appears more than likely that the state’s electric utilities will play a key role in trying to revive New Jersey’s sagging solar sector.

Under a staff proposal developed by the Office of Clean Energy at the Board of Public Utilities, the two options now under consideration both envision the electric utilities expanding existing programs that help promote solar through long-term contracts with businesses and homeowners.  (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)

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>Awaiting state on wind farm

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DonQuiote theridgewoodblog.net

Awaiting state on wind farm

The company planning to build what could be the nation’s first offshore wind farm says it’s ready to start construction on the multimillion-dollar project as soon as New Jersey officials give their approval.
Fishermen’s Energy of Cape May wants to build the wind farm about 2.8 miles off Atlantic City. It plans to erect five wind turbines that would produce up to 25 megawatts, capable of powering about 10,000 homes.  (Associated Press)

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>Solar-panel company lays off 40 employees

>Solar-panel company lays off 40 employees
BY KRIS TURNER
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

Willard & Kelsey Solar Group LLC laid off about 40 people indefinitely at the beginning of January until changes to its production line are completed, a company official said Monday.

Michael Cicak, the company’s chief executive officer and chairman of the board, would not say when the changes would be completed or when the laid-off employees could return to work.

“We have some technical people in here improving the efficiency of the assembly line,” Mr. Cicak said, adding that the Perrysburg-based facility still has about 30 employees.

He said Willard & Kelsey has a little more than 80 employees when it’s fully functional.

The start-up company has been plagued by a series of production and staffing delays since it was formed in 2008. It has received millions of dollars in government loans and tax breaks and has been toured by high-profile officials such as Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, and former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.

https://www.toledoblade.com/Energy/2012/01/17/Solar-panel-company-lays-off-40-employees.html

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>Neighbors blunt about medicinal marijuana dispensary plan

>Neighbors blunt about medicinal marijuana dispensary plan


A proposal to bring production of medical marijuana to a Camden site has sparked debate among the public and city officials.

The predominant opinion so far seems to be to keep the pot out of the city. Medical marijuana is permitted to be manufactured legally only by six nonprofit groups under a relatively new state law.

“We have problems enough already,” Cramer Hill resident Jose Santiago said. “Maybe if Camden was quieter, but not with the problems we have. You can buy pot on any corner.”  (Murray, Gannett)