Month: June 2012

Report card gives Valley Hospital A patient safety rating
By Ken Tarbous

More than three-quarters of the state’s 73 hospitals issued patient safety grades today received a B or higher, with only two hospitals falling below C, according to a nonprofit health care safety advocate.

Of the grades issued, 23 hospitals received an A; 33 received a B; 15 received C; and 2 that would have received a grade lower than “C” were given a “score pending” designation.

The grade scale, developed by The Leapfrog Group, an employer group focusing on health care quality and affordability, and safety experts from around the country, were based on preventable hospital conditions such as infections, medication mistakes and other adverse conditions, according to the group.

Among New Jersey’s hospitals receiving an A was Hackensack University Medical Center.

“We have worked hard to build a culture of innovation and creativity while providing the highest level of clinical care possible, and being recognized for our patient safety and quality is a rewarding reflection of our work,” said Robert C. Garrett, president and CEO, in an e-mailed statement.

The Valley Hospital, of Ridgewood, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, in New Brunswick, among others, also received As.

https://www.njbiz.com/article/20120606/NJBIZ01/120609895/-1/daily/Report-card-gives-top-marks-to-NJ-hospitals

Japan’s Debt Sustains a Deflationary Depression

Markets have reacted dramatically to the Bank of Japan’s recent efforts to stimulate the economy with loans to high-growth sectors; an expansion of its asset-purchase program; and a new 1 percent inflation target to combat chronic deflation.

Japanese stocks, especially of major exporters, soared and the yen tanked, starting in early February. Yet the spurring effects of monetary easing on Japanese stocks and the depressing influence on the yen didn’t last long. Since mid-March, the currency has resumed its role as a haven from euro-area turmoil. The “risk off” trade is back in favor. Still, I continue to believe that fundamental changes are occurring in Japan that will weaken the yen considerably in future years. ….

Despite aggressive monetary policy since the early 1990s, Japan has suffered bouts of deflation. The two decades of economic stagnation were compounded by the huge earthquake and devastating tsunami last year. The economic disruptions and loss of nuclear-power generation remain considerable. Rebuilding will create jobs and economic activity, but it will simply take things back to where they were, and at tremendous cost to the government, insurers and those who lost property, income and jobs, to say nothing of the thousands of lost lives.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-04/japan-s-debt-sustains-a-deflationary-depression.html

Greece Warns of Going Broke as Tax Proceeds Dry Up
Published: Wednesday, 6 Jun 2012 | 5:52 AM ET
By: Niki Kitsantonis contributed reporting from Athens and Paul Geitner from Brussels
The New York Times

As European leaders grapple with how to preserve their monetary union, Greece is rapidly running out of money.

Nikos Lekkas, a government official, said banks had hindered his efforts to collect back taxes.

Government coffers could be empty as soon as July, shortly after this month’s pivotal elections. In the worst case, Athens might have to temporarily stop paying for salaries and pensions, along with imports of fuel, food and pharmaceuticals.

Officials, scrambling for solutions, have considered dipping into funds that are supposed to be for Greece’s troubled banks. Some are even suggesting doling out i.o.u.’s.

https://www.cnbc.com/id/47700847

New Jersey economy came in 47^th in nation for 2011

Governor Christie’s vision of a “New Jersey Comeback” — the huge economic rebound he says will make a 10 percent income tax cut affordable — was challenged Tuesday by a double dose of bad news.

The federal government released data indicating the state’s economy shrank by 0.5 percent in 2011, even as 43 states saw their economies grow last year, with the state ranked 47th in economic performance.

Also on Tuesday, a non-partisan state legislative budget analyst told New Jersey lawmakers in an email that a gap between earlier budget projections and actual tax collections may now be as wide as $1.4 billion through the end of June 2013, a development the governor’s office later downplayed.  (Reitmeyer and Lynn, The Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/157389895_New_Jersey_economy_came_in_47th_in_nation_for_2011.html

Crucial vote set on solar sector subsidies could cost consumers at least $300 million annually

With a crucial vote on a new bill to prop up the solar industry in New Jersey possible as early tomorrow, a trade group yesterday warned it could cost consumers at least $300 million annually, and possibly as much as $400 million.

The Retail Energy Supply Association, an organization whose members provide electricity to residents and businesses who shop around for cheaper prices than what their incumbent utilities offer, is seeking amendments to a bill (A-2966) scheduled to be heard by the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee on Thursday.  (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0605/2017/

photo from https://www.rhsnewplayers.com/

The New Players Company Presents SONGS FOR A SUMMER NIGHT
Co-Produced by Louisa Luisi and Christina Macchiarola
Music Direction by John Judge ,Conducted by Betsy Maxwell
June 23, 2012 ,7:30p.m.at The Little Theatre ,Ridgewood High School ,627 East Ridgewood Avenue ,Ridgewood, NJ 07450
$20 Advance Tickets / $25 At the Door

RHS alumni, family, and friends return to The Little Theatre Stage for the second consecutive year in SONGS FOR A SUMMER NIGHT. This Broadway musical review features performances by Katie Byrne, Emily DiModugno, Marcus Edghill, Elizabeth Healy, The Knight Family, Dena Lagomarsino, Rebecca Lampiasi, Becca Larson, Christina Macchiarola, Laura Macchiarola, John Moody, Mel Powers, Emma Rosenthal, Jim Roth, Sumona Roy, Katarina Spungen, Harriet Taylor, Elaine Thoman, Meredith Tobias, David Turner, and more!

All proceeds from SONGS FOR A SUMMER NIGHT will benefit the New Players
Company capital campaign. For more information about the New Players Company, visit www.rhsnewplayers.com

Republican Primary Results for Ridgewood New Jersey
June 6th 2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ The primary results are in with mostly uncontested races only 20% of the “registered” Republicans Voting . The results echoed expectations with Mitt Rommey getting the nod for President and Ron Paul placing a distant second interestingly Barack Obama placed 5th , well this is Ridgewood after all and local Russ Forenza came in 6th just below the President .

As expected Congressmen Scott Garrett cruised to an easy victory while on a side note his turn tail Democratic challenger Steve Rothman lost to Bill Pascrell .

Primary 2012 Results : https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/clerk/PRI2012.pdf

Governor Walker’s Big Victory Spells Doom For Public Sector Unions

Public sector unions have reached their high water mark. Let the cleanup begin as the red ink recedes.

Despite a last-minute smear campaign accusing Scott Walker of fathering an illegitimate love child, the governor’s recall election victory sends a clear message that should resonate around the nation: The fiscal cancer devouring state budgets has a cure, and he has found it. The costly defeat for the entrenched union interests that tried to oust Walker in retribution for challenging their power was marked by President Obama’s refusal to lend his weight to the campaign for fear of being stained by defeat. We’ll see how well this strategy of opportunistic detachment serves in the fall as Obama reaches out to unions for support.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/billfrezza/2012/06/05/governor-walkers-victory-spells-doom-for-public-sector-unions/

Democrat-labor fallout begins in Wisconsin
By Cameron Joseph – 06/05/12 05:00 AM ET

Democrats and unions began urgent damage-control efforts Monday in an effort to deflate Gov. Scott Walker’s (R-Wis.) expected win in Tuesday’s recall election.

Despite expressions of confidence, Walker’s adversaries spent the eve of the vote trying to salvage cold comfort as polls showed their man — Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D) — heading for defeat.

They pointed, for example, to the fact that Democrats appear set to regain control of the state Senate, which could reduce Walker’s effectiveness as governor. But citing a probable down-ballot victory emphasized the fact that the left’s main goal seems out of reach.

Intrade, the political market service, put Walker’s chances of winning at 93 percent.

https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/governor-races/230841-dems-labor-fallout-begins-in-wisconsin

Photo by Boyd Loving

Bill seeks to fund most of NJ transportation program with $1.25B in loans

Nearly 80 percent of the state’s transportation program will be paid for with borrowed money next year — with nothing coming from cash revenues on hand — under proposed legislation that will help the Christie administration plug a revenue gap in the state budget.

Senate Bill 2020, introduced by Republicans on Thursday, would give the state’s Transportation Trust Fund Authority the go-ahead to borrow $1.25 billion to put towards the $1.6 billion the state will spend on its transportation program in 2013.  (Rouse, The Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/060412_Bill_seeks_to_fund_most_of_NJ_transportation_program_with_125B_in_loans.html

Christie urges conference attendees to hold elected officials accountable for spending

Ignoring his own problems in Trenton, Governor Christie said Washington D.C. could stand to learn a few things from New Jersey when it comes to Republicans and Democrats working together.

“Compromise isn’t a dirty word as long as the compromising you’re doing doesn’t compromise your principles,” he said during a keynote address at the 34th Annual New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference Monday.  (Hayes, The Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/Christie_urges_conference_attendees_to_hold_elected_officials_accountable_for_spending.html