Month: December 2012

How Would the Fiscal Cliff Affect Typical Families Across the Country?

Impacts Calculated Using MyTaxBurden.com

Washington, D.C., December 11, 2012—The impact of expiring “fiscal cliff” provisions in the tax code would hit families across the country and in all income groups, constituting an overnight tax increase that could consume over 8% of their total income, according to a new analysis by the Tax Foundation. Both high and low income groups would see larger increases than middle-income taxpayers, with urban areas as different as Stamford, Connecticut and McAllen, Texas among the top areas affected.

Dramatic changes to both tax and spending policy at the federal level are scheduled to take place at the end of the current year unless Congress acts. On the tax side, the most significant changes are the expiration of Bush-era income tax cuts and provisions relating to the Alternative Minimum Tax, which will increase liabilities nationwide. When ranked by city, the heaviest impacts will fall in Texas, Georgia, Oregon, and Arizona, with metropolitan areas in Arizona, California and Virginia filling out the top ten.

“We found that higher and lower income areas tended to be affected more than middle income areas—higher income areas from changes to the Alternative Minimum Tax and lower income areas from the Bush tax cuts,” said Tax Foundation analyst and programmer Nick Kasprak.

Starting with data from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the Tax Foundation estimated the increased tax burden for the median four-person family in each of 366 urban areas using the Fiscal Cliff Tax Calculator, available online at www.MyTaxBurden.com.

Metropolitan areas at the top of the list for fiscal cliff impact include College Station-Bryan, Texas (media income $38,292) and Corvallis, Oregon (media income $39,775), but also Trenton-Ewing, New Jersey (media income $110,065), Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Massachusetts (media income $106,326) and the Washington, D.C. urban area (media income $115,519).

Tax Foundation Fiscal Fact No. 346, “How Would the Fiscal Cliff Affect Typical Families Across the Country?” by Nick Kasprak is available here.

The Tax Foundation is a nonpartisan research organization that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937. To schedule an interview, please contact Richard Morrison, the Tax Foundation’s Manager of Communications, at 202-464-5102 or morrison@taxfoundation.org.

A Mano! : Mondays & Tuesdays are Buy One Get One Pizza Free 

Mondays & Tuesdays are Buy One Get One Pizza Free at A Mano! Come by for lunch or dinner, buy one pizza & the second pizza is on us!

A Mano, meaning “by hand,” is focused on presenting the ultimate combination of authentic ingredients, techniques and methods to create an unmatched Neapolitan experience.

A Mano! is located at 24 Franklin Avenue (at Chestnut), Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450

New Jersey’s Red Light Camera Program Has Failed

The following editorial by Senator Michael J. Doherty (R-23) was published in the November 29, 2012 edition of The Record: Opinion:

Are red light cameras dangerous?

A NEW REPORT from the state Department of Transportation confirms what many opponents of red light camera ticketing systems have long suspected: Cameras lead to more accidents, more injuries and greater cost.The NJDOT report, completed as an annual requirement of the state’s five-year red light camera pilot program, contains data showing that both the total number of crashes and the total cost of crashes have increased at intersections after cameras were installed.One of the major goals commonly stated by proponents of red light camera systems is to reduce injuries from right-angle crashes, generally the most dangerous type of collision that results from running a red light.At the 24 intersections in New Jersey that have had red light camera systems operational for at least one full year, the number of right-angle crashes decreased by 15 percent, from 60 to 51, when comparing crash data from the year before cameras were installed to data from their first year of operation.While that reduction in accidents may initially appear to be positive, a further examination determined that the severity of right-angle accidents increased, leading to more accidents resulting in injuries (31 vs. 21) and $444,800 in increased cost.

According to the report, the costs cited include, but are not limited to, “vehicle damage and repair, damage to property, emergency response, medical care and even funeral costs.”The data suggests that the most severe right-angle crashes are not prevented by the deterrent effect of a permanent camera-based ticketing system at intersections.The deterrent effect of cameras, however, does appear to lead to a significant increase in rear-end crashes.The number of rear-end collisions increased by 20 percent (286 to 343) after cameras were installed, resulting in more injuries (84 vs. 74) and $728,000 in increased cost.It appears that many drivers unnecessarily slam on their breaks when a traffic light turns yellow to avoid a ticket if they know an intersection is monitored by a red light camera system, resulting in collisions from cars following too closely behind.Number of crashes, costs increased Overall, the total number of crashes at the 24 intersections that provided a full year of data increased from 577 to 582 (up 0.9 percent) with a total increased cost of nearly $1.2 million after cameras were installed.If the goal of employing red light camera systems is to improve driver safety, the data suggest that the program has failed.For those of us who questioned the real motivation for approving cameras for use in New Jersey, these results were not unexpected.Red light cameras have been in use across the nation for more than 20 years.

Numerous studies have questioned their effectiveness at improving safety, including many prior to the establishment of our pilot program. The National Motorists Association maintains a comprehensive compilation of nearly 20 such studies on its website.There is a growing understanding that the most dangerous intersections are the result of poor engineering rather than malevolent drivers, further weakening the argument for deterrence through automated enforcement.Low-cost alternativesIn one important demonstration, AAA Michigan led an effort to implement a number of simple and low-cost engineering solutions to make the most dangerous intersections in Detroit safer.As part of that effort, the size of the colored lenses on traffic lights was increased by 50 percent to help drivers see them from farther away, left-turn lanes were re-striped, light timing was adjusted and all-red cycles were added to traffic lights to provide extra time for cars to safely clear intersections before cross traffic is given a green light.The results were astonishing.

Although the cost of the engineering upgrades was minimal, approximately $35,000 per intersection, the number of accidents was reduced by 47 percent, with a 50 percent decrease in injuries.Why don’t we try these simple, cost-effective solutions to make intersections safer here? The answer is simple. The local and state officials who blindly repeat the supposed, but unproven, safety benefits of red light cameras are really most motivated by the ticket revenues their cameras generate.With a stagnant economy and increased scrutiny by residents of their tax bills, it’s an appealing option for local officials to place the burden of funding bloated government budgets on “bad” drivers, especially when cameras at a single intersection can generate tens of thousands of tickets and hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue annually.Using drivers as a cash cow to fund wasteful government spending is wrong.I have sponsored legislation to eliminate the use of red light cameras in New Jersey. We would not be the first place to remove cameras once installed and would join a growing number of states that have prohibited their use.I have launched an online petition supporting the effort to ban red light cameras in New Jersey at https://senatenj.com/camerasRed light cameras have failed at their supposed goal of making dangerous New Jersey intersections safer. They should be eliminated immediately.

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Doherty/Sweeney Introduce Bill to Require Free Access to Storm-Damaged Beaches Replenished with State & Federal Funds

Senator Michael J. Doherty (R-23) and Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (D-3) have introduced legislation that would require municipalities that accept state or federal aid to rebuild storm-damaged beaches to provide beach access and beach restroom facilities to the public free of charge.“It is likely that state and federal taxpayers will provide hundreds of millions of dollars to repair and replenish New Jersey beaches that were washed away during Hurricane Sandy,” said Doherty. “Considering the massive public resources that will be directed at rebuilding many New Jersey beaches, it only seems fair to ensure that everyone have the opportunity to enjoy free access to the beaches they will support and help rebuild with their tax dollars.

”The legislation, S-2368, would apply to towns that accept grants or aid from the state or federal governments after November 2, 2012 for the purpose of replenishing storm-damaged beaches.Under the legislation, municipalities that accept aid for rebuilding beaches would not be allowed to adopt or enforce ordinances requiring the collection of fees for beach badges or otherwise as a requirement of being allowed to use or access a beach. Furthermore, those municipalities would be required to provide free public restroom facilities to beachgoers between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.“Where taxpayers are paying for beach restoration, they shouldn’t be taxed a second time just to walk on the sand,” said Sweeney. “As New Jerseyans, we are all in the recovery and rebuilding process together. That means we should all be able to enjoy the reopening of our state’s greatest natural resource together, too.”

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Ridgewood Girls Cross-Country Tops Rankings 

High School. Girls Cross-Country: Final Top 20 rankings

Final Top 20 ranking

1. Ridgewood

2. Wayne Hills

3. Holy Angels

4. IHA

5. Indian Hills

6. Northern Highlands

7. Clifton

8. Wayne Valley

9. Tenafly

Christmas cards to a Recovering American Soldier

When filling out your Christmas cards this year take a card and send it to this address:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue
NW Washington DC 20307-5001

Pass this on and think of how many cards these wonderful special patriots who have sacrificed so much would get.

FREE WEBINAR ON TODAY DECEMBER 11: TIPS FOR TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT DRUGS

The Governor’s Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse is sponsoring a free webinar for parents on substance abuse prevention. The “15 Minute Child Break” will be held on Tuesday, December 11 at three different times: 11 a.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. It is an interactive, 30-minute presentation that provides tips for effectively talking to children about drugs and alcohol and more.

To register for the webinar, click here. https://drugfreenj.org/2012childbreakwebinar/

North Jersey towns forced to be creative communicating with residents in Sandy

SUNDAY DECEMBER 9, 2012, 9:17 AM
BY ALLISON PRIES
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

With power, phone and cable lines down for days — and in some cases, weeks — after superstorm Sandy, local officials had to be resourceful to communicate with residents.

Officials posted messages on municipal websites, Facebook, Twitter, sent emails or text messages and in some cases even handed out fliers.

William Dressel, executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, said, “I think that local officials learned from last year’s ice storm and Irene the importance of getting out accurate information, even if it’s not the kind of information people want to hear.”

Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet said, “People without power live by their cellphones. What they see out their window is all they know. And not knowing what’s going on causes the most anxiety.”

Allendale officials learned that posting information on the town website wasn’t very helpful.

“A lot of people didn’t have Internet access because the power was out, and a lot of older people don’t have computers,” Mayor Vince Barra said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/182707311_LOCAL_ISSUE__COMMUNICATING_DURING_SANDY_Towns_forced_to_be_creative.html

Intelligence community: U.S. out as sole superpower by 2030
By BYRON TAU |
12/10/12 9:54 AM EST

A new report by the intelligence community projects that the United States will no longer be the world’s only superpower by 2030.

“In terms of the indices of overall power – GDP, population size, military spending and technological investment – Asia will surpass North America and Europe combined,” the report concludes.

“Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds” — prepared by the office of the National Intelligence Council of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence — projects that the “unipolar” world that emerged after the fall of the Soviet Union will not continue.

“With the rapid rise of other countries, the ‘unipolar moment’ is over and no country – whether the U.S., China, or any other country – will be a hegemonic power,” the report argues.

https://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/12/intelligence-community-us-out-as-sole-superpower-by-151519.html

Ridgewood’ s own Raymond’s has opened
December 10,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , After more than a year of construction, Raymond’s opened in Ridgewood today, at the corner of Oak Street and East Ridgewood Avenue. The interior, above, looks much like the original location on Church Street in Montclair, where its has developed quite a following of fans for Saturdays and Sundays brunch.

Owners, Raymond Badach and Joanne Ricci, were originally planning a summertime opening for the Ridgewood location. The Ridgewood Raymond’s is a little larger than Raymond’s in Montclair, but has a similar look. This well-known retro Parisian brunch hangout is being designed by the same group behind the look of Balthazaar. In addition to breakfast and lunch, Raymond’s will be open for dinner and is kid-friendly.

The original Raymond’s was founded in 1989, when Raymond Badach opened his postage-stamp-size luncheonette on Church Street in Montclair, the focus was on coffee and coffee was just coffee and Montclair was not yet a mecca for New Yorkers.

The Ridgewood Raymond’s is open Mon. -Sat. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Like the Montclair location, it is also BYOB.

https://www.raymondsnj.com/

Photo by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood villagers seek root of tree problem

MONDAY DECEMBER 10, 2012, 2:03 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Since Hurricane Sandy, more villagers are eyeing their once-loved tree-lined streets with concern, wondering, “Which trees will fall in the next storm?”

“While they’re beautiful and majestic, I now look at trees much differently than I’ve ever looked at them before,” said Hillcrest Road resident Mike Palma.

While nature can be unpredictable, property owners can take some of the unknown out of the equation if they know what to look for, and if municipalities improve tree safety, said Jason Grabosky, an associate professor of urban forestry at Rutgers University.

Unfortunately, Grabosky said he cannot assure homeowners “just do X, Y, Z and you’ll be fine,” but there are “some things that can be considered.” Residents worried about their trees’ stability can easily check them for certain disturbances, and call an arborist immediately upon finding any, he said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/182855481_Ridgewood_villagers_seek_root_of_tree_problem.html