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>Funding for new charters underscores push to keep standards high

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Funding for new charters underscores push to keep standards high
On a day the Christie administration proudly announced it had won a federal grant to help its newest charter schools, top officials were also dealing with the fallout over closing one of its oldest.
Gov. Chris Christie and acting commissioner Chris Cerf announced yesterday that the state had finally won an elusive $14.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help with the start up of new charter schools and expansion of others.  (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0314/0009/
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>Thursday is ‘Poolmageddon’ for trial lawyers

>Thursday is ‘Poolmageddon’ for trial lawyers

President Obama’s Department of Justice — led by Attorney General Eric Holder — has found a new way to make the Americans with Disabilities Act pay off for Democratic trial lawyer campaign donors.

Since the ADA first became law in 1990, the DOJ has been issuing “guidelines” that businesses must follow to comply with a multitude of the nation’s civil rights laws.

For example, if a restaurant bathroom has a light switch that is 52 inches above the floor, then that business is in compliance. But if the light switch is 53 inches above the floor, than the restaurant owner is a civil rights violator subject to fines from the government and liable for civil damages from any disabled individual who ever used the bathroom.

The DOJ has been issuing a growing wave of such guidelines over the years, reaching an ever larger portion of business activities. In September 2010, the DOJ issued guidelines for “recreational facilities,” including a new rule that all public access swimming pools must provide a lift capable of moving disabled patrons from their wheelchairs into the water.

https://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/2012/03/thursday-poolmageddon-trial-lawyers/367846

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>New Jersey in top five most expensive states for renting

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New Jersey in top five most expensive states for renting
New Jersey is the fourth most expensive place in the nation to rent a two bedroom apartment, behind only Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and California, according to a national report released Tuesday by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
A family must earn an hourly wage of $25.04 in order afford to rent in New Jersey, where more than a third of residents rent a house or apartment. In 2011, New Jersey ranked in the top five and the new status represents an 18 percent increase over a five year period.  (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
https://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/new-jersey-in-top-five-most-expensive-states-for-renting
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>Decision time: Health insurance exchange act comes up for vote

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Decision time: Health insurance exchange act comes up for vote
The legislature is set to vote Thursday on a bill authorizing a health insurance exchange for New Jersey — an online marketplace that will let individuals and small businesses comparison shop for health coverage, as mandated by the federal Affordable Care Act.
The upcoming vote may well be one of the few certainties associated with the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act (S-1319/A-2171).  (Fitzgerald, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0313/2235/
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>Residents frustrated by property owners who show disregard for Village ordinances

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Residents frustrated by property owners who show disregard for Village ordinances

I think your comment re “police state” is a bit much. No one is expecting the town to goose-step their way in and demand they comply or else. But certainly many places (NYC included) can levy fines against both residences and businesses that do not comply with their policy’s. That is far from a police state.

Why this town has no policy in regards to litter or basic ordinances regarding distance of cell towers from residences, schools, etc. is extremely disappointing. Especially for a town of Ridgewoods “stature” it truly boggles the mind that the village simply passes the buck on these issues.

While the village leadership continues to shrug their shoulders, these issues will help destroy home values, decimate tax revenues, and turn off new families who would consider moving here to raise a family.I am experiencing some serious buyers remorse because of stories just like these.\

Editors Note: It is important to not that the Village did issue summons to the property owner  and that the proposed cell tower would need a zoning variance which has not been heard nor approved by the board of adjustment or heard nor approved by  the Village council.

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>NJ Health Dept. May Shut Down Gov’t Buildings Over Toilet Paper Shortage…

>NJ Health Dept. May Shut Down Gov’t Buildings Over Toilet Paper Shortage…
Government Gridlock Leads To Toilet Paper Shortage In Trenton
March 13, 2012 7:52 PM

By Robin Rieger

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) – Trenton’s health department could shut down some city buildings if a toilet paper shortage isn’t resolved soon.

“It could be an inconvenience for anybody, young, old, male, female,” said Maryann Wooten of Hamilton Township.

The toilet paper and paper towel supply for at least eleven buildings, including city hall, are dangerously low.

“We have one box with about fifteen rolls of toilet paper and that’s it,” said Harold Hall, Acting Public Works Director.

Hall says a City Council resolution to order more paper supplies, including paper cups, was voted down. Some council members didn’t think the cash-strapped city needed to buy the cups.

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/03/13/government-gridlock-leads-to-toilet-paper-shortage-in-trenton/

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>N.J. and N.Y. legislators to hold Port Authority joint public hearing on finances and accountability

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N.J. and N.Y. legislators to hold Port Authority joint public hearing on finances and accountability
New Jersey and New York legislators Friday announced they will hold a joint public hearing on the finances and accountability of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on April 20 at the College of Staten Island.
The legislators intend to examine the authority’s spending practices and financial management, and, as they describe it, develop ways to make the bi-state agency more accountable and transparent.  (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
https://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/nj-and-ny-legislators-to-hold-port-authority-joint-public-hearing-on-finances-and-accountability
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>Regulation Nation

>Regulation Nation: New study finds Obama’s regs cost $46 billion a year

Some 10,215 new federal regulations from the Obama administration are costing consumers, businesses and the economy overall $46 billion annually, more than five times the regulatory price tag of former President Bush in his first three years in office. Worse: just implementing those regulations had a one-time additional cost of $11 billion, according to a Heritage Foundation analysis provided to Washington Secrets.

Ironically, Bush instituted more regulations, 10,674, but they cost just $8.1 billion annually, said the Heritage report, titled “Red Tape Rising: Obama and Regulation at the Three Year Mark.” It will be released Tuesday.

https://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/washington-secrets/2012/03/regulation-nation-new-study-finds-obama%E2%80%99s-regs-cost-46-billion

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>NJ lawmaker withdraws ‘foreign law’ bill

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NJ lawmaker withdraws ‘foreign law’ bill
A New Jersey state lawmaker has withdrawn a bill after complaints from Muslim leaders that it could be viewed as anti-Muslim.
Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi says her legislation was intended to prohibit the application of foreign laws when they violate constitutional rights.  (Associated Press)
https://www.app.com/usatoday/article/38783217?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|New%20Jersey%20News|s
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>PSE&G agrees not to divulge customer credit histories

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PSE&G agrees not to divulge customer credit histories
Public Service Electric & Gas customers no longer have to worry about the state’s largest utility reporting information to a credit agency.
In a settlement with the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel and the state Board of Public Utilities, the Newark utility agreed to withdraw a proposal to begin reporting payment histories of all residential, commercial, and industrial gas and electric customers to the credit agency Experian.  (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0313/0019/
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>$1M PMUA payout to be probed

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$1M PMUA payout to be probed

Acting at the request of Gov. Chris Christie, the state has launched an investigation into the controversial $1 million post-employment compensation package recently awarded to a pair of former Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority executives.  (Spivey, Gannett)

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20120312/NJNEWS/303120043/-1M-PMUA-payout-probed
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>Ridgewood man charged in opium bust

>Ridgewood man charged in opium bust
Friday, March 9, 2012
BY JUSTO BAUTISTA
STAFF WRITER
The Record

Two Bergen County men were among six people charged for their alleged roles in an international ring that smuggled opium into the United States by hiding it in Persian rugs, authorities announced Thursday.

Djavad Mohammadi Yaghini, 72, of Maywood and Hamid Ketabchi, 60, of Ridgewood were each charged with conspiring to distribute opium and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, authorities said.

Yaghini and Ketabchi, both naturalized U.S. citizens, along with a third defendant, Mahmoud Mowla, 59, of Middle Village, N.Y., were arrested in January. Their bail was not immediately available.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/142026243_Bergen_men_charged_in_opium_bust.html

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>Panel approves fix for anti-bullying law

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Panel approves fix for anti-bullying law
An effort to bring New Jersey’s anti-bullying law into compliance with state-mandate requirements was approved by an Assembly panel on Monday.
The fix, made necessary by a January ruling by the Council on Local Mandates that the law contained requirements on school districts that were not funded, will now head to the full Assembly for consideration.  (Staff, Gannett)
https://www.app.com/article/CN/20120312/NJNEWS/303120061/Panel-approves-fix-anti-bullying-law
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>Christie and Cerf call on legislature to approve 3 key education bills

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Christie and Cerf call on legislature to approve 3 key education bills
Gov. Chris Christie and state Education Commissioner Chris Cerf Monday called on the Democratic-controlled Legislature to approve the proposals the governor has made in what he sees as an effort to improve public education.
During a visit to Bordentown Regional High School, Christie said the legislation is needed to turn around failing schools and provide the students with an education that prepares them for college or a career.  (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
https://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/christie-and-cerf-call-on-legislature-to-approve-3-key-education-bills