New Jersey lawmakers are considering raising the tax on all tobacco products, a move that would add millions to the dollars already flowing into the state’s economy from the steep tax on cigarettes.
New Jersey taxes cigarettes at $2.70 a pack, among the highest in the nation. The revenue – close to $770 million — goes to paying off a state bond issue, reimbursing hospitals for charity care to the poor and uninsured, and funding the general costs of state government. (Fitzgerald, NJ Spotlight)
6 months into N.J. law to halt bullying, a survey takes a look at how it’s working
In the second day of classes at Hammarskjold Middle School in East Brunswick, a boy approached 11-year-old Jonathan Seltzer in the front hall and called him a name. The verbal harassment continued into the fall, Jonathan said, and in November, he went to his principal.
“That was my breaking point,” said Jonathan, a dark-eyed sixth-grader who aspires to be a singer and won the lead in his school play. “It felt like my head was a piece of paper and it crumpled.” (Rundquist, The Star-Ledger)
Gas prices sink Obama’s ratings on economy, bring parity to race for White House
By Dan Balz and Jon Cohen, Monday, March 12, 12:00 AM
Disapproval of President Obama’s handling of the economy is heading higher — alongside gasoline prices — as a record number of Americans now give the president “strongly” negative reviews on the 2012 presidential campaign’s most important issue, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Increasingly pessimistic views of Obama’s performance on the economy — and on the federal budget deficit — come despite a steadily brightening employment picture and other signs of economic improvement, and they highlight the political sensitivity of rising gas prices.
New Jersey’s Republican governor and Democratic-controlled Legislature have long agreed that it’s time to stop large end-of-career payouts to government employees for unused sick days, but there’s been less agreement on how to legislate away what Gov. Christie mockingly calls “boat checks.”
An Assembly committee advanced the latest proposal Thursday. The measure would end the accumulation of payouts that can reach six figures but would allow employees to keep what they have lawfully accrued. (Delli Santi, Associated Press)
>Obama Fares Worse Among Women after Month-Long Contraception Mandate Battle Washington Post poll contradicts Washington Post narrative about female voters. 2:37 PM, MAR 12, 2012 • BY JOHN MCCORMACK
How’s the great contraception mandate battle of 2012 playing out? If you read the Washington Post’s news coverage, the issue is supposedly killing Republicans among female voters. But the newest Washington Post/ABC poll tells a different story.
During the first few days of February, about a week before Obama declared a so-called “accommodation” to the contraception/abortifacient mandate, a Washington Post/ABC poll showed Obama’s approval rating at 50 percent, with 46 percent of Americans disapproving.
Then, from March 7 to 10–a week into the national media firestorm surrounding Rush Limbaugh’s degrading remarks about Georgetown Law student and liberal activist Sandra Fluke–Washington Post/ABC conducted another poll. It found Obama’s approval rating at 46 percent, down four points from February, and his disapproval rating at 50 percent, up four points from February.
Steep drop in natural gas prices informs major shift at PSEG
Upgrades and extensions to the regional power grid are increasingly driving the profits of Public Service Enterprise Group, a reversal of the past trends and one that could have big implications for customers if power prices rise.
Public Service Electric & Gas, the company’s regulated utility, plans to invest a staggering $5.4 billion in its electric and gas transmission and distribution systems over the next three years. Two-thirds of the expenditures are targeted at electric transmission, where the company earns more for every dollar it spends. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
> T- Mobile site a state of disrepair for some time
See attached pics from the night THE RECORD came…before the MAD cleanup & lock on the fence behind BOYDS.
photos by Nancy Streaser
Resident have been concerned for some time about the condition of the property . There is some fear of soil contamination .
According to Joe Piepul ,“I visited Village hall last year & complained about trash, exposed dumpsters and blowing debris at Boyds on the corner of First. I was told two summones were pending however I see no improvement. It is odd that the Village would permit that mess from a commercial property but would never let a homeowner get away with a permanent trash pile on a curb. “
UPDATE: Folks this is not a police state. The Village cannot mandate clean up They must issue a summons and go to court and present their case. The judges decides if the complaint has merit even thought the case appears to be air tight . Innocent until proven guilty. I am surprise that residents accuse the town of not affording them their due process only when it serves their needs.
West Bergen Tea Party Trevor Loudon author of “Barack Obama and the Enemies Within”
Trevor Loudon is a New Zealand based researcher, blogger (www.trevorloudon.com) and the editor of Key Wiki, an online encyclopedia focused on the US political left.
Loudon has broken several major stories, including the connection between Barack Obama and communist poet Frank Marshall Davis, Obama’s ties to the socialist New Party, and the radical background of former Obama “Green Jobs Czar” Van Jones.
Loudon’s research has been cited in several books, hundreds of articles, and several thousand blog posts and websites. His most current book is “Barack Obama and the Enemies Within”. It contains some frightening, but critical, information. His presentation will highlight key elements of the book.
In addition to his own blog (www.trevorloudon.com) Trevor contributes to Andrew Brightbart’s “Big Peace” as well as other conservative blogs. You should bookmark his blog inorder to keep in front of the news.
He is an excellent speaker and will be willing to engage in discussion following his formal presentation. He will also have copies his book available for signing.
West Bergen Tea Party Meeting 7 pm, Tuesday, March 13 at the Larkin House 380 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff (1/4 mile North of Stop & Shop on the right)
>BREAKING : Board of adjustment T-Mobile Cell tower hearing Postponed Tony Merlino (Secretary for the Board of Adjustment) that T-Mobile has once again asked for the hearing to be adjourned. Not exactly sure why. Maybe they want the bad publicity to calm down. Cell Tower Hearing had been scheduled for March 13th – 7:30pm . No need to show up tomorrow night.
T Mobile is asking for a date in May. The Risdgewood blog will keep everyone posted as we learn more.
>OBAMA IMPEACHMENT BILL NOW IN CONGRESS Declares president’s use of military without approval ‘high crime, misdemeanor’
Let the president be duly warned.
Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., R-N.C., has introduced a resolution declaring that should the president use offensive military force without authorization of an act of Congress, “it is the sense of Congress” that such an act would be “an impeachable high crime and misdemeanor.”
In an exclusive WND column, former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo claims that Jones introduced his House Concurrent Resolution 107 in response to startling recent comments from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.
>Ridgewood Knights of Columbus to Host Pancake Breakfast.
Ridgewood-NJ-March 11, 2012: The Ridgewood Knights of Columbus will be hosting a pancake breakfast on Saturday March 31st, from 9:30 a.m. until 12 noon in the parish center of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, One Passaic Street in Ridgewood. In addition to a special appearance from the Easter Bunny, attendees will have an opportunity to meet former New York Giants legend Jeff Feagles.
A donation is requested of $10 per child under 13, $15 for adults and a maximum of $40 per family. All the pancakes and sausages you can eat! Proceeds will fund the Knights’ local charities. For additional information, please call Brian Conn at 201-444-0752.
>Ridgewood Soccer Association registration for fall soccer takes place April 1 – May 15
Ridgewood Soccer Association registration for fall soccer takes place April 1 – May 15 ($50 late fee afterwards). In-town for Grades 1-6; travel for Grades 5-12, and a special needs program for 6-14 year-olds. For details, visit www.ridgewoodsoccer.org.
880AM was checking out our cell phone tower location this morning.The info is running about every hour on the radio station with a few residents being interviewed.Fox 5 News was also interviewing people in regard to the cell tower.
Tomorrow night is the meeting for interested residents at 7:30 pm Village Hall.
> Revised T-Mobile plan facing a fight; 125-ft. cell tower on table in Ridgewood
MONDAY MARCH 12, 2012, 9:05 AM BY EVONNE COUTROS STAFF WRITER THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — A revamped proposal by T-Mobile Northeast to install a 125-foot “stealth tree monopole” cell tower near homes and businesses has residents up in arms, saying it will hurt the character of the neighborhood, reduce property values and upset their quality of life.
Representatives for the carrier are scheduled to go before the Board of Adjustment on Tuesday to ask for use, height and bulk variances to install the pole on property near North Maple Avenue, Barnett Place and First Street. It was originally proposed last year, but the review process was never completed.
“It’s an eyesore, will reduce property values and this is a residential neighborhood,” said Jennifer Hroncich, a Barnett resident whose home is about 90 feet from the proposed tower.
