Author: James

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TRUMP ENDS YEARS OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH

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“Any regulation that is outdated, unnecessary, bad for workers, or contrary to the national interest will be scrapped.” – Donald J. Trump

YEARS OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH: President Donald J. Trump has inherited the bloated regulatory regime of the past Administration.

According to the American Action Forum, the regulations from the Obama Administration cost United States taxpayers a total of $873 billion.

The Obama Administration issued 3,037 finalized regulations.

GETTING GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY: Today, President Trump signed legislation to help eliminate unnecessary, harmful, and job-killing regulations.

Earlier today, President Trump signed four bills under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), in one of the few times the CRA has been used to cancel Federal regulations.
House Joint Resolution 37 will roll back the “blacklisting” rule that empowers big law firms to get rich by suing American companies and workers who contract with the Federal Government.
House Joint Resolution 44 removes the Bureau of Land Management’s “Planning 2.0” rule to prevent further centralization of Federal land management decisions at the expense of local citizens.
House Joint Resolutions 57 and 58 eliminate layers of bureaucracy that could have cost State and local school systems millions of dollars, while encouraging freedom and innovation in our schools.

CUTTING RED TAPE ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT: President Trump has signed Executive Orders and legislation to cut regulations that get in the way of Americans.

President Trump has required that for every new Federal regulation, two existing regulations be eliminated.
President Trump ordered agencies to create Regulatory Reform Task Forces to identify costly and unnecessary regulations.
President Trump signed an Executive Order instructing Federal agencies to minimize the burden of the Affordable Care Act on Americans while he works to repeal and replace it.
President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 38, to prevent the burdensome “Stream Protection Rule” from causing further harm to the coal industry.
President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 41, to eliminate a costly regulation that threatened to put American mining and energy companies and their employees at an unfair disadvantage.
President Trump directed the Secretary of Commerce to develop a plan to streamline Federal permitting processes for domestic manufacturers.
President Trump signed an Executive Order expediting the environmental review and approval processes for domestic infrastructure projects.
President Trump directed the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a full review of the burdensome regulations required by the Dodd-Frank Act.
President Trump ordered a re-examination of the Department of Labor’s “fiduciary rule,” to make certain that it does not harm Americans as they save for retirement.

KEEPING HIS PROMISES TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: President Donald J. Trump has promised the country he would cut needless regulation.

While campaigning for President, Donald Trump promised to cut regulations massively.
While campaigning for President, Donald Trump vowed to cut any regulation that is outdated, unnecessary, bad for workers, or contrary to the national interest.

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Trump Pushes Energy Independence

Trump Signs 3 Sweeping Executive Orders

“I am going to lift the restrictions on American energy, and allow this wealth to pour into our communities.” – Donald J. Trump

MUCH NEEDED REFORM: The past Administration burdened Americans with costly regulations that harmed American jobs and energy production.

The previous Administration’s Clean Power Plan could cost up to $39 billion a year and increase electricity prices in 41 States by at least ten percent, according to NERA Economic Consulting.
The Clean Power Plan would cause coal production to fall by 242 million tons, according to the National Mining Association.
27 states, 24 trade associations, 37 rural electric co-ops, and 3 labor unions are challenging the Clean Power Plan in Federal court.

AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: President Donald J. Trump’s Energy Independence Policy Executive Order reverses the regulations on American jobs and energy production.

President Trump’s Executive Order directs the Environmental Protection Agency to suspend, revise, or rescind four actions related to the Clean Power Plan that would stifle the American energy industry.

President Trump’s Executive Order directs the Attorney General to seek appropriate relief from the courts over pending litigation related to the Clean Power Plan.

President Trump’s Executive Order rescinds Executive and Agency actions centered on the previous administration’s climate change agenda that have acted as a road block to energy independence.

President Trump’s Executive Order lifts the ban on Federal leasing for coal production.
President Trump’s Executive Order lifts job-killing restrictions on the production of oil, natural gas, and shale energy.

President Trump’s Executive Order directs all agencies to conduct a review of existing actions that harm domestic energy production and suspend, revise, or rescind actions that are not mandated by law.

Within 180 days, agencies must finalize their plans.

President Trump’ Executive Order directs agencies to use the best available science and economics in regulatory analysis, which was not utilized by the previous administration.

It disbands the Interagency Working Group (IWG) on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases.

By revisiting the federal overreach on energy regulation, President Trump is returning power to the states – where it belongs.

FREEING AMERICA’S POTENTIAL: President Trump has worked tirelessly to free American industry and ingenuity from the constraints of Government overreach.

President Trump has signed four pieces of legislation to clear burdensome and costly regulations on energy production from the previous Administration.
President Trump has required that for every new Federal regulation, two existing regulations be eliminated.
President Trump has directed each agency to establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force to identify costly and unnecessary regulations in need of modification or repeal.
President Trump has directed the Department of Commerce to streamline Federal permitting processes for domestic manufacturing and to reduce regulatory burdens on domestic manufacturers.
President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 38, to prevent the burdensome “Stream Protection Rule” from causing further harm to the coal industry.
President Trump ordered the review of the “Clean Water Rule: Definition of Waters of the United States,” known as the WOTUS rule, to evaluate whether it is stifling economic growth or job creation.
President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum and gave a Presidential permit to clear roadblocks to construct the Keystone XL Pipeline.
President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum declaring that the Dakota Access Pipeline serves the national interest and initiating the process to complete its construction.

FULFILLING HIS PROMISE: By taking action on the Clean Power Plan, President Trump is fulfilling his promise to the American people.

As a candidate, Mr. Trump promised “we will eliminate… the Clean Power Plan—these unilateral plans will increase monthly electric bills by double-digits without any measurable improvement in the climate.”

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Embattled DNC Asks All Staffers For Resignation Letters

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez

by ALEX SEITZ-WALD

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez has launched a major overhaul of the party’s organization, which has been stung by recent crises — and the DNC has requested resignation letters from all current staffers.

Party staff routinely see major turnover with a new boss and they had been alerted to expect such a move. However, the mass resignation letters will give Perez a chance to completely remake the DNC’s headquarters from scratch. Staffing had already reached unusual lows following a round of post-election layoffs in December.

Immediately after Perez’s selection as party chairman in late February, an adviser to outgoing DNC Interim Chair Donna Brazile, Leah Daughtry, asked every employee to submit a letter of resignation dated April 15, according to multiple sources familiar with the party’s internal workings.

A committee advising Perez on his transition is now interviewing staff and others as part of a top-to-bottom review process to decide not only who will stay and who will go, but how the party should be structured in the future.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/embattled-dnc-asks-all-staffers-resignation-letters-n739676

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RHS Project Graduation 2017 Fashion Show and Auction

RHS Project Graduation 2017 Fashion Show and Auction

March 29,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Support Project Graduation 2017 at this fun event! Watch more than 200 RHS seniors walk the runway wearing clothing from many local retailers and bid on fantastic auction items- there’s something for everyone! Email [email protected] with questions or to RSVP.

Sunday at 1 PM – 4 PM
5 days from now · 39–61° Partly Cloudy

Teaneck Marriott At Glenpointe
100 Frank W Burr Blvd, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666

Find Tickets
Tickets Available
www.paypal.com

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Commentary: Jersey plan would exacerbate pension problems

Village Council Meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

Updated: MARCH 28, 2017 — 11:19 AM EDT

by Steve Malanga

State legislators worried about New Jersey’s deep pension debt are contemplating turning over administration of one of the largest retirement funds to workers and retirees. The idea behind the move sounds simple: Workers and retirees, who are beneficiaries of the system, can be relied on to run it well.

The only problem is that this has already been tried around the country and has helped create some of the nation’s biggest pension fiascos, as workers and unions have managed pensions for their benefit, leaving taxpayers on the hook for huge losses. This is not the kind of reform that Jersey residents facing tens of billions of dollars in pension debt need.

The Legislature has already passed a bill, now awaiting Gov. Christie’s signature, that turns over management of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), run by the Treasury Department, to a 12-member board of trustees dominated by beneficiaries. One justification for the bill is anger that the State Investment Council, which directs pension fund investing, has been paying Wall Street firms big fees, but returns haven’t lived up to expectations.

https://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20170329_Commentary__Jersey_plan_would_exacerbate_pension_problems.html

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the Ridgewood Police Department is pleased to announce the 4th annual Chief Michael Feeney, Jr. Police Academy

Ridgewood Police

March 29,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police Department is pleased to announce the 4th annual Chief Michael Feeney, Jr. Police Academy scheduled from Thursday June 23rd through Friday June 30th 2017, at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. The Academy is open to Ridgewood residents entering 6th 7th and 8th grades in the fall of 2017.

Last year’s academy featured demonstrations from The Ridgewood Police Department, Bergen County Sheriff’s Department K-9 and Bomb Squad, Police Motorcycles, Ridgewood Emergency Services, FBI, Ridgewood Fire Department, State Police Helicopter landing, Tactical driving, as well as demonstrations from various other agencies. A field trip to the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Complex in Mahwah is also scheduled.

Applications will be available online in community pass or at the Ridgewood Police Station 2nd floor police desk after April 15th 2017.

For more information contact Lt.Glenn Ender
[email protected]

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GLEN ROCK MAN CHARGED WITH STALKING, FILING A FALSE REPORT AND HINDERING

glen rock stalker

March 29,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of BRIAN ROONEY (DOB: 02/11/1969, married; and employed as an employment recruiter) of 16 Abbington Terrace, Glen Rock, New Jersey on charges of Stalking, Filing a False Report, and Hindering. The arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert ANZILOTTI, and the Glen Rock Police Department under the direction of Chief Dean ACKERMANN.

On Wednesday, February 22, 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that two residents of Glen Rock, New Jersey were receiving harassing notes and text messages over an approximate eighteen-month time span. The two residents, one of which was BRIAN ROONEY, reported the harassing communications to the Glen Rock Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. An investigation by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and the Glen Rock Police Department revealed that ROONEY sent the harassing communications to himself and another person and then ROONEY attempted to implicate a third person as the person sending the harassing communications.

As a result of the investigation, Brian ROONEY was arrested on Wednesday, March 27, 2017, and charged with one count of Stalking, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10b, a fourth degree crime; one count of Filing a False Police Report, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4a, a third degree crime; and one count of Hindering, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(4), a crime of the fourth degree. ROONEY was charged by way of complaint summons and was released on his own recognizance pending his first appearance in the Bergen County Judicial Processing Court on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.

Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Glen Rock Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

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Reader says Enforcement of New Parking Law on Bogert and Cambridge “has taken things to the limit”

ridgewood police

file photo by Boyd Loving

I find this new”law” has taken things to the limit. I park my car a block away to allow a repair man to park in my driveway. My dog walker comes, parks in my driveway to walk my dog as I have recently had surgery. Repairman said he may need to go out before the dog walk is back I tell her to pull in the street and I will stand with her car. A few min later , while standing in the street a traffic office pulls up, I explain the situation and that she will be back in a min or 2 and he says the car is in violation and MUST give me a ticket to put on the car. He never even gets out of his car! I ask why must he be so severe and I was told it is his job. I take the ticket to avoid upsetting my dog walker and I am told it I don’t put it on the car or move the car she may get a second ticket. I email this to all council members, only to hear back from 1who doesn’t even seem to know what I am referring to when I ask for the so called safety study that I have asked for on 3 separate occasions.Is this level of law enforcement really necessary!

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Bergen County Sees Uptick in Leptospirosis, Disease That Can Kill Dogs

ridgewood 4th parade rescuedogs theridgewoodblog.net

March 28,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital On February 14, 2017, the New York City Department of Health announced three human cases of Leptospirosis, two with pulmonary hemorrhage and one fatal as a result of infection. Recently there have also been outbreaks in Chicago and Arizona, where dozens of dogs have been infected.  Now, there have been reports of 6 cases in New Jersey, including 5 dogs in Bergen County.

NBC explained , ‘Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection dogs can catch from wildlife like squirrels and rats. The disease passes through urine, which pets may lick up when drinking from puddles or other standing water.’

The Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital  the symptoms in dogs may be any of these: lethargy, loss of appetite, depression, fever, dehydration, weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting. Leptospirosis can become life threatening in a very short period of time.

The best protection is prevention, and there is a canine vaccine for Leptospirosis. While cats can also be infected, there is no vaccine for cats at this time.

If you are not certain if your dog is protected, you can see your dog’s vaccination status through Pet Portals on our website: www.ridgewoodvet.com. If you are not registered, you can register there as well.

If your dog has never been vaccinated against Leptospirosis, or is overdue, please call our office to be scheduled immediately. If overdue, only one vaccination is required. If never vaccinated, a series of two is required.

If your dog is due within the next 60 days, we recommend giving the vaccine now to insure maximum antibody protection during this increased risk period as opposed to minimal protection possible at the end of the vaccine period.

Please call our office now to schedule an appointment if your dog is overdue, never had, or due within 60 days for the Leptospirosis Vaccine.

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Ridgewood East side Sanitation Collection Uncompleted due to Equipment Breakdown

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MARCH 28TH EAST SIDE SANITATION COLLECTION NOT COMPLETED

March 29,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Village website reports that due to equipment breakdown, the East Side sanitation collection was not completed Tuesday, March 28.   On Wednesday, March 29 Village crews will collect the remaing  East Side sanitation before beginning the West Side Bulk Collection scheduled for 3/29.

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WILL NJ SCHOOLS BE AFFECTED BY U.S. TOP COURT RULING ON SPECIAL ED?

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JOHN MOONEY | MARCH 27, 2017

State already answers to higher legal standard, but federal ruling should re-emphasize that minimum progress is not enough for special-needs students

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-0 last week in favor of raising standards for special education nationwide, the decision was widely applauded by parent and children advocates.

But when it comes to how much the ruling will directly impact New Jersey, the answer is a bit more complicated.

In a decisive victory for special-needs children, the court ruled in a case that originated in Colorado that schools are compelled to teach students with disabilities at a level comparable to other students and above the standard of minimum progress.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/03/26/will-nj-schools-be-affected-by-u-s-top-court-ruling-on-special-ed/?utm_campaign=new-jersey-politics&utm_content=2017-28-03-9255100&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics

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Bill aims to merge NJ towns — even when they aren’t neighbors

ridgewood map

By Michael Symons March 27, 2017 9:58 PM

Ten years ago this month, a state law was enacted encouraging more municipal consolidations as a method for saving money and reducing property taxes.

In the decade since, there’s been just one merger – the combining of Princeton borough and township.

Now a less ambitious update to the effort is on Gov. Chris Christie’s desk. It seeks to clarify some of the rules and tools though does include a few wrinkles – such as allowing towns to merge that are near each other but aren’t directly neighbors.

Sen. Bob Gordon, D-Bergen, said he doesn’t foresee a surge of municipal consolidations because of the bill – though he does think local voters will look at the prospects more willingly as costs keep rising.

“There’s no reason why two small towns next to each other or close to each other shouldn’t get together and try to save some money,” Gordon said.

Read More: Bill aims to merge NJ towns — even when they aren’t neighbors | https://nj1015.com/bill-aims-to-promote-municipal-mergers-even-if-towns-arent-neighbors/?trackback=tsmclip

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Christie dares NJ sanctuary cities to risk losing federal funds

Chris_christie_theridgewoodblog

By Sergio Bichao March 27, 2017 7:39 PM

Gov. Chris Christie told the mayors of the state’s two largest cities to “have at it” by declaring themselves “sanctuary” cities after the Trump administration once again threatened to cut federal funding.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday said such cities — which refuse to use municipal resources to enforce federal immigration laws — risk losing grants that already have been awarded.

“People should just comply with the law,” Christie said Monday during his monthly appearance on New Jersey 101.5’s “Ask The Governor.”

After Trump signed an executive order in January that would defund cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities, Christie advised municipalities to take Trump at his word.

Christie also has vowed to veto any measure that would use state dollars to reimburse sanctuary cities for lost federal funds.

On Monday he called Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka by name.

“If they engage in voluntary conduct — which means sanctuary city is not mandated by the state; it’s voluntary conduct — then they think it’s important enough for their taxpayers to pick up the tab. Their call.

“Mayor Fulop, Mayor Baraka — have at it.”

Read More: Christie dares NJ sanctuary cities to risk losing federal funds | https://nj1015.com/christie-dares-nj-sanctuary-cities-to-risk-losing-federal-funds/?trackback=tsmclip

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Sessions takes aim at ‘dangerous’ sanctuary cities, warns on funding

sen-jeff-sessions-2012-reuters-640x480

Published March 27, 2017 FoxNews.com

Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired a broadside at so-called “sanctuary cities” Monday, telling reporters local policies of noncooperation with immigration authorities are “dangerous” and will cost communities federal funding.

In the Trump administration’s most pointed warning yet, Sessions said federal law allows withholding of federal funding to sanctuary cities, and signaled that such measures will soon be taken. Sessions, who took the podium at White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s regular media briefing, warned of a pending crackdown by the administration.

“Such policies cannot continue,” he said. “They make our nation less safe by putting dangerous criminals back on the street.”

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/27/sessions-takes-aim-at-dangerous-sanctuary-cities-warns-on-funding.html

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In risky bet, N.J. teachers’ union campaigns to oust Senate President Sweeney

Ridgewood Teachers

file photo

Updated: MARCH 27, 2017 — 6:00 AM EDT

by Andrew Seidman, Trenton Bureau  @AndrewSeidman |  [email protected]

TRENTON — Gov. Christie has antagonized New Jersey’s largest teachers’ union since he took office in 2010, once declaring on television that the national organization deserved a punch in the face.

The union has struggled under Christie’s eight-year governorship, but as the Republican prepares to leave office next year, the New Jersey Education Association is punching back at someone it sees as Christie’s chief collaborator: Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

“We’re looking for a new governor and a new Senate president,” Wendell Steinhauer, the group’s president, said in an interview.

https://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/NJ-teachers-union-is-trying-to-topple-Senate-President-Stephen-Sweeney.html