Author: James

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Governor Christie vetoes Trenton Land Grab the New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act
June 30,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act Friday that amounted to a huge land grab by the state , It would have paved the way for the state to assume even more debt for the purpose of buying up foreclosed properties and turning them into low-income housing.

Critics dubbed the bill the “Neighborhood Destruction Act” fearing it would make the state a huge land owner with little care as to how it would disrupt and destroy neighborhoods and depress and already depressed real estate market. Under the act the state would seize foreclosed property and pretty much do as it pleased putting anything from a Jail to a drug rehab next to your local school.

The New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act was passed in the state Senate June 25 and in the Assembly June 28. In his veto message, Gov. Christie objected to proposals adding spending separate from the Appropriations Act, calling the practice “a thinly veiled attempt to circumvent the tough choices required to meet the constitutional obligation of passing a balanced budget.”

Simple market based alternatives were ignored by the bill and the legislation would have created a new state super agency called the New Jersey Foreclosure Relief Corp., which would operate under the jurisdiction of the state Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and would be vested with the authority to float an unlimited number of bonds backed by the state. Sticking the tax payer with a huge debt .Proceeds from the bond sales would finance the purchase of foreclosed homes, with additional funds coming from municipalities’ affordable housing trust funds.

STATEMENT OF SENATOR AND CANDIDATE FOR U.S. SENATE JOE KYRILLOS ON SUPREME COURT DECISION

Middletown, June 28…State Senator and Candidate for U.S. Senate Joe Kyrillos released the following statement today regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision may have confirmed the constitutionality of the legislation, but one fact remains: the massive, expensive health care overhaul voted for by Senator Menendez is bad policy.

Government run healthcare spends money we don’t have, loots Medicare, limits patient choice, and continues to place a cloud of uncertainty over our economy. Congress can and must repeal and replace it with more sensible reforms like providing coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.

Here in New Jersey, we’ve seen how the Corzine-Menendez pattern of raising taxes, spending more and leaving the bills to future generations does not work- it left us nearly bankrupt.

We need change in Washington. Real, meaningful change. The same kind of change Governor Christie is bringing to New Jersey. And I intend to deliver that kind of change as your Senator.”

MENENDEZ SAYS AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS NOT A TAX INCREASE

Kyrillos calls on Menendez to end his assault on New Jersey Families

Middletown, June 29… Yesterday, Senator Bob Menendez said the massive health care overhaul he voted for was “far from a tax increase” actually calling it a “tax cut.” Really, Senator?

Senator Joe Kyrillos is calling on Menendez to end his continued assault on New Jersey families and his support for the largest tax increase in 20 years.

“Bob Menendez thinks the largest and most obscene tax increase in the last 20 years is a tax cut. Clearly, Bob Menendez has been in Washington so long and voted in favor of higher taxes so much that he can no longer tell the difference. This is bad policy and a massive tax increase on New Jersey families and businesses that will kill economic growth and job creation.

“This is a fundamental difference between Sen. Menendez and me. I don’t believe that a tax increase on New Jersey’s families is reform. He does. I believe it’s the same old Corzine – Menendez pattern of raising taxes and increasing spending that leaves the bill for future generations. We have seen how that story ends – it left us nearly bankrupt.

“New Jersey families need jobs and economic security, not higher taxes. They deserve real reform that includes coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, makes healthcare more accessible and affordable, but not a massive, mandatory tax.”

In case Senator Menendez needs a clearer definition of what “tax increase” means, we have listed those in the Affordable Care Act below…..

$123 billion – Surtax on Investment Income

$87 billion – Hike in Medicare Payroll Tax

$65 billion – Individual Mandate Excise Tax and Employer Mandate Tax Combined

$60 billion – Tax on Health Insurers

$32 billion – Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans

$23 billion – “Black liquor” tax hike

$22 billion – Tax on Innovator Drug Companies

$20 billion – Tax on Medical Device Manufacturers

$15 billion – Raise “Haircut” for Medical Itemized Deduction from 7.5% to 10% of AGI

$13 billion – Flexible Spending Account Cap – aka “Special Needs Kids Tax”

$5 billion – Medicine Cabinet Tax

$4.5 billion – Elimination of tax deduction for employer-provided retirement Rx drug coverage in coordination with Medicare Part D

$4.5 billion – Codification of the “economic substance doctrine”

$2.7 billion -Tax on Indoor Tanning Services

$1.5 billion – HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike

$.6 billion – $500,000 Annual Executive Compensation Limit for Health Insurance Executives

$.4 billion – Blue Cross/Blue Shield Tax Hike

Minimal – Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals

Minimal – Employer Reporting of Insurance on W-2

TOTAL – $479.2 billion

Darrell Issa Puts Details of Secret Wiretap Applications in Congressional Record
By Jonathan Strong
Roll Call Staff
June 29, 2012, 12:06 p.m.

In the midst of a fiery floor debate over contempt proceedings for Attorney General Eric Holder, House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) quietly dropped a bombshell letter into the Congressional Record.

The May 24 letter to Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), ranking member on the panel, quotes from and describes in detail a secret wiretap application that has become a point of debate in the GOP’s “Fast and Furious” gun-walking probe.

The wiretap applications are under court seal, and releasing such information to the public would ordinarily be illegal. But Issa appears to be protected by the Speech or Debate Clause in the Constitution, which offers immunity for Congressional speech, especially on a chamber’s floor.

https://www.rollcall.com/news/darrell_issa_puts_details_of_secret_wiretap_applications_in_congressional-215828-1.html

Ridgewood’s Independence Day Celebration!

Schedule of July 4th Festivities

Its that time of the year again bring your family and friends to enjoy Ridgewood July 4th Celebration on Wednesday, July 4th.

Buy Fireworks tickets at local stores in advance and save or online at www.ridgewoodjuly4th.org Schedule of Activities 9 AM – Flag Raising at Wilsey Square (near train station) 10 AM – Parade (Rain or Shine) 6 PM – Gates open for Fireworks – musical entertainment, twirlers, skydivers and FIREWORKS at dark. Further information – www.ridgewoodjuly4th.org

Residents flock to Graydon Pool to dodge the heat
June 29,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , Almost Hazardous weather conditions drove many to seek solace in the Garydon pool this Friday with record temperatures not looking to let up it looks to be a very busy weekend

The major heat wave left many looking for shelter and at 5pm the pool was still seeing a lot of action.

the parking lot was almost filled

N.J. Senate confirms Paula Dow for judgeship

Despite a few questions about her role in the firing of a prosecutor, Gov. Christie’s former attorney general, Paula Dow, cruised through her judicial confirmation Thursday in the New Jersey Senate.

Dow, who said she recently moved from Essex County to Willingboro, will serve on Superior Court in Burlington County. The Senate voted to confirm her by 38-0 with two abstentions.

Dow originally was nominated by Christie to serve in Essex County, but an apparent dispute between Christie and senators there held up her hearing. She then moved to Willingboro, which upset some attorneys in Burlington County, who had hoped a local lawyer would fill one of the two vacant seats on that court.  (Katz, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

https://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20120629_N_J__Senate_confirms_Janet_Dow_for_judgeship.html

Ridgewood council officials Keith Killion and Stephen Wellinghorst will be returning to the private life

FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2012, 11:01 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

When the calendar flips to July, things will go “back to normal” for two busy villagers.

Keith Killion and Stephen Wellinghorst will step down from the dais during the Village Council’s annual reorganization meeting, scheduled for July 1, and bid farewell to what many outsiders consider is an adopted life of long government meetings, mind-numbing budget sessions and seemingly endless committee workshops.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/160832425_Ridgewood_council_officials_returning_to_the_private_life.html

Village Hall : Renovated Community Center in Need of Donations

With the on-going renovation to level One of Village Hall, the Village of Ridgewood is presently searching for the following donations for the Community Center.

(1) Two full size refrigerators

(2) One under counter refrigerator

(3) (2) pool tables

(4) (1) ping pong table

Anyone interested in making a donation, please call the Park Division at (201) 670-5565.

What the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Affordable Care Act means to you
June 29.2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, While supporters view the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Affordable Care Act as a way extend health coverage to nearly half of the state’s more than one million uninsured. Most New Jersey healthcare executives including our own Audrey Meyers of Valley Hospital , and Democratic legislators reacted positively .Assuming that less uninsured will create less liability both financially and healthcare wise. Many emphasised the need to press forward creating a health insurance exchange, which are claimed to allow individuals and small businesses to buy coverage online in a transparent manner.

But business reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision was decidedly mixed, with most in the health care industry immediately supportive of the ruling and small business and others filled with doubts as to the ability of the Act to deliver on its promise of coverage and cost containment .

Perhaps Governor Christie summed it up best , saying he believed the health care law mandating universal coverage ” is the wrong approach for the people of New Jersey who should be able to make their own judgments about health care. Most importantly, the Supreme Court is confirming what we knew all along about this law — it is a tax on middle class Americans.”

Christie also said he did not believe a one-size-fits-all health care program works for the entire country and that each governor “should have the ability to make decisions about what works best for their state.”

According to the Washington Post “Obamacare” costs will run the average family of four making $40k per year no more than $1,600 to $2,520 with maximum out-of-pocket costs for deductibles and co-payments capped at 15 percent of the total cost.Failure to acquire insurance will subject you to penalties of about $2,085.

While Insurers can’t discriminate against you for having a pre-existing condition, and can only vary rates within a narrow range this will mean healthcare costs will have to be controlled through denial of services and limited options.

file photo CBD Ridgewood

N.J. Senate passes tougher driver-cellphone bill

In its final voting session before Saturday’s budget deadline, the Senate on Thursday approved dozens of bills previously passed by the Assembly, including one to stiffen penalties for drivers who have injured or killed others because they were using their cellphones.

Under the bill, which the Senate and Assembly passed unanimously, prosecutors could charge distracted drivers with assault or vehicular manslaughter – a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Currently, those caught texting or talking on a cellphone without a hands-free device – even those involved in a fatal crash – face a maximum of 18 months’ incarceration.  (Farrell, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

https://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20120629_N_J__Senate_passes_tougher_driver-cellphone_bill.html