Trenton - Page 6 of 11 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on March 19, 2019 March 18, 2019

Marijuana Legalization Is “Deal with the Devil”

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) is voting “no” on legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in New Jersey, saying the proposal represents “a deal with the devil” that will sacrifice children and communities for short-term political gain.

Doherty made his comments as the Senate Judiciary Committee began consideration of S-2703, which would legalize the recreational use of cannabis by adults.

Posted on March 18, 2019 March 17, 2019

Reader says Legal Weed ,”big tax revenue will never materialize”

Marijuana is a gateway drug.
Every opioid and heroin addict began with marijuana .
The drug dealers will still be the biggest suppliers since their weed will be cheaper than the “legal” version with the big tax on it… And the big tax revenue will never materialize, just as the gas tax increase caused a decrease in gallons since the truckers no longer bought cheaper diesel here and the promised extra money never materialized.. How do you like the roads in 2019? Worse than ever with potholes
Do you Really expect drug dealers to collect tax ?….
This will go over like a fart in church.

Posted on March 15, 2019 March 14, 2019

Marijuana Drug Testing Mandate for Public Transit Drivers ?

the staff of Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In light of news of a deal on legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) urged the bill sponsors to include a mandate for continued drug testing for public transit drivers so that any driver who tests positive for marijuana is not allowed to put commuters at risk.

“In case Governor Murphy has forgotten, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level and NJ Transit is subject to federal regulations and funding. If a bus driver tests positive for marijuana, he or she should lose their job, whether the drug is legal in New Jersey or not,” Senator Pennacchio said.

Posted on March 14, 2019 March 14, 2019

Reader says , “Weed is about the Bucks “

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” I think we’re way beyond weed and all its uses, benefits, and pitfalls when it comes to the state of NJ. It’s about the bucks. Much like the buzz about gambling in AC being the magic bullet to solve New Jersey’s financial woes, weed is looked at as a new cash crop to fill our tax coffers with green. We have a 40+ year view on legalized gambling and see only bankrupt casinos, lives ruined, and power-broker pockets lined. The state lottery, online gambling, sin tax on tobacco, etc…all failures in helping people. Only more money for politicos to piss away. Only with weed, we have more stoners and fewer earners. Is it any wonder why our taxes are so high? Maybe we should legalize prostitution so we can tax sex workers while we’re at it. Murphy (or any GOP gov) and company should be focused on how to help people succeed rather than keep the citizens dumbed down and wasted. Decriminalize individual use of cannabis and penalize illegal distribution, much like alcohol laws. “

Posted on March 12, 2019 March 12, 2019

NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt: Murphy’s ‘Progressive Idealism Is Sucking The Economic Life’ Out Of NJ

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, New Jersey’s year-over-year job growth declined to its lowest point since 2011 according to figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. New Jersey’s annual job growth is now at less than one percent.

Last week Governor Murphy proposed growing the size of state government by over a billion dollars in his annual budget address.

“Sobering statistics on New Jersey’s shrinking economy keep stacking up,” said NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt. “The state of New Jersey is on the path to insolvency and Governor Murphy’s progressive idealism is sucking the economic life out of it. Job killing programs like mandated wages, Obamacare fines, corporate tax hikes and billion dollar tax increases are taking a devastating toll on New Jersey’s economy, leaving struggling families with no where to turn.”

Posted on March 11, 2019 March 10, 2019

Colonel Patrick Callahan Reads, “Horton Hears a Who”

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photo courtesy of NJ State Police

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, To celebrate Read Across America 2019, Colonel Patrick Callahan stopped by Charles Street School in Palmyra to read to a group of 1st grade students during “Crazy Hat and Sock Day!”

The Colonel read, “Giggle, Giggle, Quack” by Doreen Cronin and the Dr. Suess classic, “Horton Hears a Who.”

The Colonel felt that “Horton Hears a Who” promotes a message of equality—highlighting the line, “A person is a person no matter how big or small.”

Posted on March 10, 2019 March 9, 2019

Sweeney Town Hall Meeting On ‘Path To Progress’ Fiscal Reforms At Monmouth University

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ, Senate President Steve Sweeney will hold a town hall meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 11, in Wilson Hall, Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ to conduct a public discussion about the fiscal reforms in the “Path To Progress” report.

Hosted by Grey J. Dimenna, the President of Monmouth University, the forum will include the participation of Senator Vin Gopal, Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Peter Reinhart, from the Monmouth University Kislak Real Estate Institute and a member of the Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup.

Posted on March 10, 2019 March 9, 2019

Responsible Tax Incentives Play a key role in an Economic Development Strategy

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Tax incentive programs are a key tool in New Jersey’s economic development strategy because they help to offset the impact of the state’s challenging business climate, and they need to be maintained if the state is going to continue to produce private-sector jobs, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association said today.

Andrew Musick, NJBIA vice president for Government Affairs, told legislators that the Garden State’s high tax rates put it at a competitive disadvantage in the region, as well as the nation. Without a robust incentive program to offset them, New Jersey would find it difficult to attract companies that provide quality employment opportunities for New Jersey residents.

Posted on March 9, 2019 March 9, 2019

Stop the Madness. No More Throwing Taxpayer Money in the Street

enator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth)

Ridgewood NJ, After seeing salt covering New Jersey roads today, despite the fact that temperature is not supposed to drop below 37 degrees Fahrenheit over the next few days, Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) said that “enough is enough” and demanded that the State put an end to the practice of unnecessary brining.

“It’s time for someone to challenge Governor Murphy’s assertion that this is a pennies per mile cost: it’s not. There was simply no way that a .17 per mile number was an accurate reflection of the cost to brine our roads when you account for labor, gas, and equipment. After speaking with a few of local officials we were able to confirm that the actual cost in totality is in excess of $12 or $13 per mile locally – and that is for areas that are more conservative with their usage of salt and brine,” O’Scanlon said.

Posted on March 9, 2019 March 9, 2019

New Jersey Can’t Tax Its Way to Prosperity

The following editorial by Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) was published by the Asbury Park Press on March 6, 2019:

Gov. Phil Murphy’s second annual budget message to a joint session of the state Legislature this week outlined his plans to raise taxes, unnecessarily, yet again.

Absent from his message was any mention of support for “Path to Progress” reforms recommended by the Legislature’s bipartisan Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup, which have the potential to significantly lower the cost of New Jersey’s many layers of government.

That absence was especially noticeable considering Murphy’s prior chairmanship of the Benefits Review Task Force under Acting Gov. Richard Codey. The task force, under Murphy’s leadership, examined the state’s significant fiscal challenges and proposed bold reforms.

Posted on March 8, 2019 March 7, 2019

Jewish Standard newspaper columnist Einstein Invites Jewish Community to Grassroots Activist Training

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hoboken NJ, NJ GOP State Committeeman Joshua Sotomayor Einstein invites the Jewish community to join fellow conservatives, libertarians, and Republicans to learn the fundamental tools needed to hold your elected leaders accountable at NJ’s premier Grassroots Activist Workshop. On Sunday, Mach 31, from 11am–5pm, at the beautiful Barsky Gallery (49 Harrison St) in Hoboken, smaller government and tax reform inclined citizens will learn how to get involved and make a difference in local elections and governance. The training will bring together Jews, Christians, Atheists, and people of many backgrounds from across New Jersey who want to build better communication, messaging, advocacy, and leadership skills. Parking is available free of charge; kosher lunch will be provided.

Posted on March 8, 2019 March 7, 2019

New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants Issues Ominous Warning on Governor Murphy’s Proposed FY2020 Budget

the staff of the Ridewood blog

Statement by Ralph Albert Thomas, CPA (DC), CGMA, CEO and Executive Director, NJCPA

The headlines are bleak and all too familiar:

“New Jersey’s Budget Mess is Getting Even Worse” (March 4, 2019, Bloomberg)
“New Jersey Governor Again Seeks Higher Taxes on Wealthy” (March 4, 2019, Wall Street Journal)
“On the budget, Governor Murphy’s not being fair to the English language” (March 5, 2019, NJ.com)

The message is clear: New Jersey is facing a fiscal crisis, and we are not committing ourselves to the difficult decisions that will put the state on sound financial footing. While the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) commends Governor Murphy for addressing issues such as health care spending, high property taxes and the growth of small businesses in his budget presentation, there’s more work to be done.

Posted on March 5, 2019 March 5, 2019

Stuck on Stupid Millionaires Tax: Chasing the Bill Payers Out of the State

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New jersey economic policy is truly stuck on stupid . 40 years of failure and New Jersey wants to keep doing the same thing till they get it right. Fair and Necessary more like just plain stupid .New Jersey Policy Perspective Senior Policy Analyst Sheila Reynertson in response to reports that Governor Murphy will propose a 10.75 percent tax rate on income tax earners over $1 million in tomorrow’s FY 2020 budget address.

Posted on March 5, 2019 March 5, 2019

Murphy Budget Raids Environmental Settlements

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, The proposed FY2020 budget is coming out on Tuesday. Governor Murphy’s budget FY2019, DEP saw a decrease in overall budget while operations went up slightly. The Clean Energy Fund was also raided by $160 million from its previous budget year. NRD money from the Exxon and Volkswagen Settlement were also used for the general budget, however Murphy cannot use NRD money to balance the FY 2020 budget.

“Last year’s budget was balanced on the backs of the environment, we concerned about this year’s proposed budget will do the same. FY2020 is coming out and there may be cuts or money grabbed to plug budget holes. Last year the Murphy Administration took close to $500 million from environmental programs to balance the budget. This year, the Murphy Administration have already committed to taking $140 million form the Clean Energy Fund and given the problems, it could mean more. Now since Murphy cannot grab NRD money anymore, DEP’s budget may be targeted along with other environmental monies,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Posted on March 4, 2019 March 3, 2019

Governor Murphy to Deliver Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Address

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, with a massive budget short fall and even his own party talking about spending cuts and no more broad based tax increases .

Fiscally challenged Governor Phil Murphy will deliver his Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Address in the Assembly Chamber at the New Jersey State House at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Who/What: Governor Phil Murphy to Deliver Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Address

When: 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Where: Assembly Chambers, New Jersey State House, 125 West State Street, Trenton, NJ

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