Trenton NJ, As part of the Department of the Treasury’s ongoing efforts to reconnect state-held assets to their rightful owners, the Unclaimed Property Administration (UPA) has launched a veterans outreach campaign, which has uncovered as many as 3,000 veterans and widows in New Jersey who may have unclaimed assets, resulting in over $200,000 being returned to families thus far.
“We considered the many sacrifices military families endure, including how frequently service men and women move as a result of deployment,” said UPA Administrator Steven R. Harris. “These factors often increase the chances that certain financial assets are overlooked or never received. While we always find our work rewarding, reconnecting veterans and their families with assets they never knew they had has been particularly special.”
“This is a Treasury that works for the people of New Jersey, and UPA is a huge part of that effort,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “It’s not enough for us to just be careful stewards of these assets, we have to do everything we can to help people reclaim them. We’re excited with the results of this ongoing campaign and encourage everyone in the state to try an online search right now.”
The most common types of unclaimed property reported to the state are checking and savings accounts, certificate of deposits, utility deposits, securities, and insurance proceeds. The N.J. Unclaimed Property statute states that property owners never relinquish the right to this property and that UPA acts as a custodian until the property is returned.
The veterans outreach campaign was launched in October 2018. After partnering with divisions within Treasury, UPA was then able to cross reference its own database with thousands of records that reference an individual’s veteran status. As a result, UPA was able to identify over 3,000 veterans, widows, or heirs who may have unclaimed assets in their name.
UPA then began sending letters in early November notifying those individuals that they might have unclaimed property and instructing them to visit UPA’s website to file electronically or initiate a claim over the phone. Once all necessary documentation was received, UPA prepared claims for payment.
The ongoing campaign, which will continue in the New Year, has already begun yielding success. To date, responses to mail notices have resulted in 251 UPA claims, 133 of which have already been approved worth a total of $200,487.02.
Highlights from the campaign thus far include an individual who discovered that they had over $85,000 worth of securities that had gone unclaimed until now. Another person to respond to a UPA notice turned out to be a widow of a World War II veteran who discovered over $2,000 in outstanding life insurance proceeds.
This outreach campaign is one of a number undertaken by UPA every year to return state-held assets to their rightful owners. To find more information about UPA or to try an online search, visit www.unclaimedproperty.nj.gov.
Here’s the playbook:
.
1. Protest about high cost and government waste.
2. Vigerously declare that raising taxes is not the answer – become the “anti-tax guy”
3. Declare that all options were exhausted and you reluctanly must raise taxes – there is no other way and you know how mush i abhor raising taxes
4. Raise taxes according to my original plan and intent.
.
Rinse.
Repeat.
Washington’s Crossing NJ, New Jersey Historic Preservation Office Christmas Day – Experience the annual tradition of General Washington & hundreds of soldiers crossing the Delaware River, reenacting the Battle of Trenton in 1776. Event sponsored by Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania.
The crossing begins at 1pm; best to arrive around noon on either side of the river. Admission is Free!
Trenton NJ, Senate President Steve Sweeney issued the following statement today in response to Governor Murphy’s stated attitude on tax increases:
“There is a path forward for New Jersey that fixes fiscal problems and restores economic growth but tax increases are not part of the solution. Until we make the desperately-needed structural reforms to government spending and fiscal practices, we will not consider tax increases. Ignoring the need for fiscal reforms will only allow the deeply-rooted financial practices that have plagued the state for too long to continue and become worse. Left unaddressed, we won’t have the resources or the ability to address the needs of the people of New Jersey or invest in the programs and services that can expand economic opportunities. Period, full stop.
“I am fully committed to making the reforms needed to produce real and lasting progress on the state’s fiscal practices and economic conditions. Period, full stop.”
Trenton NJ, Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) issued the following statement in response to Governor Phil Murphy’s veto of legislation (S2455 – Sweeney, Oroho/Murphy, McKnight, Mosquera) which would produce substantial cost savings in health care expenses by transferring county college employees and retirees from membership in the School Employees Health Benefits Plan to membership in the State Health Benefits Plan:
“The Governor’s veto will cost the county colleges and their employees millions of dollars in future healthcare savings. Once again, the Governor has chosen to stand with the New Jersey Education Association’s union leaders and against the interests of the taxpayers of New Jersey, the county colleges, their hardworking professors and staff, and the students who will be forced to pay higher tuition. It is a terrible irony when we have a Governor calling for free county college tuition at the same time that he refuses to reduce health care costs and produce savings that could be used in support of the colleges and their students.”
Trenton NJ, Fulfilling his pledge to restore New Jersey to a national leadership role in the fight against climate change and sea-level rise, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that the Department of Environmental Protection has formally proposed two rules that will steer New Jersey’s re-entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.“Climate change and sea-level rise affect every one of us,” Governor Murphy said. “From Superstorm Sandy to the powerful nor’easters and devastating flooding this year, it is imperative that New Jersey reclaim its leadership role in fighting back. Pulling out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in 2012 was not only an abdication of leadership, but it also cost us millions of dollars that could have been used to increase energy efficiency and improve air quality in our communities. Today’s action is an important first step toward restoring our place as a leader in the green economy and keeping us on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2050 for the benefit of all New Jerseyans.”
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, also known as RGGI, is made up of Mid-Atlantic and New England states working to reduce carbon-dioxide gas emissions from the energy sector through a cap-and-trade auction process that encourages more market efficiencies, invests in renewable energy, and improves power-plant technology. RGGI’s members are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Virginia is planning to join RGGI.
Returning New Jersey to RGGI has been a priority for Governor Murphy since the outset of his administration. In January, the Governor issued Executive Order 7 directing the state to rejoin RGGI and develop a program that implements solutions that benefit communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate change.
New Jersey was a charter member of RGGI and was a key member of the effort until the state’s withdrawal in 2012 under the Christie Administration.
One of the proposed rules establishes the mechanisms for rejoining RGGI and sets the initial carbon-dioxide cap for the state’s electricity generation sector at 18 million tons in 2020, when the state will officially begin participating in RGGI again. Through a combination of RGGI’s required carbon-dioxide reductions and achieving Governor Murphy’s aggressive renewable energy goals, the DEP projects that the state’s greenhouse gas emissions will be 11.5 million tons by 2030.
The other rule proposal establishes the framework for how the state will spend proceeds from RGGI carbon-dioxide allowance auctions, with an emphasis on projects that will benefit disproportionately burdened communities.
“As we implement the Governor’s clean energy agenda, rejoining RGGI has always been one of our highest priorities,” said Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “Taking this important and tangible step toward enacting the rules will help make our goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050 a reality.”
“Accelerating the growth of clean energy jobs and businesses in New Jersey is a key element of Governor Murphy’s plan for a stronger and fairer economy,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan. “Our partnership with DEP and BPU is helping to advance our re-entry into RGGI, which will drive not only a safer, more sustainable future for all New Jerseyans, but also will drive significant economic opportunity.”
“The RGGI states applaud New Jersey’s progress in developing this proposed rule and appreciate the many collaborative conversations that have taken place thus far between our states,” said Ben Grumbles, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment and Chair of the RGGI, Inc. Board of Directors. “The entry of additional states into our market has the potential to make our program even more cost-effective and allow more participants to share in the benefits proven by our track record. We look forward to continuing discussions with New Jersey and to the prospect of an expanded regional program.”
The 18-million-ton carbon dioxide cap in the Emissions Trading Rule proposal is below the estimated actual emissions of 20.6 million tons in 2020. The cap will decline 3 percent annually through 2030 with other adjustments that are standard to all member states. The model used to develop the cap number only considers emissions from currently operating electric generating facilities.
The state remains on target to participate in the RGGI carbon-dioxide auction set for March 2020. Carbon dioxide, the primary gas driving climate change, is emitted by fossil-fuel power plants. Since 2005, RGGI states have reduced carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by an aggregate of more than 50 percent.“New Jersey already has one of the cleanest fossil-fuel electric generation portfolios in the country. Rejoining RGGI will provide impetus for further carbon dioxide reductions in the state’s energy sector,” said Paul Baldauf, the DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability.“Governor Murphy is strengthening New Jersey’s leadership on climate action by rejoining a program that is effectively cutting pollution while lowering energy bills, creating jobs and keeping energy dollars in the local economy,” said Dale Bryk, Senior Strategic Advisor at National Resources Defense Council. “Along with the Clean Energy Act signed into law last spring, which will drive investment in energy efficiency, expand solar power and launch a new offshore wind industry in the state, RGGI will help catapult New Jersey to the front of the pack when it comes to climate protection and clean energy jobs. We look forward to working with the Governor to ensure the final rule is as ambitious as possible.”
“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone and a big step forward in decarbonizing New Jersey’s economy,” said Richard Lawton, Executive Director, New Jersey Sustainable Business Council. “As companies that are committed to sustainable business practices, we know that market-driven innovation and investment must be informed and guided by smart policies aimed at transitioning to a clean energy economy while creating good paying jobs. We applaud Governor Murphy’s leadership in rejoining RGGI, and look forward to participating in making the program as strong and effective as possible.”
“The Governor is making good on his commitment to 100 percent clean energy by 2050 with the latest bold advancement in rejoining RGGI and the cleaner air, good local jobs, and investments in reducing cumulative impacts of pollution in environmental justice communities that go with it,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “We applaud Governor Murphy and his administration for ensuring clean energy for all New Jerseyans.”“As New Jersey moves to cleaner energy sources, Governor Murphy’s strong commitment to environmental protection and economic development is critical. Rejoining neighboring states in cutting carbon pollution—with reductions consistent with those needed to stabilize the climate— will help New Jersey get back on track in addressing climate change, while creating economic opportunities.” said Mary Barber, Director, New Jersey Clean Energy for Environmental Defense Fund. “We look forward to evaluating the details of the proposal during the upcoming public comment period, and working with the Murphy Administration to help New Jersey regain a leadership role in the region.”
The DEP today filed the proposed rules in the New Jersey Register. The filing of the rules begins a public comment process that will include two public hearings on Jan. 25, 2019. The public hearings will begin at 9 a.m. and at 1 p.m. at the DEP’s headquarters, 401 East State Street, Trenton. For a map and directions, visit www.nj.gov/dep/where.htm
Written comments must be submitted by close of business on Feb. 15, 2019. The DEP encourages comments to be submitted electronically to www.nj.gov/dep/rules/comments. Each comment should be identified by the applicable New Jersey Administrative Code citation, with the commenter’s name and affiliation following the comment. Comments on paper may be submitted to:
Alice A. Previte, Esq.
Attention: Budget Trading Program Rules Proposal Docket Number and Global Warming Solutions Fund Rule Docket Number 04-18-10.
Office of Legal Affairs
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
401 E. State Street, 7th Floor
Mail Code 401-04L
PO Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
Heather Darling, Heather is a layer from Morris County
Trenton NJ, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3, the Statute recently amended to further limit the capacity of gun magazines is being interpreted to include that law enforcement officers are not permitted to possess “large-capacity magazines” capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously into semi-automatic firearms, unless while on duty or travelling to or from an authorized place of duty. The statute is applicable to all law enforcement officers, including those subject to on-call status.
The notion that this could possibly be designed to keep citizens safe is ludicrous. While an on-duty officer is considered capable of safely possessing and operating a gun with a so-called large capacity magazine, this statute proposes that, from the moment that an officer is off-duty, he or she is no longer able to safely possess and operate a firearm with a so-called large capacity magazine.
Additionally, where law abiding citizens have been ordered to turn in the so-called large capacity magazines, criminals with illegal guns will certainly not be turning in theirs.
New Jersey already prohibits carry permits for citizens in all but the most exceptional circumstances. This places the protection of our citizens squarely on the shoulders of law enforcement officers.
It is unlikely the legislature forgetting that police officers are often aided by off-duty law enforcement personnel until back-up can arrive and, at times, it is off-duty personnel initially addressing situations until on-duty officers arrive at the scene.
Now New Jersey is limiting the ability of law enforcement officers, normally having carry permits by virtue of their training, knowledge and having passed a rigorous background check, to protect our citizens. This act of limiting the capacity of magazines in the guns carried by off-duty law enforcement officers certainly seems to demonstrate that the amendment of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3 is to further disarm citizens, including police, and remove their ability to protect themselves rather than to prevent mass casualty situations as those pushing this legislation would have us believe.
Trenton NJ, At Public Hearings Yesterday, Not a Single Person Testified in Support. Following a massive display of opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment at public hearings yesterday, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick urged the Democratic legislative leadership to remove the partisan gerrymandering scheme from the voting agendas of the Senate and General Assembly on Monday.
Sen. Tom Kean and Asm. Jon Bramnick urged the Democratic legislative leadership to stop planned votes on a partisan gerrymandering scheme following unanimous opposition at public hearings yesterday. (SenateNJ.com)
“It would be an act of utter hubris for the Democratic majorities to forge ahead with the constitutional amendment in defiance of such clear public opposition,” said Kean (R-Union). “They should demonstrate that they’ve heard the massive outcry and do the right thing by cancelling Monday’s planned votes on this partisan gerrymandering scheme.”
At simultaneous hearings in the Senate State Government Committee and Assembly Judiciary Committee, more than 140 people testified in opposition to SCR-43/SCR-152 and ACR-205. Not a single person testified in support of the proposal at either hearing.
Bramnick urged the Senate President and Assembly Speaker to demonstrate they have heard the concerns of the people by cancelling the votes planned for Monday in both chambers.
“When progressive groups and Republicans come together to oppose a bill, you know it must be a bad concept,” said Bramnick (R-Union). “The majority just wants to keep power for the rest of the century in New Jersey, but that is not how democracy works.”
Trenton NJ, Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) released the following statement addressing numerous recent incidents of unwarranted brining of State roadways.
“The lack of government response and preparedness for the first winter storm of the season was clearly a failure,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “Although it was somewhat ameliorated by the moving target forecast, there’s no question we should have been better-prepared, and more on top of the treacherous situation as it evolved.
“However, the answer for that failure is NOT to waste obscene amounts of taxpayer money by over-brining roads, every time the temperature dips below 40 degrees.
“Now, whenever you go outside on a chilly day, you see government trucks dumping thousands of dollars of resources unnecessarily onto the roads. Increasing the use of brine wastes funds and exacerbates our already deteriorated roadways. It could also adversely impact the environment by increasing salinity. Over-brining could also potentially cause lead to leach into our waterways. Taxpayers are rightfully baffled and furious.
“The administration’s response to their shortcomings during the November snowstorm should be to reevaluate their preparedness and response levels in order to ensure appropriate mobilization during an actual winter storm event. They are now swinging in the other direction: from lack of response, to wasting taxpayer money to avoid another public relations nightmare.
“We understand that there will always be unfair blame and burden placed on government during storms. It’s only fair to concede that. There are things government can and should be able to control; and then there are tricky things, like the weather. I get it. But this rapid depletion of our stock of winter resources – we all remember when we actually ran out of salt a number of years ago – and the subsequent waste of our budget money isn’t an acceptable response.
“I sincerely hope the administration reevaluates immediately, by putting the proper winter weather mitigation protocols in place, and stopping this absurd waste of resources and taxpayer funds.
“I have faith that the professionals at the Department of Transportation are aware of the mistakes that were made during the previous failure, and should be ready to balance our needs going forward. It now appears public relations decisions may be overruling professional ones. I’m asking Governor Murphy to take a step back and work with our DOT officials to strike a healthy balance here,” O’Scanlon concluded.
The NJ Conservative GOP has called on The United States Department of Justice to investigate New Jersey’s Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal.
“The role of the attorney general is to serve as the state’s chief law enforcement officer and legal advisor. While the primary tasks of the A.G. are to oversee the criminal justice system and protect the safety of the public, Grewal has put the safety of our residents in jeopardy and has turned the criminal justice system on its head with the so-called “Immigrant Trust Directive,” Danielczyk stated. “Attorney general Grewal from February of this year, has openly stated how he will fight President Trump and his immigration directives, now he and Governor Murphy have put it in writing.
It’s clear they have put the interests of the ILLEGAL immigrant, over the wellbeing of New Jersey citizens,” Danielczyk continued. “This Immigration Directive is so radical, that it goes to the extreme of NOT allowing ICE to cooperate with local law enforcement in ICE’s civil immigration enforcement operations. New Jersey is the command center for the extremely violent MS-13 gang, and it’s imperative that ICE has the full cooperation of New Jersey’s law enforcement.” Danielczyk said.
“The Murphy administration under the direction of Grewal has set free criminal ILLEGAL immigrants. Middlesex Country is notorious for releasing them. One of those Luis Rodrigo Perez, 23, who is being held without bail in Missouri was released from the custody of the Middlesex County Jail earlier this year, after an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) detainer was declined. Perez then went on to commit (3) murders in Missouri. Grewal and the Murphy administration are putting the safety of its citizens as well as those of other states at risk. The U.S. Department of Justice needs to investigate these most dangerous policy directives which allow such releases!” Danielczyk exclaimed.
“The NJ Conservative GOP also calls on the NJ Republican Party leadership to take on Attorney General Grewal and these most dangerous directives. They seem to be reluctant to do so for nary a word has been spoken by them. They need not be intimidated to speak out, for the Attorney General should be judged on the content of his character, and they shouldn’t be reluctant to do so in view of his nationality,” Danielczyk concluded.
Trenton NJ, The New Jersey State Police are reporting during the last week, law enforcement agencies in New Jersey began investigating a phone scam that threatens to harm victims’ family members if money is not wired to the caller. The most recent incident was reported to the New Jersey State Police Perryville Station.
The details of each respective occurrence vary slightly, however, there are several factors common with all of the incidents. All of the calls are made from 331-240-1294 and a computerized voice claims to be watching the victim’s house. The message directs the victim to call the above number and threatens to harm their family if money is not wired as per their instructions.
If you receive a call like the one described, please notify your local police immediately. DO NOT, under any circumstance, call the number back or wire money to the caller.
The incidents are currently under investigation and there is no additional information available at this time.
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