>State issues first permits for offshore wind farm
The first company to file an application to build an offshore wind farm off the coast of Atlantic City is also the earliest to win crucial environmental permits from the state. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0407/0049/
>Pay-to-play laws prompt drop in campaign donations
Political contributions from government contractors have declined nearly 40 percent in the five years since state law began requiring “pay-to-play” donations to be identified in annual reports. (Symons, Gannett)
>Christie to detail teacher evaluations plans today
Gov. Chris Christie, who has clashed with the public teachers union since shortly after entering the 2009 race for governor, will lay out new details on his teacher evaluation and tenure reform proposals in a speech today, according to two administration officials. (The Associated Press)
>Ryan: Debt on Track to Hit 800 Percent of GDP; ‘CBO Can’t Conceive of Any Way’ Economy Can Continue Past 2037
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
By Nicholas Ballasy
(CNSNews.com) – House Budget Chairman Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said President Barack Obama’s budget strategy is to “do nothing, punt, duck, kick the can down the road” while the debt remains on track to eventually hit 800 percent of GDP. Ryan added that the CBO is saying it “can’t conceive of any way” that the economy can continue past 2037 given its current trajectory.
Ryan also said that the House Republicans’ FY2012 budget, which he unveiled yesterday, would save Medicare and help the United States avoid a debt crisis.
https://cnsnews.com/news/article/rep-ryan-obama-s-budget-path-do-nothing
>New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Calls His State’s Teachers Union ‘Political Thugs’
Christie Tells Diane Sawyer He Won’t Run for President in 2012, But Will His Friend Donald Trump?
BY BRADLEY BLACKBURN
April 6, 2011
New Jersey’s Gov. Chris Christie took another shot at his state’s teachers today by describing their union leaders as “political thugs.”
In an interview with ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer, Christie offered no apology for his often tough talk that has left some teachers feeling bruised. He also talked about the presidential possibilities of both himself and his “friend” Donald Trump, and criticism by Jersey rock icon Bruce Springsteen.
While sitting in the school library at Lincoln School in Kearney, N.J., Christie told Sawyer that it’s essential for his state’s education system to change and he blames the teachers union for the harsh cuts his administration is making, that includes layoffs and larger classrooms.
“I believe the teachers in New Jersey in the main are wonderful public servants that care deeply. But their union, their union are a group of political thugs,” Christie said.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/jersey-governor-chris-christie-calls-teachers-union-political/story?id=13310446
>Readers are looking for roll back on automatic pay increases for Teachers
All I know is that this contract had better roll back some of the automatic pay increases that were granted while every other resident saw reduced income in the past 3 years. Pay increases should have nothing to do with seniority and everything to do with performance. Pay our best teachers more and reduce pay for our under-performing teachers. Eliminate tenure and let’s get back to a truly high performing school district, instead of paying lip service to ideals from days gone by.
It is not acceptable to ask taxpayers for a tax increase in order to pay for budget to pay for endless annual pay raises for all teachers. Nor do I see any reason for the budget to increase over previous years. Let’s start taking cost out of the school budget, by addressing the real driver of 80% of the costs in the budget
>New map protects old guard
Change may not be coming anytime soon to South Jersey, thanks to a new legislative map that appears to protect Democratic incumbents here. (Roh, Gannett)
https://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20110406/NEWS01/104060354/1006/New-map-protects-old-guard
>ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE? DEADLINE IS APRIL 6 TO VOTE IN THE ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27
Wednesday, April 6, is the deadline for registering to vote in the Annual School Election.
Any registered voter can choose to vote by mail-in ballot. April 26 is the deadline for mail-in ballots to be received.
Click here for more information on voter registration and mail-in ballots.
NEW! Click here to go to the New Jersey School Boards Association’s special voter information website, Vote April 27. The site contains a variety of information for parents, seniors, students and voters, related to the upcoming school election on April 27.
>N.J. treasurer lists range of cuts if Supreme Court rules against Christie in schools funding case
New Jersey could face wide-ranging budget cuts targeting Medicaid, pre-schools and hospitals if the state Supreme Court rules more money must be set aside for school districts, State treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff told lawmakers today. (Rizzo, The Star-Ledger)
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/nj_treasurer_lists_range_of_cu.html
>Gov. Chris Christie to appoint education task force to study N.J. regulation of schools
Gov. Chris Christie announced Monday that he will appoint a task force to recommend ways to reduce state rules governing public education and said more of those decisions should be controlled locally. (Symons, Gannett)
>Republican Budget Plan to Eliminate National Debt: Ryan
By: Jeff Cox
The Republican budget proposal will eliminate the national debt while still preserving costly entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security, Rep. Paul Ryan told CNBC.
House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., holds a copy of his budget proposal ‘The Path to Prosperity’ during a news conference on the FY2012 budget resolution on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Speaking just hours before the spending plan gets its formal introduction before Congress, Ryan, head of the House Budget Committee, said the debt will peak at 74.5 percent of gross domestic product in 2014 and then drop from there.
https://www.cnbc.com/id/42429728
>GOP Budget Proposal: ‘Not a Penny’ for Obamacare
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
By Terence P. Jeffrey
(CNSNews.com) – The fiscal 2012 budget proposal unveiled today by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R.-Wis.) offers sweeping reforms in federal spending, including defunding and repealing the health-care law signed last year by President Barack Obama and converting the federal share of the Medicaid program into block grants to state governments.
The Republican proposal says one of its aims is “making sure that not a penny goes toward implementing the new [health care] law” enacted last year.
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/gop-budget-proposal-making-sure-not-penn
>48% Say Their Views Closer to Tea Party Than Congress
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
In the ongoing budget-cutting debate in Washington, some congressional Democrats have accused their Republican opponents of being held captive by the Tea Party movement, but voters like the Tea Party more than Congress.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters say when it comes to the major issues facing the country, their views are closer to the average Tea Party member as opposed to the average member of Congress. Just 22% say their views are closest to those of the average congressman. Even more (30%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
>The RHS Class of ’75 and ’76 are combining to hold a Ridgewood High School Reunion from July 15th-17th this summer!!
Our agenda includes:
July 15th: Mason Jar (Mahwah) Meet & Greet from 7pm onward.
July 16th: Lester Stables Family Picnic from 12 Noon – 3pm
RHS Tour from 3pm-5pm
Park Ridge Marriott Dinner/Dance from 7pm to Midnight
If you would like to attend, please send your $100 check to (and made out to) Kathleen Gabrielle
at 396 Frances Place, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.
Please email [email protected] with comments or questions.
Thanks!!!
-Mitch
>Kelly –
After considerable thought, I’ve decided to remove my name from consideration for a board seat.
I’ve been unable to spend the required amount of time needed to become informed on all of the issues facing the candidates and voters this year.
Regards –
Gerry Clark
