Anti-bullying events at N.J. schools – since 2011, it’s the law
At Moorestown’s South Valley Elementary School, third graders listened Wednesday to author Staci Schwartz read from her new book about a misbehaving goat named Billy who picks on other “kids.”
Earlier this week, in Washington Township, Bells Elementary students made new friends, worked on their manners, and helped out grown-ups.
In schools throughout the region, assemblies have been scheduled, posters made, and discussions held, all on a central theme: Bullying is out and respect in.
This is the second annual Week of Respect for New Jersey children. All public districts and charter schools are required to provide age-appropriate instruction aimed at preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying.
The week is but one aspect of the state’s far-reaching Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. Signed into law in early 2011 by Gov. Christie – not long after the suicide of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, whose roommate used a webcam to watch him kiss another man – the measure has been called one of the strongest of its kind in the nation. (Giordano, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
Simulating the Economic Effects of Romney’s Tax Plan
Tax Foundation Runs the Numbers on Proposed Tax Reform Package
Washington, D.C., October 3, 2012—A new analysis of Mitt Romney’s tax reform package by the Tax Foundation has revealed that, given realistic assumptions about its long-term impact, the plan would result in rising wages and increased economic growth. Economic simulations run by Tax Foundation Senior Fellow Stephen Entin and Chief Economist William McBride also debunk charges that Romney’s planned tax cuts on high-income households would increase the tax burden on low- and middle-income households.
“While the debate over tax reform has been consumed with distributional issues, the economy continues to limp along in the worst recovery since the Great Depression,” said McBride. “To be sure, this economy faces headwinds that even an ideal tax code will not address, but pro-growth tax reform can provide substantial benefits.”
The Tax Foundation’s results indicate that by lowering tax rates on investment and labor, the Romney tax plan would grow the economy by 7.4 percent, the capital stock by almost 19 percent, wages by almost 5 percent, and hours worked by 3 percent. The benefits would be widely enjoyed, as every income group would experience at least a 7 percent increase in after-tax income. It would benefit the federal budget as well, in that fully 60 percent of the initial revenue loss from Romney’s plan would be recovered from taxing a larger economy.
Economists recognize that there is more to a tax cut than the immediate increase in wealth of the recipient. If investment taxes are lowered, investment increases, because investors expect to keep more of their after-tax returns, and more people become investors. If taxes on wages are lowered, more people work and more people work harder. The benefits from these things spill over beyond the immediate actors. Businesses invest in equipment and new hires, leading to more productive workers, higher wages, and ultimately satisfied customers.
Tax Foundation Fiscal Fact No. 330, “Simulating the Economic Effects of Romney’s Tax Plan” by Stephen Entin and William McBride is available online.
The Tax Foundation is a nonpartisan research organization that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937. To schedule an interview, please contact Richard Morrison, the Tax Foundation’s Manager of Communications, at 202-464-5102 or [email protected].
10 Questions for the First Presidential Debate
Amy Payne
October 3, 2012 at 9:05 am https://tinyurl.com/9xulw36
Tonight’s debate between President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney is supposed to focus on domestic policy, with a major concentration on the economy. Health care, the role of government, and philosophy of governing are also on the agenda. The Heritage Foundation’s policy experts have submitted 10 questions they would like to see asked in the debate.
1. In 2008, then-candidate Obama said, “Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase.” In reality, President Obama’s signature health care law contains 18 new or increased taxes and penalties that will cost taxpayers $836.3 billion over the next 10 years, many of which fall heavily on the middle class. In fact, almost 70 percent of those responsible for paying the fiercely debated individual mandate are below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Should these tax increases be stopped to protect middle-class Americans from their damage? If yes, where would the money needed to help pay for Obamacare come from?
2. Millions of baby boomers are starting to retire, and spending on Social Security and Medicare as these programs are currently structured is simply unsustainable. What is your plan to solve the looming entitlement program spending crisis?
3. Medicare as we know it today is facing severe financing problems that are unsustainable and putting future generations’ Medicare benefits in jeopardy. Over the long term, Medicare has made $37 trillion worth of promises to seniors that it cannot keep and the hospital insurance trust fund will be empty by 2024. Worse, the President’s health care law will cut Medicare by $716 billion over the next 10 years to pay for new spending in Obamacare. As Medicare’s solvency hangs in the balance, what structural reforms, if any, are you willing to make to preserve Medicare for future generations?
4. Everyone talks about shoring up our battered American Dream. How would you define the American Dream and what do you think are the most serious threats to it?
5. The Health and Human Services Department recently rewrote the law governing welfare to weaken its work requirements. Meanwhile, the number of people relying on food stamps has doubled under the current Administration. Should all able-bodied recipients be required to work or prepare for work as a condition of receiving aid in public housing, food stamps, and cash assistance?
6. The federal government is currently spending much more than it has, and annual budget deficits over $1 trillion have become the norm. What is your plan to stem the tide of deficits and rising debt?
7. One of the few bright spots in America’s economy has been energy production, particularly on state and private lands. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), energy production decreased 13 percent on federal lands in fiscal year (FY) 2011 when compared to FY 2010. What would you do to reverse course on energy production on federal lands?
8. Congress—most notably the Senate, which hasn’t produced a budget in over three years—is sorely lacking in its basic responsibility of budgeting. What would you do to ensure the fundamental process of budgeting is restored?
9. President Obama has previously stated that, in the most important 5 percent of cases before the courts, it matters more what is in a judge’s heart (what has come to be known as his empathy standard) than what the rule of law requires. Is this the correct standard by which to evaluate judicial nominees? If not, what standard would you apply?
10. Former Attorney General of Mexico Victor Humberto Benítez Treviño estimated that approximately 300 Mexican citizens have been killed using Fast and Furious weapons in addition to U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Should Eric Holder resign as Attorney General because of his failures related to Operation Fast and Furious, including his failure to properly supervise the operation? If not, why not?
‘Jersey Shore’ canceled amid ratings slump on MTV
August 30, 2012
By: Bruce Baker
“Jersey Shore” canceled? The latest MTV news about the reality show says Snooki, The Situation, JWoww and other cast are in their last season amid falling ratings. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who spoke openly about his disdain for the show, is undoubtedly giving himself high-fives over the show’s departure from television.
According to a Los Angeles Times report Thursday, the uber-tanned bunch of dames and blokes on the MTV series are fading to black after six seasons of raising hell in Seaside Heights.
The reality television series was an instant hit in 2009 when it debuted. At its peak, over 8 million viewers watched a return of the wise-guy vernacular.
While “Jersey Shore,” canceled after its sixth season, closes a chapter in the MTV playbook, cast members like Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jennifer “JWoww” Farley won’t be leaving reality TV. .
AT&T on ambitious buying spree to catch Verizon in airwaves race
Published: Thursday, August 30, 2012, 1:52 PM
AT&T is cobbling together about $2.6 billion in deals for airwaves to catch up with Verizon Wireless, which has vaulted ahead in the race to stockpile the industry’s most precious asset.
AT&T has proposed at least 24 deals in the past four months for the rights to spectrum, the radio waves used to transmit mobile-phone calls and data connections. Verizon won U.S. approval on Aug. 23 to buy airwave rights from Comcast Corp. and three other cable companies for $3.9 billion.
In addition to keeping up with Verizon, AT&T’s buying spree is an effort to relieve pressure on its network as data traffic from smartphones and tablets taxes its wireless coverage, said Chris King, an analyst with Stifel Nicolaus & Co. in Baltimore. Acquiring more government licenses to use spectrum gives companies greater capacity on their networks to handle demand.
Annual Street Fair Sponsored by Ridgewood Parks and Recreation
ANNUAL STREET FAIR, SEPTEMBER 23RD Ridgewood Parks and Recreation will again sponsor this seasonal outdoor market on Sunday, September 23rd, 12 noon to 5 pm, on East Ridgewood Avenue (rain or shine).
There is no fee to attend. Vendor wares will include arts and crafts, jewelry, holiday ornaments, novelties of many sorts, home goods, and clothing and accessories. Children’s events will include pony rides, sand art, a petting zoo, inflatables and more. The food court offers a wide variety of refreshments.
Allendale is seeking operator for its water system
Thursday, August 30, 2012
BY JAMES M. O’NEILL
STAFF WRITER
The Record
ALLENDALE — Faced with rising costs to meet state drinking-water standards and upgrade its old pipes, the borough plans to contract out the operation of its municipal water system to a larger company.
The move reflects a growing trend nationally, as cash-strapped local governments look to save money by hiring large water companies that have the economies of scale to run their water systems and bring down costs.
“Regulations are becoming very stringent, and it’s difficult for a small water department like ours to keep up with all the testing and other requirements. It’s getting more and more costly,” Mayor Vince Barra said Wednesday.
After Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974, the initial regulations covered no more than a handful of pages. Today, they cover some 300 — not including the manuals issued to help interpret those rules, said Howard J. Woods Jr., a private water-industry consultant. Technology to identify contaminants in water has leapfrogged since the mid-1970s.
“The business of operating a water system continues to grow more complex,” said Woods. “Small water systems are really going to be challenged to keep up, and that costs a lot of money and requires a lot of expertise.”
Avo Heritage Super Toro in stock now at the Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood
Avo Heritage Super Toro is now in stock!
The latest addition to the AVO Heritage series is the AVO Heritage
‘Special Toro’ – produced only in limited quantities. The ‘Special
Toro’ is the first AVO cigar to be composed with a 60 ring gauge.
It is comprised of specially fermented tobaccos that
were hand selected by Avo Uvezian and Hendrik Kelner. The
percentage of Ligero tobaccos creates a spicy, full-bodied cigar with
complex flavor and exhilarating palate stimulation.
Now available at
The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood
~Gary, Barbara and Collin
The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood | 10 Chestnut Street | Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201-447-2204 | Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00AM – 5:30PM and Thursday Night 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Apple’s $1 Billion Verdict May Lead To Samsung Sales Ban
By Joel Rosenblatt – Aug 26, 2012 2:03 AM ET
Apple Inc. (AAPL) won more than $1 billion after a jury found Samsung Electronics Co. infringed six of seven patents for its mobile devices in a verdict that may lead to a ban on U.S. sales of handheld electronics a judge deems to violate Apple’s rights.
Apple won less than half of what it sought in damages in the first lawsuit to go before a U.S. jury in the fight to dominate the global smartphone market, though U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh may later triple the damages against Samsung under federal law. Samsung avoided a finding of damages for antitrust law violations or breach of contract.
Americans Having Fewer Babies Crimping Consumer Spending
By Steve Matthews – Aug 21, 2012 4:11 PM ET
Debra Mollen, 41, a psychology professor in Denton, Texas, said she and her husband don’t plan to have children as they strive to pay down their mortgage and save for retirement.
“Children are really expensive,” Mollen said, and the 2008 financial crisis shows the importance of building a nest egg. “Retirement is not an option for a lot of folks.”
Mollen isn’t alone, as Americans have had fewer babies each year since the 2008 financial meltdown, with births falling to a 12-year low in 2011, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The low birth rate and reduced immigration resulted in the smallest gain in population since World War II, which may hurt spending on everything from Huggies diapers to pregnancy kits, child care and education.
“Consumption bumps up when families have children,” said Dean Maki, chief U.S. economist at Barclays Plc in New York, who worked at the Federal Reserve from 1995 to 2000, and researched household finances. “The fact we are seeing fewer births is something of a drag on consumer spending. To the extent this turns out to be a persistent trend, it is something to be worried about.”
The population increased by 0.92 percent, or 2.8 million people, to 311.6 million from the end of the decennial population count on April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2011, the slowest rate over a similar period since the mid-1940s, the Census Bureau said.
Attorney says Ridgewood is required to make Graydon Park accessible
TUESDAY AUGUST 21, 2012, 10:07 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The village is legally responsible to ensure that the entire facility at Graydon Park conforms to all regulations set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when Ridgewood’s governing body proceeds with plans to improve accessibility into the pool, legal officials confirmed last week.
Members of the Village Council last month discussed the possibility of modifying preliminary plans for a new ADA ramp leading into the water, but the topic was left open for future dialogue following a debate over the municipality’s legal accessibility obligations.
Mayor Paul Aronsohn picked up the conversation last week and verified that accessibility compliance regulations differ for public and private entities.
“Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, private businesses and private homes only have a legal obligation to make accessibility changes if they’re undertaking a major renovation. The question is: We’re not making major renovations with Graydon, do we still have a legal obligation?” Aronsohn said during last week’s work session.
Village Attorney Matt Rogers detailed the ADA and explained how it will impact Ridgewood’s plans to improve accessibility at the pool.
An extremely important movie out currently and is in a few states right now – – It is called simply “2016”. Author is Dinesh D’Souza, college president in New York and author of many New York Times best sellers. The movie is from Gerald R. Molen, producer of Academy Award winning Schindler’s List, Jurrasic Park , Brave Heart.
It explains in plain language who Barack Obama really is, what he stands for, and the dangers of him being reelected for another four years.
Movie – “2016 Obama’s America” – will be shown at AMC Theater in Paramus. September 6 – We believe the show time will be 7:00 pm, but you will have to call the theatre to confirm and try to get your tickets ahead of schedule – Mark your calendars, especially those of you who are not on the internet. This is a joint effort with various Tp groups in the area. Teaming up with local TP’s in this effort Tickets will be $12.50 per person – try brining a friend to spread the word .
Private Tea Party Showing , 2016 Obama’s America, AMC Garden State Plaza , 7 pm Thursday, September 6, Tickets $12.50 each .Tickets not available from the box office .Consult your local Tea Party or contact [email protected].
or Phone 201 891-5918.
56 % of Swing-State Voters Say not better off than they were four years ago
Divided as to whether they would be better off in four years under Obama or Romney
by Jeffrey M. Jones
PRINCETON, NJ — A majority of voters in key 2012 election swing states say they are not better off than they were four years ago; 40% say they are better off. Swing-state voters’ assessments of their situation compared with 2008 have varied little since last fall.
Activists to take on Capitol Hill: Lay off our milk, lemonade
Milk and lemonade may seem like the staples of youthful innocence, but on Saturday a group of activists hope to turn them into the tools of protests when they take to the Capitol to demand the government stop interfering in sales of fresh milk and stop shutting down kids’ lemonade stands.
The Raw Milk freedom Riders and Lemonade Freedom Day, two separate groups that each want the government out of their transactions, are unifying their voices, saying that together they can drive home a message that the government should butt out.
“This issue is not just about raw milk and it’s not just about lemonade. It’s about every individual’s right to consume the food of their choice,” said Robert Fernandes, founder of Lemonade Freedom Day.
The food freedom movement has grown dramatically in recent years, spurred by consumers looking for alternatives to supermarkets and big-brand items — and has faced pressure from local authorities, in the case of lemonade stands, and from federal authorities in the case of milk.
The Food and Drug Administration has deemed unpasteurized milk harmful and, while it cannot interfere with sales in the 30 or so states that allow them, it can prevent farmers, stores and coops from selling across lines to states where fresh milk is illegal.
America’s first black governor Douglas Wilder tells Joe Biden: ‘Slavery is nothing to joke about.’
America’s first black governor in modern times has become the most senior Democrat to break ranks over Joe Biden’s ‘y’all in chains’ comments, telling the Vice President: ‘Slavery is nothing to joke about.’
Douglas Wilder, who was governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1994 and the first black governor since Reconstruction, told CNN that ‘without question’ Biden’s remarks in Danville, Virginia (though the veep seemed to think he was in North Carolina) ‘were appeals to race’.
He continued: ‘The important thing I got out of this was Biden separated himself from what he accused the people of doing. As a matter of fact, what he said is they are going to do something to y’all, not to me. Not us. So he was still involved with that separate American.
‘As far as I am concerned, the President would not associate himself with those remarks. And I expect as the days go forward there will be more clarity associated with what the president feels about what Joe Biden said.
