50 N.J. patients registering for medical marijuana
Advocates for medical marijuana say they are not surprised by a slow start for the registry of patients eligible to access the drug legally in the state.
The state Department of Health said Wednesday that since the registry opened on Aug. 9, 21 patients have begun the process of signing up for permission to use the drug, which is otherwise illegal.
Under New Jersey’s procedures, a patient can submit an application only after a physician has declared he or she meets the qualifications. The state says 50 patients have been declared eligible by doctors so far.
Earlier Wednesday, the health department said 18 people had applied and 44 had been identified by doctors as eligible. (Associated Press)
‘Black box’ standards coming for cars
By Pete Kasperowicz – 08/14/12 09:13 AM ET
New federal standards for “black boxes” that record information leading up to auto accidents will will take effect Sept. 1, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ruled on Tuesday.
The decision means the new standards for the devices will not be delayed by one year, as automakers had requested.
The federal standards will apply only to cars that are voluntarily outfitted with event data recorders (EDRs), also known as black boxes. But while the government does not yet require all cars to have black boxes installed, NHTSA is still thought to be considering a federal mandate as a next step, possibly this year.
NHTSA standards for black boxes were proposed in 2006, but have been delayed since then. In 2009, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers suggested a delay to Sept. 1, 2013, arguing that this would give auto companies more time to work with original equipment manufacturers to ensure the standard can be met.
‘Texting Thumb’ A Growing Health Condition
August 13, 2012 11:47 AM
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – If you’re an active cell phone user, you may be developing a growing health condition: texting thumb.
According to Jefferson University Hospital, texting thumb—a form of tendinitis in the thumbs—is one of the most common ailments seen by hand specialists today.
Dr. Eon Shin, a Jefferson orthopedic surgeon, says the increasing use of cell phones and computers have led to the overuse of our hands and wrists, leading to a rise in “techno-injuries,” especially among gen-Xers.
Fortunately, texting thumb can be treated fairly simply.
According to Dr. Shin, most people with texting thumb can treat it with simple rest or physical therapy..
What happened? I leave for vacation and the place goes to hell?? Lol
So, Al gets another letter in TRN? Saw it today. Maybe next week we will have Mary Walker’s response to Al’s response to Mary’s response to Al’s letter.
I may have to quit buying TRN again. My dogs have already been paper trained.
W.T.F.
Partisan politics and Fourth of July festivities
Friday, August 3, 2012
The Ridgewood News
Partisan politics and Fourth of July festivities
To the Editor:
In answer to the responses I’ve seen on the Tea Party and the Fourth of July parade, let me say that it’s not my place to judge the ideas of the Tea Party or to question the patriotism of its members. But it does not represent everyone, and, despite its rhetoric, it does not have the market cornered on patriotism.
Across this state and this country, this self-described grassroots movement is very active in the political process, including campaigns and elections, and in some places it is embedded in the inner workings of the Republican Party. Anyone who doubts that the Tea Party is a political action movement with a specific political agenda need only look at its literature or go online to one of its websites and read its manifesto. It’s all there in plain sight.
As for the parade, most Ridgewood residents I’ve heard from prefer a non-partisan, patriotic celebration of the Fourth that highlights community service.
A few residents I’ve talked with think it should be open to political movements such as the Tea Party. But I believe that demeans the parade and reduces it to a demonstration platform for any political movement or party.
Ridgewood’s parade has been special because it consisted of those residents and people from neighboring towns who make our community and our country better through their service and sacrifice, and they do so without regard to anyone’s politics or views on taxes or immigration, or how publicly we choose to wear our appreciation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The Tea Party is unlike any other participant in this event, and I believe that many of us don’t want it or any other partisan political group in our parade.
How the States Would Be Affected by Extension of the Bush Tax Cuts and Other Provisions
August 3,2012
Andrew Lundeen – Tax Foundation
With just five months to go until the largest tax increase since World War II, a.k.a. “Taxmageddon”, some people are getting concerned about the impact on the economy. This week the House will vote on a GOP proposal to extend through 2013 the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 and the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) patch, two of the largest components of Taxmageddon.
The larger of these is actually the AMT patch, which would save middle- and high-income taxpayers about $193 billion, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). Extension of the Bush tax cuts, which are more evenly distributed, would save taxpayers about $179 billion. The bill also extends for one year estate and gift tax provisions, saving taxpayers $31 billion, and small business expensing, worth $581 million.
The total tax relief is estimated at $403 billion, or about 2.7 percent of the economy, and almost all of it would be immediately felt in 2013. As such, it would forestall many of the economy crushing aspects of Taxmageddon, while setting the stage for comprehensive tax reform next year.
All 50 states would benefit from this bill, though some more than others. Table 1 shows our estimates of the tax relief for each state, based on the latest IRS data on the distribution of income, tax credits, and deductions within each state. The first column is total aggregate tax relief in millions of dollars, the next column is tax relief as a share of state income (AGI), and the last column is tax relief per tax filer.
Generally, high-income states would receive the largest tax relief, because they pay the most taxes under our extremely progressive federal income tax code. They are also the states most affected by the AMT. New York, for instance, would save about $50 billion in taxes, or 7.99 percent of income, if these tax cuts were extended, including the AMT patch. That amounts to $5,418 per tax filer. More than half of that (62 percent) is due to the AMT patch. California would save about $71 billion in taxes, or 6.87 percent of income, if all tax cuts were extended. That amounts to $4,229 per tax filer. Again, more than half of that (60 percent) is due to the AMT patch.
At the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi would save about $1.7 billion in taxes, or 3.19 percent of income, if all tax cuts were extended. That is $1,327 per filer. Less than 1/3rd (28 percent) of that is due to the AMT patch. Tennessee would save about $4.4 billion in taxes, which is 3.21 percent of income or $1,533 per tax filer. Only about 1/4th of that is due to the AMT patch.
‘Real’ Unemployment Rate Shows Far More Jobless
Published: Thursday, 2 Aug 2012 | 2:52 PM
By: Jeff Cox
CNBC.com Senior Writer
While the national unemployment rate paints a grim picture, a look at individual states and their so-called real jobless rates becomes even more troubling.
The government’s most widely publicized unemployment rate measures only those who are out of a job and currently looking for work. It does not count discouraged potential employees who have quit looking, nor those who are underemployed — wanting to work full-time but forced to work part-time.
For that count, the government releases a separate number called the “U-6,” which provides a more complete tally of how many people really are out of work.
The numbers in some cases are startling.
Consider: Nevada’s U-6 rate is 22.1 percent, up from just 7.6 percent in 2007. Economically troubled California has a 20.3 percent real rate, while Rhode Island is at 18.3 percent, more than double its 8.3 percent rate in 2007.
Those numbers compare especially unfavorably to the national rate, high in itself at 14.9 percent though off its record peak of 17.2 percent in October 2009.
Only three states — Nebraska (9.1 percent), South Dakota (8.6 percent) and North Dakota (6.1 percent) — have U-6 rates under 10 percent, according to research from RBC Capital Markets.
‘When it rains, it [really does] pour,’ according to study of extreme weather
If it seems like when it rains, it pours these days, it apparently is more often the case.
At least that is the conclusion of a new study by Environment New Jersey, which analyzed reams of state data from the National Climatic Data Center dating back to 1948 through 2011.
Photo by Boyd Loving
The new report found that heavy downpours that used to happen every 12 months on average in New Jersey now occur every nine months on average. Moreover, the biggest storms are getting bigger. The largest annual storms in New Jersey now produce 22 percent more precipitation, on average than they did 65 years ago, according to the study. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
>…it seems the Glen Rock Patch has spearheaded a drive to revitalize the downtown garage project .The council or most of the council except Paul would only say that a private/ public partnership to save the tax payers from funding the whole amount would be the only way to go .Given the said garage was built on Village property, the Village would consider a deferment of the property taxes for say 10 years. Oh of coarse you didn’t read all that in the Patch it was all about Paul and his buzz words which are also being spread by several other candidates and proxy Dom in the current Patch-Paul-Valley-talking points memo that should be all the rage at Village cocktail parties this weekend .
But the fly has seen’em come and seen’em go and one mans garage is a taxpayers Xanadu and as we know these things always seems to go back to the same old taxpayer funded socialize the risk and save the profit for your politically connected friends which is as DOA as the “Action park” redo of Graydon pool.
re: “If your boss came to you and said “It’s time to renegotiate your compensation package”, are you all honestly expecting us to believe you would say, “Well, the economy is hurting and I know this company is running on fumes now, so let’s forgo the raise and benefits for the good of the company”.”
No, we wouldn’t say that… we’d say:
“Well, the economy is hurting and I know this company is running on fumes now, so let’s forgo the raise and benefits so the company stays in business and I can keep my job”.
OR
“Well, the economy is hurting and I know this company is running on fumes now, so let’s forgo the raise and benefits while I put my resume out there ASAP and pray that the company stays in business long enough for me to find a new job and move to a more financially stable company.”.
You are so clueless.
Companies cut back and fire and layoff people when they have no money.
Schools are very restricted in their ability to do this due to unions and legal constraints
Companies go out of business.
Schools cannot.
Companies can’t pay for things with money they do not have.
Schools can raid the taxpayers for more money
People do not have jobs guaranteed for life.
Teachers do
People are responsible for their own personal financial situation – they leave bad situations.
Teachers rarely leave
People cannot force a company to pay them for things with money they do not have.
Unions do
You can negotiate with the company and get what you want, but they will compensate in some other manner… they may pay Peter more money by firing Paul.
Teachers have lifetime guaranteed jobs
You blame “the SYSTEM”. What a weak and “uneducated” response.
First of all, “the SYSTEM” is comprised of people – it is not some autonomous monster over which you have no control (although this is a convenient place for you to hide).
Secondly – if you think “the SYSTEM” is broken, don’t bemoan it like a weak victim – try to fix it and support those who are attempting to reform it – don’t hide behind it and fight for it.
The teacher’s union (and the teachers in their support for the union) is acting like spoiled ignorant greedy children.
It is not surprising, when they react like spoiled ignorant greedy children when caught and confronted with their bad behavior.
And like spoiled ignorant greedy children, they do not appreciate the good thing that they have.
>March 22 PSE&G Paving in Ridgewood- List of Locations
This is to inform you that our company is scheduling to work in Ridgewood on Thursday March 22, 2012. We will be milling and paving over where PSE&G previously installed the gas mains on S.Broad St between Leonard Pl. and E. Ridgewood Ave.,on Dayton Street from S. Maple to Hope Street and on East Side Ave. from Maxwell Pl to Grove St
Watch out what you wish for, general public! I am a teacher. You all keep saying that we should join the public sector if we are so unhappy. If we did, that would create a glut in the marketplace on jobs (an ever bigger one than there is now) and we’d be competing with YOU for your jobs. Want that? I don’t see any of you in the private sector beating down our doors to come into the trenches and teach today’s distracted youth.
I work hard at my job every day. NO, I am not complaining. I am proud and stating a fact. I am asked EVERY year to do more and more. Now I am liable to report each and every bullying instance I hear/see/hear tell of, etc. I can get sued if I don’t and something happens. More paperwork, more distraction from doing my job, which is to teach.
>NJ has mandated that teachers pay a greater share of healthcare premiums. But the annual increase is still FAR FAR below the actual increase in costs.
Information has been seriously miscommunicated and this needs to be corrected.
For over forty years, Ridgewood teachers have contributed towards health care costs. In June, a legal mandate was passed whereby public school employees were required to contribute additional money towards health care; a four-year phase-in was created. This year, the REA’s medical contribution to the BOE is $800,000the following year $1.4 million culminating in 2013-14 with medical contributions to the BOE reaching $2.1 million based on current premium costs. As health costs rise, so does the % of contribution. In three years, the Ridgewood BOE will have collected over $4 million in employee contributions. This money comes directly from teacher contributions and isn’t being culled from add’l school taxes. Teachers are asking for a fair contract based on a more equitable distribution of these BOE funds
How about if you REALLY correct the misinformation and tell the WHOLE story. What percentage of his/her health care premium does the individual teacher currently pay? What percentage does the teacher pay for family care? And what are the yearly increases in the percentage, based on the law?
I’ll let you fill in those percentages (forget the total $$ amount, it means nothing without context).
How much is the real COST of the premiums increasing this year? I’ve got that one — 20%. And that’s a typical annual increase.
What do you mean that in three years the BOE will have “collected” $4 million in employee contributions? Where do you think that money will be? Not sitting in the bank, no, it will have been spent each of those three years — every last penny of it plus MUCH MORE — on paying your premium costs. Where do you think the rest of the money to pay the FULL premium cost will have come from? Yes, as you put it, “culled from taxes.” Now can you see the problem?
You are making the mistake — as teachers’ union groupthink has done for generations — to think that any funds which the district has must be “distributed” equitably. When some aid comes in, or a savings is reached, the union’s immediate thought is “give some to the teachers.” That is no way to run a business.
You are correct, the state of NJ has mandated that teachers pay a greater share of healthcare premiums. But the annual increase is still FAR FAR below the actual increase in costs. With the state cap on the amount the district can raise taxes, the system simply cannot continue to stand. The deficit between costs and income can only come by cutting programs.
>Ridgewood Knights of Columbus to Host Pancake Breakfast.
Ridgewood-NJ-March 11, 2012: The Ridgewood Knights of Columbus will be hosting a pancake breakfast on Saturday March 31st, from 9:30 a.m. until 12 noon in the parish center of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, One Passaic Street in Ridgewood. In addition to a special appearance from the Easter Bunny, attendees will have an opportunity to meet former New York Giants legend Jeff Feagles.
A donation is requested of $10 per child under 13, $15 for adults and a maximum of $40 per family. All the pancakes and sausages you can eat! Proceeds will fund the Knights’ local charities. For additional information, please call Brian Conn at 201-444-0752.
>State approves reopening of Pascack Valley Hospital Monday, February 27, 2012 Last updated: Tuesday February 28, 2012, 12:12 AM BY LINDY WASHBURN AND BY CHRIS HARRIS STAFF WRITERS
The state health commissioner approved the reopening of Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood on Monday, delivering a victory to thousands of residents in northeastern Bergen County who rallied behind the proposal and capping an epic struggle among three local hospitals over the future shape of health care in the region.
The new, 128-bed hospital will be the first for-profit, all-private-room hospital in Bergen County. It is a joint venture between Hackensack University Medical Center and LHP Hospital Group Inc., an investment and management firm located in Plano, Texas.
“Today is a great day for the people of the Pascack and Northern valleys who have waited so long and labored so hard to reopen their community hospital,” said Robert C. Garrett, Hackensack’s chief executive officer.
Power generators at a plant in New Jersey spin wildly out of control, then grind to a halt.
Other utilities step in to carry the extra load, but they, too, suffer internal malfunctions. Soon, cascading outages take out the power grid in the eastern half of the country — all carefully timed to happen in the dead of winter. The natural gas network is next.
But this isn’t like the week without power in parts of Central Jersey caused by downed limbs and trees felled by the freak October snowstorm. Power is out for much longer because the heavily damaged equipment is difficult to replace.(Serrano, Gannett)
