By Jason Rhode | July 6, 2017 | 10:55am
Chip Somodevilla
Cory Booker, the Senator from New Jersey of the Closed Beaches, has decided to stop taking money from Big Pharma. For the time being.
Big Pharma loves Booker. Booker loves Big Pharma. But for now, their romance must be the love that dare not speak its name. Booker wants to be President. He needs to base to support him. Hence the freeze-out.
To heal his career wound, Booker needs a medicine more expensive than the ones he helps Big Pharma with. This would be delicious irony, except this sort of thing keeps happening to a certain set of progressive politicians: they are boosted as the last best hope of Earth, before being found out as centrist sellouts. If Booker’s disgrace is poetic justice, then it is poetry which rhymes—no matter how these plastic reformers start, their ends are the same. We need a term to describe the interval of time between initiation as a progressive politician and discovery that the politician is not so progressive.
A federal judge in New Jersey has denied a request by Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s co-defendant to delay their upcoming trial on corruption charges.
July 6, 2017, at 8:21 a.m.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A federal judge in New Jersey has denied a request by Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s co-defendant to delay their upcoming trial on corruption charges.
Judge William Walls ruled against eye doctor Salomon Melgen’s request Wednesday to delay the September trial.
New Jersey is too often the last in the nation to make a sensible change, such as its unique and onerous ban on pumping one’s own gasoline. The state acquired another such shameful status last month.
A court in Wisconsin struck down the state’s ban on the sale of home-baked goods, leaving only New Jersey among the 50 states to continue this excessive and unnecessary level of restriction.
Readers may recall buying home-baked goods at a fund-raiser. That’s because it’s legal to sell them for a charitable purpose, just not for a profit.
The opioid epidemic has gotten so bad in New Jersey that librarians are now being instructed to watch out for users overdosing inside a library bathrooms or behind rows of books.
“Our public libraries are obviously the most open building in a community, and we have had situations where librarians have had to call paramedics, for example, when someone has had an overdose,” said Pat Tumulty, the executive director of the New Jersey Library Association.
But there’s an upside to drug users finding safe spaces in libraries. People may come into a library seeking information about addiction, treatment and overdoses and “we’re very aware and very cognizant of making sure that we have the resources available.”
To deal with the opioid issue, Tumulty said, the association is teaming up with mental health experts.
Trenton NJ, At 1 am on the 4th of July Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi finally had an opportunity to force a vote on her bills which would help our towns in their fight against forced over development. Not surprising, but certainly disappointing, the Bergen County democratic members of the Assembly all voted to stop my legislation from moving forward. Chairman Jerry Green gave a speech as to why he won’t move the bills forward stating among other things that the legislature should essentially cede its duties and obligations to the Courts. Schepisi has asked for a copy of the video of his speech which she will circulate promptly. The attached link is a copy of her speech.
MONTVILLE — Her goal was gobbling 10 hot dogs, devouring about one dog per minute.
Chomping down 10 hot dogs in 10 minutes, including their buns, may seem gluttonous. But in the big league of competitive eating, it’s small potatoes.
Then again, Montville Schools Superintendent Rene Rovtar knew that she’d be in over her head … or beyond her stomach. Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest attracts the top echelon of competitive eaters.
For Rovtar, the opportunity to be on one of the competitive eating’s biggest stages was, frankly, a thrill enough.
Updated on July 4, 2017 at 7:46 PMPosted on July 4, 2017 at 4:17 PM
BY SAMANTHA MARCUS
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
TRENTON — Motorists whose licenses, learner’s permits, registrations or inspections expired on Friday, before the state was thrown into a three-day government shutdown, will get a two-day reprieve.
The Motor Vehicle Commission said it will give drivers until Thursday to get their documents updated.
Motor Vehicle Commission offices typically open for business Saturday and Monday were closed as part of the government shutdown that also shuttered state-run beaches, parks and courts after lawmakers failed to agree on a fiscal year budget by the July 1 deadline.
Ridgewood NJ, is it just us or does no one really care that the State of New Jersey is closed? Yes there is lot of sreaming from the media and some politicians looking to blame someone else and sure a couple of beaches are closed , Motor vehicle is closed and state courts are closed but on the flip side Municipal parks are still open and the New Jersey transit system is still running. On the bright side no one can raise your taxes or fleece you out of your hard earned money.
So whats the skinny on whats closed and whats not ;
All state-run parks, recreational areas, forests, camping areas, historic sites, and beaches are now closed. That includes the two state beaches Cheesequake and Island Beach and Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
If the shutdown continues into the business week, many state offices will close starting Monday, and thousands of state workers are expected be furloughed. That excludes staff deemed essential, like State Police troopers and state correctional and hospital employees. About 45,000 state workers in all were furloughed during the last shutdown, in 2006. They later received back pay.
I know this is a pain ,all Motor Vehicle Commission agencies and inspection stations will close starting Saturday. That means you won’t be able to get a driver’s license or renew your registration.
Most state courts would close beginning Monday, except for emergency cases. Municipal courts would remain open.
Taxation call centers and walk-in facilities would close starting Monday. Frankly the Jersey ones are terrible and they take hours to answer a phone call.
The state Division of Pensions and Benefits for public workers. Never fear the department would continue payment of health provider claims and life claims, as well as processing changes to family status for health benefits.
You would not be able to obtain copies of birth and marriage certificates from the state Department of Health starting Monday, no problem if you are an illegal .
Travel and tourism welcome centers are closed , ok Ill get over that.
Neither temporary disability claims nor family leave insurance claims will be processed, and people will not be able to see the status of their claims , but Disability designation services through Social Security is open through its hotline.
Hillsdale NJ, A Saturday evening, 07/01, rollover crash on the Garden State Parkway southbound at mile marker 167.9 in Hillsdale brought out first responders from Washington Township and Hillsdale as well as the NJ State Police. It appeared as though the driver of the rolled over vehicle, an SUV, walked away from the crash with non life threatening injuries.
Ridgewood NJ, Assemblyman and then Senator Kevin O’Toole is leaving the Assembly for greener pastures . While we did not often see eye to eye with Mr. O’Toole we wish him the best of luck on his new endeavor .
All good things in life must come to an end…
On July 1st my time in the Legislature comes to an end as I begin my term as a Commissioner at the Port Authority. Serving as your Assemblyman and then Senator has been one of the most profound honors and privileges of my life. The trust you have placed in me to be your voice and advocate is something I will never be able to repay.
While in the Legislature for 22 years I have tried to make the most of every day in our fight to make New Jersey a better and more affordable place to live. I take great pride not just in legislative accomplishments, but more so in the little things we do every day in our office. Whether that was helping a senior with Medicare, working with utility companies so that a family’s power is not shut off, assisting flood ravaged residents in obtaining money to rebuild their homes, getting our municipal first responders fuel in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene to respond to emergencies, and countless other things, it has been an honor to serve.
I am very proud of the things we have accomplished to benefit our State and improve the lives of its residents. These include co-sponsoring legislation to reform the health/pension benefit system, implementing our 2% property tax cap, strengthening laws to protect the welfare of children from predators, mandating certain preventative medical screenings for women, supporting our veterans, and honoring those who serve to protect us every day.
While I have been your voice in Trenton, the success in achieving outcomes has not been mine alone but ours. Your correspondences over the years regarding your ideas, concerns and thoughts have brought issues to my attention and influenced me every day. It truly takes a village to achieve any success, and I am forever humbled to be in this village with you.
As I move on to the next phase of my life, I wanted you to know how appreciative I am of your support over the years. While I am leaving the Legislature, I will still be around. If there is anything I can ever do to be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone: 973-239-5700 or email: [email protected].
Washington DC, in a vote of 257 to 157, with one Republican voting no and 24 Democrats voting yes, the US House of Representatives passed ,”Kate’s Law”.
The House also passed a bill that would deny federal grants to sanctuary cities . Kate’s Law, would increase the penalties for deported aliens who try to return to the United States.
Kate’s Law is named for Kate Steinle, a San Francisco woman killed by an illegal immigrant who was in the U.S. despite multiple deportations. The two-year anniversary of her death is on Saturday.
Statement from President Donald J. Trump on House Passage of Kate’s Law and No Sanctuary for Criminals Act :
“During my campaign, I met many grieving families who all had the same plea: lawmakers must put the safety of American families first. Today, I applaud the House for passing two crucial measures to save and protect American lives. These were bills I campaigned on and that are vital to our public safety and national security. The first bill, Kate’s Law, increases criminal penalties for illegal immigrants who repeatedly re-enter the country illegally. The bill is named for Kate Steinle, who was killed by an illegal immigrant who had been deported five times. Every year, countless Americans are victimized, assaulted, and killed by illegal immigrants who have been deported multiple times. It is time for these tragedies to end.
The second bill, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, restricts taxpayer grant money to cities that prevent their police from turning over dangerous criminal aliens to federal authorities. Sanctuary cities are releasing violent criminals, including members of the bloodthirsty MS-13 gang, back onto our streets every single day. Innocent Americans are suffering unthinkable violence as a result of these cities’ reckless actions. The House bill also includes what is known as Grant’s Law and Sarah’s Law. These provisions, which prevent the release of dangerous criminals awaiting removal proceedings, are named for two slain Americans whose parents I spent time with during the campaign.
The implementation of these policies will make our communities safer. Opposing these bills, and allowing dangerous criminals back into our communities, our schools, and the neighborhoods where our children play, puts all of us at risk.
Now that the House has acted, I urged the Senate to take up these bills, pass them, and send them to my desk. I am calling on all lawmakers to vote for these bills and to save American lives.”
Updated on June 29, 2017 at 5:49 PMPosted on June 29, 2017 at 7:00 AM
BY STEPHEN STIRLING AND ERIN PETENKO
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The most powerful opioid ever mass-marketed was designed to ease cancer patients into death.
It’s ideal for that: the drug is fast acting, powerful enough to tame pain that other opioids can’t and comes in a variety of easy delivery methods — from patches to lollipops.
But a dose the size of a grain of sand can kill you.
Meet fentanyl. It’s heroin on steroids. It’s killing people in droves. And, in New Jersey, you can get it after having your tonsils removed.
In fact, doctors who treat children’s colds and adult’s sore knees are prescribing it with alarming frequency, far more than oncologists easing end-of-life cancer pain.
The surge is stoked by companies that shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to doctors, wining and dining them in hopes of convincing them that their particular brand of fentanyl is the solution to all their patients’ pain problems.
When Seattle officials voted three years ago to incrementally boost the city’s minimum wage up to $15 an hour, they’d hoped to improve the lives of low-income workers. Yet according to a major new study that could force economists to reassess past research on the issue, the hike has had the opposite effect.
The city is gradually increasing the hourly minimum to $15 over several years. Already, though, some employers have not been able to afford the increased minimums. They’ve cut their payrolls, putting off new hiring, reducing hours or letting their workers go, the study found.
The costs to low-wage workers in Seattle outweighed the benefits by a ratio of three to one, according to the study, conducted by a group of economists at the University of Washington who were commissioned by the city. The study, published as a working paper Monday by the National Bureau of Economic Research, has not yet been peer reviewed.
The seven least patriotic states voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, according to a new study released on Tuesday.
New Jersey was ranked the least patriotic state, followed by Illinois, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, and California, according to a report fromWalletHub.
Each of these seven least patriotic states voted for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016.
States were graded on a 100-point scale stemming from data comparing 13 key indicators of patriotism based on military and civic engagement. A score of 100 would represent the highest level of patriotism.
The data factored in military enlistees, active-duty military personnel, veterans, and share of adults who voted in the 2016 presidential election.
Executives are perturbed about New Jersey’s high taxes and the state government’s approach to business
New Jersey’s top business leaders are optimistic about the direction that the national economy is heading in this year, but as the state gets ready to elect a new governor, they are more cautious about New Jersey’s own immediate economic future.
The results of a new survey released yesterday by Rutgers University’s Real Estate and Policy Research Consortium revealed that enthusiasm among the state’s top business leaders has returned to the levels measured before the onset of the Great Recession in 2007, with 60 percent expecting some improvement in the national economy over the next 12 months.
At the same time, the survey found the executives still have concerns about New Jersey’s high taxes and state government’s handling of business policies, with nearly 50 percent saying they expect the state’s economic conditions to only remain about the same over the next year.
The results of the survey, outlined yesterday during a conference held at Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in New Brunswick, emerge as New Jersey remains locked in a pattern of slow growth in the wake of the recession, which officially ended in 2009. New Jersey only recently added back all of the private-sector jobs that were lost to the recession as the annual rate of growth here has trailed that of the national economy, while the federal job losses were all recovered in 2014.
