Newark NJ, after immense pressure by the Trump administration ,the European Union says that it has agreed to a series of concessions that would avoid a costly trade war with the US. The EU has agreed to:
• Increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the United States;
• Lower tariffs;
• Align regulatory standards on medical products;
• Import more US soy beans.
The European Union delegation, led by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and his top trade officials, met with President Donald Trump in a bid to level the field on trade. The official said the EU has agreed to work with the Trump administration to lower tariffs on both sides of the Atlantic .The delegations are still fine tuning language in a common statement on car tariffs. There will be no further tariffs as the details are worked out.
Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal in New Jersey could be the prime beneficiary or any trade agreement lowering tariffs and promoting trade .The Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal, a major component of the Port of New York and New Jersey and perhaps the most successful component . Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal is the principal container ship facility for goods entering and leaving New York metropolitan area and the northeastern quadrant of North America and is one of the few areas of job creation success in New Jersey .
The port is located on Newark Bay, the facility is run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Its two components—Port Newark and the Elizabeth Marine Terminal (sometimes called “Port Newark” and “Port Elizabeth”)—sit side by side within the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, just east of the New Jersey Turnpike and Newark Airport
As of 2004,Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal was the largest container port in the eastern United States and the third-largest in the country.Since 1998, the port has seen a 65% increase in traffic. In 2003, the port moved over $100 billion in goods. In 2006, it handled more than 20% of all US imports from Germany a major European trading partner .
Here’s a copy of the email I sent to Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly this morning regarding today’s hearing about high density housing.
July 25, 2018
Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly
Chair Housing and Community Development
Via [email protected],
RE: Committee Hearing on High Density Housing July 25th
Honorable committee members, invitees, public and Chair Wimberly;
I unfortunately cannot attend the July 25th, 2018 Committee Hearing on High-Density Housing and would appreciate it if you could please read this into the record.
I am a resident of 50 years in West Windsor, NJ, in Mercer County.
The NJ courts have ruled that towns must meet fair housing needs totaling more than 150,000 units, statewide. Specifically, West Windsor must build 1,500 affordable housing units by 2025.
West Windsor has acted in good faith in providing affordable housing over the years, and so we have credit for about 1,000 affordable units, which means we must build an additional 500 units. However, since developers build 4 market rate units for every 1 affordable unit (if we’re lucky), we’re actually looking at 2,500 units, or an increase of 25 percent to the township’s current inventory of some 10,000 units.
This is a huge increase that will pose a hardship to our residents. In addition to increasing existing residents’ property taxes (to subsidize the lower property taxes that will be paid by these high-density housing units), West Windsor Township will also be burdened with:
· Increased traffic on roads and railways
· Increased stress on aging infrastructure such as water supply, sewers, electrical grids, telecommunications (including internet connectivity and broadband speeds)
· General overpopulation and overcrowding, including overcrowding of schools and/or the need to build additional schools
We need to address the unrealistic process the court is using to micromanage how many units a community needs to build. We need to stop court-mandated high-density housing. Obligations should be determined by the State Council on Affordable Housing, which needs to set uniform rules and create predictability. Municipalities should have the right to reject any development that increases housing by more than 5% in 10 years.
It’s important to note, West Windsor has already started making an effort to satisfy their obligation, by recently agreeing to build 800 new homes (including 132 affordable units) next to the Princeton Junction Train Station.
High density housing is not good planning and will lead to rampant over-development, lower quality of life, and higher costs. The only people that benefit from these affordable housing mandates are the developers. The existing residents are the biggest losers and the affordable housing isn’t even that affordable!
As a resident of West Windsor Township, I thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Tracy Sinatra
Republican Candidate for New Jersey General Assembly District 15, Election November 6, 2018
Jersey City NJ, Yesterday, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez met with officials from Jersey City to discuss last week’s memorandum issued by the city’s Chief Municipal Prosecutor purporting to decriminalize marijuana. During that meeting, the Attorney General made clear that Jersey City’s decriminalization memorandum was an improper exercise of a municipal prosecutor’s authority and reiterated that it was void.
The Attorney General also expressed his concern that Jersey City had acted without consulting state and county law enforcement officials before issuing the memorandum. He was particularly concerned that the rushed issuance of the memorandum – which placed officers in a position of enforcing valid laws that some may mistakenly believe had been rescinded – could undermine the community trust that law enforcement officers in Jersey City and elsewhere have worked so hard to build and could jeopardize officer safety.
At the conclusion of yesterday’s meeting, the Attorney General stated that he wanted to work with criminal justice stakeholders – including County Prosecutor Suarez and the Jersey City Chief Municipal Prosecutor – to clarify the scope and appropriate use of prosecutorial discretion in marijuana-related offenses in municipal court. The Attorney General decided to convene a working group that would study these issues and advise him on a statewide directive that he would issue in August and that would provide clarification about municipal prosecutors’ authority in these cases. He also agreed to ask that municipal prosecutors statewide adjourn all marijuana-related offenses in municipal court until September 4, 2018, in order to provide time to develop the guidance. During yesterday’s meeting, the Attorney General did not commit to the final outcome of the working group or the content of the forthcoming directive. The Attorney General also reiterated that municipal prosecutors do not have the authority to unilaterally decriminalize marijuana-related offenses.
This morning, the Office of the Mayor of Jersey City issued a press release that did not accurately describe yesterday’s meeting and made it appear as if the Attorney General had already agreed to the outcome of the working group and the content of the directive. The Mayor of Jersey City did not participate in yesterday’s meeting and the Attorney General regrets the inaccuracy of the city’s press statements. The Attorney General remains deeply committed to social justice issues and looks forward to working with other criminal justice stakeholders as the state examines over the coming month the appropriate scope of municipal prosecutors’ discretion in marijuana-related cases.
As with all policy initiatives he has spearheaded during his tenure, the Attorney General believes that the best way to develop progressive solutions is through a collaborative approach that involves multiple stakeholders across law enforcement, civil rights organizations, and community leaders. Later this week, the Attorney General will announce the names of those participating in the working group described today.
Ridgewood NJ, Syrian refugees recently placed in New Jersey Democrat run strongholds , are now fleeing the state because of high cost of living, low quality housing, high taxes and safety concerns, NorthJersey.com reports.
At Ktuf is a Syrian refugee who arrived in the United States in the summer of 2016, and planning on leaving New Jersey for Michigan next month. Ktuf told NorthJersey.com the reason she is leaving New Jersey for Michigan: “Over there, you can dream of buying a house, but here you can’t. Costs are so high, and taxes are so high.”
Ktuf’s brother in law moved to Dearborn last month, and was able to find a home with four bedrooms, a backyard and a garage for $1,200 a month.
Mohammad Hial is one of seven Syrian refugees telling the paper they are leaving or planning on leaving New Jersey this summer. Hial left New Jersey for Michigan last week. “This state (New Jersey) is very expensive,” Hial stated
The sanctuary state of New Jersey also presents other disadvantages .Sikander Khan, who head’s Global Emergency Response and Assistance said in addition to economic reasons, “Syrians are leaving Patterson because of safety concerns.”
Nour, a Syrian refugee who left the country after civil war broke out, was interviewed by The Bergen Record, but asked to only be identified by his first name for “safety concerns.” Last month Nour was hit over the head with a metal pipe and robbed of $2,800. Nour told caseworkers, he was “considering moving to Turkey because of crime.” Nour added his two daughters, 14 and 16, “no longer want to leave the apartment.”
Of the seven families interviewed, five are headed to Michigan. As refugees, where many Syrians are eligible for rent assistance for up to 24 months. It looks like after the rent assistance runs out, many Syrians are not happy with Democratic stronghold New Jersey, and fleeing to other states with better opportunities.
Trenton NJ, This afternoon the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee held a hearing on SCR132, a constitutional amendment to overhaul New Jersey’s revenue certification process. SCR132 would take away the governor’s constitutional authority to certify revenues and create a joint legislative and executive branch panel to provide consensus revenue certification. New Jersey would become the 29th state in the nation to adopt this budget forecasting framework.
NEW JEREY POLICY PERSPECTIVE PRESIDENT GORDON MacINNES:
“This change to the budgeting process is long overdue and will bring more clarity, collaboration, and credibility to the state’s revenue projections. Consensus forecasting follows best practices from across the country and ensures economic factors – not political ones – set the parameters of the budget debate.
For the state to fully realize the benefits of this reform, the legislature should also pursue multi-year budgeting practices to better prepare New Jersey for the future. These changes could lead to a healthier, more democratic budget debate, boost public trust, and produce better results for a state budget that has suffered from years of politically convenient decisions.
However, while consensus revenue forecasting is an important change to the constitution, it should not be made with the same swift action that defines the last-minute budget practices the state seeks to reform.”
Whippany NJ, Following a week where nearly 200 Democrats in the House refused to vote for a resolution in support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon and Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada are joining Jay Webber in calling on Congressional candidate Mikie Sherrill to reject her party’s effort to disband and tarnish the organization.
“I stand with the women and men who serve and sacrifice as ICE agents and employees,” said Webber. “It is important that our elected representatives support the law enforcement community, especially as we all work together to try and solve the opioid crisis. It is unconscionable that Mikie Sherrill actually organized a rally that called for the abolition of ICE, and refuses to back down from that indefensible position.”
Sheriff Gannon added, “Every branch of law enforcement is intertwined and reinforces one another’s responsibilities. In addition to identifying, investigating and prosecuting dangerous illegal immigrants, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) also plays an especially critical role in keeping drugs off of our streets, seizing hundreds of thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics every year. We need a Congressional representative who will protect the mission of ICE as we continue to battle the opioid crisis. Jay Webber has proven time and again that law enforcement can count on him, which is why I give him my full support. ”
“Mikie Sherrill is adding fuel to a very dangerous fire by sharing the stage with her radical supporters as they call for the abolishment of ICE,” said Sheriff Strada. “Every Sheriff’s office and local police department would be in a tough spot if we did not have Immigration and Customs Enforcement supporting us, and vice versa. If people want to send someone to Washington who will be tough on crime and have the backs of the law enforcement community, then they need to get out and support Jay Webber.”
Trenton NJ, Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Vin Gopal and Senator Bob Smith that bans smoking on New Jersey’s beaches was signed into law today by Governor Phil Murphy. The law, S-2534, prohibits smoking on all public beaches and at state, county and municipal parks.
“New Jersey’s beaches and parks will now be smoke free,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “This law will help make the Jersey Shore and the state’s parks cleaner and healthier for everyone. Beachgoers and visitors to our parks will be able to enjoy these beautiful natural attractions free of cigarette butts and secondhand smoke. The dangers of tobacco are well known for smokers and for those exposed to secondhand smoke. This will help to eliminate the environmental and health damages of smoking for everyone.”
“The Jersey Shore has always been one of our most treasured assets,” said Senator Gopal (D-Monmouth). “We have the best beaches and the most desirable beachfront communities in the country – and we want to keep it that way. They have environmental and economic value that we don’t want damaged by the ill effects of smoking on the beach.”
“We are now getting smoking off the beaches and out of the public parks,” said Senator Smith, (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. “We don’t want children or others exposed to second-hand smoke, we don’t want our beaches and parks littered with cigarette butts and we don’t want our environmental resources exposed to the damaging effects of pollutions of any type. This prohibition advances our efforts to protect the public against the adverse health risks of smoking and makes our parks and beaches a safer, more enjoyable experience for New Jersey families.”
Specifically, the new law updates the 2005 “New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act,” which declared that tobacco smoke constitutes a health hazard to the nonsmoking majority and found it in the public interest to prohibit smoking in enclosed places with public access and in the workplace.
The prohibition would not include parking lots adjacent to beaches and parks, and the law will allow municipalities to designate up to 15 percent of a beach for smoking. A violation of the proposed law would include a fine of not less than $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense. It takes effect after 180 days.
Cigarette filters are among the top types of litter collected from beaches, according to environmental advocates, who collected an estimated 29,000 cigarette filters from New Jersey beaches in “beach sweeps” last year alone.
Nationwide, more than 300 coastal communities have banned smoking on their beaches, according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation. In New Jersey, an increasing number of beach communities have adopted local smoking bans on their own, with at least 18 towns enacting the prohibition.
Trenton NJ, according to State Sen. Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, water pipelines across the state are old, they’re decaying, they pose a serious health risk and the issue is getting worse.
“There is a big problem and it is a problem that affects your health, your kid’s health and your grandchildren’s health,” Smith said.
He has introduced legislation that would impose a 10-cent tax on every 1,000 gallons consumed, which Smith estimates would cost the average New Jersey household about $32 a year and would net the state about $150 million annually.
According to Smith the proposal being submitted is not actually a tax and he is marketing it as “user fee” even though you already get a water bill.
A “user fee” would be a flat rate. He wants 10 cents per 1,000 gallons so it functions more like a tax than a fee like getting a driver’s license.
Trenton NJ, Senator Menendez’s re-election campaign has begun to invest in a line of attack that includes criticisms of the pharmaceutical industry. NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt released the following statement in response to those attacks:
“Corrupt, career politician Senator Menendez’s election conversion on these issues won’t fool New Jersey voters. The fact that Menendez greedily solicited and took nearly $1 million in donations from pharma, but now suddenly is the crusader against the industry is the height of hypocrisy. His desperate rhetoric directly contradicts his votes in Washington, where he voted to allow pharmaceutical companies to delay the release of less expensive generic drugs.”
Votes:
● Menendez Voted Nay, Regarding S Amdt 2107, “Authorizes Import Of FDA-Approved Drugs From Canada.” (SAmdt 2107, Amendment Rejected – Senate, (43 – 54), U.S. Senate, 5/24/2012; Menendez Voted Nay)
● Menendez Voted Nay, Regarding S Amdt 2111, “Prohibits Pharmaceutical Companies From Delaying The Release Of Generic Drugs.” (S Amdt 2111, Amendment Rejected – Senate, (28 – 67), U.S. Senate, 5/24/2012; Menendez Voted Nay)
● Menendez Voted Nay, Regarding S Amdt 769, “Authorizes Individuals To Import FDA Approved Drugs From Canada.” (S Amdt 769, Amendment Rejected – Senate, (45 – 55), U.S. Senate, Oct. 20, 2011; Menendez Voted Nay)
● Menendez Voted Nay, Regarding S Amdt 2793, “Authorizing Importation Of Prescription Drugs.” (S Amdt 2793, Amendment Rejected – Senate, (51 – 48), U.S. Senate, Dec. 15, 2009; Menendez Voted Nay)
● Menendez Voted Nay, Regarding S Amdt 4299, “Expressing The Sense Of The Senate On The Legalization Of Importing Certain Prescription Drugs.” (S Amdt 4299, Amendment Adopted – Senate, (73 – 23), U.S. Senate, 3/14/2008; Menendez Voted Nay)
● Menendez Voted Yea, Regarding S Amdt 1010, “FDA Drug Import Certification Amendment.” (S Amdt 1010, Amendment Adopted – Senate, (49 – 40), U.S. Senate, 5/7/2007; Menendez Voted Yea)
Trenton NJ, still dreaming, in what can only be described as a “hail mary” ,Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today joined three other states in suing the Trump Administration over its $10,000 cap on the federal tax deduction for state and local taxes (SALT).
Joining New Jersey in suing both the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department were New York, Connecticut and Maryland. The lawsuit seeks to prevent the federal government from enforcing the SALT deduction cap, and to have the cap declared invalid.
Governor Phil Murphy welcomed the action.
“What the Trump Administration enacted with the SALT deduction cap was nothing more than a tax hike on our working and middle-class families and seniors,” said Governor Murphy. “I made a commitment to New Jerseyans to provide long-term property tax relief when I signed legislation to preserve deductibility by enabling municipalities to create charitable funds. We will continue to fight to protect local taxpayers and businesses and I applaud Attorney General Grewal and the states of New York, Connecticut and Maryland for their leadership and action in challenging the constitutionality of this assault on our states.”
“Today we are making good on our promise to fight for New Jersey taxpayers – by taking legal action to protect our residents and restore fairness to the tax code,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Simply put, the federal government violated the constitution when it imposed new, arbitrary limits on the amount of state and local taxes that residents could deduct on their federal tax returns.”
In 2017, the Federal Government adopted a significant change to the federal tax code. Previously, taxpayers who itemized their deductions could deduct from their federal tax liability all money paid for state and local income, property and sales taxes. Under the new code, however, the same taxpayers are only permitted to claim a comparatively small deduction of up to $10,000 for those taxes.
The lawsuit filed today notes that the so-called SALT deduction on individual federal tax liability has historically been recognized by Congress as essential under the Constitution. “A SALT deduction has been a part of every federal income tax law since the first federal income tax was enacted in 1861,” the complaint explains.
The lawsuit adds that the SALT deduction is necessary to prevent federal taxes from interfering with each state’s right to determine its taxation and fiscal policies, because federal taxes crowd the states out of traditional revenue sources like income, property and sales taxes.
The suit asserts that the federal government’s “drastic” decision to cap the SALT deduction at $10,000 will significantly increase the federal tax liability for residents of each of the plaintiff states, including New Jersey. Homeowners who could once deduct the full cost of their local property taxes now can only deduct a fraction of those taxes. That will increase the cost of owning a home, which in turn will depress home values.
To make matters worse, the states explain, the federal government went after these states deliberately. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin even said, the point of the changes to the SALT deduction was to “send a message to the[se] state governments” that Washington wants them to change their spending policies. That effort to coerce states, the complaint notes, is another reason why the latest SALT changes are illegal.
Today’s joining of the federal lawsuit by Attorney General Grewal is the Attorney General’s latest action aimed at protecting New Jersey residents from oppressive new federal tax policies under the Trump Administration.
In May, Attorney General Grewal wrote the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) urging that it stop “playing politics” and drop its plan to enact a rule that would prevent New Jersey residents from claiming deductions for charitable contributions made to their local governments. Governor Phil Murphy had previously signed a law allowing residents to receive property tax credits for such charitable contributions.
Seaside Hight’s NJ, Amid the crowds on the Seaside Heights boardwalk today, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced that the annual “Safe Summer” boardwalk compliance efforts are underway along the Jersey Shore and initial inspections have found 12 establishments in two seaside towns that have allegedly violated state consumer protection laws and regulations.
The Safe Summer initiative, designed to promote a family-friendly environment in New Jersey’s coastal communities, is a Division enforcement effort to check boardwalk games for fairness of play, and to ensure they haven’t been modified to the disadvantage of players. Investigators also check stores for compliance with pricing and refund policies.
For many families, a trip to the Jersey Shore isn’t complete without a visit to the boardwalk to enjoy rides and games, and perhaps purchase a souvenir,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We don’t want anyone walking away from what should be an enjoyable trip feeling like they, or worse, their children, were taken advantage of by rigged games or deceptive sales practices.”
“Our investigators comb the boardwalk to ensure a fair and safe experience for the thousands of individuals and families who flock to the Jersey Shore each summer,” said Paul R. Rodríguez, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Through their efforts, we are making sure that the few stores and amusement game operators who aren’t playing by the rules are held accountable so they don’t spoil the fun for everyone.”
Since Safe Summer 2018 got underway last month, investigators from the Division’s Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC) unit and its Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) have visited boardwalks in Seaside Heights and Atlantic City.
LGCCC investigators inspected a total of 8 arcades and 27 individual amusement games and found 5 locations with alleged violations, including crane machines with prizes too heavy or packed too tightly to be picked up, and a boardwalk game where it was impossible to win the top prize in the number of allotted chances. Investigators wrote up a total of 11 violations that will be presented to the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission for possible action.
OCP investigators inspected a total of 25 stores and found 7 with alleged violations, including hundreds of items from children’s clothing to shot glasses without clearly marked prices and a shop without a prominently posted refund policy. Citations will be written up and sent out to the alleged violators.
The Safe Summer initiative is a coordinated effort by the Division to blanket a handful of boardwalks with investigators each summer. In addition to inspecting for consumer protection violations, investigators also check for sales of prohibited items, such as novelty lighters, and test toys and prizes for excessive levels of lead. The Division also hands out educational materials to consumers to empower them as their own best advocates against fraud and deceit in the marketplace.
In addition to the Safe Summer sweeps, investigators with LGCCC conduct boardwalk inspections all season long; visiting every one of the state’s 266 amusement game licensees at least once. There are 16 shore resort municipalities in New Jersey with licensed amusement games: Keansburg, Long Branch, Pt. Pleasant, Manasquan, Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, Sea Isle City, Wildwood, North Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Beach Haven, Atlantic City, Brigantine, Beachwood, Toms River, and Cape May.
Since the Safe Summer initiative began in 2014, LGCCC has issued183 citations alleging one or more violations against amusement games licensees. Violations are subject to fines of up to $250.00 for the first offense and up to $500.00 for the second and each subsequent offense. The Commission also has the power to revoke licenses.
Newark NJ, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark Field Office arrested 37 individuals during a five-day operation that concluded Friday, as part of the agency’s ongoing public safety efforts. The operation targeted criminal aliens who were previously incarcerated at the Middlesex County Jail (MCJ), and who were subsequently released to the community by MCJ, without honoring the ICE detainer or advising ICE of their release. The operation also targeted other criminal aliens residing in Middlesex County.
Of those arrested, 16 subjects had been previously released by MCJ without honoring the ICE detainer and 78% had prior criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.
“ERO New Jersey will continue to enforce ICE’s commitment to public safety,” said Ruben Perez, acting Field Office Director of ERO in Newark. “Middlesex county, which aspires to be a ‘sanctuary county’ by protecting criminal aliens, in the process assists criminals in undermining federal law, and creates a dangerous environment in the community. It also overburdens local law enforcement. ICE will continue to execute its mission in such communities.”
The individuals arrested as part of the operation were nationals of Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, and Turkey.
These individuals range from 21 to 68 years old and all were previously arrested or convicted of a variety of offenses. Some of the arrests and convictions included: aggravated criminal sexual contact, aggravated assault, DUI, hindering apprehension, endangering the welfare of a child, battery, theft, burglary, possession of a weapon, forgery, domestic violence assault, disorderly conduct, and illegal entry.
The 16 subjects that were released by MCJ and arrested during this operation include:
A 68-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the Perth Amboy Police Department on January 23, 2009, in Middlesex County for the crimes of murder–purposely and hinder prosecution-false info and was booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On June 14, 2011, he was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and hinder own prosecution-false info and was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment in state prison. On May 5, 2015, the subject was transferred from state prison back to the custody of the Middlesex County Jail as he appealed his convictions. On May 5, 2015, ICE issued a detainer to Middlesex County Jail. On May 22, 2018, the original charge was overturned and he was found guilty of a single felony charge of hindering-oneself-give false information and sentenced to time served. Even though an ICE detainer was previously issued he was released.
A 21-year-old citizen of Turkey was arrested by the South Brunswick Police Department on May 10, 2017, in Middlesex County for burglary entering structure and theft by unlawful taking, and was booked into Middlesex County Jail. On May 10, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. On July 15, 2017, he was arrested for resisting arrest, obstructing the administration of law, and possession of marijuana. On October 12, 2017, he was arrested by ICE officers in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey and was subsequently released on bond by the Immigration Judge. On April 12, 2018, he was arrested for a third time for simple assault, harassment, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and was booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On April 13, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored again and he was released.
A 32-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the New Brunswick Police Department on August 12, 2016, in Middlesex County for Aggravated Sexual Assault- Helpless Victim, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, Sexual Assault-Force/Coercion, and Criminal Sexual Contact and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On August 16, 2016, ICE issued a detainer. On May 18, 2018, he was convicted of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact and sentenced to 644 days’ time served, parole supervision for life and registration under Megan’s Law. On May 21, 2018, Middlesex County Jail refused to honor the detainer and he was released.
A 26-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the North Brunswick Police Department on February 17, 2017, in Middlesex County for driving while his license was suspended and on his court date of May 23, 2017, he was found guilty and sentenced to ten (10) days of incarceration at the Middlesex County Jail. On May 31, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. He also had a prior conviction for DUI.
A 46-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the Carteret Police Department on December 15, 2017, in Middlesex County for domestic violence/simple assault and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On December 25, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored by Middlesex County Jail and he was released. On June 28, 2018, he was convicted of Domestic Violence Assault.
A 34-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the Edison Police Department on May 29, 2018, in Middlesex County for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On May 30, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released.
A 42-year-old citizen of Honduras was convicted of illegal entry on November 10, 2009, and removed. On June 12, 2017, she was arrested by the Woodbridge Police Department, in Middlesex County for shoplifting, and released. On March 11, 2018, she was again arrested for shoplifting, and released. On April 21, 2018, she was arrested for a third time for shoplifting, and booked into Middlesex County Jail. On April 21, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and she was released.
A 21-year-old citizen of Guatemala was arrested by the Green Brook Police Department on June 20, 2018, in Somerset County for driving under the influence of alcohol and by the Middlesex Police Department (later that same day) in Middlesex County, for burglary-entering structure, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and hindering oneself/ false information and was booked into Middlesex County Jail. On June 21, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored by Middlesex County Jail and he was released.
A 21-year-old citizen of Honduras was arrested by the New Brunswick Police Department on May 29, 2018, in Middlesex County for aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On May 29, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but he was released.
A 37-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the New Brunswick Police Department on November 25, 2017, in Middlesex County for driving without a license, and booked into the Middlesex County Correctional Facility in North Brunswick, NJ. On November 25, 2017, an ICE detainer was issued but he was released.
A 25-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic was arrested by the Perth Amboy Police Department on May 25, 2018, in Middlesex County for harassment, hindering, and obstruction, and was booked into Middlesex County Jail. On May 29, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. He also has prior arrests for domestic violence and forgery.
A 27-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic was arrested by the Perth Amboy Police Department on January 25, 2018, in Middlesex County for aggravated assault – significant bodily injury to a victim of domestic violence, criminal restraint – hold victim, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On January 30, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released.
A 41-year-old citizen of Honduras was arrested by the New Brunswick Police Department on September 18, 2017, in Middlesex County for driving with a suspended license and was booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On September 18, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. Subject has prior arrests for forgery.
A 29-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the Perth Amboy Police Department on March 12, 2018, in Middlesex County for aggravated assault on law enforcement and possession of CDS/analog and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On March 13, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and she was released. She has prior arrests for assault by auto and DUI.
A 28-year-old citizen of Peru was arrested by the Union City Police Department in Union City, New Jersey on May 08, 2018, for simple assault and booked into the Hudson County Jail (HCJ). At the time of his release from HCJ, it was discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for contempt from the Perth Amboy Police Department, in Middlesex County. He was transferred to the Middlesex County Jail on the warrant. On May 15, 2018, ICE issued a detainer to Middlesex County Jail but the detainer was not honored and he was released.
A 29-year-old citizen of El Salvador was arrested by the Carteret Police Department on September 1, 2017, in Middlesex County for Endangering-Abuse/Neglect of a Child and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On September 5, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. After his release, he was arrested for DUI and subsequently convicted on March 15, 2018 for the same offense.
Those arrested will remain in ICE custody pending removal or immigration proceedings.
ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed, and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.
For the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2018, ICE arrests comprise over 66 percent convicted criminals. Of the remaining individuals not convicted of a crime, approximately 23 percent have either been charged with a crime, are immigration fugitives, or have been removed from the United States and illegally re-entered, reflecting the agency’s continued prioritization of its limited enforcement resources on aliens who pose threats to national security, public safety and border security.
Trenton NJ, Says Garden State Film Tax Credit is a ‘Gross Misuse of Funds’ & Urges Action to Protect NJ Taxpayers from Unnecessary Spending
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) today announced that he has sent a letter requesting that the State Auditor conduct a full evaluation of the Garden State Film Tax Credit, to determine if it is in fact a worthwhile investment of New Jersey’s scarce financial resources.
In the letter, Pennacchio notes that the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services has determined that New Jersey could lose $425 million in revenue as a result of the program in question – money that could and should be spent on critically-needed services, instead of catering to special interest groups that only stand to make a temporary investment in the State of New Jersey, and its people.
The Senator also noted that he plans to introduce legislation that would require the State Auditor to conduct further evaluation of these types of tax incentives and related programs.
Click here for a PDF of the letter.
The text of the letter is included in full below:
Stephen M. Eells, CPA
New Jersey State Auditor
125 South Warren Street
P.O. Box 067
Trenton, NJ 08625-0067
Dear Mr. Eells,
As a public servant and a staunch advocate for the responsible allocation of state resources, I feel that I have a responsibility to sound the alarm on what I believe is a gross misuse of funds, and save our taxpayers from having their hard-earned money wasted.
Recently, Governor Murphy signed the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act into law, green-lighting hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives for companies that will, at best, make a temporary investment in New Jersey, before heading for the Hollywood Hills.
The nonpartisan state Office of Legislative Services has also sounded the alarm, by reporting that, for a number of reasons, New Jersey could lose up to $425 million in revenue over a 5-year period of providing these incentives.
$425 million. For that amount of money, New Jersey could hire more than six thousand additional special education teachers to help our must vulnerable students, and still pay them the going rate. Surely, there are more reasonable investments we can make that would actually make a positive impact on the future health of our economy, our workforce, and our children.
There is no denying that New Jersey faces serious financial challenges. Our schools are still underfunded, as are our public employee benefit systems. We simply cannot afford to spend money on a single program that may not produce a return in revenue. It is in the best interest of our residents to ensure that every penny managed by a state entity is invested or spent wisely.
This “tax incentive program” is purely a giveaway to special interest groups who have no interest in the long-term financial wellbeing of our state. Why even call it an incentive? As designed, the program does not give these companies any reason to invest more money into our economy than they have previously spent. It is, in my view, an unconscionable waste of state resources.
On behalf of the hardworking taxpayers of New Jersey, I am calling on your office to conduct an audit to determine if this “tax incentive program” is, in fact, a worthwhile investment of money that could and should be spent on making their lives better.
Please provide relevant data on program participants and projects, and their contributions to the state, as soon as it becomes available. This data should include, but not be limited to:
• Effectiveness or lack thereof of similar programs in other sates
• Jobs created (temporary and permanent)
• Property developed
• Lost state tax revenue
• Gained state tax revenue
• Gained local government tax revenue
• Estimate of any multiplier effect from the project
• Particular benefits in the South Jersey counties mentioned in the new law
Please be advised that I also plan to introduce legislation that will direct the State Auditor’s Office to conduct further evaluation of these types of programs.
We cannot afford to waste any more money on incentives that are not producing a worthwhile return on investment for the people we serve.
I know, based on your strong history of service, that you will be an independent voice for our taxpayers to judge the economic worthiness of our tax incentive programs.
The excellent study you conducted in 2017, which found that a cost-benefit analysis performed by the EDA was lacking in essential details, proves that we must continue to work together to evaluate the effectiveness of tax incentive programs currently under the Authority’s purview.
It is my hope that with your assistance, the next time a tax incentive is up for a vote, elected officials will have the data necessary to make an informed decision, instead of blindly approving a multi-million dollar mistake disguised as an “investment” in New Jersey’s economy.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I am grateful for your independent service to the Legislature, and the people we are honored to serve.
Sincerely,
Senator Joe Pennacchio
Washington DC, Yesterday, after months of misleading statements by President Trump and his associates regarding their contacts with Russian officials, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) took to the floor of the House of Representatives to officially read the fake “Steele Dossier” into the Congressional Record. The dossier was produced as opposition research by “Never Trumper”, John McCain and the Hillary Clinton Campaign and is a collection of short made up reports reports produced in 2016 alleging, among other things, multiple contacts and connections between the Trump Campaign and Russia-linked operatives before, during, and after the 2016 Presidential Election.
“The President, his family members, his campaign staff, and his close associates have repeatedly lied about their multiple contacts with Russian officials and close associates of Putin,” said Rep. Pascrell. “To ensure the American people and future Congresses know how we got here, today I will read parts of the Trump–Russia dossier, also known as the Christopher Steele dossier, and enter its entirety into the Congressional Record.”
The “Steele Dossier” was proven to be nothing but fake over two years ago and have been promoted by the “weapons of mass destruction ” crowd.
Pascrell continued, “Dossier Claim, Page 1: ‘Russian regime has been cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for at least 5 years. Aim, endorsed by Putin, has been to encourage splits and divisions in western alliance.’ Truth: A January 6, 2017, intelligence community assessment released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence stated that Russian leadership favored Trump’s candidacy over Clinton’s, and that Putin personally ordered an ‘influence campaign’ to harm Clinton’s electoral chances and ‘undermine public faith in the US democratic process,’ as well as ordering cyber-attacks on ‘both major U.S. political parties.’”
In January 2017, Rep. Pascrell led the call for an independent congressional investigation of President Trump’s connections to Russia. It important to note no request was made after numerous business dealings with the Clinton Foundation while Hillary Clinton was secretary of State were requested. Preceding Trump’s first meeting with Vladmir Putin in July of that same year, Rep. Pascrell led 12 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in a letter urging President Trump to confront the Russian President on the following transgressions around the world. He has also been Congress’ most vocal proponent of releasing President Trump’s tax returns in order to reveal any potential conflicts of interest, including those with Russian entities.
MOUNTAINSIDE NJ , A new Gravis Marketing poll released yesterday shows that Bob Hugin has moved into a statistical dead heat with Bob Menendez, with the incumbent clinging to a 43-41 lead.
“It’s no surprise that the more New Jerseyans learn about corrupt, career politician Bob Menendez the less they trust him and the more they want him out of office.
We have seen a significant shift towards our campaign and only expect those numbers to grow,” said Hugin Communications Director Megan Piwowar. “We are confident the more that New Jersey voters learn about Bob Hugin, a Marine veteran and successful business leader, they will elect a Senator we can be proud of.”
The poll of 563 likely New Jersey voters was conducted from July 6 to July 10.
