Category: Trenton

Posted on by — Leave a comment

ICE arrests 91 in New Jersey operation targeting criminal aliens

16406743 10154773179421815 6736014303471069107 n

June 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK NJ,  An Salvadoran national in the country illegally, who has an Interpol warrant for being a member of MS-13 and trafficking in firearms and narcotics, is among 91 foreign nationals taken into custody during a five-day operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week in New Jersey, targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and other immigration violators. The operation was supported by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) New Jersey Field Office.

Of those arrested during the operation, which was spearheaded by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), 77 percent were convicted criminals and 70 percent of them had prior felony convictions.

“The remarkable results of our officers and law enforcement partners highlight ICE’s ongoing commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, Field Office Director of ERO Newark. “This operation focuses on the arrest of individuals convicted of serious crimes and are a threat to public safety. Because of the targeted efforts of these professional officers, there are 91 fewer criminals in our communities.”

These individuals will go through removal proceedings before an Immigration Judge or for those under a final order of removal, arrangements will be made to remove them from the U.S.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is extremely proud to have assisted in this operation,” said Frank Russo, Acting Director New York Field Office. “It is through collaborative efforts that law enforcement agencies can combat illegal acts and apprehend criminals who pose a threat to the Homeland.”

The individuals arrested throughout New Jersey were nationals of Anguilla (1), Bangladesh (1), Cameroon (1), Colombia (4), Cuba (3), Dominican Republic (14), Ecuador (4), Egypt (1), El Salvador (10), Ghana (1), Guatemala (3), Guinea (1), Guyana (2), Haiti (3), Honduras (4), Jamaica (3), Korea (2), Macedonia (2), Mexico (12), Nicaragua (1), Pakistan (2), Philippines (4), Peru (4), Poland (1), Spain (1), St. Lucia (1), Trinidad (3), and Venezuela (2)

These individuals were arrested in the following counties in New Jersey: Atlantic (3), Bergen (5), Burlington (3), Camden (3), Cumberland (6), Essex (19), Hudson (15), Mercer (7), Middlesex (7), Monmouth (1), Passaic (10), Union (8), and Warren (2). Also, one individual was arrested in New Castle county in Delaware and one individual was arrested in Bronx county in New York. They range from age 19 to 78 years old and all were previously convicted of a variety of offenses. Some of the convictions included sexual assault on a minor, child abuse, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, money laundering, DUI, fraud, domestic violence, theft, possession of a weapon, burglary, larceny, aggravated assault, aggravated assault on law enforcement, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, kidnapping and illegal reentry.

Among those arrested during this operation include:

  • In Jersey City, a 39-year-old previously removed Venezuelan national, who has convictions of Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest by Force, Possession of a Weapon, and Distribution of Heroin;
  • In Saddle Brook, a 46-year-old Bangladeshi national, who has convictions of Aggravated Assault, and pending charges for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Minor;
  • In New Brunswick, a 47-year-old Honduran national, who has convictions of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, who was released by Middlesex County Jail and rearrested by ICE;
  • In Passaic, a 24-year-old Jamaican national, who has convictions of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Lewdness;
  • In Perth Amboy, a 32-year-old Dominican national, who has convictions of Possession of Cocaine, Domestic Violence Assault, and Trespassing;
  • In Newark, a 45-year-old Pakistani national, who has convictions of Money Laundering and Theft by Deception;
  • In Elizabeth, a 42-year-old Colombian national, who has a conviction for Homicide
  • In Bergenfield, a 58 year old Philippines national, who has convictions for DUI, Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Assault;
  • In Jersey City, a 54-year-old Dominican national, who has convictions for Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault;
  • In Bridgeton, a 41-year-old Mexican national, who has a conviction for Criminal Sexual Contact;
  • In Pleasantville, a 21-year-old Honduran national, who has been convicted for Endangering the Welfare of a Child;
  • In Plainfield, 22 & 23-year-old El Salvadorian nationals, who are members of MS-13;
  • In Lindenwold, 27 & 29-year-old El Salvadorian nationals, who are members of MS-13;
  • In East Orange, a 23-year-old Anguillan national, who is a member of the Bloods;
  • In South Brunswick, a 31-year-old Venezuelan national, who is a member of MS-13;
  • In West New York, a 26-year-old El Salvadorian national, who has an Interpol warrant for being a member of a terrorist organization (MS-13), trafficking in narcotics and trafficking in firearms;
  • In Bridgeton, a 22-year-old Mexican national, who is a member of the gang Los Pelones

ICE deportation officers conduct targeted enforcement operations every day in locations around the country as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect the nation, uphold public safety and protect the integrity of our immigration laws and border controls.

During targeted enforcement operations, ICE officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE.

ICE continues to focus its enforcement resources on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security. ICE conducts targeted immigration enforcement in compliance with federal law and agency policy. However, as ICE Director Thomas Homan has made clear, ICE does not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

ICE Teams Up with HSI to Put New Jersey Man Away in Operation Predator for Child Porn

ICE

June 12,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEW YORK — Following an investigation and subsequent arrest made by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York, A New Jersey man was sentenced in the District of New Jersey Tuesday to 480 months in prison for producing and possessing images and videos of child sexual abuse. This sentencing comes on the heels on a 25 year sentence from the Eastern District of New York.
Gregory John Schaffer, 39, of Bayonne, NJ, was previously found guilty on all three counts of an indictment charging him with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He was convicted following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares, who imposed the sentence Tuesday in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in the case and the evidence at trial, in 2010, Schaffer sexually abused a 12-year-old girl in a tow-truck office in Union City, New Jersey, and video recorded the abuse without her knowledge. He later stored the video recording on a laptop computer found by law enforcement in his office in Jersey City, New Jersey. Schaffer also backed-up the video recording to another electronic storage device found in his office.
Around the same time, Schaffer also sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in a hotel room and video recorded the abuse without her knowledge. Schaffer again stored the video recording on the same laptop computer and electronic storage device that law enforcement found in his office.

Law enforcement also found additional sexually explicit videos and images of minors on Schaffer’s laptop computer and electronic storage device.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Linares sentenced Schaffer to lifetime supervised release. On July 24, 2015, Schaffer was sentenced in the EDNY to 25 years in federal prison and lifetime supervised release for violating Title 18 USC 2422 (a) – travel in interstate commerce to engage in sexual activity and Title 18 USC 2422 (b) – to persuade, induce, coerce and individual who has not attained the age of 18 years to engage in sexual activity.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 16,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2016, more than 2,600 child predators were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 800 victims identified or rescued.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

NJBIA: With New Taxes Considered, New Jersey Faltering in Key Economic Areas

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

June 9,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Tax increases being considered by state policymakers this budget season would hit areas of New Jersey’s economy that are already challenged, an analysis by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association finds.

New research shows that New Jersey now has a net loss of nearly $25 billion in Adjusted Gross Income over the past 12 years, is poised to become the worst state in the nation for Corporate Business Tax (CBT), and is lagging in the rate of millionaire growth in the region.
“This concerning data should serve as fair warning to our policymakers that higher CBT, millionaires or sales taxes, on top of the cumulative costs from our recent and increasing business mandates, are only giving our business owners and residents more reason to leave our great state,” said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. “And if they aren’t leaving, they’re certainly not planning to grow here.
“This analysis speaks to our declining competitiveness in the region and the nation. We need to improve our state’s economy through comprehensive planning, rather than excessive taxation. This is the only way to reclaim our regional competitiveness and to reverse the disturbing trend of outmigration from New Jersey.”
ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME
According to the most up-to-date Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data for tax year 2015-2016, New Jersey experienced a net loss in po­tential Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $3.5 billion. This exceeds the average annual rate loss of approximately $2.1 billion over the past 12 years. The change is driven by taxpayers moving out of state and taking their incomes with them.
An NJBIA analysis of the IRS’s Statistics of Income Inflow and Outflow data, finds that from tax year 2004-2005 to 2015-2016, New Jersey experienced a total loss of $24.9 billion in potential AGI.
Since tax year 2004-2005, New Jersey has now gained $66.5 billion in AGI, but lost $91.4 billion.
“This is critical income that has been lost to New Jersey’s general fund for more than a decade,” Siekerka said. “The economic impact that this loss has on the state’s economy is irrefutable and it will worsen if taxes are increased even more.”
CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX
New Jersey currently has the sixth highest corporate income tax rate (9 percent) in the United States, while Pennsylvania ranks second (9.99 percent). If New Jersey’s rate on corporations earning a net income of $1 million increases to 12 percent, as proposed, New Jersey would tie Iowa for the highest corporate income tax rate in the nation.
Meanwhile, regional competitors New York (6.5 percent) and Massachusetts (8 percent) have decreased their CBT and currently have the most competitive rates in the region.
An NJBIA analysis, utilizing 2015 data, determined that 2,373 New Jersey companies would have been impacted by the proposed surcharge. Of those, 86 percent (2,033 companies) earned between $1 million and $10 million in net allocated income.

The remaining 14 percent earning more than $10 million (340 companies) accounted for nearly 73 percent ($14.89 billion) of total allocated net income for all companies earning $1 million or more in 2015.

“While most states have either reduced or maintained their corporate tax rates, New Jersey is poised to go in the wrong direction,” Siekerka said. “Some studies link an increase in CBT to a reduction in employment and income and a decrease in CBT to quicker job creation. A CBT surcharge would only incentivize our larger corporations to expand their operations elsewhere. And if they’re stagnating here, that’s just as bad as outmigration for New Jersey.”
MILLIONAIRES TAX
A proposed “millionaires tax” provision in the FY 2019 budget would increase the top income tax rate from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent on income above $1 million.
An NJBIA analysis found that while the number of returns for New Jersey businesses filing $1 million or more increased between 2000 and 2015, New Jersey grew at a slower rate in this category than three regional competitors – including Pennsylvania and New York. In addition, New Jersey’s total AGI for businesses filing $1 million or more ranked fifth out of seven regional states.

“Millionaires have grown around the nation during a time of economic upswing, but New Jersey’s percent change of growth is slower than most of our regional competitors,” Siekerka said. “We should be wary of our tax policies making New Jersey more dependent on the highest income earners who are being given more reasons to consider leaving the state.
Between 2010 and 2015, New Jersey’s number of businesses filing $1 million or more ranked second in the region. But tellingly, New Jersey ranked sixth out of seven regional states in total AGI growth.
The story is similar for New Jersey individuals filing a tax return of $1 million or more. When analyzing data from 2010 to 2015, New Jersey ranked third in the region in this category, but only fifth out of seven in the percentage change of total AGI. In fact, Massachusetts surpassed the Garden State in total AGI from individual millionaires in 2014 and 2015, despite having nearly 3,500 fewer filings of $1 million and more.
“NJBIA continues to call for comprehensive tax and regulatory reform to fix our structural budget deficits,” Siekerka said. “We need our policymakers to pause until the State Tax Policy Working Group, created by Senate President Steve Sweeney, and the Economic Growth Council, created by Gov. Murphy, complete their work and advance comprehensive recommendations. We need them to plan and adopt long-term, sustainable solutions rather than attempt to tax our way out of fiscal challenges.”

Sources:
An NJBIA Analysis of SOI IRS, 2004-2015
AN NJBIA Analysis of SOI IRS Migration Data, 2004 to 2005- 2015 to 2016
J. Walczak, S. Drenkard, J. Bishop-Henchman. (2018). 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index. Tax Foundation.
Office of Revenue and Economic Analysis. (Jan. 2017). New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Statistical Report. Office of the Chief Economist.
R. McGrath. (Mar. 2018). SWEENEY PROPOSES LANDMARK $758M SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM UNDERWRITTEEN BY RECAPTURING FEDERAL CORPORATE WINDFALL. New Jersey Senate Democrats. Press Release.
P. Murphy, S. Oliver. (March 2018). The Governor’s FY 2019 Budget: Budget in Brief. Office of Management and Budget.
State Government Websites

Posted on by — 1 Comment

New Jersey State Trooper Stops Retired Police Officer Who Delivered Him 27 Years Ago

34463904 1664803996907469 8477294633666215936 o1

June 8,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Kingwood Township NJ, This has got to be the feel good story of the day . According to the NJ state police Facebook page ,we’re not sure what the odds are of this happening—maybe they’re close to the odds of a hole-in-one, winning the lottery, or being struck by lightning—but it happened.

On Friday, June 1, Trooper Michael Patterson stopped Matthew Bailly for a minor motor vehicle violation in Kingwood Township. During the initial conversation, Mr. Bailly told Trooper Patterson that he was a retired Piscataway police officer. Trooper Patterson, being a Piscataway native, told Mr. Bailly that he is from the same town. Now here’s where things get interesting…

Mr. Bailly asked Trooper Patterson where he used to live. When Trooper Patterson told him that he grew up on Poe Place, Mr. Bailly said that he remembered that street, because he helped deliver a baby there 27 years ago when he was a rookie cop. He was even able to describe the color, style of house, and the baby’s name, Michael.

Trooper Patterson extended his hand and replied, “My name is Michael Patterson, sir. Thank you for delivering me.”

Whatever the odds were, it happened. Trooper Michael Patterson stopped the police officer who delivered him 27 years ago in Piscataway. Mr. Bailly had four years on the job when he responded to a home on Poe Place in Piscataway. The date was October 5, 1991. Trooper Patterson’s mother, Karen Patterson, was out shopping when she went into labor. She barely made it home. Bobby Patterson, Trooper Patterson’s father, rushed outside, picked up his wife, and carried her inside the house. He then called the doctor who talked Officer Bailly through the birth.

Needless to say, Trooper Patterson, Matthew Bailly, and both of their families were ecstatic about the reunion. So, Trooper Patterson and his mother visited Mr. Bailly and his wife at their home where they took these photos! They all felt this story was so uplifting, it needed to be shared, and we agree! After all, as a police officer, you don’t always get a chance to have a moment like this with people you once helped in your career!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Reader says Perfect – just operate that way all the time and we have a chance!

trenton nj

“To facilitate this review, the Governor directs each of you to submit updated plans describing the essential activities of
your department, meaning those necessary to maintain the health,safety, and welfare of the citizens of the State, and to prevent
the damage, loss, or destruction of property, if any. As you know, these activities should be limited and directly related to the
preservation and protection of life, safety and property; the care of those in State facilities, hospitals, centers, and homes; child
welfare; disease prevention and control; emergency and disaster response activities; transportation safety; the preparation and
adoption of the State Budget; and similar activities.”

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Meet New Jersey State Police Chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman

34066377 1658968804157655 2107807629177782272 o

June 3,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Many of you have heard about police chaplains. Do you know what they do or who they are? Well, we would like you to meet some of ours.

A police chaplain is a volunteer non-paid position that provides members, their families, and the community with spiritual counseling, religious referral, and general character guidance through the various religious denominations within our society.

As one of the New Jersey State Police Chaplains, Rabbi Abe Friedman provides spiritual guidance and support to enlisted and civilian members of the Division.

For the last 16 years, he has used his expertise in communication and biblical studies to assist law enforcement with cultural competency training, inter-agency planning and coordination, and has served as a community outreach coordinator.

Rabbi Friedman has been recognized by various agencies for his service to law enforcement and the community. He was the recipient of the NYPD/DEA Appreciation Award in 1998, American Red Cross 9/11 Leadership Award in 2001, New York State Senate Civilian of the Year Award in 2005, United States Marine Corps Award of Excellence in 2007, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

Following the tragic events of September 11, Rabbi Friedman provided spiritual guidance and counseling to law enforcement members who took part in the search and rescue mission at the World Trade Center and to the American Red Cross.

Rabbi Friedman also serves as a police chaplain to the N.Y. MTA Police Department, Office of Federal Law Enforcement, the Putnam County and Passaic County Sheriff’s offices, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and U.S. Department of Justice. He continues to serve as a Special Assistant to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, and Citywide Liaison to the NYPD.

AD: see additional info on spiritual counseling religious referral and general character guidance through religious

Posted on by — 5 Comments

Governor Murphy orders New Jersey’s State Agencies to prepare for a State Government Shutdown

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

June 2,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy’s administration put New Jersey’s state agencies on notice Friday that they should prepare for another state government shutdown if a state budget isn’t signed by the June 30 deadline.

In a letter to Murphy’s cabinet members, the Governor , asked them to update shut down contingency plans for their departments.

The letter : https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4491799-GovtShutdown-MEMO.html

 

Posted on by — 2 Comments

State Treasurer Muoio Orders Immediate Freeze of State Hiring & Spending

elizabeth muoio treasurer

June 2,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio on Friday directed all state cabinet and agency heads to immediately freeze all hiring, promotions and discretionary spending until further notice in order to ensure General Fund resources are adequate to support essential state operations.

“I have repeatedly made it clear that we face extraordinary fiscal challenges due primarily to the structural imbalance in our General Fund. Given the uncertainty about bringing Energy Tax Receipts on budget before the close of the fiscal year, we have to reserve all available resources in order to ensure we close out the General Fund in a positive position.

“Because the General Fund accounts for roughly 55 percent of state funding, it is essential that we freeze all discretionary spending to ensure we can support the crucial functions that keep the state operating – everything from caseworkers for children in foster care to the operation of our developmental centers to the safety and protection provided by State Police.

“To that end, I have sent a letter to all cabinet and agency heads today ordering them to freeze all hiring, promotions and non-salary operating and discretionary funding,” said Muoio.

Posted on by — 8 Comments

Governor Phil Murphy’s first executive budget : Time to Abandon Ship ?

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

June 1 2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, a recent poll published in the Ridgewood blog found that barely 50 percent of New Jersey residents thought the state was a good place to live. The state has the worst business climate in the nation, and residents pay the highest average property tax bill.

For his part Governor Phil Murphy’s first executive budget promises to make the state even more unwelcoming by crushing Jersey families and businesses with over $1.5 billion in new taxes and fees.

That figure totals more than 4 percent of the state budget. It will be a mammoth tax increase on people who cannot afford it.

The $1.5 billion-plus tax hike facing New Jerseyans includes:

$765 million millionaire’s tax hike.Increasing tax on income over $1M from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent . A millionaire’s tax would be added, just as the Governor complains about new limits on state and local tax deductions hurting wealthy residents – a reminder he’s concerned about milking these folks for revenue, not about reducing their tax burden.

$581 million sales tax hike. Sales tax increased to 7 percent. Adding sales tax on Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb Expanding Internet sales tax beyond New Jersey’s borders.

$59 million from new tax on vaping products, and hike on tobacco products.75 percent wholesale tax on e-cigarettes. Increasing wholesale tax on tobacco products to 68 percent

In a $100 million carried interest money grab , the Murphy budget also includes a “fee” (actually a tax) on carried interest. There is no carried interest “loophole”, but either way that is a debate about the federal code, it’s not a state issue. It’s an insult to peoples’ intelligence to sell them on a tax hike with inaccurate “loophole” talk.

Yesterday Murphy even reintroduced the failed individual mandate tax for New Jersey as Murphycare .

And of coarse just in time for the summer driving season an increase in the gas tax is on the table .

Posted on by — 1 Comment

NJOHSP Rolls Out New Summer Initiative to Keep Shore Communities Protected

artchick_jerseyshore_theridgewoodblog

file photo by ArtChick

June 1,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  With the unofficial start of summer less than a week away, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) has announced a new summer initiative designed to keep New Jersey’s residents safe this season.

NJOHSP’s “Secure the Shore” Initiative is a specialized subsection of the State’s larger, year-round “See Something, Say Something” campaign that encourages the reporting of suspicious activity. Through suspicious activity awareness, reporting, and information-sharing, critical infrastructure owners and operators, law enforcement, and the public at-large prove invaluable to initiating investigations and preventing potential attacks.
“After the Seaside Park bombing, it was tips from New Jersey residents that led to the arrest of the bomber, Ahmad Khan Rahimi,” said NJOHSP Director Jared Maples. “Engendering this level of suspicious activity and reporting awareness is paramount to preventing future attacks and developing strategic plans for both short- and long-term solutions to emerging and evolving homeland security concerns.”

The “Secure the Shore” Initiative will focus on Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties, and municipalities within these counties along the coast, with an emphasis on towns that attract mass gatherings. In coordination with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement, NJOHSP has deployed a security strategy to prepare shore communities of the emerging threat to public venues with limited security and free movement.

NJOHSP investigators will deploy to the shore towns and various special events throughout the summer. NJOHSP will conduct visits to the boardwalks and businesses, and will work with local, state, county, and federal partners to aggressively investigate all leads in a timely manner. NJOHSP, with the help of law enforcement partners, will also conduct trainings for lifeguards and beach patrol personnel on how to identify and report suspicious activity.
The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness encourages all residents to remain vigilant while enjoying themselves this summer. If you “See Something, Say Something,” by calling 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or emailing [email protected].

Posted on by — 1 Comment

74 percent of New Jersey CPA’s said that it would get worse, under Governor Murphy’s proposed budget plan

elizabeth muoio treasurer

May 31,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in a new survey, certified public accountants (CPA’s) in New Jersey believe the spending plan put forth by Gov. Phil Murphy would be bad for the Garden State.

Nearly 75 percent of the 786 NJCPA members  responded to the survey conducted earlier this month said New Jersey’s economy would either get “significantly worse” (31 percent) or “marginally worse” (44 percent) over the long term under Governor Murphy’s proposed budget plan.

Ralph Albert Thomas, the CEO and executive director at the NJ Society of CPAs, says when members were asked about Murphy’s budget proposal “and the impact it would have on the economy going forward, an overwhelming 74 percent said that it would get worse, and 31 percent said it would get significantly worse.”

Meanwhile just 14 percent of respondents said Murphy’s proposed spending plan would help the Jersey economy.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Governor Phil Murphy Vetos the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act,aka the Reality TV Full Employment Act

real-housewives-of-new-jersey-teresa-giudices-finale-meltdown

May 31,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  Governor Phil Murphy today conditionally vetoed Senate Bill No. 122, the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act, which provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for expenses incurred as part of the production of certain films and digital media content.

The bill is often referred to as the Reality TV Full Employment Act . The Governor wants a more diverse make up of New Jersey TV shows and to spread the wealth of TV production to more communities .

The question remains ,is not one The Real Housewives of New Jersey or Jersey shore enough for everyone  , we guess not. Making New Jersey look like a garbage is big business . If we cant do anything right in New Jersey we can always make ourselves look like fools and make money off of it.

The Governor went on; “I want to thank the Legislature for passing the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act, which will help revitalize the film and media industries in New Jersey,” .“Filming movies and TV shows in New Jersey creates good-paying jobs, generates economic growth, and centers our state as a home for 21st-century growth industries.”

“This is why I’m eager to work with the Legislature to strengthen the legislation by adding incentives for diverse hiring in the film industry and extending eligibility for certain reality TV shows that invest in New Jersey’s economy and promote tourism to the Garden State.”

“A vibrant TV and film industry in New Jersey will create jobs, spur economic activity and bolster the State’s cultural identity,” said Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg. “I was happy to work with the Governor on this important legislation because we all recognize the value of the film industry to New Jersey, and I believe that his suggested changes will advance our shared goals of supporting and promoting an industry that is important to New Jersey.”

“The Governor has taken an excellent piece of legislation and made it even better,” said Michael Uslan, Chairman of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
“Thousands of union members employed in the film and television industry work in New Jersey and this is the incentive program they have been hoping for,” said David Smith, Vice Chairman of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission. “It allows them to work in their home state.”

 

Posted on by — 1 Comment

GOV. MURPHY SIGNING NJ INDIVIDUAL MANDATE LEGISLATION INTO LAW, MURPHYCARE

Valley Hospital

May 30, 2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy signs NJ individual mandate healthcare legislation raising taxes once again and offering nothing in return . New Jersey already has a very high cost healthcare system and pushing statewide the failed Obamacare agenda is nothing short of a total disaster.

78% of New Jersey households hit by the Obamacare mandate tax make less than $50,000 per year.

According to the IRS, the Obamacare mandate tax hit 188,570 New Jersey families and individuals in the most recent year of available data. 146,910 of these taxpayers made less than $50,000 per year – 78 percent of those impacted by the mandate.
38% of New Jersey households hit by the Obamacare mandate tax make less than $25,000 per year. That’s 70,830 New Jersey households.
New Jersey households paid a total of $93,342,000 in Obamacare individual mandate taxes in the most recent year of available data.

MURPHYCARE is here,  in November 2017, Better Choices, Better Care NJ released a 15-point plan to improve health care in the state of New Jersey.  The plan lays out why these issues were selected, how leaving them unresolved negatively impacts New Jerseyans and what specific remedies are needed to fix them.  The report can be viewed at: “Moving New Jersey To Affordable, Quality Health Care.”

Among the issues laid out in the plan to help reduce costs are: having the state create its own individual mandate, so that premiums do not skyrocket as low-risk individuals leave the market; moving behavioral health aspects of Medicaid from a fee-for-service to a patient centered care model; moving behavioral health and substance use disorder services to the Medicaid Managed Care Program; and having transparency guidelines across all sectors and facets of health care, especially when it comes to consumer pricing.

This all sounds great till the bill comes, high bills ,less choices ,more mandates , time to move .

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Governor Phil Murphy offers a STEM Loan Forgiveness Program

STEM1

May 30,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  To re-ignite the promise of New Jersey’s innovation economy, Governor Phil Murphy today announced two initiatives – the STEM Loan Forgiveness Program and the NJ Career Accelerator Internship Program – to encourage individuals in STEM fields to make a long-term commitment to building and maintaining a career in New Jersey. The initiatives were part of the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget message.

“The catalyst to reclaiming New Jersey’s innovation economy is our ability to attract and retain the scientific talent New Jersey businesses require to succeed in a 21st century economy,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “By implementing these two STEM initiatives, we’re making a critical investment in human capital – one that will fuel the growth of innovation at businesses across the Garden State and recapture New Jersey’s reputation as a pre-eminent leader in science and technology.”

The STEM Loan Forgiveness Program will encourage those in high-growth STEM occupations to work in New Jersey by reducing their student loan obligations.
After certification that an employee has worked for at least four years in a designated high-growth STEM occupation in New Jersey, the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) will redeem eligible student loan expenses for up to four years. The State would provide eligible employees with $1,000 annually to defray outstanding loans and employers would be required to at least match this award – or otherwise partner with the State – to provide a total benefit worth at least $8,000.

Eligibility requirements for the STEM Loan Forgiveness Program include:

Being a resident of the State of New Jersey and maintaining residency during participation in the program;
Having a degree from an approved STEM degree program;
Working full-time in an approved high-growth STEM occupation at a New Jersey employer for a minimum of four years before applying to the program;
After applying for the program, working for an additional one to four years of employment in an approved high-growth STEM occupation at a New Jersey employer;
Receiving annual certification from his or her current employer to attest the employee is working in an approved high-growth STEM occupation,
Having an outstanding balance with a State or Federal student loan program and not being in default on any student loan.

To support current students, Governor Murphy also announced the NJ Career Accelerator Internship Program, a paid internship program to be administered through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The Department will target first-time interns enrolled in New Jersey high schools, colleges, and universities with offers in STEM industries such as IT/Software, Life Sciences and Healthcare, and Energy. Participating employers will be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of wages paid to new interns for up to $1,500 per student.

Over time, internships have become a necessary credential for employment and are essential to learning an industry’s relevant skills.
“Stevens Institute of Technology enthusiastically supports Governor Murphy’s proposal to reclaim New Jersey’s innovation economy through a multi-faceted suite of initiatives including a STEM loan forgiveness program to attract and retain top talent in fast-growing technology-based occupations in the State,” said Nariman Farvardin, president of Stevens Institute of Technology. “The unprecedented pace of technological advancement in fields as diverse as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to biomedicine and finance demands a multi-pronged approach to stem the ‘brain drain’ from New Jersey to other states. Governor Murphy is to be commended for taking bold action to build and retain a highly-skilled, technology-savvy workforce upon which our State’s economy depends.”

“I am very excited and encouraged by the Administration’s strong focus and efforts to reignite the innovation economy here in New Jersey, and truly believe initiatives like the STEM Loan Forgiveness proposal and STEM internship grant program will provide for significant movement toward that goal,” said WorkWave CEO Chris Sullens. “As one of the state’s fastest growing technology businesses, WorkWave needs a rich pool of technology-savvy employees to choose from to fuel continued rapid growth. Providing incentives for New Jersey students to choose STEM majors through internship grants and pairing that with a loan forgiveness program that helps them better afford that education and provides an incentive for those students to stay in New Jersey and apply that knowledge in one of the growing technology companies will pay dividends for the state in both the short and the long run while helping revitalize the critically important innovation economy here in New Jersey.”

“Fidelity supports the Governor’s efforts to grow the state’s economy and attract a highly skilled workforce from which we can draw the quality talent needed to continue to drive our commitment to innovation,” said Natalie Brathwaite, Fidelity Regional Director of Public Affairs. “Innovation begins with the employee experience, so we provide benefits and programs designed to help people thrive in and out of Fidelity. As part of our approach to tackling the growing student debt issue, Fidelity is proud to be one of the first employers to offer our own student loan benefit as well as develop solutions and education for our workplace clients to help address their employee’s student loan debt concerns.”
“As a New Jersey-based technology employer, Cognizant appreciates these efforts to spur New Jersey’s innovation economy and to address the STEM skills gap,” said James Lennox, Executive Vice-President & Global Chief People Officer, Cognizant Technology.

“We see great value in the Governor’s efforts to incentivize individuals to pursue STEM professions as it aligns with the EY purpose of building a better working world,” said Jackie P. Taylor, EY’s Government & Public Sector Leader for the State of NJ.“Creative efforts to address skill gaps in the market, foster innovation and increase employee retention are the levers that will ultimately differentiate New Jersey’s workforce. The heightened focus should also increase student interest in STEM related studies and strengthen the pipeline of talent amongst graduates entering the workforce. This will be helpful to EY, and many of our clients, who frequently hire individuals with solid backgrounds in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to support our organizations.”
The STEM Loan Forgiveness Program will be contingent upon State lawmakers passing legislation to implement the initiative.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

NJ Division on Civil Rights Obtains Settlements in Two Cases Where Support Dog Accommodations Were Denied for Disabled

dogs_4th_of_July_theridgewoodblog

may 29,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division on Civil Rights announced today the settlement of two separate disability discrimination cases – both involving disabled New Jersey residents who were denied permission to keep medically-prescribed support dogs by the governing boards of their respective housing complexes.
In one case, Harbortown Sail, a residential complex located in Perth Amboy, agreed to pay a condominium renter $10,000 to resolve allegations it unlawfully discriminated by denying the woman’s request to keep a support dog that her prescribing physician told the Division would lessen her reliance on opioid pain medications.

In the other case Landmark East Corp., corporate owner of a housing complex in Ridgefield Park, paid a resident $16,000 to resolve allegations it unlawfully discriminated by denying the man permission to keep a medically-prescribed support dog that his treating physician described as “necessary” for his health.

“These are fair settlements that resolve troubling cases – cases in which residents with a documented disability were treated in ‘hardball’ fashion by governing boards that apparently did not recognize the distinction between a pet and a clinically-prescribed emotional support animal,” said Attorney General Grewal. “These cases should serve as a message to landlords – as well as the governing boards of condominiums and cop-ops across the state – that the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) was created to protect the rights of people with disabilities, including those who require service dogs and emotional support animals. We are committed to upholding the LAD.”
Harbortown Sail, a townhome-style condominium community, allows unit owners to keep one domestic pet, but maintains a “no pets” policy for renters. In July 2015 a husband and wife signed a one-year lease – the wife suffers from multiple medical conditions including lupus, diabetes and neuropathy – and began occupying a two-bedroom unit, along with the wife’s support dog.

The wife – identified only as “T.D.” to protect her medical privacy – was advised by Harbortown’s management in August 2015 that as a renter she could not keep the dog. In response, T.D. submitted a letter from her treating physician opining that she “meets the definition of disability” and needs a support dog to help her cope with multiple illnesses. Harbortown’s Board rejected the doctor’s letter and denied permission for T.D. to keep the dog because the letter was not written on an authorized physician’s prescription pad.

The Board then followed up with a certified letter to T.D.’s husband advising that the couple’s lease was being terminated, and that they must vacate their rental property by January 31, 2016. Only after T.D. got rid of her support dog and advised the Board of its removal – in mid-January 2016 – did management rescind the lease termination.

During the Division on Civil Rights investigation, T.D.’s treating physician told an investigator she suffered chronic pain in her arms and lower back and the support dog helped T.D. cope better with her pain, and therefore use less opioid pain medication. The doctor also said he’d deliberately used his own office stationary in writing a letter on her behalf to the Harbortown Board, because prescription pads can be stolen.
In addition to the $10,000 settlement payout to T.D., Harbortown must revise its policy for reviewing and processing requests for exemption from its no pets rule.

Among other changes, the Board must eliminate its requirement that medical documentation be submitted only on a prescription pad. The revised policy must “acknowledge that there is a distinction between a service animal, such as a service dog, and an emotional support animal.” The updated policy also must recognize that, under the LAD “service dogs are not considered pets and shall be entitled to full and equal access to all housing accommodations.”
As part of the settlement, T.D. can submit a future request for permission to keep a support dog in her unit at Harbortown, and the Board must be guided by its revised policy. The Board also must arrange training on federal and state fair housing laws for all of Harbortown’s employees and managers.

In the Landmark East case, resident H.G. suffers from anxiety and depression. Three weeks after he moved in, H.G. wrote to Landmark East requesting permission to have a five-pound terrier live with him as an emotional support animal. A letter provided by his clinical psychologist noted that H.G. required an emotional support dog to help him cope, function more normally on a daily basis, and to “mitigate the symptoms he is currently experiencing.”
In response, Landmark East’s attorney sent a letter to H.G. indicating that the Board of Directors was “extremely disturbed” by his request to keep a service dog, and also accusing him of having acted “fraudulently” by signing a “no pet/sublet” letter when he obtained his housing unit.

H.G. then obtained a second letter from his treating physician explaining that an emotional support animal is “necessary for his emotional/mental health.” H.G. did not formally submit the letter to Landmark East, however, because he was unable to obtain a “physician’s verification request form” that he was told must accompany the submission. In fact, no such form existed.

On August 19, 2015, Landmark East sent a Notice of Violation to H.G. stating that he was in breach of the complex’s no pets restriction, and that his account would be fined $25 per week while the dog remained in his unit.
Landmark also threatened to terminate H.G.’s ownership interest in his unit within a week and sell his shared at public auction. After H.G. sought recourse through the Division on Civil Rights and incurred thousands of dollars in legal fees, Landmark East decided that his support dog could stay.

Under the settlement announced today, the Respondent must arrange for anti-discrimination training of its property managers, and “develop policies and procedures consistent with the agreement, with the goal of ensuring compliance with the Law Against Discrimination.”

Landmark East Corp. must submit to Division monitoring of its housing practices for two years and provide anti-discrimination training for its employees, managers, board members and agents. Landmark East is also subject to a $5,000 suspended civil penalty.