the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton, NJ — New Jersey residents are facing steep electric rate hikes this summer, with many pointing fingers at Governor Phil Murphy’s controversial Energy Master Plan (EMP) including Gubnatorial Jack Ciattarelli — a green energy overhaul projected to cost $1.4 trillion by 2050. While Democrats in Trenton continue to blame climate change, data centers, and outside market factors, critics argue the real problem stems from Murphy’s own policies.
A new study on behalf of ETQ has identified the U.S. states that have lost the most manufacturing jobs since 2000.
Edited by the staff of the Ridgewood blog , Report by ETQ
Trenton NJ, After decades of offshoring, the United States is attempting a manufacturing revival. Under the Biden administration, federal programs like the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act directed hundreds of billions toward reshoring critical industries. More recently, President Trump’s sweeping tariff agenda has added new pressure to relocate production back to U.S. soil.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, New Jersey’s race for governor is heating up, and Republican Jack Ciattarelli is closing the gap on Democrat Mikie Sherrill — thanks to a strong showing among independents when voters focus on local issues.
Continue reading Ciattarelli Surges on Local Issues in Tight NJ Governor’s Race
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton, NJ — The Murphy administration is under fire yet again — this time over a controversial Department of Labor proposal that critics say could deal a devastating blow to New Jersey’s gig economy, small businesses, and worker flexibility.
Continue reading Another Blow to Business? NJ’s New Contractor Rule Sparks Backlash
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
TRENTON, NJ — the future of Alina Habba’s role fighting New Jersey’s culture of corruption as acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey now rests in the hands of a federal judge in Pennsylvania, after a criminal defendant argued that she was unconstitutionally appointed and must be disqualified from prosecuting his case.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
TRENTON, NJ – In a major environmental victory, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette have announced a record-breaking $2 billion settlement to address widespread contamination from toxic PFAS chemicals and other pollutants. This is the largest environmental settlement ever reached by a single U.S. state.
O’Scanlon, Scharfenberger, and Flynn Torch Trenton’s Latest Anti-Freelancer Agenda
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton, NJ – July 29, 2025 Just when you thought Governor Phil Murphy couldn’t make New Jersey less affordable or more unfriendly to working residents, his administration is back with another anti-job, anti-reality proposal. This time, it’s a behind-the-scenes push to reclassify gig workers—think Uber drivers, freelance writers, insurance agents, photographers, and even Little League umpires—as employees rather than independent contractors.
Continue reading Murphy’s Gig Worker Rule Change: Another Tone-Deaf Move That Could Kill NJ Jobs
Candidate Pledges to End Offshore Wind Projects and Reintroduce Natural Gas and Nuclear Power
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Somerville, NJ — Gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli is sounding the alarm on what he calls an “avoidable energy crisis” in New Jersey, pointing to skyrocketing utility bills and failed green energy initiatives as the primary culprits. Ciattarelli took aim at Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill and Governor Phil Murphy for championing offshore wind energy and electric vehicle mandates, which he argues are driving energy costs out of control.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, “The Only Taxes People Like Are the Ones Someone Else Pays” — But in New Jersey, You’re Probably Paying Them Too . If there’s one thing more certain than death and taxes, it’s New Jersey finding new taxes.
Starting August 1, smokers in the Garden State will find their wallets even lighter as a fresh round of cigarette and vape taxes goes into effect. Yes, that’s right — Gov. Phil Murphy and the Democrat-led Legislature have once again reached deep into the playbook of “creative revenue generation” and pulled out… even more taxes.
Continue reading Murphy’s Latest Tax Hikes: Cigarettes, Casinos & Real Estate – Oh My!
photo by ArtChick
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, in a landmark victory for school choice advocates and families nationwide, Congress has approved the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA)—a transformative school-choice scholarship program that will help parents send their children to the schools that best meet their needs.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a new battle between the judiciary and the Trump administration is unfolding in New Jersey after a panel of U.S. judges voted to reject President Donald Trump’s interim pick for the state’s top federal prosecutor, Alina Habba.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
TRENTON, NJ — CNBC has released its 2025 ranking of America’s Top States for Business, and New Jersey landed in 30th place overall. While the Garden State scored well in some categories, its persistent struggles with business costs, taxes, and regulations continue to drag down its overall competitiveness.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
TRENTON, NJ — A new bill under consideration in the New Jersey Legislature sponsored by District 6 (Burlington and Camden),Senator MICHAEL L. TESTA, JR.District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland), Senator ANTHONY M. BUCCO District 25 (Morris and Passaic) could dramatically change the chain of command for the New Jersey State Police, shifting oversight away from the state attorney general and placing the agency directly under the governor’s authority.
Continue reading NJ Lawmakers Consider Bill to Strip Control of State Police From Attorney General
photo e-bike at Liberty State Park
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy has officially signed A4765/S4146, groundbreaking legislation that strengthens driver education and testing requirements to ensure motorists safely share the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and vulnerable road users.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ — Just when you thought living in the Garden State couldn’t get any more expensive, Governor Phil Murphy’s administration is proving you wrong.
According to NJBIA Chief Deputy Government Affairs Officer Ray Cantor, the Murphy-run Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is about to drop another “affordability shoe” on residents and businesses alike with its updated Resilient Environments and Landscapes rules. And don’t worry—these new regulations are just as overreaching and costly as you’d expect.
