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Governor Murphy and the “Murphy’s Science”

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Governor Murphy continues to promote the idea he is making decisions on reopening the state of New Jersey based on “science”  ?  According to “Murphy’s Science” School graduations are dangerous yet mass protests are not ?  Maybe the real problem is just that , the focus on government sanctioned protests and not education. Worse yet Murphy joined the protests with the intent of protesting himself ? I mean he is the governor  after all .

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Democrats Squash Bill to Limit Governor Murphy’s Emergency Powers

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Trenton NJ, the lure of absolute power burns bright in the seats of power in New Jersey. A  bill that would rein in Governor Phil Murphy’s executive powers during a state of emergency failed after Democrats in the Assembly blocked a vote on it Thursday.

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Restart Standards for New Jersey Colleges and Universities

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Trenton NJ, The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) today issued standards for institutions of higher education as they begin restarting campus operations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The standards align with the stages of New Jersey’s “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health” plan and provide a framework of critical standards, additional steps institutions should consider when formulating plans, and examples of safeguarding practices in 10 key on-campus functional areas: instruction, residential housing, computer laboratories, libraries, research, student services, transportation, dining, international travel, and athletics.

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NJDOH Ignored Local Health Officials

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Trenton NJ, Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) commented on a highly concerning letter from the Public Health Associations Collaborative Effort (PHACE) which expressed their major concerns over the lack of coordination between the New Jersey Department of Health and local health officials on the pandemic response.

“This is yet another deafening warning siren blaring at the Department that something is horribly wrong,” said O’Scanlon. “It is staggering that the NJDOH would not consult with such esteemed institutions and not tap into our State’s vast and established network of local health experts that truly understand the needs of our individual communities.”

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NJ Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal Releases Guidance on Prosecutions of COVID-19 Lock Down Violators

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Trenton NJ,  Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today released guidance addressing prosecutions of COVID-19 related offenses, which is designed to ensure that there is accuracy, uniformity and consistency by municipal prosecutors and in municipal courts throughout the state.

“While the vast majority of New Jersey residents followed the Governor’s Executive Orders and helped us to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, and continue to do so, some did not,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We have a duty as law enforcement officers to bring violators to justice, and to do so in a way that ensures uniformity. We also have a responsibility to exercise discretion in the interests of justice, including to use diversion programs and community court if available. My guidance today advises municipal prosecutors on the best ways to achieve those important goals of uniformity and consistency, deterrence, and responsible discretion.”

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Man Arrested for Torching a Police Vehicle During Trenton Protests

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  A Trenton man was charged today with attempting to ignite a marked police vehicle during the recent violent outburst in Trenton following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Earlja J. Dudley, 27, of Trenton, was arrested by special agents of the FBI and is charged by complaint with one count of attempting to damage or destroy by fire a vehicle owned or possessed by an institution receiving federal financial assistance, and one count of attempting to damage or destroy by fire a vehicle used in and affecting interstate commerce. Dudley will make his initial appearance this afternoon by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni.

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NJ State Police Superintendent Patrick J. Callahan Accused of Coverup in Sexual Assault Case

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Trenton NJ, according to Newsweek in January 2017, Laura Gallagher told New Jersey State Police troopers she was a victim of a sexual assault. The detective who interviewed her believed her account and secured a warrant for the suspect. His work on the case won him a commendation. But three-and-a-half years later, Gallagher’s alleged assailant is still free.

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Murphy Administration Ducks Hearing on Nursing Home COVID Deaths

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Trenton NJ,  Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, who will be participating at today’s Assembly hearings into the Murphy administration’s handling of New Jersey’s long-term care facilities, issued a statement in advance.

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Pressure Mounts to Limit Governor’s Emergency Powers

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Trenton NJ, In response to months of mandatory shutdown across the state, 10th District Legislators Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have sponsored a resolution which would prevent the overreaching of the Governor’s executive powers.  SCR-117 and ACR-181 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit effective period of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by Governor to 14 days.

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Taxpayer-Funded Manatt Health Study of Nursing Home COVID Deaths a Complete Whitewash

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, While the state is lifting some of its coronavirus restrictions today and opening restaurants for limited outdoor dining, Senator Joe Pennacchio raised concerns that the 6,000 nursing home residents who died from COVID-19 are being forgotten.

“If the state doesn’t learn from our mistakes, we will repeat them,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “We know things in our nursing homes went bad in a hurry, and we know that 6,000 vulnerable seniors died in forced isolation, unable to see their families for one last time. We know costly errors were committed, the Administration has been anything but forthcoming, and New Jersey residents have a long laundry list of questions that demand answers.”

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NJDOH Whistleblower files lawsuit for Wrongful Termination

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Holmdel NJ, Former Assistant Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health’s Division of Public Health, Infrastructure, Laboratories and Emergency Preparedness, Christopher Neuwirth, who was terminated on May 28, 2020, has filed a whistle-blower lawsuit today in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County against the State of New Jersey.

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NJ Attorney General Outlines Process for Revising Police Use of Force Policy

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ,  Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal outlined plans for revising New Jersey’s “Use of Force Policy,” which governs when the state’s 36,000 law enforcement officers may—and may not—use force against civilians. As part of that process, Attorney General Grewal announced that his office has launched an online portal for public comments and will be organizing community listening sessions in all 21 counties.

On June 2, 2020, Attorney General Grewal first announced his intention to revise the Use of Force Policy, the first update in two decades. The initiative is part of the Attorney General’s Excellence in Policing initiative, a sweeping set of policing reforms launched in December 2019 to promote the culture of professionalism, accountability, and transparency that is the hallmark of New Jersey’s best law enforcement agencies.

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State PBA Balks Statewide Order Requiring Law Enforcement Agencies to Identify Officers Who Commit Serious Disciplinary Violations

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Trenton NJ, NJ Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal  ordered all law enforcement agencies in New Jersey to begin publicly identifying officers who commit serious disciplinary violations. Under the order, going forward every state, county, and local law enforcement agency in New Jersey will be required to annually publish a list of officers who were fired, demoted, or suspended for more than five days due to a disciplinary violation, with the first list to be published no later than December 31, 2020.

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Proposed Constitutional Amendment To Require Legislative Approval Every 15 days for Governors Emergency Powers

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Senator Declan O’Scanlon issued the following statement on the need to curtail Governor Phil Murphy’s emergency powers:

“Today, I signed onto a resolution that just strike me as peculiar. Peculiar in the sense that I never would have imagined the need for this to exist in a democracy. SCR-117 is intended to curtail the Governor’s power to issue emergency executive orders without reapproval by the legislature every 15 days. It’s a proposed constitutional amendment that if passed, would create a ballot question potentially altering our State’s constitution and let the public decide whether a Governor needs to have their power more frequently checked by the Legislature.

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Top 5 Best Activities When You Visit New Jersey

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New Jersey in an unfairly underrated state where anyone can enjoy a fantastic vacation. Visitors can choose from a broad range of world-class activities. Whether you’re interested in nature, the arts, history, or sports, you can find something exciting to do. Here are 5 activities you can enjoy in New Jersey.

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