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New Jersey Secures Historic $2 Billion Settlement Over PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Contamination

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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.

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Murphy’s Gig Worker Rule Change: Another Tone-Deaf Move That Could Kill NJ Jobs

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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.

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Gubernatorial Candidate Jack Ciattarelli Slams Soaring Energy Costs in NJ, Vows to Restore Energy Independence

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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.

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Murphy’s Latest Tax Hikes: Cigarettes, Casinos & Real Estate – Oh My!

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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.

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School Choice Wins Big: Congress Passes Historic Scholarship Program Empowering Parents and Students

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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.

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Judges Reject Trump Pick for New Jersey’s Top Federal Prosecutor, Sparking Clash with DOJ

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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.

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New Jersey Ranks 30th in CNBC’s 2025 Top States for Business — NJBIA Calls for Bold Reforms

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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.

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NJ Lawmakers Consider Bill to Strip Control of State Police From Attorney General

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON, NJnew 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.

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Governor Murphy Signs Landmark Road Safety Law to Protect Pedestrians and Cyclists in New Jersey

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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.

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Murphy Administration Pushes Costly Flood Zone Rules – Because What’s Another Hit to New Jersey Affordability?

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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.

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New Eagleton Poll: New Jerseyans Frustrated Over Taxes, Affordability, and Transit

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEW JERSEY — A new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll reveals that New Jersey residents are largely dissatisfied with how the state government is handling critical issues, particularly taxes, cost of living, and public transportation. The report, conducted between June 13 and 16, 2025, paints a picture of a public increasingly frustrated with both state and national leadership — a sentiment expected to shape the upcoming 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election.

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Congressman Van Drew Releases Sets Record Straight on Final Passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”

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Washington, DC – Congressman Van Drew announced that he secured crucial language in the final Reconciliation bill that will protect New Jersey hospitals and patients.

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NJ State Police Boost Patrols Statewide for July 4th Weekend

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

West Trenton, N.J. – The New Jersey State Police urges everyone to celebrate the holiday weekend safely. Whether you’re spending time with family and friends, heading to the shore, or taking the boat out, please remember that traffic will be heavier across the state—and our troopers will be out there too, helping to keep our roads safe.

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Record $58.8 Billion NJ Budget Draws Criticism Over Spending, Taxes from Business Leaders

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy signed a record-breaking $58.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, marking the largest in New Jersey history — and his final as term-limited governor. While the spending plan includes some relief for small businesses and education, critics say it leans heavily on tax hikes and fiscal overreach.

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Assemblyman Christopher P. DePhillips Increased Tax Credit for Angel Investors in N.J. Tech Goes to Governor

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Assemblyman Christopher P. DePhillips (40-R) is close to successfully increasing the angel investor tax credit once again after doubling it in 2019. His bill incentivizing financial support for technology startups passed both the full Assembly and Senate on Monday, sending it to the governor’s desk for a signature.

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