Category: Trenton

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More Calls to Check Unbridled Power of Governor Murphy

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ,  Assemblyman Ron Dancer is supporting his Republican colleague Brian Bergen’s legislation to put a layer of checks and balances on the governor’s ability to enact emergency executive orders.
“The governor’s ability to unilaterally impose restrictions on the freedoms of our citizens cannot go unchecked,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “One person with near absolute power is dangerous. Governor Murphy doesn’t even have a problem admitting that he doesn’t consider the Bill of Rights. My legislation will ensure that the governor has the ability to take emergency action, but that action must be reviewed and approved by the legislature within 14 days or it will expire.”

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NJ Unemployment Payouts Approach a Staggering $2 Billion

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, The New Jersey Department of Labor has distributed $1.9 billion in income-supplementing benefits since the COVID-19 pandemic began in mid-March, and this week saw new unemployment claims for the period surpass 1 million, an all-time high.

In the seven weeks since COVID-19 hit New Jersey in mid-March, 1,018,785 unemployment claims have been filed, by far the most ever recorded for a similar period.

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NJ Labor Department Clarifies Unemployment Certifying Claims Process

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TRENTON NJ,  With more than 600,000 people now collecting unemployment in New Jersey, the Department of Labor is helping claimants through the process of certifying for weekly benefits so they receive payment without delay.

The US Labor Department requires unemployment recipients to certify for benefits each week. In New Jersey, that means answering seven questions and attesting to the truthfulness of the answers.

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Calls Intensify For Legislative Investigation Into Nursing Home Deaths

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been at least 4,151 coronavirus related deaths in New Jersey’s long-term care facilities including many at the state’s only veterans’ nursing home. That represents more than half of all COVID-19 related deaths in New Jersey to date.

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Common Sense New Jersey Re-Opening Plan: ‘Back To Work NJ’

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Middletown NJ, As feelings of uncertainty and questions grow due to the lack of a real, structured New Jersey economic re-opening plan, Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R – Monmouth) has composed a set of common sense protocols small businesses could implement in order to start down the road to safe economic recovery:

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New Jersey’s failure to heed the warning signs and its inaction to support our long-term care facilities has been nothing less than devastating

50% of New Jersey’s COVID-19 Deaths Occurred in State Regulated Nursing Facilities

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Trenton NJ, On January 21, the State of Washington announced its first confirmed case of COVID-19. Within a month, the virus had taken hold and people were dying. It was quickly evident that many of the deaths were in nursing care facilities.

The outbreak made national news and should have gotten national attention, including from elected officials and health care agencies in New Jersey.

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Time to New Jersey to Replace Department Of Labor Commissioner after Weeks-long Unemployment Backlog

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ, Governor Phil Murphy extended his executive order by another 30 days yesterday. Residents have been waiting two months for their unemployment checks, they cant wait another 30 days. We need to fix the system now or start opening our state.

Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney is calling on Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo to resign if he can’t fix the unemployment backlog. Rooney has heard complaints for weeks from frustrated constituents about delays, backlogs and a generally unresponsive unemployment system.

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NJ Senate Republican Caucus Urges Governor Phil Murphy to Listen and Address Common Concerns of Residents

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Trenton NJ, The fifteen members of the Senate Republican caucus urged Governor Phil Murphy to listen to the common concerns that have been raised repeatedly by constituents during the seven weeks that New Jersey has bee locked down and to act on proposed recommendations.

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Its Over: Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Extending Public Health Emergency Crushing New Jersey Businesses Sending State into Tail Spin

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New Jersey Commits Fiscal Suicide 

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Trenton NJ,  Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 138 which extends the Public Health Emergency declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103 and extended on April 7 through Executive Order No. 119. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

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Is the Day of Fiscal Reckoning Finally Coming to New Jersey , with Massive Tax Increases and State Layoffs a Predetermined Conclusion?

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,New Jersey is facing a financial disaster due to loss in revenue and spike in expenses related to the coronavirus outbreak that could be just weeks away, Governor Phil Murphy .  The governor went on, “We are on the brink of having to make very tough and, quite frankly, very unpalatable decisions.”

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N.J. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken: Businesses Need Access to More Capital and Clear Safety Guidelines

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Trenton NJ, Statement from N.J. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken: Businesses Need Access to More Capital and Clear Safety Guidelines

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with regional and local chambers of commerce across New Jersey, has been asking member companies to identify their most pressing concerns as plans to reopen the economy move forward.

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New Jersey Is Ranked the State with the 6th Most Coronavirus Restrictions

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, With some states beginning to open up for business and relax limitations put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the States with the Fewest Coronavirus Restrictions, as well as accompanying videos.

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A Third of New Jersey Bridges Need Repair

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Two recent reports show that New Jersey had more bridges in need of repair in 2019 than in 2018, although the number of bridges in poor condition went down. According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association Bridge Report, New Jersey had 2,357 bridges in need of repairs in 2019, with an estimated cost of $9.9 billion. This is up from 2018, when NJ had 2,305 bridges in need of repair with an estimated cost of $7 billion. The average age of bridges in New Jersey is 55 years old.

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New Fiscal Realities Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Leaves NJ on the brink of making some very tough fiscal decisions

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ,  To further address the ongoing fiscal disruption and uncertainties caused by COVID-19, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 137, rescinding Executive Order No. 73 (2019), which directed the Department of the Treasury to achieve a $1.276 billion surplus by the end of this current fiscal year.

“No one has been more committed to restoring our state’s fiscal foundation than I have,” said Governor Murphy. “We have spent the past two years working nonstop to build surpluses and put money aside for a rainy day fund. However, in the absence of significant federal assistance, we are on the brink of having to make very tough fiscal decisions, and a $1.28 billion surplus for this fiscal year is no longer realistic.”

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Governor Phil Murphy New Executive Order Boom for “Mail Order brides”

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Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 135, suspending in-person requirements for receipt of a marriage license and marriage ceremonies, and for the receipt of working papers for minors.

“Our current public health emergency requires us to adjust our processes to protect public health and safety,” said Governor Murphy. “Even in uncertain times, we must allow important milestones, like marriages or youth seeking their first job, to move forward in a safe, efficient manner.”

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