>Ominously nicknamed Kill Switch bill and its impact on the Internet is stirring debate
SAN FRANCISCO — A raging debate over new legislation, and its impact on the Internet, has tongues wagging and fingers pointing from Silicon Valley to Washington, D.C.
Just as the Egyptian government recently forced the Internet to go dark, U.S. officials could flip the switch if the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset legislation becomes law, say its critics.
You don’t need a break from all the recent ice and snow.. you just need a break.
Imagine peaceful white snow blankets with glittering lights of local households brightening the long winter night. Imagine a quaint city, quiet and almost deserted by day while animated and bustling from late night till the early morning. Imagine peaceful landscapes, adventurous cave exploration, and endless wildlife.
For all of this and more, visit ICELAND!
Contact The Travel Center / American Express and learn more about all that Iceland has to offer… The Travel Center/American Express “Ridgewood’s ONLY Travel Agency” 50 E. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201) 447-3311 [email protected] Or visit our NEW website: www.TheTravelCenterAE.com
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Layoffs and attrition have reduced the number of police officers in New Jersey by about 10 percent, but most state residents do not believe the cuts have compromised public safety, according to a Monmouth University/New Jersey Press Media poll. (Mikle and Remaly, Gannett)
>N.J. Sen. Sweeney to unveil bill requiring state employees to contribute more for medical benefits
Senate President Stephen Sweeney today will unveil a plan that aims to slash the state’s huge medical costs by requiring public employees to kick in significantly more to health benefits, according to three officials familiar with the proposal. (Renshaw, The Star-Ledger)
Obama’s FY2012 Budget: Taxes, Taxes, and More Taxes From Ryan Ellis on Monday, February 14, 2011 12:00 PM
President Obama released his budget this morning. Rather than focusing on Washington’s over-spending problem, the budget calls for higher taxes on families and small businesses to pay for even more government spending. Under the Obama budget, tax revenues will grow from 14.4% of GDP in 2011 to 20% of GDP in 2021. By comparison, the historical average is only 18% of GDP.
Tax hike lowlights include:
Raising the top marginal income tax rate (at which a majority of small business profits face taxation) from 35% to 39.6%. This is a $709 billion/10 year tax hike Raising the capital gains and dividends rate from 15% to 20% Raising the death tax rate from 35% to 45% and lowering the death tax exemption amount from $5 million ($10 million for couples) to $3.5 million. This is a $98 billion/ten year tax hike Capping the value of itemized deductions at the 28% bracket rate. This will effectively cut tax deductions for mortgage interest, charitable contributions, property taxes, state and local income or sales taxes, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and unreimbursed employee business expenses. A new means-tested phaseout of itemized deductions limits them even more. This is a $321 billion/ten year tax hike New bank taxes totaling $33 billion over ten years New international corporate tax hikes totaling $129 billion over ten years New life insurance company taxes totaling $14 billion over ten years Massive new taxes on energy, including LIFO repeal, Superfund, domestic energy manufacturing, and many others totaling $120 billion over ten years Increasing unemployment payroll taxes by $15 billion over ten years Taxing management capital gains in an investment partnership (“carried interest”) as ordinary income. This is a tax hike of $15 billion over ten years A giveaway to the trial lawyers—not letting companies deduct the cost of punitive damages from a lawsuit settlement. This is a tax hike of $300 million over ten years Increasing tax penalties, information reporting, and IRS information sharing. This is a ten-year tax hike of $20 billion.
Add it all together, and this budget is a ten-year, $1.5 trillion tax hike over present law. That’s $1.5 trillion taken out of the economy and spent on government instead of being used to create jobs.
The “tax relief” in the budget is mostly just an extension of present law, and also some refundable credit outlay spending in the tax code. There is virtually no new tax relief relative to present law in the President’s budget.
Officials in Lambertville, N.J., are considering asking voters to raise their own property taxes to deal with a quintessential municipal issue: trash pickup. (Fleisher, The Wall Street Journal)
>No Child Left Behind : Charter schools may be an option
Charter schools may be an option
Under No Child Left Behind federal legislation that requires every child in public school to pass state standardized tests by 2014, schools that repeatedly fail to meet the benchmarks must provide tutoring and other remedies. (Rothschild, Courier-Post)
Some New Jersey municipalities that provide garbage collection to residents are exploring privatization or service cutbacks amid rising employee costs and the constraints of a new 2 percent property tax cap. (Jennings, Daily Record)
>Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the history of this centuries-old holiday, from ancient Roman rituals to the customs of Victorian England.
The history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
>After NJEA, Christie’s next fight is with state workers as contracts come up for renewal By Ginger Gibson/Statehouse Bureau
TRENTON — When Gov. Chris Christie went to war with the teachers union last year, leaders of unions representing New Jersey state workers nervously watched in the wings. Now it’s their turn to go toe-to-toe with the governor.
With contracts for 49,000 state workers due to expire this June, Christie has publicly proclaimed he wants no pay raises and expects state workers to fork over much more for health and pension benefits. Union leaders say they have had no meetings with the governor’s office and worry this doesn’t bode well for getting a deal before the current contracts are up.
“It’s going to be pretty ugly,” said Jeff Keefe, a labor professor at Rutgers University. “I’m not sure we’re going to be well-served by what comes out of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if in September we’re still in negotiations.”
As officials in Gov. Chris Christie’s administration prepare New Jersey’s next state budget, school superintendents and school board members are bracing for another difficult budget year. (Symons, Daily Record)
Gov. Chris Christie called a 5-year-old law designed to help low-income senior citizens and disabled people pay their cable TV bills “a dumb idea,” saying there was no way the state can afford it in such dire economic times. (Livio for The Associated Press)
>NJ state workers no longer have Lincoln’s birthday off
New Jersey state government has long shut down on Lincoln’s Birthday, making this one of only five states to use a holiday to honor the 16th president. (Jordan, Gannett)
Have a Heart Tue, February 01, 2011 – Mon, February 28, 2011
Cupcakes by Carousel, 192 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
During the Month of February, the American Heart Association will receive $1.00 for every Red velvet heart cupcake and $2.00 for every Red velvet cake with hearts sold, to help fight heart disease in America
“It’s Raining Men” ,Thu, February 10, 2011 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Red Velvet Luxe, 59 E. Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood NJ 07450
All your special someones will be cordially invited to an evening of whiskey tasting, cigars and then some, to make all your wishes come true. Start wishing, hoping and dreaming now!
Includes FREE Ballroom dance lesson with
Dance Master Lestat from 5:00pm-5:30pm.
Continued dancing 5:30pm-7:30pm
Singles and couples are welcome.
The cost to attend is $15pp or $25 per couple and includes a 20% discount coupon for a pre or post dance dinner at local Ridgewood restaurants Smith Brothers or The Office.Contact Carol Livingstone at 201-444-5600 ext 330 or email [email protected]
Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance
Sun, February 13, 2011
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Arthur Murray Dance Studio, 257 E. Ridgewood Ave. (entrance on N. Maple Ave.)
Event Description
Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance -Join Arthur Murray Dance Studio and Mediterraneo Restaurant make your Valentine’s Day one to remember, with elegant dancing and a romantic sit down candle-lit dinner.
$90 per person, BYOB
Reservation and deposit required
Sunday, February 13, 2011
rsvp 201-389-6980 – 201-447-0022
