The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, As part of the state’s coordinated response to address the novel coronavirus outbreak, Governor Phil Murphy today declared a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency, effective immediately, to ramp up New Jersey’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Continue reading Governor Murphy Declares State of Emergency,To Ramp Up State’s Coronavirus Efforts
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, New Jersey Business & Industry Association Vice President of Government Affairs Christopher Emigholz issued the following statement today regarding the release of the Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth Strategies (SEGS) report.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed a package of bills to safeguard the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in New Jersey. The bills, which will codify into state law the basic protections for health care consumers that are part of the Affordable Care Act, include protections for no-cost preventative care and contraception, prohibit exclusions for pre-existing conditions, allow children to stay on their parents’ plan until age 26, and incorporate mental health and maternity care as part of essential benefits, among others. The Governor highlighted the importance of these bills during an armchair discussion with Hackensack Meridian Health Chief Executive Officer Bob Garret.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today absolute vetoed S4289, legislation that would have allowed for certain school districts to raise property taxes above the 2% cap without voter approval. If enacted, the bill would have further encumbered already over-burdened middle and working-class taxpayers.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Governor Murphy considers a $500+ million tax hike “meaninglessness”:
“Murphy also indicated he will seek to restore the state sales tax to 7% from the current 6.62%, criticizing the reduction as a gimmick, a public relations charade enacted to provide legislators with a self-described tax cutter talking point.
The reduction, the governor has contended, was a meaningless gesture, saving consumers pennies while depriving the state of crucial revenue”
the staff of the Ridgewood bog
Ridgewood NJ, since Ridgewood has had a spat of these incidents during the past council election and since so many in the Village now pride them self on being so openminded the NJ Conservative GOP has joined the New Jersey Coalition of Pastors and Ministers in calling for the firing of Governor Murphy Staffer Noemi Velazquez, for her anti-Evangelical remarks. Noemi Velazquez referred to Republican policymakers in Washington as “Evangelical assholes!”
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, week Governor Murphy defended hiring former Passaic councilman, Marcellus Jackson, who, as a Passaic City councilman, was convicted of taking bribes from undercover FBI agents. Murphy called his decision to hire the convicted felon into the Department of Education his administration’s “new norm.”
the staff of Ridgewood blog
Whippany NJ, Again, New Jersey Transit has let down their riders by cancelling over 20 trains last night. Alerts stated that all of the cancellations were because of a lack of engineer availability. The problems of NJ Transit today are ones Jay Webber worked to stop years ago. In 2011, the Legislature and Governor Christie passed legislation that required all new public employees to live in New Jersey. Jay was one of only a handful of lawmakers to vote against the bill. Just a few years later, many people, including Governor Phil Murphy, believe this legislation has resulted in an engineer and staffing shortage that has led to many of NJ Transit’s train cancellations and delays.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Governor Murphy and Colonel Callahan today advised New Jerseyans to prepare for the potential impact of Hurricane Florence. The Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the conditions of the hurricane and are working with counties to address any storm related needs.
No , no proposals for a “Hurricane Tax ” ,… yet , but Governor Murphy wants you to be prepared .
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Atco NJ , Governor Phil Murphy today launched the Department of Agriculture’s Jersey Fresh Wine Program, a new initiative aimed at educating consumers about the large varieties of wine produced in New Jersey. Governor Murphy today toured the Amalthea Cellars Winery in Atco with Department of Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher as part of the push to educate and connect consumers to state-grown wines.
“New Jersey is proud to be the Garden State, and our wineries are allowing our agricultural heritage to flourish anew,” said Governor Murphy. “New Jersey is becoming a force not only in our nation’s wine scene, but we are making waves around the world. The Jersey Fresh Wine Program will help connect more consumers with wineries across our state, and allow more people to have their eyes opened to the outstanding quality of New Jersey wine.”
Continue reading Governor Murphy Promotes Garden State Wine
the staff of the Ridgewood
EAST RUTHERFORD NJ, Recognizing the economic significance of the American Dream project to the State and New Jersey’s working families, Governor Phil Murphy today visited with construction workers at the three million square foot entertainment, retail and dining complex. The Governor expressed his appreciation to the men and women of the building construction trades and the Bergen County Building & Construction Trades Council for their contributions to the growth and expansion of New Jersey’s economy.
Continue reading Xanadu : Governor Murphy Touts American Dream Investment in New Jersey’s Economy
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi’s legislation assisting NJ Transit accident victims was signed into law today by the governor. Tommy’s Law (A3904) requires the state to promptly provide accident victims and their families with information regarding the incident. Senator Cardinale sponsored the bill in the Senate.
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed an Executive Order directing the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to close all public lands under the Department’s jurisdiction to bear hunting for the 2018 season. This includes all State forests, State parks, State recreation areas, State historic sites, State Wildlife Management Areas and State natural areas.
Continue reading Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order to Close State Lands to 2018 Bear Hunt
August 11,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today adopted a Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019) operating budget and capital program that supports continued investments in personnel, infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state-of-good repair, and enhance the overall customer experience.
“These budgets are the result of the firm commitment from Governor Murphy to investing in and improving public transportation and infrastructure,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors Chairperson Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.
The Board adopted a $2.32 billion operating budget and a $1.46 billion capital program for FY 2019. Continue reading NJ Transit adoptes a $2.32 billion operating budget and a $1.46 billion capital program for FY 2019
August 1,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Community college students in New Jersey may be able to attend free of tuition and fees in the spring semester of 2019, if their college applies and is selected to participate in the Community College Innovation Challenge, a new pilot program launched today. New Jersey’s Secretary of Higher Education and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) have invited the state’s 19 community colleges to submit an application for the program.
“I’m very excited that the Secretary of Higher Education and HESAA are moving forward to make higher education more accessible and affordable for New Jersey families,” said Acting Governor Sheila Oliver. “Having the opportunity to obtain a college degree was an instrumental part of my life, and in today’s job market, it’s a matter of fairness and equality. Making higher education attainable will help secure a successful future for our students and strengthen New Jersey’s workforce and economy.”
New Jersey’s fiscal year 2019 state budget includes new funding for the first phase of Governor Murphy’s community college initiative, including up to $20 million for Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) awards to be applied directly to eligible student accounts. At participating colleges, students with adjusted gross incomes between $0 and $45,000 who take six or more credits in the spring 2019 semester will be eligible to receive CCOG awards to cover tuition and educational fees, after applying any other federal or state grant aid which the student receives.
“All too often, the cost of college prevents students from earning the postsecondary credentials they need to boost their careers,” said Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, New Jersey’s Secretary of Higher Education. “This initiative is an important step in improving affordability for thousands of community college students, increasing their likelihood of completion, and strengthening the talent pipeline for the state’s economy.”
“Governor Murphy’s goal is to make two years of community college tuition free for students across the state,” said David Socolow, Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. “We’re taking a crucial first step by testing the Community College Opportunity Grants at a select number of colleges. This initial phase will not only help thousands of students next spring, both recent high school graduates and working adults, but also will provide valuable lessons for future expansions of the program to offer free tuition to more students.”
The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and HESAA will jointly evaluate applications from colleges to select an initial group of colleges whose students will be made eligible for CCOG awards. The application specifies key criteria including the colleges’ plans for outreach to and support for students, how their cost projections fit within statewide funding constraints, and geographic diversity. All colleges that submit an application will be eligible to receive a capacity building grant of at least $250,000 to plan for subsequent phases of the program.
Colleges have until August 31, 2018 to submit their application. Participating institutions will be notified in the early fall to begin planning and recruiting students.
To access the Notice of Fund Availability application, colleges will access this online link:
https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NoticeofFundAvailability.aspx
