Tag: Governor Murphy

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State Senator Joe Pennacchio Calls for State Audit of Wasteful Garden State Film Tax Credit

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photo by ArtChick

July 18,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Says Garden State Film Tax Credit is a ‘Gross Misuse of Funds’ & Urges Action to Protect NJ Taxpayers from Unnecessary Spending
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) today announced that he has sent a letter requesting that the State Auditor conduct a full evaluation of the Garden State Film Tax Credit, to determine if it is in fact a worthwhile investment of New Jersey’s scarce financial resources.
In the letter, Pennacchio notes that the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services has determined that New Jersey could lose $425 million in revenue as a result of the program in question – money that could and should be spent on critically-needed services, instead of catering to special interest groups that only stand to make a temporary investment in the State of New Jersey, and its people.
The Senator also noted that he plans to introduce legislation that would require the State Auditor to conduct further evaluation of these types of tax incentives and related programs.
Click here for a PDF of the letter.

The text of the letter is included in full below:
Stephen M. Eells, CPA
New Jersey State Auditor
125 South Warren Street
P.O. Box 067
Trenton, NJ 08625-0067
Dear Mr. Eells,
As a public servant and a staunch advocate for the responsible allocation of state resources, I feel that I have a responsibility to sound the alarm on what I believe is a gross misuse of funds, and save our taxpayers from having their hard-earned money wasted.
Recently, Governor Murphy signed the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act into law, green-lighting hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives for companies that will, at best, make a temporary investment in New Jersey, before heading for the Hollywood Hills.
The nonpartisan state Office of Legislative Services has also sounded the alarm, by reporting that, for a number of reasons, New Jersey could lose up to $425 million in revenue over a 5-year period of providing these incentives.
$425 million. For that amount of money, New Jersey could hire more than six thousand additional special education teachers to help our must vulnerable students, and still pay them the going rate. Surely, there are more reasonable investments we can make that would actually make a positive impact on the future health of our economy, our workforce, and our children.
There is no denying that New Jersey faces serious financial challenges. Our schools are still underfunded, as are our public employee benefit systems. We simply cannot afford to spend money on a single program that may not produce a return in revenue. It is in the best interest of our residents to ensure that every penny managed by a state entity is invested or spent wisely.
This “tax incentive program” is purely a giveaway to special interest groups who have no interest in the long-term financial wellbeing of our state. Why even call it an incentive? As designed, the program does not give these companies any reason to invest more money into our economy than they have previously spent. It is, in my view, an unconscionable waste of state resources.
On behalf of the hardworking taxpayers of New Jersey, I am calling on your office to conduct an audit to determine if this “tax incentive program” is, in fact, a worthwhile investment of money that could and should be spent on making their lives better.
Please provide relevant data on program participants and projects, and their contributions to the state, as soon as it becomes available. This data should include, but not be limited to:
• Effectiveness or lack thereof of similar programs in other sates
• Jobs created (temporary and permanent)
• Property developed
• Lost state tax revenue
• Gained state tax revenue
• Gained local government tax revenue
• Estimate of any multiplier effect from the project
• Particular benefits in the South Jersey counties mentioned in the new law
Please be advised that I also plan to introduce legislation that will direct the State Auditor’s Office to conduct further evaluation of these types of programs.
We cannot afford to waste any more money on incentives that are not producing a worthwhile return on investment for the people we serve.
I know, based on your strong history of service, that you will be an independent voice for our taxpayers to judge the economic worthiness of our tax incentive programs.
The excellent study you conducted in 2017, which found that a cost-benefit analysis performed by the EDA was lacking in essential details, proves that we must continue to work together to evaluate the effectiveness of tax incentive programs currently under the Authority’s purview.
It is my hope that with your assistance, the next time a tax incentive is up for a vote, elected officials will have the data necessary to make an informed decision, instead of blindly approving a multi-million dollar mistake disguised as an “investment” in New Jersey’s economy.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I am grateful for your independent service to the Legislature, and the people we are honored to serve.
Sincerely,
Senator Joe Pennacchio

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NJGOP has Harsh Words on Murphy’s State Shutdown

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

June 30,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ , As New Jersey’s state government approaches what seems to be an inevitable shut down, NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt released the following statement:

“As Democrat politicians in Trenton paralyze important government services fighting over what taxes to raise, the people of New Jersey are struggling to understand why their representatives aren’t working out a way to take New Jersey in the other direction and reduce the tax burden. Governor Murphy and the Democrats in Trenton have carried on a completely partisan process that has led us to this point. Governor Murphy calls this a high cost for high return state, but on one of the busiest weekends of the year, New Jerseyans can expect zero return for their highest in the country taxes. The NJGOP will carry this memory, in great detail, into every Election Day until we have reasonable representation minding our tax dollars.”

Following reports regarding a letter from New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal that a state government shutdown would force horse tracks to shut their doors, U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin issued the following statement:

“Governor Murphy and his Attorney General should stop playing politics and using New Jersey’s businesses, employees, and the thousands of people planning to celebrate their holiday weekend as pawns in his misguided effort to hike taxes,” said Hugin. “Instead of doubling down on failed policies that have made New Jersey unaffordable for residents, families, and businesses, Governor Murphy should work with the legislature to provide tax relief and create an environment that allows our businesses to thrive and prosper.”

Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso echoed Hugin’s comments.

“Governor Murphy should stop playing politics by threatening New Jersey’s businesses with a government shutdown over his misguided plan to hike taxes on our residents,” said DiMaso. “What he should be doing is working to provide tax relief for hard-working New Jerseyans and focusing on policies that allow our businesses to thrive.”

 

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NJGOP Chairman Accepts Phil Murphy’s Challenge To Find “Reasonable” Alternative To Tax Increases

Trenton-Statehouse

June 27, 2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, This morning Governor Phil Murphy proclaimed that he can solve the budget stalemate in 30 minutes, and stated that “if folks have a reasonable, credible response,” he would be willing to “entertain” a different approach. NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt accepted the Governor’s challenge and offered a Republican alternative to raising taxes and fees.

“The GOP can offer Phil Murphy a credible solution in a lot less than 30 minutes. It starts with living within our means,” said Chairman Steinhardt. “Put taxpayers’ interests ahead of political patrons’ and special interests. Cap state spending at 2%, like the state does at the local level. Agree not to insert a new spending provision without eliminating an existing one in order to tow the budget line, and freeze new tax increases. Finally, we can save $2 billion off the bat by addressing the state’s pension crisis. We can even take these reforms right from Governor Murphy’s own, 2005 report! There are reasonable alternatives to the Governor’s tax and spend mentality, all he has to do is have the courage to reach across the aisle to find them.”

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NJ Senator Tom Kean Introduces Resolution Disapproving Murphy’s $100 Million Back-Pay Giveaway

Tom Kean - High Quality

June 20, 2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Will Urge Senate on Thursday to Exercise Its Constitutional Authority to Withhold Appropriation for Retroactive Raises.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean has introduced a resolution urging the Legislature to reject $100 million of retroactive back payments that Governor Phil Murphy is attempting to give to public employee union members.

Sen. Tom Kean will urge the Legislature to reject $100 million of retroactive back payments that Gov. Phil Murphy is attempting to give to public employee union members. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy’s plan to give $100 million of retroactive raises to public workers is obscene given his repeated statements that New Jersey is in such poor fiscal shape that we have no choice but to raise taxes by billions,” said Kean. “Thankfully the Governor has no ability to fund this giveaway to his union friends without legislative approval. As we debate the FY19 State budget tomorrow, I will urge the Legislature to exercise its constitutional authority to deny an appropriation for these unaffordable back payments.”

Kean’s resolution, SCR-127, disapproves of Governor Murphy’s proposal to award retroactive raises to approximately 32,000 Executive Branch employees in an amount totaling more than $100 million.

The Governor’s plan to provide the back payments follows his unilateral approval of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) that provides for the retroactive raises.
The resolution illustrates the excesses of the deal, highlighting the example of a public employee with a current salary of $70,000. Under the contract agreed to by Governor Murphy, that taxpayer-funded employee would receive an immediate windfall payment of $20,000 for retroactive pay increases. Further, the employee’s salary would immediately rise to approximately $87,000, representing a permanent pay increase of more than 23 percent.
“Middle-class workers in the private sector, employees of non-profits supporting our communities, and thousands of public servants who aren’t members of a politically influential union won’t get 23-percent salary increases or retroactive raises, but they’ll all pay through higher taxes for the massive checks that Governor Murphy wants to send to certain union employees,” said Kean. “For someone who talks a lot about fairness, the Governor’s giveaway to the CWA represents anything but a fair deal for New Jersey taxpayers.”

Kean said there’s no room for the lavish giveaway given the competing tax proposals being pushed by Governor Murphy and legislative Democrats.
“Governor Murphy is pushing a $1.7 billion tax increase plan, while Democratic legislators are offering a competing plan to raise taxes by $1 billion,” added Kean. “Given the severity of the multitude of tax raising proposals from Democrats, it’s shocking that none of them are looking for opportunities to eliminate unnecessary spending. This frivolous budget addition of $100 million to fund retroactive raises is a good place to start. I’ll urge the Senate to act tomorrow to cut off funding for the Governor’s excessively generous union agreement.”

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Governor Murphy orders New Jersey’s State Agencies to prepare for a State Government Shutdown

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

June 2,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy’s administration put New Jersey’s state agencies on notice Friday that they should prepare for another state government shutdown if a state budget isn’t signed by the June 30 deadline.

In a letter to Murphy’s cabinet members, the Governor , asked them to update shut down contingency plans for their departments.

The letter : https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4491799-GovtShutdown-MEMO.html

 

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74 percent of New Jersey CPA’s said that it would get worse, under Governor Murphy’s proposed budget plan

elizabeth muoio treasurer

May 31,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in a new survey, certified public accountants (CPA’s) in New Jersey believe the spending plan put forth by Gov. Phil Murphy would be bad for the Garden State.

Nearly 75 percent of the 786 NJCPA members  responded to the survey conducted earlier this month said New Jersey’s economy would either get “significantly worse” (31 percent) or “marginally worse” (44 percent) over the long term under Governor Murphy’s proposed budget plan.

Ralph Albert Thomas, the CEO and executive director at the NJ Society of CPAs, says when members were asked about Murphy’s budget proposal “and the impact it would have on the economy going forward, an overwhelming 74 percent said that it would get worse, and 31 percent said it would get significantly worse.”

Meanwhile just 14 percent of respondents said Murphy’s proposed spending plan would help the Jersey economy.

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Governor Murphy Announces that former Ridgewood mayor to Lead the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

paul Aronsohn

April 20.2018

the staff of the Ridgewood bllog

Ridgewood NJ, Gov. Phil Murphy today announced the appointment of former Ridgewood Mayor and ethically challenged Paul Aronsohn to head up the newly created Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, serving as the administration’s lead advocate and ally for New Jersey residents in need of critical services ranging from early childhood through adulthood.

Arosohn’s tenure as mayor was marred by ethics scandals, acrimony from the dais, insane over development of the central business district, suicide bike lanes , dangerous ,over budget and ill-advised ramps at Graydon Pool ,bad Village business decisions and fermenting a hostile environment, impinging on the quality of life in the Village of Ridgewood.  Many residents consider his tenure an all time low in the history of the Village of Ridgewood.

The Office of the Ombudsman, which is in, but not of, the Department of the Treasury, was created by law in January, granting the governor appointment authority.
As the ombudsman, Aronsohn will organize and direct the work of the office with duties that include:

Serving as a source of information for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families and interested members of the public, to help them better understand state and federal laws and regulations;
Coordinating with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, to provide information and support on navigating and understanding the process for obtaining services from the state Division of Children’s System of Care and the Division of Developmental Disabilities, including information on transitioning between the two programs;
Providing information and communication strategies to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families for resolving disagreements with various state agencies, as well as education on the available options for resolving such disputes;
Working with service recipients, families and the departments to facilitate the provision of services and supports;
Identifying common concerns for individuals and their families, and making recommendations to the Division of Children’s System of Care and the Division of Developmental Disabilities or the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Human Services; and
To assist the Division of Children’s System of Care and the Division of Developmental Disabilities in creating public information programs designed to inform individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, their families, and the public about the role of the ombudsman.
Under law, the ombudsman is also required to issue a written report annually to the commissioners of both the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Families, as well as the governor and the legislature.

 

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Governor Murphy Signs “Motor Voter” Legislation ,ending Graveyard Shifts

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April 18,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Right on the heels of a former New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission clerk pleading guilty to operating a scheme in which he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in payments in return for allowing over 200 people to obtain permits and licenses without passing required exams.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/ex-motor-vehicle-commission-clerk-pleads-guilty-and-faces-prison-for-selling-drivers-licenses-from-lodi-mvc/

Governor Phil Murphy signed into law one of the most expansive Automatic Voter Registration policies in the nation, claiming to be strengthening and enhancing voting rights for eligible New Jersey residents, illegal aliens ,criminals and con artists.

In a press release Murphy claimed , “Today, New Jersey proudly joins a select group of states – 11 plus the District of Columbia – that have enacted automatic voter registration to expand and protect the voting rights of their citizens,” said Governor Murphy. “This stands in stark contrast to those whose only interest lays in restricting voting rights and suppressing voters’ voices. In New Jersey, we recognize our democracy is stronger when more people are given the opportunity to participate and when the residents of our state are empowered to be part of the democratic process.”

The irony is that no ID is required to vote , but getting and ID now makes you eligible to vote.

The legislation, A2014, or Motor Voter ,requires the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to automatically register to vote any eligible person who applies for a permit, license, or ID card unless the applicant declines the automatic voter registration. The MVC’s chief administrator is required to ensure that all information necessary for voter registration is collected and promptly transmitted electronically to the Secretary of State, with an exception if a person declined to register to vote.

Additionally, the bill expands automatic voter registration to any other state agency that collects proof of voter eligibility, as verified by the Secretary of State. Upon the Secretary’s approval, the agency may implement automatic voter registration for eligible individuals. The agency must comply to the extent applicable, as determined by the Secretary, with the procedures for automatic voter registration established in the bill for the MVC. New Jersey is now only the fourth state to take this additional step.

So no more hanging around grave yards and cemeteries to register voters in New Jersey.

old parmaus church

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Glen Rock Board of Education OK’s March 14th 17 minute student walkout

Glen Rock Schools

March 1,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, Glen Rock’s Superintendent and BOE  passed this resolution March 14th, the day of the 17 minute student walkout. Ridgewood Schools matched the virtue signaling ,but stopped short of endorsing the walkout.

Be it resolved by the Glen Rock Board of Education that the Board, upon
recommendation of the Chief School Administrator, approves the following resolution:
WHEREAS , A prerequisite to student growth, learning, well-being and success is a safe and secure school environment; and
WHEREAS, Children throughout the nation have been negatively affected directly and indirectly by violent crimes involving firearms; and
WHEREAS, Military-style assault weapons and large-volume ammunition
magazines were used in recent mass killings in schools and other locations; and
WHEREAS, Profiles of school shooters illustrate the need for a thorough examination of the care and treatment of the mentally ill and for effective intervention;
WHEREAS, The New Jersey School Boards Association’s 2014 study, What Makes Schools Safe?, cited reports by state and federal agencies, which found that mental health intervention did not take place prior to three-quarters of school shootings; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey has among the strongest gun control laws in the nation and the lowest incidence of gun-related deaths, but protective laws are not in place in many other states or at the federal level; and
WHEREAS, The tragedies of Parkland, Florida, of Newtown, Connecticut, of
Columbine High School in Colorado, emphasize the need to address access to firearms and the delivery of mental health services. Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Glen Rock Board of Education, in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, urges President Trump and Congress to identify and implement meaningful action to address access to and ownership of military-style assault weapons and ammunition, the delivery of mental health services, and financial support to ensure a safe and secure school climate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Glen Rock Board of Education supports Governor Murphy’s call to end the “epidemic of gun violence that plagues far too many of our communities” and supports enhancements to state law that will provide protection for our schools and communities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to President Trump, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer, Governor Murphy, State Senator Robert Gordon, Assembly Representative Timothy Eustace, Assembly Representative Joseph Lagana, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the National School Boards Association, Bergen County School Boards, Bergen County Association of School Administrators, Bergen County Association of School Business Officials, and the New Jersey Education Association.

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Governor Murphy Mobilizes Mayors to Implement Policies Providing Tax Relief in Their Municipalities

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Renews Pledge to Preserve Tax Deductions for New Jersey

February 10,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Marlboro NJ,  in what some critics call a last act of a desperate man ,Governor Phil Murphy today called upon mayors to take steps to counteract the effects of the federal tax legislation that gutted New Jersey’s State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction and limited the amount of money state homeowners can deduct from their property taxes.

“When the disastrous federal tax legislation passed, I committed to pushing back and taking steps to ensure that the people of New Jersey are not subjected to unfair double taxation,” Governor Murphy said. “We have begun working with legislative leadership to protect our residents and prevent this plan from further hurting our taxpayers. We must eliminate any and all barriers to creating a system that will provide tax relief to property taxpayers who make charitable contributions to their municipality.”

If the system is implemented, taxpayers can make voluntary contributions to funds that pay for local services like schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure. They will then receive an offsetting tax credit on their property tax bill and contributions will be deductible for federal tax purposes under existing law.

Governor Murphy today was joined by a bipartisan group of mayors who have pledged to allow taxpayers in their towns to make payments to local governments as charitable donations and offset property tax liability. Marlboro Mayor John Hornik, Ocean Township Mayor Christopher Sciciliano, Manasquan Mayor Edward Donovan, Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty, and Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini pledged to introduce the this plan in their municipalities. They join the mayors of Fair Lawn, Paramus, and Park Ridge who made that pledge in January.

On Thursday, Governor Murphy promised to sign any legislation that reduces existing state roadblocks to municipalities reforming their property tax system to allow for charitable contributions, a system that will preserve local revenues while also providing residents with significant deductibility of their payments from their federal income taxes.