The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Trenton NJ, Senator Joe Pennacchio issued the following statement after Governor Phil Murphy refused to follow CDC guidance by removing unnecessary mask and social distancing requirement that the federal agency says are unnecessary:
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Trenton NJ, Senator Declan O’Scanlon called on Governor Murphy to immediately do what he has consistently promised to do: follow CDC guidelines and science and end mask requirements, social distancing and other outdated mandates and restrictions.
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Ridgewood NJ, with COVID-19 numbers trending decisively in the right direction and New Jersey progressing toward its adult-age vaccination goals, Governor Murphy today announced an additional easing of restrictions, including a removal of all percentage capacity limits for indoor and outdoor businesses, a lifting of the prohibition on indoor bar seating, and an end to the outdoor gathering limit. As detailed below, some changes will take effect on Friday, May 7, with others taking effect on Wednesday, May 19, in coordination with both New York and Connecticut.
Continue reading Its Back to the Bars as New jersey Eases COVID Restrictions Significantly
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Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey still does not have a plan to reopen. Meanwhile, yesterday Governor Cuomo announced people can get served at bars in New York City beginning Monday and that outdoor and indoor dining curfews for bars and restaurants in the city will both be lifted by the end of May. Disappointingly, this week Governor Murphy only announced that indoor room capacities would increase to 50 percent for certain venues such as weddings, school proms, political events, funerals and performances starting on May 10. New Jersey’s indoor dining is still capped at 50% and bar sitting is prohibited.
Continue reading New Jersey Small Business Disappointed by Slow Reopening Plan
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River Vale NJ, Senator Holly Schepisi said updated requirements issued by the Murphy Administration for congregate day programs that serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will continue to leave many vulnerable people without access to the support programs they require.
Expansion Includes Individuals Ages 55-64, Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Higher Education Workers, and Other Frontline Essential Workers and High-Risk Groups
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Trenton NJ, Governor Murphy today announced the expansion of eligibility for more frontline essential workers and high-risk groups in New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination program. Eligible groups include individuals ages 55-64, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, higher education educators and staff, and communications and utility infrastructure workers among others.
Continue reading New Jersey Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccination Program
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Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA) President Edmund DeVeaux issued the following statement today regarding the now 107-day delay between voters approving adult-use cannabis legalization in New Jersey and legalization actually happening:
Continue reading NJ Voters Callously Ignored after Approving Adult-use Cannabis Legalization
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Bayonne NJ, Three Sons Restoration LLC of Union was assessed approximately $2.75 million in back wages, penalties, and fees following a New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) investigation into the contractor’s failure to pay its employees the state prevailing wage at six job sites.
Continue reading NJ Public Works Contractor Owes $1.2 Million in Back Wages
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Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 219, which increases indoor capacity limits from 25 percent to 35 percent for several businesses, including food and beverage establishments and entertainment and recreational businesses, effective Friday, February 5 at 8:00 a.m. The Executive Order also lifts the 10:00 p.m. curfew for in-person indoor restaurant service, however local officials may continue to regulate the hours of operation of indoor restaurant service and indoor operations of other non-essential businesses after 8:00 p.m., as they have been able to since November 12. The prohibition on seating at indoor bar areas remains in effect.
Continue reading Governor Lifts 10:00 p.m. Curfew In Time for Super Bowl
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Ridgewood NJ, Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Anthony M. Bucco launched an online petition urging Governor Phil Murphy to lift his 10 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants for the Super Bowl.
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Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that state offices and all six vaccine mega-sites will remain closed on Tuesday, February 2nd due to Winter Storm Orlena. New Jersey will remain under a state of emergency in response to the winter storm. Snow accumulation for the storm began as of Sunday afternoon, with the heaviest snow expected to continue during the day on Monday, and hazardous conditions to continue through Tuesday afternoon. Executive Order No. 218 declared a state of emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey, allowing resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the storm.
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Ridgewood NJ, According to newly available court documents in a whistle-blower lawsuit against Academy Bus, a former employee claims that the private bus company defrauded NJ Transit since 2003. This is nine years earlier than the accusations made by the lawsuit filed against Academy Bus by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office in November 2020. Academy is a company that was paid to operate seven NJ Transit routes in Hudson County.
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Ridgewood NJ, an Executive Order signed by Governor Murphy mandating bars and restaurants to suspend indoor dining between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. has been in place since the fall and continues to financially strangle the industry hit hardest by the pandemic. The 10th District Legislators, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have released the following statement requesting that the Governor remove the 10 p.m. curfew in order to prevent these small businesses from closing their doors permanently.
Continue reading Time to Lift Restrictions on Restaurant and Bar Hours Before It’s Too Late
