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
Ridgewood NJ, brick-and-mortar stores have been grappling with significant challenges over the past decade. The COVID-19 pandemic and the meteoric rise of e-commerce have severely impacted traditional retail, leading to widespread closures. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “retail apocalypse,” has dramatically reshaped the commercial landscape since it began around 2010.
Continue reading The Retail Apocalypse: Ridgewood’s Battle with Store Closures
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, New Jersey recorded the most significant rise in the nation’s unemployment rate, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday.
Continue reading New Jersey Sees Highest increase in Unemployment Rate in the U.S.
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, with 25% of all nonretired adults having no retirement savings, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best States to Retire, as well as expert commentary.
To help retirees find a safe, enjoyable and wallet-friendly place to call home, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 47 key metrics. Our analysis examines affordability, health-related factors and overall quality of life.
Continue reading WalletHub Study: New Jersey Is 2023’s 2nd Worst State to Retire
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Morristown NJ, on June 30th, the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis issued its report on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by State for the 1st Quarter of 2021, which covers the months of January through March. Dr. Charles Steindel, former Chief Economist of the State of New Jersey, analyzed the report for the Garden State Initiative:
Continue reading New Jersey’s Real GDP fell at an Annual Rate of 2.2% in the First Quarter of 2022
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Seattle Wa, “Woke” tech companies have long acted as if they are immune to mundane concerns about crime, taxes, and other “lifestyle” issues where they are based. But that’ may be starting to change.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, More college-age residents are leaving New Jersey than any other state, and the 10th District lawmakers say that is a powerful indicator of bigger problems in Democrat-controlled New Jersey.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, politicians seem dead set on driving the economy back to the 1970’s , the latest GDP Now estimates for the 3rd quarter , July through sept of 2021, show growth slowing to a snail’s pace of 0.2%. That’s barely treading water and quick slowdown from the 6% growth of the economy that Biden inherited from Trump.
Continue reading High Inflation Plus Slow Growth is a Recipe for Stagflation
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Totowa NJ, State Senator Kristin Corrado said Governor Murphy’s State of the State address ignored the harsh realities that impact New Jersey residents every day.
“Clearly, the Governor’s version of the State’s condition is nothing like the reality experienced by everyday New Jerseyans. Today’s address was further proof that Murphy is detached from State residents. He doesn’t understand us because he isn’t one of us.
“A good highway system will be very important over the next few years. The infrastructure will need to support the vast numbers of people fleeing the high taxes and Socialist agenda Murphy is driving. If the Pandemic as taught us anything at all, it has taught us that most of us can work from anywhere. Why put up with New Jersey any longer?”
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland) issued the following statement in response to the New Jersey Business and Industry Association’s “Indicators of Innovation” report.
“NJBIA’s report underscores what we already know. High taxes make New Jersey less affordable and our investments in higher education and research and development lags behind comparable states in the region, like Massachusetts and New York.
“We have a responsibility to the people of New Jersey to make our state more affordable, to lower the tax burden on our families and to invest in the next generation of innovators through education and technology. We can’t make the investments we need, however, until we address the long-term fiscal crisis, specifically the high pension and benefit costs that crowd out critical investment. We need to make smart investments, we need to control taxes and we need do it now, if we are going to get New Jersey back on track. If we make the difficult but necessary decisions today, we can make New Jersey a leader for generations to come.”
I think it is past the point of no return. From Aronsohn to Knudsen to Realtor in Chief we have been taken for a ride. Deservedly so as this town is full of snobs who don’t really care about town management. As long as their leaves are swept, recycling is picked up on time and streets are clean of snow they are just fine (actually management of these issues sucks big time). As more of these types move into Ridgewood the situation will only get worse. We all came together against Valley but nobody gives a peep about the incredible and permanent impact all this housing will bring. In hindsight I wish Valley stayed. I would rather have doctor’s offices all around the village than ugly buildings and crowded streets and schools. Too late now. Unless we all rise and contest this travesty with housing at a time when people in droves are laving NJ we are finished. We are about to become a city. By the time we will all look to sell and leave we won’t even get our money’s worth. Developers are trying to maximize and occupy every inch they can get because they face no resistance by our chosen officials. Looking at the development site on Broad St they are digging foundations just about 5-10 feet from the train tracks. RW is their playground now but we are too stupid to realize.
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Expectations are high for increased profits, sales and wages in 2019 following a successful 2018 for many New Jersey businesses, according to results found in the New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s 60th Annual Business Outlook Survey.But the survey, released today, also finds a much more guarded outlook for New Jersey’s economy on the whole. In addition to a marginal increase of business owners who will look to offset a $15 minimum wage with raised prices, reduced staff or hours, or an increase in automation, there was a sizable decline from last year in respondents expecting New Jersey’s economy to perform better in the first six months of 2019. Similarly, while 83 percent of members rated the performance of the U.S. economy as excellent or good, only 40 percent rated New Jersey’s economy in the same categories.
I’m not a Murphy fan, by far, but if Honeywell just got a $40 mil tax credit, then why splitting after less than 4 years? It’s no secret that NJ taxes were oppressing residents and businesses for a while now. The big loss is opportunity for skilled positions leaving and headed 600 miles south. The influx of unskilled illegals now the Murph has declared us a sanctuary state simultaneously with the weed business is an abomination.
July 25,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Syrian refugees recently placed in New Jersey Democrat run strongholds , are now fleeing the state because of high cost of living, low quality housing, high taxes and safety concerns, NorthJersey.com reports.
At Ktuf is a Syrian refugee who arrived in the United States in the summer of 2016, and planning on leaving New Jersey for Michigan next month. Ktuf told NorthJersey.com the reason she is leaving New Jersey for Michigan: “Over there, you can dream of buying a house, but here you can’t. Costs are so high, and taxes are so high.”
Ktuf’s brother in law moved to Dearborn last month, and was able to find a home with four bedrooms, a backyard and a garage for $1,200 a month.
Mohammad Hial is one of seven Syrian refugees telling the paper they are leaving or planning on leaving New Jersey this summer. Hial left New Jersey for Michigan last week. “This state (New Jersey) is very expensive,” Hial stated
The sanctuary state of New Jersey also presents other disadvantages .Sikander Khan, who head’s Global Emergency Response and Assistance said in addition to economic reasons, “Syrians are leaving Patterson because of safety concerns.”
Nour, a Syrian refugee who left the country after civil war broke out, was interviewed by The Bergen Record, but asked to only be identified by his first name for “safety concerns.” Last month Nour was hit over the head with a metal pipe and robbed of $2,800. Nour told caseworkers, he was “considering moving to Turkey because of crime.” Nour added his two daughters, 14 and 16, “no longer want to leave the apartment.”
Of the seven families interviewed, five are headed to Michigan. As refugees, where many Syrians are eligible for rent assistance for up to 24 months. It looks like after the rent assistance runs out, many Syrians are not happy with Democratic stronghold New Jersey, and fleeing to other states with better opportunities.
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.”
