The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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FLEMINGTON NJ , Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07), is now the first and only New Jersey member of Congress to cosponsor legislation outlawing members of Congress from serving on the boards of publicly-held companies. Lance joins the bipartisan leads of U.S. Representatives Tom Reed (NY-23) and Kathleen Rice (NY-04) in offering the resolution to change the rules of the House.
Continue reading Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) Sponsors Anti-Corruption Measure
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Clinton Township NJ, Lance for Congress today received the endorsement of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association.
“I stand with our police,” said Lance, a member of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus. “I vote with the men and women of law enforcement and I am proud to receive their endorsement in this race. Results matter and this Congress pro-police lawmakers have stood up and delivered at a time when too many are turning away from public safety priorities. Residents want capable and equipped police departments in their neighborhoods. I am proud to work with the Policemen’s Benevolent Association to help make that happened.”
Jay Webber For Congress
Whippany NJ, Jay Webber, candidate for Congress released a policy paper announcing his four pillars of a safe and fair immigration system.
“Our country is held together by a shared set of values and should be open to those who will commit to upholding them. Those values we hold dear include respect for the rule of law and protecting our nation from those who do not share that respect. We can work together to make sure that our nation of immigrants continues to be a welcoming place, even as we uphold our laws and ensure fairness for all Americans.” – Jay Webber
Continue reading Pillars Of A Safe And Fair Immigration System
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SOMERSET NJ, Republican 12th District Congressional Candidate Daryl Kipnis responded today to his Democratic incumbent’s nasty and sexist tweet against the U.S. House of Representatives and President Donald Trump.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman ✔ @RepBonnie
For a Congress so full of men, it’s incredible that we don’t have the balls to check a president that: asks aides to violate protocol and law; praises dictators from Russia to the Philippines; and torpedos relationships with our allies.
9:58 PM – Aug 22, 2018
Continue reading NJ 12th District GOP Candidate Daryl Kipnis Responds To Opponent’s Venomous Tweet
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Montville NJ, In light of the affordability struggles many homeowners are currently facing in New Jersey, Senator Joe Pennacchio is strongly encouraging all eligible residents to apply for the Senior Freeze Property Tax Relief Program, before the October 31, 2018 deadline.
August 11,2018
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Wyckoff NJ, Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney moves to stem excessive fees on E-ZPass users.
Rooney commented on Facebook , “Recently, the news has highlighted the excessive and outrageous administrative fees the Turnpike Authority is charging drivers for missing an E-ZPass toll. If the system malfunctions, then drivers shouldn’t be penalized. One of the primary reasons E-ZPass was created was to offer discounted rates. Charging these fees completely contradicts this purpose.
Last year I introduced three pieces of legislation – A1002, AR34, and AR35 – to address a different “discount deception” that New Jersey E-ZPass users suffer. If you use your toll transponder out of state, you’ll often be charged the cash rate instead of the discounted E-ZPass rate. My legislation moves to fix that. Drivers need to be treated fairly no matter what the circumstances. New Jersey is already the most expensive state in the country to live in; we cannot become the most expensive state to drive in too.”
In an email Rooney went on, “If you use your NJ-issued toll transponder out of state, you’ll may be charged the cash rate instead of the discounted E-ZPass rate. Especially in New York. For example, NJ drivers using the Queens-Midtown Tunnel are charged $8.50 instead of the discounted rate of $5.76. My legislation moves to fix that.
Commuters and New Jersey drivers do not deserve the outrageous fees being charged against them. Drivers need to be treated fairly no matter what the circumstances. New Jersey is already the most expensive state in the country to live in; we cannot become the most expensive state to drive in too.”
August 8,2018
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Port Newark NJ, In light of Governor Phil Murphy’s designation of the Office of International Trade and Investment, Senator Gerry Cardinale announced his plans to reintroduce legislation he has long-sponsored that would codify this program, by establishing a permanent global trade division within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJ EDA.)
Senator Cardinale noted his bill would improve upon the steps Governor Murphy took last week to create a new Office of International Trade and Investment. Sen. Cardinale’s legislation is essential to ensuring that this new office continues to operate during future gubernatorial administrations as well.
“Small Businesses owners who are looking to expand abroad often do not have the legal resources to navigate foreign trade laws,” Cardinale (R-39) said. “By fostering partnerships between local mom-and-pop stores and international advocates, we can promote ‘Jersey Made’ products around the world. The future of our state’s economy depends on a permanent Office of International Trade, right here in Garden State.”
Currently, there are 1,100 multi-national businesses and 270 foreign headquarters in New Jersey.
Senator Cardinale’s bill would establish an Office of International Trade and Protocol within the NJ EDA. The division would encourage and assist New Jersey businesses entering into the international market.
The bill will officially be introduced in the Senate at the next Senate Quorum. Cardinale’s district mate, Assemblywoman Holly T. Schepisi, has already introduced an identical version of the legislation in the Assembly.
“It is essential that New Jersey businesses are provided with the right tools to remain competitive in today’s global market,” Cardinale said. “The establishment of an international trade office will spur commercial growth and generate career opportunities for our residents. I am glad to see that Governor Murphy is taking positive steps towards diversifying our economy. I hope that my colleagues in the Legislature will take immediate action to advance my bill, so that future generations of local business owners can benefit from this program as well.”
August 7,2018
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New Brunswick NJ, Senator Joe Pennacchio blasted Rutgers University for forcing students and New Jersey taxpayers to pick up the tab for more than $11.5 million in settlements, buyouts and golden parachutes for elite employees at the State-funded university. The discovery of the payouts was reported by NJ.com on August 3, 2018.
“The cost of higher education is skyrocketing in New Jersey and it’s no secret why. It is unconscionable that a State-funded university would have the gall to raise tuition, and then turn right back around and give away millions of dollars to elite employees. These golden parachutes are an outrageous misuse of funds. Rutgers owes students and taxpayers an explanation. After all, they pay their salary,” Senator Pennacchio (R-26) said.
“Our goal is to ensure that students who go to high school in New Jersey, can continue their education at a great in-State college, get great career training, and continue to live and work in the state they call home. How can we expect them to do that if our flagship university refuses to do anything to make higher education more affordable?
“Talk to any college student on campus – they do not want their tuition dollars spent on multi-million dollar payouts to coaches and administrators who make enough money as it is. This fiscally-irresponsible practice must come to an end.”
Senator Pennacchio has been one of the strongest advocates in the Legislature for ensuring tuition and taxpayer dollars are handled responsibly at Rutgers University. In 2013, Senator Pennacchio introduced a budget resolution to dock Rutgers University approximately $2.1 million in state aid in the state’s FY14 budget, and require school officials to provide a report demonstrating how they funded these giveaways out of administrative coffers and not by raising tuition or using state aid. The resolution was introduced in response to reports that Rutgers gave a $475,000 payout to basketball coach Mike Rice; a coach who had repeatedly physically abused and shouted gay slurs at players during practice.
Senator Pennacchio added that he is considering legislative solutions to put a stop to non-contractually obligated and egregious payouts, and curtail the amount of funding Rutgers University receives should the practice continue.
Rutgers University receives more than $400 million in State funding each year.
“The $11.5 million in payouts would cover the cost of tuition and fees for about 800 Rutgers students,” Senator Pennacchio added. “In fact, the payout recently-departed Chancellor Dutta received would pay for about 32 students. Chancellor Dutta spent one year in his current role, and now he’s getting paid half a million dollars to walk away from the job. That’s insane. Tuition dollars should be spent on students, not boat checks for administrators.
“It is completely unfair and unjust to ask taxpayers and students to continue to subsidize this kind of reckless spending. We will continue to work hard to hold Rutgers University accountable for how they handle State resources.”
August 7,2018
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PRINCETON NJ , Republican 12th District Congressional Candidate Daryl Kipnis announced his plan today to help some 42 million college students with an estimated $1.3 trillion in loan debt.
The Student Debt Relief and Reform plan Kipnis will sponsor in Washington, D.C., will help those students truly in need of student debt relief, put into place checks to make sure rising tuitions are needed, and that students and families are better educated about all of their options before taking on these large financial burdens.
“We must act now to avert the impending cataclysm of more than $1.3 trillion in current student debt before it destroys the financial health of an entire generation,” Kipnis, who is running in New Jersey’s 12th District against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, said. “Unless we ease the financial burden of these loan debts for some 42 million students now, the future financial impacts will be devastating to our overall economy.”
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, student loan debt more than doubled from 2007-2017 from $516 billion to more than $1.3 trillion.
The number of students owing money increased from 28.3 million to 42.6 million during the same period, according to the data.
“When elected, I will proudly sponsor a comprehensive bill expanding loan assistance programs, refinance options, income-based modification of loan balances, and most importantly, the ability to discharge student loans in bankruptcy for those most in need, which is greatly needed to take people who are badly struggling financially and place them in a position where they are empowered to grow our economy and live the American dream,” Kipnis, who owns his own law practice in Somerset, said. “For many of our youngest, and most promising citizens, student debt has forced almost an entire generation into a form of indentured servitude. Their debt runs in the thousands to more than $100,000, giving them the equivalent of a mortgage payment before most of them even have a job.”
Kipnis said that he sees the economic hardship this issue causes when young people come into his office and ask for help to ease the struggle with handling the debt.
“Many of the degrees students eventually obtain do not lead to jobs and salaries that allow them to significantly pay the debt down to manageable levels,” he said. “I don’t imagine many of us, especially in New Jersey, would be financially successful carrying this kind of debt right at the start of our professional lives.”
In addition to legislation to help students with existing debt, Kipnis also wants to work on reforming the system that causes students to borrow way beyond their means.
Those solutions include; tightening the requirements for getting student loans to align with the student and family’s ability to pay, as well as making sure the student is getting good enough grades to demonstrate an ability to successfully complete the degree program in a timely manner.
Kipnis also wants to see more accountability from colleges and universities that are continually hiking tuition and related costs dramatically.
“Because these loans are, for the most part, guaranteed by the government and easy to get, the institutions have little incentive to be competitive and run on a cost-efficient basis,” Kipnis said. “This makes it almost impossible for free market forces to work, bringing costs down and delivering the product of education to the masses at a reasonable cost.”
His plan includes regulations on schools accepting the federal loans to ensure any increases in tuition are warranted and necessary, similar to rent control protections in place in cities and towns across the nation.
This part of the plan will not only protect students with these loans, but all students facing a debt burden for attending them.
It also will make the schools think more critically about how they spend resources and make it more difficult for them to finance discretionary capital projects, like stadium upgrades or other renovations that do not directly impact academic performance, on the backs of students.
Another avenue is to fully educate students and parents about the true costs of attending college, the alternatives, and what kind of return on their investment they can realistically expect.
Kipnis said he also wants to expand availability of stackable credentialing, defined by the U.S. Department of labor as: ‘part of a sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time to build up an individual’s qualifications and help them move along a career pathway or up a career ladder to different and potentially higher paying jobs,’ as an alternative to traditional 4-year degrees, as well as encourage enrollment in vocational and technical post-secondary education programs and create better relationships between employers and educational institutions to fill employment needs.
By helping students with existing debt, and taking on the root causes of the problem, Kipnis wants to ensure future generations of students have the tools to make attending college the bright gateway to achievement and prosperity it was intended to be.
“Students should be looking to the future to pay for cars, homes, weddings, children and retirement, not worrying each month where their student loan payment is coming from,” he said. “It may seem like a lot of money today but easing or eliminating this indebtedness will pay big dividends in the future, allowing the entire economy to prosper.”
District residents can learn more about Kipnis’ campaign at www.kipnisforcongress.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KipnisForCongress, or on Twitter at @Kipnis4Congress.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education
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August 7,2018
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Ridgewood NJ, the state of New Jersey currently has a total of 391,428 vacant housing units, according to Census data, with the highest concentration in Newark.
In a recent report by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy the report noted that abandoned properties have a devastating effect on the fiscal health of the town. They pay little in taxes and generate little revenue. By devaluing neighboring properties, they reduce property tax collections.
Additionally, the government bears substantial costs to deal with these properties. The report calls them “a massive drain on public resources, hitting hardest those cities already struggling to meet payrolls and invest in their future.”
Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi noted , “Currently, New Jersey has a total of 391,428 vacant housing units, according to Census data, with the highest concentration in Newark. These numbers are staggering particularly as we build hundreds of thousands additional units of court imposed housing in New Jersey. Why aren’t we converting even a fraction of these homes into affordable housing rather than building on every last remaining parcel?What is wrong with this State?”
file photo by Boyd Loving
August 3,2018
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Trenton NJ , Following a press conference where the Democrat female delegation of the New Jersey Senate caucus held a press conference in support of Senator Bob Menendez, the NJGOP questioned where they stood on the issue of Menedez’s record with women. NJGOP Executive Director Theresa Winegar issued the following statement on their silence:
“It’s been a week since Senators Cunningham, Weinberg, Ruiz and Pou have recoiled into the shelter of their golden dome after being pressed on Senator Menendez’s offensive history with women. New Jersey’s voters deserve a clear position from them on his record of using his official office to import and exploit young foreign women for his married criminal donor and friend Soliman Melgen. A bi-partisan panel of U.S. Senators recognized Menendez’s abuse of power, but it seems the female delegation of Democrats in New Jersey’s Senate find his behavior to be totally acceptable.”
August 3,2018
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Montville NJ , Due to an increase in human trafficking violations in the Dominican Republic (DR,) Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) has introduced a Senate Resolution that would urge New Jersey residents to immediately cease travel to the Dominican Republic, unless the country takes action to combat the epidemic of sex tourism within the nation’s borders.
“Human trafficking is modern-day enslavement in which innocent people, particularly young children, are abducted, sold, and forced into the heartbreaking sex-trade and forced labor industry,” Pennacchio said. “The Dominican Republic’s beautiful beaches and mountains cannot cover-up the fact that it’s also the world’s most dangerous tourist destination for at-risk children. Ending human trafficking is not a partisan issue. This is about human rights.”
Six million tourists visit the Dominican Republic (DR) every year. The DR is frequently cited as a world capital for sex tourism. Victims of the sex-trade industry are frequently found on street corners, beaches, parks, and other popular tourist destinations throughout the Dominican Republic.
One in four of these women were forced into sexual exploitation before their 18th birthday, according to the International Justice Mission.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s new resolution, SR-91, aims to expose the Dominican Republic’s failure to implement protocols that would identify and assist human trafficking victims, raise awareness, and encourage the people of New Jersey to take a stand by refusing to travel to the nation. The resolution was officially introduced in the State Senate on July 1, 2018.
Over the past five years, the Dominican Republic has grown into a global source for women and children who are forced into sex trafficking; as well as young men who are sold into forced labor. In 2017, children represented more than 50 percent of the human trafficking population in the Dominican Republic.
Every year, more than a million children are exploited in the global sex-trade industry. This commercial sex-tourism market includes tourists from the United States and other countries, who travel to destinations commonly known for legal prostitution, such as the Dominican Republic. In addition to tourist destinations, the international sex-trade is fueled by weak law enforcement and dark corners of the internet.
Senator Pennacchio has sponsored a number of bills to protect children from violence.
In addition to SR-91, Senator Pennacchio also co-sponsors the “Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act,” which would require manufactures and sellers of internet-connected devices to block websites known to facilitate human trafficking. The bill would establish a reporting website or call center, this tool would allow consumers to report unblocked obscene material.
“We cannot in good faith encourage our residents to visit the Dominican Republic,” Pennacchio added. “The DR has repeatedly failed to fully comply with the minimum global standards for eliminating human trafficking. I strongly believe that this legislation could be a critical step in our fight to end the cycle of sex tourism. 20 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking. We must stand up and fight on their behalf in any way we can. I call on my colleagues in the Legislature to join me in this bold effort to stop these atrocities, once and for all.”
Kean States the Obvious “Free” Community College is not “Free ” at all
August 3,2018
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Westfield NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said that a pilot program announced by the Murphy Administration that would shift the cost of tuition and fees for some community college students to New Jersey taxpayers is misguided and unaffordable.
“Free community college sounds great, but nothing is really free,” said Kean. “The Governor’s plan simply shifts $20 million of tuition costs for a handful of students to New Jersey taxpayers who are already overburdened. It’s a huge and unnecessary expense that the State cannot afford to assume.”
Kean warned that the $20 million cost of the Pilot program could become an annual expense of $200 million to $400 million if the program is fully implemented statewide.
“The Governor just told taxpayers that New Jersey is in such dire financial straits that he had to raise taxes by nearly $1.5 billion,” said Kean. “The truth is that the higher taxes Governor Murphy implemented this year on families and businesses were only necessary to fund new spending on unnecessary programs like ‘free’ community college. He hasn’t told us yet which taxes he’ll propose raising next to pay for the full cost of this scheme.”
To support the State’s FY 2019 budget plan, which included funding for the pilot program, the Governor and legislative Democrats raised both personal income and corporate business taxes. They also implemented a new Internet sales tax and taxes on sharing services, including Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb.
Kean noted that the Governor’s misguided tuition plan fails to address the underlying problem of escalating costs at our community colleges that have driven tuition to levels that are unaffordable for many students.
“Our community colleges should be an affordable option for every student who chooses to continue their education,” said Kean. “Unfortunately, the Governor’s tuition scheme merely papers over the problems that have led to tuition growth without fixing them. That virtually ensures that the cost to taxpayers for ‘free’ community college will grow well beyond the already expensive estimates.”
![Lehman_Brothers_Times_Square_by_David_Shankbone[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2048px-Lehman_Brothers_Times_Square_by_David_Shankbone1.jpg "Pennacchio & Corrado Bill to Combat Conflicts of Interest State Investment Council")
March 26, 2018
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Bill Aims to Stop Corruption on NJ State Investment Council In Wake of Pension Scandals
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republicans Joe Pennacchio and Kristin Corrado to combat corruption on the State Investment Council, by forbidding members from voting on investments that present a financial or familial conflict of interest, has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Ridgewood NJ, Sens. Joe Pennacchio and Kristin Corrado’s bill would combat corruption on the State Investment Council, by forbidding members from voting on investments that present a financial or familial conflict of interest. The bill was introduced in response to scandals involving the council and the state pension system. (Pixabay)
“State Investment Council members should serve the people of New Jersey, not themselves,” Senator Pennacchio (R-26) said. “We cannot turn a blind eye to the despicable violations of public trust that have occurred in recent years. People who handle taxpayer dollars must be held accountable.”
The Senators’ bill, S-396, was introduced in light of reports that in 2008, the State Investment Council invested in Lehman Brothers right before the firm went bankrupt. The Lehman Brothers managers who sat on the council did not recuse themselves prior to voting to approve the investment in their firm. The misguided vote cost the pension system nearly $116 million.
Additionally, in 2014, concerns arose that Robert Grady, the former chairman of the council, had invested public money into a fund which his own private firm also invested in. Such potential conflicts of interest would not be tolerated under the Pennacchio/Corrado legislation.
The State Investment Council was created by the New Jersey Legislature in 1950 to develop policies governing the investment of funds by the Director of the Division of Investment.
S-396, would require members of the State Investment Council to recuse themselves from a vote if the matter before the council involves one of the following conflicts of interest:
The member or their spouse is or was employed by the entity in which the investment is being made.
The member or their spouse has a direct investment exceeding $5,000 in the entity in which the investment is being made.
Under S-396, a member who breaks this law would be removed from the council, and must be immediately reported to the Governor and the Legislature.
“Any member who casts a vote despite an obvious conflict of interest does not deserve to sit on the State Investment Council,” Senator Corrado (R-40) said. “The hardworking families we represent must be able to trust that the state is investing and spending these funds wisely. This legislation will ensure council members who use public money for personal or political gain are punished accordingly.”
By Mark Di Ionno | The Star-Ledger
on November 27, 2016 at 8:53 AM, updated November 27, 2016 at 12:41 PM
Welcome to Trumplandia: How this N.J. town reflects national trends
Chuck Monjoy couldn’t find a Donald Trump sign, so he made one.
He took a cardboard box, drew the word “TRUMP” with a heavy black felt-tip pen, then propped it up outside his commercial property on Route 9 in the Forked River section of Lacey Township.
The fact that he couldn’t find a Trump sign struck him as unusual. Lacey is a large municipality in Ocean County, one of the reddest regions of New Jersey.
And in this election, Lacey was the second reddest of the red.
In New Jersey towns with more than 10,000 people, only nearby Lakewood had a greater percentage of voters (74.4) who pulled the lever for president-elect Donald Trump.
