The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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NEW JERSEY — Beloved public television characters — including Big Bird — are facing an uncertain future as New Jersey’s PBS station, NJ PBS, announces layoffs amid deep state and federal funding cuts.
Continue reading Big Bird Gets the Ax: NJ PBS Hit by Massive State and Federal Funding Cuts
With the new school year just weeks away, New Jersey school districts are taking matters into their own hands over student cell phone use—while the state stalls on creating uniform rules
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Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy called for a statewide ban on student cell phones during his State of the State address in January, citing classroom distractions and social media’s negative impact on mental health. The resulting bills, S3695/A4882, however, would only require the Commissioner of Education to draft guidelines within 90 days—if passed.
Continue reading New Jersey Schools Clash Over Student Cell Phone Bans as Statewide Policy Stalls
O’Scanlon, Scharfenberger, and Flynn Torch Trenton’s Latest Anti-Freelancer Agenda
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Trenton, NJ – July 29, 2025 Just when you thought Governor Phil Murphy couldn’t make New Jersey less affordable or more unfriendly to working residents, his administration is back with another anti-job, anti-reality proposal. This time, it’s a behind-the-scenes push to reclassify gig workers—think Uber drivers, freelance writers, insurance agents, photographers, and even Little League umpires—as employees rather than independent contractors.
Continue reading Murphy’s Gig Worker Rule Change: Another Tone-Deaf Move That Could Kill NJ Jobs
Candidate Pledges to End Offshore Wind Projects and Reintroduce Natural Gas and Nuclear Power
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Somerville, NJ — Gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli is sounding the alarm on what he calls an “avoidable energy crisis” in New Jersey, pointing to skyrocketing utility bills and failed green energy initiatives as the primary culprits. Ciattarelli took aim at Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill and Governor Phil Murphy for championing offshore wind energy and electric vehicle mandates, which he argues are driving energy costs out of control.
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Washington, D.C. – Grab your popcorn, folks—Cory Booker is back at it with another high-octane Senate speech that had more drama than a Bravo reunion special.
Continue reading Cory “Spartacus” Booker Melts Down (Again) — This Time at Fellow Democrats
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Trenton NJ, “The Only Taxes People Like Are the Ones Someone Else Pays” — But in New Jersey, You’re Probably Paying Them Too . If there’s one thing more certain than death and taxes, it’s New Jersey finding new taxes.
Starting August 1, smokers in the Garden State will find their wallets even lighter as a fresh round of cigarette and vape taxes goes into effect. Yes, that’s right — Gov. Phil Murphy and the Democrat-led Legislature have once again reached deep into the playbook of “creative revenue generation” and pulled out… even more taxes.
Continue reading Murphy’s Latest Tax Hikes: Cigarettes, Casinos & Real Estate – Oh My!
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jeff Van Drew is calling out New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and other Democratic governors for what he says is an attempt to shift blame for the Garden State’s energy crisis onto PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator overseeing electricity for 13 states and Washington, D.C.
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Ridgewood NJ, Property taxes in New Jersey remain some of the highest in the nation—and 2024 is no exception. According to the latest state data, the average New Jersey homeowner paid $10,095 in property taxes last year, exceeding the federal government’s former $10,000 SALT deduction cap.
Continue reading NJ Property Taxes 2024: Bergen & Passaic Towns with the Highest Bills
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HACKENSACK, NJ — The newly seated Hackensack City Council, led by Mayor Caseen Gaines, is taking action to undo three controversial tax abatement agreements approved by the previous administration in the weeks between the May election and the council’s transition into office.
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TRENTON, NJ — Hundreds of thousands of New Jersey public employees, including teachers, police officers, and local government workers, could face major health care premium hikes in 2026, according to new recommendations presented by the state Treasury Department on July 9.
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TRENTON, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy signed a record-breaking $58.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, marking the largest in New Jersey history — and his final as term-limited governor. While the spending plan includes some relief for small businesses and education, critics say it leans heavily on tax hikes and fiscal overreach.
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TRENTON, NJ — As New Jersey lawmakers finalize the $58.1 billion state budget for fiscal year 2026 — the largest in state history — one controversial item appears to be making its way into the final cut: increased sales taxes on cigarettes, vaping products, and internet gaming.
Continue reading NJ Poised to Raise Sales Tax on Cigarettes and Vapes in 2026 Budget
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Washington DC, President Trump made a dramatic announcement Monday on Truth Social, proclaiming a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, officially ending what he dubbed the “12-Day War.”
“It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire,” President Trump posted. “God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and God bless the world.”
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SOMERSET, NJ — The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) has officially released its 2025 Blueprint for a Competitive New Jersey, a 28-page, forward-thinking policy guide designed to help lawmakers, gubernatorial candidates, and local leaders create a more business-friendly, innovation-driven economy in the Garden State.
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Mahwah NJ, incumbent Assemblymen Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and John Azzariti (R-Saddle River) have fended off a spirited GOP primary challenge from Frank Pallotta, a former congressional candidate, in New Jersey’s 39th Legislative District, according to projections from the New Jersey Globe.
