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Minimum Wage: Urgent Concerns Of Small Business Community Not Heard

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJBIA President and CEO Michele N. Siekerka issued the following statement regarding the Assembly and Senate passage of the $15 minimum wage bill (A-15/ S.15) today.

“New Jersey’s small business community wrote thousands of letters to our lawmakers and testified how they will struggle, stagnate or fail when this legislation is signed by the governor. With today’s passage, the urgent concerns of this community have not been heard.

“For years, NJBIA has said any increase in the minimum wage should be done responsibly. This legislation falls woefully short of that standard, and our small businesses will bear the brunt of it. In the first year alone, they will see a 35 percent increase to their expenditures, when including increased payroll taxes as a result of the wage increase.

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Sweeney Calls Murphy’s Veto of Emergency Assistance Bill for the Homeless: “A Cold Act On The Coldest Day Of The Year”

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Senate President Steve Sweeney today sharply criticized the Governor’s veto of his legislation extending lifetime emergency assistance benefits for the homeless.

“This is a cold act on the coldest day of the year,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “Days like this should be a reminder that there are homeless veterans suffering from PTSD, abused mothers with young children, recovering drug addicts and alcoholics who find themselves out on the street and need our help.

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Governor Phil Murphy and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police Warn of Big Freeze

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, have authorized an early dismissal for all state offices due to today’s winter weather.

The Governor has initiated a staggered closing for state offices beginning at 1:30 PM this afternoon. The early dismissal does not include essential employees, who shall remain until the normal close of business. Private companies and business should dismiss their employees at their own discretion. No state of emergency has been declared at this point.

“Winter weather and a dramatic drop in temperatures are expected today and into this evening and throughout the night,” said Governor Murphy. “When you are on the roads, please use extreme caution and allow road crews plenty of room to keep the roads clear. Once you get home, the best thing to do is to stay in. Our overarching goal is for everyone to get home safe.”

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New Jersey Looks at a “Rain Tax “

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,the Mount Laurel doctrine is a controversial judicial interpretation of the New Jersey State Constitution. The doctrine requires that municipalities use their zoning powers in an affirmative manner to provide a realistic opportunity for the production of housing affordable to low and moderate income households.

One of the many negative byproducts of forced over development is storm water run off .Trenton lawmakers have moved closer to approving a much-debated measure that aims to give communities the resources to fix aging stormwater systems that foul the state’s waters and increase flooding and the answer as always is to raise taxes .

But not everyone is happy with the idea , Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney said , “Here we are looking to tax rain. What’s next? Air?’’ asked Assemblyman Kevin Rooney (R-Bergen), who argued other pressing water problems ought to be addressed first, including lead in drinking water and hundred-year-old water mains that leak potable water before it ever reaches customers.

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Murphy Grants Tax break to Hollywood ,but Raises Taxes on Jersey Shore Rentals

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) questioned Governor Murphy’s motive to provide a multi-million dollar tax subsidy to Hollywood’s film industry while simultaneously increasing taxes that negatively impact New Jersey’s shore homeowners and the summer tourism industry.

“Governor Murphy’s tax break for the Hollywood film industry stands in stark contrast to his tax hike on New Jersey shore house renters,” Pennacchio said. “While the Hollywood-connected elite will enjoy $425 million in subsidies, beach renters could pay up to an additional 14 percent in taxes. This could amount to hundreds of dollars in fees on what was once an affordable family vacation. The owners of these shore rentals are also paying an unfair price, on top of the already high taxes and operational costs required to maintain their properties.

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Governor Murphy Tours Hudson River Tunnel with Legislative Leadership and Congressional Delegation

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WEEHAWKEN NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today toured the North River Tunnel with state legislative leadership and members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation. The 108 year old North River Tunnel has been in disrepair and in dire need of replacement since extensive damage was caused by Hurricane Sandy.

“The rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel and construction of the new Hudson Tunnel is crucial to the tri-state area, and in particular New Jersey,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “It is time for the Trump administration to prioritize the needs of commuters and our nation’s economy, and commit to funding the Gateway Program.”

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Reader says,”any proper investigation of Murphy’s past while on Wall Street they would have been very aware of his reputation for disrespect”

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Had the press done any proper investigation of Murphy’s past while on Wall Street they would have been very aware of his reputation for disrespect, arrogance, and treatment of woman along with his other male partners.

Of course they probably are aware, however would never publish these accounts as the Socialist agenda must be pushed forward.

Wake up folks. Insist on full transparency.

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Governor Murphy Must Submit Himself To Ethics Panel Investigation Over Sky Blue FC Conflicts

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  Following reports yesterday that Governor Murphy was directly involved with the recruitment of a draft pick for his professional women’s soccer team, Sky Blue FC,it has come to light that Governor Murphy may have violated state ethics laws. 

Hometown soccer star Julia Ashley told reporters she would rather leave the country than play for Murphy’s soccer team. Murphy called her personally, and unsuccessfully, to convince her to stay. Sky Blue FC  made news recently for the poor conditions to which it subjects its female members. 

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New Jersey Ranks Third in Taxes Paid Per Person

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog


Ridgewood NJ, the Tax Foundation has issued a state tax report that shows state and local tax collections per capita in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. D.C.’s tax collections per capita ($10,841) are higher than in any state. The five states with the highest tax collections per capita are New York ($8,957), Connecticut ($7,220), New Jersey ($6,709), North Dakota ($6,630), and Massachusetts ($6,469). The five states with the lowest tax collections per capita are Alabama ($3,206), Tennessee ($3,322), South Carolina ($3,435), Oklahoma ($3,458), and Florida ($3,478).

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Murphy Promises Another Year of Hell for NJ Tranist Riders

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Thursday, January 17 Governor Phil Murphy told the  NJ Daily Record  reporter Curtis Tate , “NJ Transit riders may have to wait until the end of this year to see the system operate the way it’s supposed to”

Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) today called for immediate action to resolve NJ Transit’s ongoing issues:

“Governor Murphy must take expeditious action to address the major issues plaguing NJ Transit,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “I’m calling on the Governor to take whatever action is necessary, whether it’s declaring a State of Emergency, bringing in out-of-state engineers, or any other solution. We must treat this exigent situation with the seriousness that it demands.”

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Governor Murphy Calls on Port Authority to Build New AirTrain System at Newark Airport

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Newark NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today visited Newark Liberty International Airport and stressed the urgent need for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to act quickly to fund a new AirTrain system. Currently, AirTrain moves about 33,000 riders per day between Newark Airport terminals, parking lots, car rental facilities, to public transportation and the Northeast Corridor Rail Link, transporting more than 11 million riders annually. However, the system is nearing the end of its useful life and is beyond capacity constraints. The current AirTrain also interferes with plans for future locations of terminals, roadways, and airfield taxi lanes.

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Opinion: People are leaving New Jersey, and it’s not hard to know why

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file photo by Boyd Loving


Assemblymen Kevin J. Rooney and Christopher P. DePhillips represent parts of Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties in the 40th Legislative District.

Wyckoff NJ, New Jersey has ranked as the highest outbound state since 2012.  In other words, our state had the highest percentage of people moving out versus moving in compared to the other 49 states.

Even as the economy is doing better nationally, our state is lagging behind – and people are taking notice.

An annual survey by a national moving company, which recently released its 42nd report, found that twice as many people left our state than came last year.  The embarrassing streak should be a cause for concern, because the people who are leaving can afford to, and the people who are staying are paying the price.

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Governor Murphy and the Murphy Administration Urge Residents to Prepare for Upcoming Snow Storm

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy and the Murphy Administration are asking New Jersey residents to prepare for a winter storm that will affect the area throughout the weekend. Colonel Patrick Callahan and the New Jersey State Police are preparing the State Emergency Operations Center, which will activate tomorrow in order to monitor the winter storm conditions expected to last through Sunday.

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Governor Murphy has announced a State of Emergency beginning at 12:00PM today Saturday, January 19, 2019.

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The State Emergency Operations Center will be activated as of 12:00PM Saturday, January 19, 2019, as well.

What is a State of Emergency?

New Jersey State law allows the Governor and County and Local Emergency Management Coordinators to declare a State of Emergency during significant weather events and natural disasters. The emergency declaration is a tool used by the government officials who are managing the emergency. It allows State agencies to quickly respond to needs of citizens, reassign personnel, and deploy vehicles, trucks, and equipment to respond to the incident. A State of Emergency allows the government to act more quickly than it can during non-emergency times.

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