Ramsey NJ, In late December, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy made his first appointments to the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, including naming Darlene Bandazian of Christie’s Special Properties Real Estate Services as an appointee and representative from northern New Jersey. Bandazian, Christie’s Special Properties’ Vice President of Regional Business Development, has been serving the real estate community, in various capacities for more than 30 years.
Westwood NJ, Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi said on twitter , “Governor Murphy’s top NJ priorities for 2019 are increasing minimum wage and legalizing pot. What about crushing property taxes? What about huge outflux of our residents to cheaper states? What about NJ’s $195.5 BILLION financial hole? What about fairness for the middle class?”
Garden State Initiative chimed in , “an @AsburyParkPress analysis by @scervenka finds the avg NJ property tax bill has doubled in 20 yrs far exceeding income growth. Will @GovMurphy address this in his State of the State? https://www.app.com/story/news/investigations/data/analysis/2019/01/15/nj-property-taxes-double/2474323002/ … “
Holly Schepisi concluded the discussion ,”Not one mention of any initiative to combat high property taxes, unaffordability or exodus from the State. We may be only State that needs to build a wall to keep residents in. @GovMurphy @NJAssemblyGOPhttps://twitter.com/gsi_newjersey/status/1085150245934325760 … “
Trenton NJ, The Department of the Treasury reported that December revenue collections for the major taxes totaled $2.973 billion, down $335 million, or 10.1 percent below last December. However, year-to-date, total collections of $12.901 billion are up $269 million for FY 2019, 2.1 percent above the same period last year.
The dip in overall December collections is due primarily to a drop in Gross Income Tax (GIT) receipts, which are constitutionally dedicated to the Property Tax Relief Fund. GIT receipts were down 35.2 percent from last December with $1.182 billion collected while year-to-date collections were down 6.5 percent with $5.667 billion collected. This dip is attributed to federal tax law changes that created a shift in tax planning behavior, a pattern that is being reported in a number of states.
Last December’s GIT collections, which rose by 30.5 percent, were enhanced by certain one-time hedge fund payments made because of a federal tax deadline, as well as accelerated tax payments made in December 2017 in order to avoid the new federal cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, which took effect in January 2018. Additionally, the capped federal SALT deduction may have prompted a change in tax planning behavior this year because it eliminated the incentive to prepay the estimated fourth quarter payment in December, which is due January 15. While this last factor may have reduced December GIT receipts, it also may increase January receipts.
The Sales and Use Tax, the largest General Fund revenue source, reported $788.1 million in December, up 5.4 percent. Year-to-date, sales tax collections of $3.982 billion are up 1.2 percent from the same period last year. The second step of the sales tax rate reduction that began on January 1, 2018 will continue to impact collections for one more month, through the January revenue report. If not for the rate reduction, underlying growth in the sales tax through December would be 5.0 percent.
The Corporation Business Tax (CBT), the second largest General Fund revenue, brought in $596.1 million, 40.9 percent above last December. Year-to-date, the CBT has collected $1.536 billion, or 60.8 percent above last year. The CBT for banks and financial institutions is up 247.8 percent so far in FY 2019 spurred in part by strong bank profits. In FY 2019, corporate tax revenues are expected to grow significantly due to substantial state and federal tax policy changes that influence the tax base and the timing of certain payments.
Casino Revenues of $119.0 million are running 20.3 percent ahead of last year through the end of December. Sports betting has contributed $4.6 million to the Casino Revenue Fund and another $3.1 million to the General Fund through November.
photo Detroit crushed by pensions and fiscal irresponsibility
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
TRENTON NJ, Americans for Prosperity-New Jersey (AFP-NJ) is calling on Governor Phil Murphy to address the state’s looming $220 billion pension crisis and take action on common-sense reforms, such as a comprehensive review of all the occupational licensing boards, as originally prioritized in the Governor’s transition reports.
AFP-NJ plans to work with broad-based policy coalitions to reform the criminal justice system, overhaul the burdensome occupational licensing practices, and address the state’s underfunded pension. The group will encourage lawmakers to provide property tax relief and act on the comptroller’s audit of the Economic Development Authority Grow NJ Program.
AFP-NJ State Director Erica Jedynak issued the following statement:
“The Governor and lawmakers must focus on reining in the misuse of taxpayers’ dollars and act on the deeply troubling audit released last week. Ending the failed corporate-welfare scheme at Grow NJ is a great first step for the governor to tackle out of control spending. The legislature must also reduce occupational licensing bureaucracies, address our antiquated criminal justice system, and reform our underfunded pension system to set New Jersey on the right course.
“There is no shortage of work to be done and we’re ready to work with Gov. Murphy, or anyone else, willing to put the interests of New Jerseyans above all. No matter the officeholder, our mission remains the same—break down barriers so individuals can improve their lives.”
Cresskill NJ, Assemblyman Auth’s Response to Governor Murphy’s State of the State Address :
I am extremely disappointed with Governor Murphy’s lack of a plan for the future of New Jersey. While the State is choking on excessive regulation, unparalleled taxes, and profligate spending; Governor Murphy has decided to double down.
In his speech he listed programs on ad infinitum without a plan to pay for his utopian dream. Eventually, we all know who will bare the brunt of that future bill.
Instead of finger pointing at the President and our former Governor, our new Governor, needs to remember that many of the successes that he took credit for today were the direct result of the past administration. If he truly wants to help the citizenry of our State, he needs to re-think his agenda and work closely with legislators who want to emphasize property tax relief and a reduction in extravagant spending. It’s time to give the taxpayers an opportunity to catch their collective breath.
Trenton NJ, Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) is again calling for action on fiscal reforms, in light of three recent reports that prove that New Jersey’s high cost of living and bad tax policies are forcing people of all ages, and business owners, to leave the Garden State in droves.
New Jersey’s property taxes and the cost of living are the highest in the nation.
“These reports tell us what most of our neighbors already know – we live in one of, if not the most unaffordable state in the nation,” Oroho said. “New Jersey’s current tax policies are causing our family and friends, in particular retirees, to flee the state in record numbers. We must implement prudent fiscal policies to stop this mass exodus and keep what little revenue we have from disappearing entirely.”
Senator Oroho is a co-chair of the bipartisan New Jersey Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup, which is committed to pinpointing fiscal ineffectiveness and proposing commonsense reforms.
Oroho successfully advocated to increase the tax free retirement income exclusion as well as eliminate of New Jersey’s estate tax.
“Despite our best efforts to get the state’s spending back on track there is much more work to be done,” Oroho added. “We want to enact policies that will allow grandparents to be able to stay in New Jersey and watch their grand kids grow up. We want to create an economic climate where young parents can find good opportunities, so they they can actually afford to raise a family in New Jersey. We can and must do more to create friendlier tax policies that will slow outmigration and make New Jersey more competitive.”
Hackensack NJ, According to a report from the Shore News Network, three women have filed an official petition to recall Governor Murphy.
Representing the official recall committee, according to the report, are Hackensack resident and former gubernatorial candidate Monica Brinson, Patty Hoch, and Terry Beck. They told the Shore News Network that the Governor’s ‘actions will not be tolerated. We are a very strong and powerful committee. We bring lots of knowledge, skills and contacts to make a difference’.
The Asbury Park Press notes in their report on the filing that the petition would need 4 million signatures for a successful recall.
A Facebook page associated with the effort, Stop Phil Murphy, has over 1,000 members, and states that it was created as an ‘effort to help New Jersey residents organize an effort to keep Governor Phil Murphy accountable for his actions’.
Trenton NJ, According to a NJ.comreport, Governor Murphy spent twice as many days out of the state than his predecessor in his first year in office.
Murphy spent all or part of 100 days out of NJ in 2018, according to the report. Former Governor Christie spent 49 days out of NJ in 2010, the first year of his governorship. He spent 261 days (72%) out of state in 2015, the year of his failed presidential bid.
Murphy’s Press Secretary Dan Bryan told NJ.com that approximately half of the travel was on weekends, and about a third of the weekday travel involved state business, such as the October economic mission trip to Germany and Israel.
Trenton NJ, Indicators of Innovation, a report issued today by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, shows New Jersey at a challenging crossroads in its efforts to reclaim itself as the “Innovation State.” New Jersey ranked fifth out of the seven states with a cumulative innovation score of 41. New York ranked first in the region with a score of 71, followed by Massachusetts (63), Pennsylvania (49), Maryland (46), New Jersey (41), Delaware (34) and Connecticut (33).In addition to the 12 indicators analyzed in the report, NJBIA also observes additional factors in a New Jersey-Massachusetts comparison that can help jumpstart and sustain an innovation ecosystem.
Among the findings in the Indicators of Innovation report, authored by NJBIA Policy Analyst Nicole Sandelier:
New Jersey’s venture capital investment in 2017 was $781 million, compared to the $8.97 billion received by Massachusetts and $12.27 billion received by New York.
New Jersey increased its venture capital investment at a lower rate than all seven states in the region between 2004 and 2017.
New Jersey companies received less than $52 million in award obligation for federal R&D funding efforts in 2017, compared to nearly $271 million awarded to Massachusetts. The state also received less award funding than Maryland ($124 million), New York ($114 million) and Pennsylvania ($98 million).
In 2018, New Jersey received $157 million in National Science Foundation College/University funding – significantly less than regional competitors New York ($466 million), Massachusetts ($415 million) and Pennsylvania ($253 million).
New Jersey is home to three “Top 100” colleges/universities ranked in 2018 by U.S. News & World Report, compared to 10 each in Massachusetts and New York; and six in Pennsylvania.
New Jersey lost a net total of more than 28,000 first-time college students in the fall of 2016, the largest loss in the nation. By regional comparison, Pennsylvania had a net gain of nearly 17,000 students that year.
In 2017, New Jersey was fifth out of seven states with 15.6 percent of its population possessing a graduate or professional degree. In comparison, Massachusetts’ graduate and professional degree holders represented 19.5 percent of its population.
New Jersey does fare well in the Rate of Entrepreneurs regionally, with 340 adults starting a business for every 100,000 people in the state in 2017. That’s second in the region behind New York, which totaled 360 business starters per 100,000 adults.
New Jersey’s startup density was 76.1 per 1,000 employer firms in 2017, good for third in the region behind New York (83.3 per 1,000 firms) and Delaware (77 per 1,000 firms).
In 2017, New Jersey ranked fourth in the region with more than 8,600 patents issued. Massachusetts (more than 15,000 patents issued) and New York (nearly 14,700 patents issued) held a decided advantage.
From 2015 to 2016, New Jersey experienced a 0.44 percent increase in total businesses – which is sixth in the region. Delaware enjoyed a 2.03 percent increase in total businesses during that span.
New Jersey finished last out of seven regional states in NJBIA’s 2018 Regional Business Climate analysis, which scores metrics such as each state’s minimum wage, top income tax rate, top corporate tax rate, sales tax rate, property tax paid percentage and unemployment tax rate.
Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy plays the fool on the heels of President Donald J. Trump’s Border Wall Address. Murphy said ,“President Trump continues to mislead to justify his nonsensical and damaging shutdown. There is a much better and smarter way for us to invest $5 billion than an impractical non-starter of a wall. The Gateway Project would do more to create jobs, promote economic and national security, and build critically needed 21st century infrastructure. Enough of the misguided rhetoric that is hurting our economy and our people, and making us less safe. Let’s get the government open and get to work to get Gateway done.”
We want to take this minute to remind Governor Murphy that an illegal immigrant released by a “sanctuary city” county in New Jersey was charged with a triple homicide halfway across the country in Missouri. Luis Rodrigo Perez stands accused of being the gunman in a shooting rampage last week that claimed the lives of two men and one woman at two homes.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it had tried to deport Perez after he was arrested on domestic violence charges in Middlesex County, New Jersey, last year.But the county, which has a noncooperation policy with ICE, refused to alert federal agents when it released Perez in February.“Had ICE’s detainer request in December 2017 been honored by Middlesex County Jail, Luis Rodrigo Perez would have been placed in deportation proceedings and likely sent home to his country — and three innocent people might be alive today,” said Corey Price, acting ICE executive associate director.John Tsoukaris, ICE’s deportation operations field director in Newark, New Jersey, called Middlesex County’s policy reckless.
Many believe the governor, state attorney general and Middlesex County all have blood on their hands.
Trenton NJ, seems sexually harassment along with criminal convictions is the norm in the Murphy Administration . As we previously reported Katie Brennan has filed a tort claim against the State of New Jersey, the Murphy for Governor campaign, and former Murphy administration official Al Alvarez, whom she has accused of rape. Brennan is seeking damages and an emergent application to change state policies and procedures regarding workplace investigations. Brennan’s attorney Katy McClure said ‘Ms. Brennan is pursuing justice through this lawsuit because I couldn’t get it any other way. She pursued every avenue she could, but waved every red flag she could access, and she was ignored’. The Legislative Select Oversight Committee will continue its hearings this morning at 10:30am, with testimony resuming for Chief of Staff Pete Cammarano and others.
Politico NJ now reports that NJEDA Vice President of Policy and Planning Allison Kopicki has resigned, saying she faced retaliation from members of the administration after speaking to the press regarding claims of a hostile work environment within the Murphy campaign and an incident in which Joe Kelley allegedly threw a chair at Julia Fahl.
Saddle River NJ, Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi is calling on New Direction to release the list of its donors. She says with major legislation being debated, the Governor’s Office needs to be seen as above reproach.
“Under no circumstances should there be any perception, in one of the most corrupt states in the entire country, that people are being able to buy influence within the Governor’s Office,” she said.
Attorney Daryl Kipnis said on Facebook ,”This is what happens when career NJ politicians in both parties (mostly Democrats of course) get re-elected without trying. $2.4M spent on lobbying gets a $300M/year annual subsidy (that YOU pay for) for 1 company, who then cuts a $55K “Thank You” campaign check to the wrong political slush fund.”
Trenton NJ, A state government employee Katie Brennan who says her allegations that she was sexually assaulted by a campaign staffer to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy were ignored or downplayed has filed a notice of intent to sue New Jersey for damages.
An attorney for Katie Brennan filed the notice of tort claim last week.The notice alleges the state, including Murphy and Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, acted negligently and with reckless indifference when it hired Albert Alvarez.Brennan says Alvarez sexually assaulted her in 2017 during Murphy’s gubernatorial campaign and that she told several officials in Murphy’s administration.
TRENTON NJ, A new study showing that more residents moved out of New Jersey than any other state underscores the need for fiscal reforms that will make the state more affordable and allow for the types of investments that will retain and attract workers and their families, said Senate President Steve Sweeney.
Senator Sweeney noted that the United Van Lines 42nd Annual National Movers Study, which tracks state-to-state migration patterns, found that there were twice as many outbound moves from New Jersey as inbound moves. New Jersey’s outbound relocation percentage of 67 percent was the highest in the nation in 2018. The findings in the relocation report are consistent with recent migration patterns driven by such factors as cost of living, job growth, state budgetary challenges and the appeal of a warmer climate, according to a top public policy economist at UCLA.
“We can’t do much about the weather, but we have the ability to make the reforms needed to address deeply rooted state fiscal problems, to help make New Jersey more affordable, and to make the investments needed to foster job retention and long-term economic expansion,” said Senator Sweeney, referring to the Path to Progress report issued by the bipartisan, blue-ribbon Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup.
“We need to make New Jersey a place where current residents choose to stay, where young people can have a future, and where businesses and people from other states want to move to,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “If we don’t make the structural reforms needed to fix our state finances, pension and health benefit costs will continue to grow and consume all of our revenue growth. Because of this, we won’t have the resources we need to support education and job training programs, to improve our infrastructure and to invest in the development of new technologies that are critical to economic growth.”
Senator Sweeney also took note of the just-released WARN notices showing that more than 11,000 workers at 55 companies in New Jersey were issued layoff notices in 2018. The figures, compiled by the state Department of Labor under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, signal that their jobs are in jeopardy.
“These WARN notifications are bad news for the jobholders and serve as a warning sign for the state’s economic well-being,” said Senator Sweeney. “They serve as an advance notice of potential large-scale layoffs and they cut across a broad sector of businesses, including retailers, healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. It is something to take seriously.”
The Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup was co-chaired by Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), Senate Republican Budget Officer Steve Oroho (R-Sussex) and Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D–Camden). The panel met for more than six months and produced a series of recommendations designed to fix the underfunded pension system, reduce healthcare costs, improve education and expand shared services to hold down property taxes.
Ridgewood NJ, more people moved out of Governor Murphy’s high tax Sanctuary State in 2018 than any other state, according to a new study by United Van Lines . The United Van Lines’ 42nd Annual National Movers Study, which tracks customers’ state-to-state migration patterns over the past year, revealed that more residents moved out of New Jersey than any other state in 2018.
New Jersey residents looking for sanctuary led in outbound migration with (66.8 percent), Connecticut (62 percent) and New York (61.5 percent) were included among the top 10 outbound states for the fourth consecutive year. Midwestern states like Illinois (65.9 percent), Kansas (58.7 percent), Ohio (56.5 percent) and Iowa (55.5 percent) saw high outbound relocation as well.
The National Movers Study also reveals business data of inbound and outbound moves from 2018. In addition to this study, United Van Lines also conducts a survey to find out more about the reasons behind these moves. A leading motivation behind these migration patterns across all regions is a career change, as the survey showed approximately one out of every two people who moved in the past year moved for a new job or company transfer. Other reasons for the high percentage of moves to the Mountain West in 2018 include retirement (28.1 percent), proximity to family (20.8 percent) and lifestyle change (19.4 percent). Compared to all other states, Idaho saw the largest influx of new residents desiring a lifestyle change (25.95 percent), and more people flocked to New Mexico for retirement than any other state (42.74 percent.
New Jersey (66.8 percent), which has ranked in the top 10 for the past 10 years, moved up one spot on the outbound list to No. 1. New additions to the 2018 top outbound list include Iowa (55.5 percent), Montana (55 percent) and Michigan (55 percent).
