>Three SEIU Locals–Including Chicago Chapter–Waived From Obamacare Requirement Monday, January 24, 2011 By Fred Lucas
(CNSNews.com) – Three local chapters of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), whose political action committee spent $27 million supporting Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, have received temporary waivers from a provision in the Obamacare law.
The three SEIU chapters include the Local 25 in Obama’s hometown of Chicago.
The waivers allow health insurance plans to limit how much they will spend on a policy holder’s medical coverage for a given year. Under the new health care law, however, such annual limits are phased out by the year 2014. (Under HHS regulations, annual limits can be no less than $750,000 for 2011, no less than $1.25 million in 2012 and no less than $2 million in 2013.)
>HomeMade Pizza Kicks Off the New Year with First New Jersey Location in Ridgewood
Ridgewood Residents Find a New Way To Do Pizza and a Fresh Way to Think About Dinner
HomeMade Pizza Company opens its first location in New Jersey – in the bustling suburb of Ridgewood. With HomeMade Pizza’s unique bake-at-home pizza concept and dedication to fresh, all natural ingredients that customers can feel good about eating, it has redefined pizza and promises a new way to think about dinner. It’s expanding in New Jersey with a new store on Ridgewood Avenue this week.
HomeMade invites Ridgewood area residents to join in the three-day neighborhood welcoming celebration that includes meeting the founders, dough tossing demos and free samples of its all-natural pizza, salads and bake-at-home cookies.
Store openings at HomeMade Pizza means turn-away crowds with nearly 2,000 residents expected to be served during the opening. From 4-7 p.m.,on Feb. 8-10, 2011. Located at 134 East Ridgewood Ave.Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
>Anti-Jobs legislation: Assembly looks at loopholes on layoffs
There is a state law requiring companies shutting down to give 60-day notice with pay or severance pay to workers losing their jobs. (Jordan, New Jersey Press Media)
>Lawmakers approve bill on rewards for preventing, controlling illnesses among N.J. poor
Declaring the health care system “hopelessly broken,” lawmakers in Trenton are advancing legislation that would provide financial rewards to doctors, hospitals and insurance companies for preventing and controlling illnesses — rather than just treating them — in New Jersey’s poorest communities. (Livio and Augenstein, The Star-Ledger)
>Home Rule: State Senate President Stephen Sweeney plans bill that would pull funding for towns that don’t share
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney plans bill that would pull funding for towns that don’t share
New Jersey Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney says he is working on legislation that would pull state funding from municipalities that do not share services with neighboring towns. (Weaver, Press of Atlantic City)
Toll road officials took the first step to privatizing toll collection by releasing a request for proposal containing what is expected from potential contractors. (Higgs, Daily Record)
>National School Choice Week January 23 – 29, 2011
On January 23 – 29, 2011, School Choice advocates will gather all across the nation to shine a spotlight on effective education options for every child.
Our message is simple: we need a K-12 education system that provides a wide array of options. We need an effective education system that has the flexibility to personalize and motivate students and allow parents to choose the school that is best for their child.
National School Choice Week was created to provide a concentrated focus on this mission – a time for the media and the public to hear our resounding message and a time to bring new voices into the chorus. There is no one organization behind this effort; those working on setting it up come from a variety of school reform organizations. We may each have a specialty: charter school growth and success, universal vouchers and tuition tax credits, corralling out-of-control spending, or union accountability, but each is equally important and all should plan to be a part of this special week.
National School Choice Week needs your participation to succeed as a bullhorn for the school choice movement. Sign up for updates about this national upcoming event and stay tuned to learn how you and your organization can maximize its opportunities and help the school choice movement pump up the volume.
A free society cannot survive unless the people understand what is going on. Loren Spivack, The Free Market Warrior, has committed himself to helping an entire generation of Americans understand how economics works. The information is given in straightforward accessible format, with the goal of preparing a new “army” of regular Americans ready and equipped to fight for freedom, in that area where freedom is most crucial: our economic lives.
Join us for the Free Market Warrior Seminar on February 22 & February 23 from 7PM-10PM at the Knights of Columbus , 79 Pascack Road , Washington Township, NJ 07676
>Nanny State: The problem is that we, as a society are unwilling to hold specific parents accountable for their actions
There is no law stopping you from putting helmets on your children.
There is no law stopping ski resorts from making rules to require helmet use (and you can decide to go there or go to a “non-helmet” ski-resort) – see 1:16’s comment as well.
What we don’t need is the government telling us how to live our private lives.
If you are an unfit parent and can’t keep your kids safe on your own, then there are laws already on the books to take your children away from you.
The problem is that we, as a society are unwilling to hold specific parents accountable for their actions and would rather intrude on everyone’s lives rather than admitting that people are different – some are good parents, some are unfit parents.
Walt Clyde Frazier Wednesday, January 26th @ 7:00pm Legendary New York Knicks Guard and Color Analyst for the New York Knicks, will sign his new book: Rockin’ Steady.
Brooke Burke Tuesday, February 1st @ 7:00pm Host of Dancing with the Stars will sign her new book: The Naked Mom. Books available: Feb. 1st
“Wierd Al” Yankovic Wednesday, February 2nd @ 4:30pm Best known as America’s leading satirist of popular music & culture. Has won three Grammy Awards and has sold more comedy albums than anyone else in history. Will sign his new release, When I Grow Up. Book available Feb. 1st
>SNOW REMOVAL Ordinance for the Business District in Ridgewood
249-1 Snow and ice removal. Who is responsible for the sidewalks and around the meters? The following information was provided by the Village of Ridgewood.
A. The owner of any land abutting upon the streets or public highways in the Village, if such land is owner-occupied or vacant, otherwise the tenant or occupant of such land situate in all zones of the Village of Ridgewood as shown on the 1990 Zoning Map, with the exception of the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zones of the Village, shall remove all snow and ice from the abutting sidewalks of such streets or highways within 24 hours after the same shall fall or be formed theron. No snow or ice so removed, however, shall be deposited or place in the street or highway in such a manner or location so as to impede the flow of traffic. For purposes of this section, such land shall be deemed owner-occupied by either the owner or owners or record or any agent, servant or employee thereof.
B. …Special regulations are adopted for the business and office zones in order to maintain an attractive and safe environment in the buiness and professional office zones of the Village by assuring that the snow will be removed from the sidewalks in and around the central business district on a timely basis.
C. …Snowfalls commencing during the evening, that is, after 6:00pm., will be cleared by no later than 9:00am the following morning, Sundays and holidays included. During weekday storms, M-Sat, occurring during business hours, sidewalks shall be cleared to a five-foot minimum width to provide access from the storefront to the curb, between meters, if meters are installed. After 6:00pm and on Sundays and Holidays, sidewalks will be completely cleared into the street.
D. A court appearance will be required to answer any summons issued for a violation of this section. Thomas Rica, Public Works Inspector, Village of Ridgewood 201-670-5500 X248.
SUPPORT RHS BANDS: ANNUAL CITRUS SALE IS JANUARY 30
Ridgewood High School band members will be on a door-to-door campaign throughout Ridgewood on Sunday, January 30, taking orders for delicious produce to raise money for the band program.
Fruit boxes being offered: · 20 lb. box of navel oranges; · 20 lb. box of red grapefruits; · 24 navel oranges/12 red grapefruit mix; · 6 apple/6 pear/10 navel orange mix.
Price: $25/box Deadline for orders: February 11 Citrus Delivery Day: March 5 and 6 For more information, contact: Jennifer Gellman ([email protected] or 201-493-0474) or Carol Gyzander ([email protected] or 201- 447-2442).
>Rasmussen : 68% Prefer A Government With Fewer Services, Lower Taxes
House Republicans are proposing to follow their repeal of the national health care bill with billions in spending cuts, and most voters continue to favor a government that offers fewer services and lower taxes.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely Voters prefer a government with fewer services and lower taxes rather than a more active one with more services and higher taxes. This is virtually identical to last month and consistent with findings since September
