>House Passes Amendment to Block Funds for Net Neutrality Order
By Juliana Gruenwald Thursday, February 17, 2011 | 6:48 p.m.
The House passed an amendment Thursday that would bar the Federal Communications Commission from using any funding to implement the network-neutrality order it approved in December. The amendment, approved on a 244-181 vote, was offered by Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., to legislation that would fund government agencies for the rest of fiscal year 2011.
>The House voted Thursday to dethrone nine White House “czars.”
Republicans successfully added an amendment to the continuing resolution that would leave President Barack Obama’s senior advisers on policy issues including health care, energy and others out of a job. The vote was 249-179.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) offered the amendment that blocks funding for various policy advisers to combat what he called “a very disturbing proliferation of czars” under Obama.
“These unappointed, unaccountable people who are literally running a shadow government, heading up these little fiefdoms that nobody can really seem to identify where they are or what they’re doing,” Scalise said Thursday. “But we do know that they’re wielding vast amounts of power.”
> New York City wants to Lay off 6,400 teachers the Staff of the Ridgewood blog
Will New Jersey Be Next ? New York City wants to Lay off 6,400 teachers .
New York city may have to eliminate thousands of teacher jobs. In Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s budget update the mayor unveiled that the city would cut 6,400 teacher jobs, through a combination of layoffs and attrition. New York’s public schools have about 80,000 teachers.
>Credit Downgrades loom for US states By Nicole Bullock in New York Published: February 17 2011 05:01 | Last updated: February 17 2011 05:01
Cash-strapped US states and cities face the prospect of downgrades after Fitch Ratings changed the way it analyses their burgeoning pension bills.
In a report published on Thursday, Fitch warns the new approach could lead to “limited negative rating action”, particularly for local governments with big wage bills. The changes to the way it assesses pension liabilities come amid growing concern over the scale of municipal debt problems and the effect on state and city finances of generous, unfunded public sector pension schemes that will run for many years. Sharp falls in equities and other risky assets during the financial crisis reduced the funding levels of nearly all these pension plans, increasing the pressure on states and local governments when they have even less cash because of dwindling tax revenues to make up the shortfall. Revenues have tumbled while spending has been rising.
The Democratic National Committee’s Organizing for America arm — the remnant of the 2008 Obama campaign — is playing an active role in organizing protests against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s attempt to strip most public employees of collective bargaining rights.
>N.J. education chief pushes tougher deals for teachers
In a speech that endorsed many aspects of Gov. Christie’s education agenda, New Jersey’s top education official called Wednesday for making tenure harder to get and keep, holding teachers accountable for student performance, and creating financial incentives for educators. (Giordano and Rao, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
>Christie proposes ending tenure for poor teachers
One month after Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey used his annual state address to call for an end to tenure for teachers, his administration unveiled a plan on Wednesday that would take away tenure from ineffective teachers but stopped short of eliminating it. (Hu, The New York Times)
>Christie says U.S. should raise Social Security retirement age
Delving into national policy issues and calling on politicians from both parties to make tough decisions, Gov. Chris Christie today addressed a packed room at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. (Gibson, The Star-Ledger)
New Jersey AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech called on the administration to begin contract negotiations with public workers now, rather than later in the year as is the governor’s plan. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
>The question is, should the developer be allowed to subdivide the property and construct two LARGE homes on small lots?
The developers (Jenne/Paladino) now own the property. It was purchased several weeks ago for $385,000. The developers were originally under contract for $500,000 BUT the contract was contingent upon the seller getting approval of the subdivision. For whatever reasons, the parties renegotiated the price down to $385,000 without any contingencies. The previous owner nor the condition of the house are an issue anymore.
The question is, should the developer be allowed to subdivide the property and construct two LARGE homes on small lots? The developers would like permission to construct two 4200 sq foot houses (inclusive of finished basements) on the property on lots which do not meet minimum lot size and which need several other variances. At present, there is one 3100 sq foot home on the lot. I do not believe his subdivision would be a good thing for Ridgewood and believe that building one lovely home on the large lot, or renovating the existing one, just makes more sense. Why do we have codes and minimum requirements if we don’t abide by them? Weren’t they put in place to protect the character of our Village?
This lot is one of the first you see when you enter Ridgewood and one of the last when you leave along Ridgewood Ave. I think there is a unique opportunity here to make a statement about who we are as a community. There are many large homes along Ridgewood Ave with large lots and I believe they set the tone for the entire Village. Chopping up lots just diminishes our
What is wrong with our president? I am getting so sick of him being an American apologist or expounding the virtues of some other countries virtues. It happened again when he addressed the Egyptian uprising by saying “Egyptians have inspired us, and they’ve done so by putting the lie to the idea that justice is best gained by violence”. Not trying to sound arrogant but Americans inspire others we do not get inspired by others. Is it lost on the president that an employee of an American company, Google , who has enjoyed the freedoms and rewards of this great nation, inspired the masses through the use of the Internet? I heard more than one Egyptian immigrant in the USA and protestors in Tahrir Square say the Egyptian people want the same freedoms as those we cherish in this country. Is it lost on this president that one only needs to go back to our recent history to see where Americans brought about great change with non violent actions. Reverend King’s march on Washington helped the Civil Rights laws become a reality. Ronald Reagan uttering the six simple words “Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall” inspired the Eastern European countries to demand their freedom. And most recently the Tea Party creating one of the greatest shifts in power in the history of this country.
And it is naive for the President to infer that only non-violence is the proper way to bring about justice. Would King George have granted the colonies freedom had the colonist march peacefully to Bunker Hill. Oof course not. Would the King Louis have granted freedom the French had they peacefully assembled at the Bastille. Of course not. and it was the success of our revolution that inspired the French.If this President needs to be inspired, I suggest he look at our own history and stop apologizing to the world for such things as a state that wants to enforce the federal immigration laws (Arizona)and praising people, who decided 230 years after colonists, to declare their God given right to freedom
>Ominously nicknamed Kill Switch bill and its impact on the Internet is stirring debate
SAN FRANCISCO — A raging debate over new legislation, and its impact on the Internet, has tongues wagging and fingers pointing from Silicon Valley to Washington, D.C.
Just as the Egyptian government recently forced the Internet to go dark, U.S. officials could flip the switch if the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset legislation becomes law, say its critics.
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Layoffs and attrition have reduced the number of police officers in New Jersey by about 10 percent, but most state residents do not believe the cuts have compromised public safety, according to a Monmouth University/New Jersey Press Media poll. (Mikle and Remaly, Gannett)
