The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Secaucus NJ, at least 13 buses have transported illegal immigrants to New Jersey, where they subsequently board buses and trains bound for New York City.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, even the far leftist Monmouth University Poll could find very little to cheer about in in latest “Quality of Government ” poll. Neither Trenton nor Washington is clicking on all cylinders but the federal government scores slightly worse, according to the New Jersey public in a new Monmouth University Poll. Just under half of Garden State residents see politics as a “dirty business” – a view that has increased over the past 15 years. Still, a majority feel they can personally make a difference in solving problems in their local communities and half report having done so.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, In terms of retired public employee health care benefits, New Jersey has greater unfunded liabilities – $130 billion – than every state but California, according to a new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). The new report, Other Post-Employment Benefit Liabilities, 2019, examines the unfunded liabilities in each state for other-post employment benefits (OPEB), which include health insurance, life insurance, Medicare Supplement Insurance and more for retired public employees.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , according to the Garden State Initiative New Jersey GDP growth is dismal ranking 48th in the US. New Jersey’s economic growth fell by more than half to .7% in the 2nd quarter of 2019. New Jersey is growing at less than half the rate of New York, Pennsylvania or Delaware.
” The fervor and anger is jolting but not surprising…teachers, police etc PAY INTO THEIR PENSION FUNDS – the state politicians have robbed these funds and never matched them. They are the crooks. Labeling civil servants who chose their underpaying careers based on the knowledge a pension would be in place to offset the $$$ they did not earn in salary “thieves and slobs” and positioning them as “milking taxpayers” only completes painting the picture of hate and cowardice you so shamelessly portray. My sad, pathetic friend, you are everything that is wrong with society today. Sleep easy tonight knowing these very civil servants will continue to protect, educate and care for you without prejudice…and eventually a pension as well. “
the staff of the Ridgewood
Trenton NJ, Research by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows New Jersey has the second-largest pension fund deficit in the nation and underscores the urgent need to transition to a more sustainable hybrid system, NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka said Friday.
According to Pew’s nationwide research on the fiscal health of public employee retirement plans, New Jersey ranked 49th in the U.S. because its plans were only 36% funded. New Jersey is one of only five states with less than 50% of the assets needed to fully fund its pension liabilities, according to Pew’s analysis of 2017 data.
Continue reading Pew Charitable Trusts : New Jersey has the second-largest pension fund deficit in the nation
It is clear that democratic policies no longer exist. In their stead we have an oligarchy of business interests and socialists. A match made in hell indeed.
The business interests want continued expansion of the consumer economy not by making better products or paying better salaries, but rather by taking away consumers’ ability to not buy their product. Think sickcare and college as top performers.
Continue reading Reader says , “It is clear that democratic policies no longer exist. In their stead we have an oligarchy of business interests and socialists. A match made in hell indeed”
the staff of the Ridewood blog
Trenton NJ, At a press conference yesterday, Governor Murphy defended members of his staff for their handling of sexual assault allegations against Al Alvarez. The protection of his aides comes in executive defiance of the findings of a report released earlier in the day by a bipartisan panel of state legislators.
Governor Murphy’s exact quote was, “I believe that the team in my office did what they believed was the right thing, and I stand behind them. That has been the case and will continue to be the case.”
Continue reading Murphy Chooses Staff Over All New Jersey Women In The Workplace
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Tonight, Republicans elected a solid slate of candidates around the state to fight back in the Murphy Midterms. NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt releases the following statement regarding the results:
“Republicans have a diverse slate of candidates in every corner of the state ready to fight back in the Murphy Midterms. The NJGOP is proud to support the Republican efforts to pick up a Senate seat in LD-1, fight for the majority in the General Assembly, and continue to add ideological diversity to our county and local governments. New Jersey residents deserve honest answers to our state’s real problems, and dishonest, Democratic spendthrifts like Phil Murphy and his bevy of rain tax, success tax, business tax, shore rental tax, Uber tax and gun taxes simply aren’t getting the job done. We can do better.”
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New Brunswick NJ, Speaking at a public policy forum at Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute of Politics, Senate President Steve Sweeney discussed the cost-cutting reforms in the “Path to Progress” report, including those that will produce savings and efficiencies for municipalities, county governments, local school districts and their employees.
Continue reading Senate President Steve Sweeney: “We have to face up to the reality of the deep fiscal crisis we are facing”
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Americans for Prosperity’s vision for our great state is one where opportunity abounds, our economy is flourishing and all of our residents have the ability to prosper and make a better life for themselves and their families. Americans for Prosperity is as committed as ever to turning our state around and making this vision a reality. That’s why for the second time in the last five years, AFP is proud to release a model budget — our FY 2017 Taxpayers’ Budget — providing a blueprint for getting our state back on track.
Continue reading Americans for Prosperity FY 2017 Taxpayers’ Budget!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) and Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) said the New Jersey Legislative Select Oversight Committee (LSOC) should fulfill its mission of investigating the numerous questionable hires that have been publicized across the administration of Governor Phil Murphy.
“When I first called for hearings into the hiring practices of the Murphy Administration, the article revealing the allegations made against Al Alvarez had not been published yet,” said Corrado, a vice-chair of the LSOC. “Within a short period of time, however, we had several examples of people who were hired by the Governor that raised serious concerns. While our committee was formed to investigate these hirings in total, we have focused to date almost exclusively on Alvarez’s employment. It’s imperative that we not overlook our larger mission and what we seek to accomplish to protect both our valued public employees and New Jersey taxpayers.”
Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso criticized the Schools Development Authority’s firing of 26 veteran employees and hiring of 38 new people, many of whom have personal relationships with Gov. Phil Murphy’s top staff.
Continue reading Murphy Administration Hiring Practices Come Under Fire Again !
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Jersey City NJ, does anyone find the humor in the very idea that the financial illiterates in Trenton have signed a bill requiring “financial literacy” to be taught in schools?
Perhaps it should be a required coarse for the Governor and the state assembly . Dare we even go so far as to say even ex-governors should be forced to take the starting with former governor Whitman.
Acting Governor Sheila Oliver signed legislation (A-1414) requiring school districts to provide financial literacy education to middle school students in grades six through eight. The financial literacy instruction will emphasize budgeting, saving, credit, debt, insurance, investment, and other issues associated with personal financial responsibility to ensure New Jersey’s youth have access to the tools and foundation needed for sound financial decision-making.
“Financial responsibility is an important acquired and learned life skill and with the increasing financial challenges millennials face, it is a skill that must be a necessary part of our educational curriculum,” said Acting Governor Sheila Oliver. “Governor Murphy and I are happy to partner with the Legislature by signing this bill today to help New Jersey students learn how to effectively manage their personal finances and help set them up for success in life.”
Primary sponsors of the bill include Senators Dawn Marie Addiego and Ron Rice; and Assemblymembers Angela McKnight, Nicholas Chiaravalloti, Eliana Pintor Marin, Jamel Holley, Benjie Wimberly, and Annette Quijano.
“I am delighted the financial literacy bill was signed into law, so students can receive education on key topics that they will need for the rest of their lives,” said Senator Addiego. “We must reach people early on in life so they can plan ahead and build a foundation of financial knowledge that will help them live an independent lifestyle.”
“One of the most important lessons a person can learn is how to manage their money. Many young people go into adulthood knowing little about finances, and end up making decisions that cost them in the long run,” said Assemblywoman McKnight. “Teaching our kids early about the importance of managing their money and making sound financial decisions can prevent them from making costly mistakes and set them on the right financial path.”
“This bill would allow financial education to be infused into currents subjects, helping younger students in Jersey City and across the state get a head start on understanding the very things that will impact them every day,” said Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop. “Learning about credit, investing, savings and other financial aspects are critical tools to building a foundation and setting our students up to succeed. Financial literacy is already being taught at the high school level, and we’re excited to expand this to younger students at the start of the new school year in September.”
Acting Governor Oliver signed the bill at President Barack Obama Elementary School – PS 34 in Jersey City.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Parsippany NJ, Conagra Brands, the food giant that purchased Parsippany-based Pinnacle Foods for nearly $11 billion in October, is the second company in as many weeks looking for greener pastures . The company is closing a pair of Pinnacle facilities, according to a federal WARN notice — potentially costing 500 people their jobs.
Conagra, Chicago-based maker of products such as Healthy Choice and Orville Redenbacher’s, said in two separate notifications that it is closing office facilities at 399 Jefferson Road in Parsippany and 121 Woodcrest Road in Cherry Hill. The Parsippany property had served as headquarters for Pinnacle, maker of brands such as Duncan Hines, Vlasic and Birds Eye.
WARN Notice : offers protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. This notice must be provided to either affected workers or their representatives (e.g., a labor union); to the State dislocated worker unit; and to the appropriate unit of local government.
Conagra Brands, Inc. Parsippany Date 03/22/2019 layoffs 308
Conagra Brands, Inc. Cherry Hill Date 05/24/2019 layoffs 196
