Christie supports N.J. bill to increase solar requirement
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, whose administration has called solar power an economic “albatross,” is expected to sign legislation that would increase the amount of solar energy state utilities must buy.
The New Jersey State Assembly approved a bill yesterday that requires utilities to obtain 2.05 percent of their power from solar projects in 2014, up from less than half of 1 percent of the state’s power now. The vote was 68-4, with five abstentions, approving the same bill that passed in the state Senate on May 31. (Martin, Bloomberg)
Senate and Assembly pass “Neighborhood destruction Act”
Both houses of the Legislature today passed a bill that would let towns buy foreclosed homes and convert them into affordable housing.
The bill (S1566) — which today passed the Senate 21-18 and the Assembly 45-33 with one absention — would form the temporary New Jersey Foreclosure Relief Corporation for five years to buy foreclosed homes.
Towns would have 45 days to decide whether to buy the houses through the state’s $268 million affordable housing trust fund; if they did, they would get a two-for-one credit against affordable housing obligations. (Friedman, The Star-Ledger)
Donovan Will Not Allow Giants/Jets to Put Bergen County’s Economy at Risk
Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan said today that she will take immediate steps to review tax breaks given to the New York Giants and New York Jets to make certain that the teams which are attempting to create a business monopoly at the Sports Complex “no longer continue to rip off Bergen County taxpayers.”
Donovan said that her administration will explore with East Rutherford officials their ongoing litigation against the Sports Authority and also review independent action to require the teams to pay taxes on the sale of Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs). The County Executive said that she will consider taking legal action against the tax breaks given to the New York Jets in Florham Park in Morris County as well. “Everything is now back on the table,” according to Ms. Donovan.
Since 1976 the Giants and later the Jets have not paid a dime in taxes to Bergen County. Now they have built and own a $1.6 billion building and they still don’t pay any taxes to Bergen County. “That’s wrong and it needs to be corrected,” stated Donovan.
In addition the County Executive has directed the County Police to take steps to assure the safety of fans arriving and departing MetLife Stadium on game days. According to Ms. Donovan, “the New York Giants and New York Jets cite the safety and convenience of their fans as a veiled excuse for their frivolous lawsuit designed to give them a monopoly at the Sports Complex. The County Executive cited increased enforcement of traffic laws with special attention to pedestrian safety as a priority.
Donovan continued, “in their lawsuit the New York teams rely on what they call a ‘cooperation agreement’ which was agreed to, not negotiated, by former (acting) Governor Codey. I described that so-called agreement as a give-a-way then and do so again today. According to the New York teams, that agreement allows them to hold development rights ‘to build themed dining and team and other stores…’ The New York teams admit that this isn’t about the convenience of their fans. It’s about their greed and their effort to monopolize a public space to the detriment of every East Rutherford, Bergen County and New Jersey taxpayer.
She concluded, “The New York Giants and New York Jets have put Bergen County’s economic growth at risk. Unemployment in Bergen is over 7 percent, a slight decline since I took office. We still have 40% unemployment in the building trades. American Dream Meadowlands will put some 9,000 construction workers back on the job and employ an additional 15,000 full time workers. It will create an economic ripple with service jobs and venues including hotels, which pay additional taxes and reduce local burdens.”
“The New York teams have gotten their way for four decades. They have once and for all abused their free ride. It’s time they not only paid their fair share but participate as full contributing members of the business community. Our Meadowlands property is some of the most valuable real estate on the east coast and as County Executive I owe it to my constituents to protect their economic interest, not the Giants and Jets.”
GRAND OPENING: Red Mango of Ridgewood Sat, June 30, 2012
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Red Mango of Ridgewood,
43 E. Ridgewood Ave.
(201) 857-5151
www.redmangousa.com
Just in time for the hot summer days!
Frozen yogurt and smoothies
Ribbon cutting at 1:00pm
Free t-shirts to the first 150 people in the door
Free frisbees and balloons for the kids
Registration and drawing for an iPad3
Sweet inspiration.
You don’t see red mangoes often in stores – but once you’ve tasted one, you’ll never settle for anything less. Mangoes only turn red when they reach the peak of ripeness. That’s when they are the most delicious, and nutritious. Our name, Red Mango, is a symbol of our commitment to using only the best all-natural ingredients for our frozen yogurt, smoothies and parfaits.
Many, many spoons ago.
You know that frozen yogurt mania sweeping the nation? Yeah, we started it. We opened our first Red Mango over 5 years ago. Today, there are over 180 locations nationwide and yes, every spoonful is still as good as the first.
Zagat ranked us #1. Twice.
Not just in one category, but two: “Best Smoothie/Frozen Yogurt” and “Top Healthy Options within the Quick Refreshments Chains” for 2011. How cool is that?
Democrats defy Christie by delaying tax cut in $31.7 billion budget
Defying Governor Christie’s veto threats, Senate Democrats took the first steps to approve a $31.7 billion budget that does not include an immediate tax cut and to impose a new millionaire’s tax in order to increase property tax credits for senior citizens and low-to-middle-income homeowners.
The Senate Budget Committee voted 8-5 along party lines to approve the budget bill, which sets aside $183 million in a special property tax relief fund that would be used to enable an additional property tax cut next April, but only if the Christie administration is on track to meeting its projected revenue growth of 7.2 percent, said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen). (Magyar, NJ Spotlight)
file Photo Saddle River near Parmus Rd /Ridgewood Ave intersection
Ridgewood residents question much-ballyhooed highway commercial zone (HC) district
FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
A handful of Ridgewood residents protested the adoption of a pair of ordinances that will ultimately impact the future of two separate and undeveloped properties in the village.
The village appropriated funds last week to purchase a vacant lot that abuts the Schedler property.
The Village Council last week approved the much-ballyhooed highway commercial zone (HC) district and the appropriation of $100,000 for the purchase of the vacant lot that abuts the 7-acre Schedler property.
Both moves were made by the governing body after years of discussion and consideration of the potential changes each might make on Ridgewood’s face along the Route 17 corridor, as well as the impact on residents.
The HC zone encompasses two parcels along Route 17, a vacant lot known as the Burroughs property and the current Ridgewood Commons area. Property owner Malvern Burroughs last year applied for rezoning to develop the 2.4-acre wooded lot, which is located near the intersection of Paramus Road and Linwood Avenue and adjacent to Route 17 south.
As the Supreme Court prepares to render its decision on ObamaCare, I wanted to take a moment to once again express my opposition to this legislation. As I mention in my address, here are the top ten reasons ObamaCare is Unconstitutional.
If upheld, this law will fundamentally alter the meaning of liberty in our country and pave new ground for the government’s ability to intrude on your personal life. As Chairman of the Congressional Constitution Caucus, I will continue to fight for our freedoms every day in the House of Representatives. Sincerely, Scott Garrett
Top Ten Reasons ObamaCare is Unconstitutional
1) Exceeds the Scope of the Commerce Clause – The purpose of Congress’s power to regulate commerce among the states was to end interstate protectionist measures and establish a national free trade pact. The Constitution does not give Congress the power to create commerce in order to regulate it.
2) Threatens the Notion of Limited Government – The individual mandate would be a grant of limitless legislative and regulatory power. This violates the doctrine of enumerated powers in which Congress is given few and specific legislative powers.
3) Imperils Religious Liberty – ObamaCare forces religious institutions to provide services that violate their faith.
4) Rewrites Contract Law – The individual mandate renders the purchase of health insurance to be compulsory. For centuries, it has been understood that a contract is valid only if all parties voluntarily and mutually assent to its terms
5) Charges a Financial Penalty to Regulate Behavior – ObamaCare imposes a financial penalty on those that fail to purchase health insurance. The Constitution does not grant Congress an independent power to tax for the general welfare and may not use taxation as a means to regulate activity, unless that regulation is authorized by the Constitution.
6) Imposes an Unconstitutional Tax – The Obama Administration asserts that the financial penalty is a tax. However, this “tax” does not satisfy the three types of taxes – income, excise, or direct – listed as valid in the Constitution. The penalty is not assessed on income so it is not a valid income tax. The penalty is not assessed uniformly and is triggered by economic inactivity so it is not a valid excise tax. Finally, ObamaCare fails to apportion the tax among the states by population, and therefore is not a valid direct tax.
7) Erodes Federalism – ObamaCare’s expansion of Medicaid is of such an enormous degree that states are coerced into compliance or risk abandoning the poor. ObamaCare would deny all Medicaid funds for noncompliant states.
8) Infringes Upon the Reserved Powers of the States and the People – The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not granted to the federal government to the states and to the people. Nowhere in the Constitution is Congress granted the power to compel the purchase of a product as a condition upon legal residence in the United States.
9) Neither Necessary nor Proper – The Necessary and Proper Clause grants Congress the means to execute its enumerated powers and adds no additional powers to the legislative branch. The regulation of inactivity cannot be necessary and proper in executing the powers of the Commerce Clause.
10) It’s Not Just Unconstitutional – ObamaCare will increase taxes and healthcare costs, destroy new jobs, add to the national debt, burden both small and large businesses with new regulations, and violate the founding principles of a republic expressly founded to secure the blessings of liberty.
Moody’s Downgrades 15 Major Banks
By Dakin Campbell and Michael J. Moore – Jun 21, 2012 10:51 PM ET
Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN)’s credit rating was cut three levels and Morgan Stanley (MS)’s was reduced by two as Moody’s Investors Service downgraded 15 banks in moves that may shake up competition among Wall Street’s biggest firms.
Credit Suisse was cut to A2, the same as JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and BNP Paribas SA (BNP), as Moody’s completed a review of global banks with capital-markets operations it announced in February. Morgan Stanley and Zurich-based UBS AG (UBSN), the other firms singled out for three-level reductions, were lowered two steps instead, the ratings firm said yesterday in a statement.
Five Devastating Effects Obamacare Will Have on Young Adults
In anticipation of the Supreme Court’s Obamacare decision, it is important to remember that the constitutionality of the law’s individual mandate isn’t the only concern. Obamacare will also negatively impact many younger Americans. Here’s a list of five ways young adults will be hurt by the law:
Premium increases. Obamacare imposes age-rating rules that increase premiums for young adults. As Heritage research shows, under Obamacare, young adults will pay artificially high premiums, and older adults will pay artificially low premiums.
Loss of coverage. Obamacare puts in place new rules that prohibit plans with annual limits. While limited health plans may not be a long-term solution, some coverage is still better than none. Several colleges across the country have already stopped offering low-cost plans to students because of the new regulations.
Government takeover of student loans. Obamacare ends government subsidies to private lenders and puts the federal government in charge of originating and servicing federally backed student loans. As almost anyone is eligible for a student loan, Heritage’s Lindsey Burke explains that “these policies only exacerbate the college cost crisis, continuing a vicious cycle whereby college costs rise in tandem with ever-increasing federal subsidies.”
Less money for education. Obamacare’s massive expansion of Medicaid, which will add almost 20 million more Americans to the program, will be difficult to sustain on already strained state budgets. As states are forced to redirect a growing portion of their budgets to Medicaid, less funding will be available for other state priorities, such as education.
Crushing fiscal burden. Younger generations will be left footing the bill for Obamacare and its irresponsible spending. Despite his many lofty promises, President Obama’s law does not reduce health insurance premiums, spending, or the deficit. The latest cost estimate for Obamacare’s insurance provisions is $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years, which still doesn’t include a full decade of spending, since the most expensive provisions don’t begin until 2014.
Obamacare’s negative impact on young Americans is just one of many reasons the law should be repealed.
New state report shows fewer patients died after getting open-heart surgery in New Jersey
THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2012, 11:55 AM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
But complications rise slightly at N.J. hospitals
Fewer patients died after undergoing open-heart surgery in New Jersey in 2009 than in previous years, though slightly more suffered complications, according to the state’s annual report on cardiac bypass surgery.
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry were cited for having no deaths following the operations. Dr. James Klein at Englewood and Dr. Alex Zapolanski at Valley were recognized for performing more than 100 surgeries without losing any patients.
St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, where 205 open-heart surgeries were performed in 2009, had the worst mortality rate in the state with 2.77.
However, the report, Cardiac Surgery in New Jersey, noted that none of the 18 hospitals reviewed had a mortality rate that was statistically significantly different from the rest of the state.
$9 Billion in ‘Stimulus’ for Solar, Wind Projects Made 910 Final Jobs — $9.8 Million Per Job
By Michael W. Chapman and Fred Lucas
June 20, 2012
(CNSNews.com) – The Obama administration distributed $9 billion in economic “stimulus” funds to solar and wind projects in 2009-11 that created, as the end result, 910 “direct” jobs — annual operation and maintenance positions — meaning that it cost about $9.8 million to establish each of those long-term jobs.
At the same time, those green energy projects also created, in the end, about 4,600 “indirect” jobs – positions indirectly supported by the annual operation and maintenance jobs — which means they cost about $1.9 million each ($9 billion divided by 4,600).
Combined (910 + 4,600 = 5,510), the direct and indirect jobs cost, on average, about $1.63 million each to produce.
Iowa’s Grassley responds to Obama’s executive privilege move on ‘Fast and Furious’ Attorney General Eric Holder facing contempt charges
9:30 AM, Jun 20, 2012
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Dept says that President Barack Obama has asserted executive privilege to withhold documents a House committee is seeking in an investigation of a flawed gun-smuggling probe.
In a letter to Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., a Justice Department official said the privilege applies to documents that explain how the department learned that there were problems with the investigation called Operation Fast and Furious.
““The assertion of executive privilege raises monumental questions,” Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley said in a statement released Wednesday shortly after the president’s move. “How can the President assert executive privilege if there was no White House involvement? How can the President exert executive privilege over documents he’s supposedly never seen? Is something very big being hidden to go to this extreme? The contempt citation is an important procedural mechanism in our system of checks and balances. The questions from Congress go to determining what happened in a disastrous government program for accountability and so that it’s never repeated again.”
Grassley is the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee and has previously called a Justice Department investigation into the “Fast and Furious” gunrunning operation “botched.”
File Photo Ridgewood PD will the beat cop be back?
Ridgewood Police Back on the Beat ?
06/20/12 10:57 AM
the Staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , As part of the new community policing initiative, Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward is bringing back the beat cop to the Ridgewood Central business District. The feeling is that with an increased pedestrians activity in the downtown and a serious issues with pedestrian-involved accidents Chief Ward plans to put one officer on foot patrol during the busy afternoons and nights over the entire summer.
According to the Bureau of Justice in the monograph A Frame Work for Action : Community policing is, in essence, a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems . Obviously Chief Ward’s summertime initiative is an attempt to improve traffic safety conditions in the downtown Ridgewood.
Community policing came in to favor in the early 1980’s .It gave the police and the community greater opportunity to interact as opposed to what had become the tradition that stressed efficiency over effectiveness with rapid response as the primary means of addressing serious crime.
Many old timers remember Ridgewood PD paroling the downtown spinning their night stick .According to Deputy Mayor Tom Riche this is “Something I have been asking for a long time. We should have a walking cop downtown on the busy nights. ” Richie went on ,”The Central Business District already has a patrol car stationed but the car often gets pulled away for calls. The walking post assures that someone is there regardless of the call volume. ”
The issue of foot patrols in the Central Business District (CBD) has been hotly debated over the years on this blog with most readers seem in favor .
Village Council members however are rightfully concerned about the cost impact : Deputy Mayor Tom Riche once again explains , “The issue is the Chief has been told to manage his huge overtime budget. On face value it appears he is going to give out comp time in lieu of pay. This plan just defers our liability to be cashed in at a later date at possibly a higher rate of pay. If he requires that the comp time be taken within a specific time frame ie: same year, and those comp days don’t create additional overtime issues then it may be OK. “
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
404 PM EDT TUE JUN 19 2012
…HEAT ON THE WAY…
.LARGE AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL PROVIDE HOT CONDITIONS THROUGH
MID WEEK.
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON WEDNESDAY TO 8 PM EDT THURSDAY…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON HAS ISSUED A HEAT ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON WEDNESDAY TO 8 PM EDT THURSDAY.
* LOCATIONS…NEW YORK CITY…NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY…THE LOWER
HUDSON VALLEY…PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST CONNECTICUT…AND NORTHERN
NASSAU COUNTY.
* HAZARDS…HIGH HEAT.
* HEAT INDEX VALUES…100 TO 105 DUE TO TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO
UPPER 90S AND DEWPOINTS IN THE UPPER 60S TO AROUND 70.
* TIMING…WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND THURSDAY AFTERNOON
AND EVENING.
* IMPACTS…THESE EXPECTED HEAT INDICES WILL RESULT IN DANGEROUS
CONDITIONS FOR THOSE SPENDING PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME OUTSIDE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A HEAT ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND
HUMIDITY IS EXPECTED TO MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT IS 100 TO
104 DEGREES FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE HOURS. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF
YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE…RESCHEDULE
STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT
WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY
OF WATER.
A HEAT ADVISORY IS ISSUED FOR NEW YORK CITY WHEN THE COMBINATION
OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY IS EXPECTED TO MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT IS AT
LEAST 95 DEGREES FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS…OR 100 DEGREES FOR ANY
LENGTH OF TIME. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME
OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE…RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY
MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION
AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN
POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.
NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS SHOULD CALL 3-1-1 TO IDENTIFY COOLING
CENTER LOCATIONS AND TO OBTAIN BEAT THE HEAT SAFETY TIPS.
TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY…CALL 9 1 1.
Angry public wants treason charges for media leaks
June 19, 2012
Paul Bedard
Washington Secrets
The Washington Examiner
@SecretsBedard
A clear majority of Americans believe the media is jeopardizing national security when publishing intelligence leaks, but the degree of anger depends on their political bent.
According to Rasmussen Reports, 82% percent of conservative voters think publishing secrets hurts national security, a view shared by 68 percent of moderates but only 56 percent of liberals.
In a poll that damns the media and the administration, 72% of likely U.S. voters say the leaks undermine national security. Rasmussen adds that only 14% believe the media is providing a public service when it releases that information.
Most importantly, some 51% of voters said leaking classified documents is an act of treason, bolstering congressional and Justice investigations into leaks that led to stories about the killing of Osama bin Laden and the high-tech raid on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
