NJ’s Affordability Crisis Deepens: 81% of Businesses Say Lawmakers Failed to Act as Energy Costs Skyrocket 78% Worse Than Other States!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
The Cost Crisis: Energy and Taxes Sink NJ Business Confidence
Trenton NJ, the results of the NJBIA’s 67th Annual Business Outlook Survey for 2025 paint a stark picture: New Jersey businesses are grappling with severe profitability challenges driven by high state costs and unexpected national hurdles.
Penny Pocalypse! The US Mint Just Pressed Its LAST Penny—Here’s What Happens to Your Change
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, After 232 years as America’s smallest denomination, the circulating one-cent coin—the penny—has reached the end of its run.On November 12, 2025, the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia pressed its final penny, officially halting production due to economic obsolescence.
Ridgewood NJ, The American dream of homeownership is slipping away for middle-income families in 2025. With home prices skyrocketing and affordable housing options dwindling, households earning around $75,000 annually can afford just 21% of listings—less than half of what was available pre-pandemic, according to the National Association of Realtors. This alarming trend, coupled with declining construction and rising costs, is reshaping the U.S. housing market. For a closer look at how these national pressures are playing out locally, recent market trends in Ridgewood show continued price pressure and limited inventory, reinforcing how difficult it has become for middle-income buyers to compete. A new report from Construction Coverage highlights where affordable housing is being built and what it means for buyers. Here’s what you need to know about the 2025 housing affordability crisis and the areas fighting back with lower-cost homes.
Trenton, NJ — New Jersey residents are bracing for a 20% spike in electricity bills this summer, and many are pointing the finger at Governor Phil Murphy’s controversial Energy Master Plan (EMP). The ambitious $1.4 trillion green energy overhaul aims to reshape the state’s power grid by 2050, but critics warn it has already triggered an energy crisis.
Trenton, NJ — New Jersey residents are facing steep electric rate hikes this summer, with many pointing fingers at Governor Phil Murphy’s controversial Energy Master Plan (EMP) including Gubnatorial Jack Ciattarelli — a green energy overhaul projected to cost $1.4 trillion by 2050. While Democrats in Trenton continue to blame climate change, data centers, and outside market factors, critics argue the real problem stems from Murphy’s own policies.
Trenton NJ, New Jersey’s skyrocketing electricity bills are sparking outrage, and voters are pointing fingers squarely at Governor Phil Murphy’s energy policies. According to the latest Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll, conducted in partnership with the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey, utility companies top the blame list — but nearly one in five voters now say Murphy himself is responsible for the surge in costs.
Candidate Pledges to End Offshore Wind Projects and Reintroduce Natural Gas and Nuclear Power
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Somerville, NJ — Gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli is sounding the alarm on what he calls an “avoidable energy crisis” in New Jersey, pointing to skyrocketing utility bills and failed green energy initiatives as the primary culprits. Ciattarelli took aim at Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill and Governor Phil Murphy for championing offshore wind energy and electric vehicle mandates, which he argues are driving energy costs out of control.
Ridgewood NJ, in a historic economic shift, blue-collar workers have experienced the largest five-month real wage increase in nearly 60 years under President Donald Trump’s second term. According to recent economic data, real wages for blue-collar Americans rose by nearly 2% in the first five months of 2025 — a sharp contrast to the 1.7% decline during the same period under President Biden, when inflation outpaced earnings.
Ridgewood NJ, President Donald Trump’s first joint address to Congress since returning to office was met with overwhelming approval, according to snap polls conducted by the very liberal CBS News, YouGov, and CNN.
Ridgewood NJ, the cost of eggs in the U.S. continues to skyrocket, reaching record-breaking prices as supply shortages persist. According to the USDA, wholesale prices for a dozen large white eggs have surged to over $7.30, a dramatic increase from $5 at the start of the year and nearly three times higher than last year.
Ridgewood NJ, Recurring applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. have reached their highest levels in over three years, signaling longer job searches for out-of-work Americans. These continuing claims provide insight into the number of individuals relying on unemployment benefits.
Ridgewood NJ, in a resurgence that echoes the frenzy of 2021, GameStop shares skyrocketed to their highest level since 2022, fueled by the reappearance of a central figure in the meme-stock movement after three years of silence.
Ridgewood NJ, the New Jersey State Police are reporting a raise in traffic deaths already this year. The state is reporting hundreds of crashes and fatalities from the start of this year to now. Fatalities have increased from 274 in 2020, then 305 in 2021, and this year now at 358.
Ridgewood NJ, Mortgage rates are soaring to levels not seen in nearly four years, and if they keep rising this quickly, we may see homes soon become out of reach for millions of families.