On August 25th I was driving home with my wife when I was stopped by a Fort Lee police officer at 9pm about a half-mile from our apartment. The officer asked for my license, registration and insurance card. I had the first two in my wallet and handed them to the officer. I keep the insurance card in the console but could not find it. I told the officer it was here because my insurance policy was renewed a month earlier and I put the new insurance card in my car immediately.
Archive for the ‘Local government’ Category
Scoop: New York City’s population to explode after Mayor Bloomberg’s next really big announcement
13
Sep
New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg basking in the glow of getting the Health Department to ban large size sodas in most food establishments will soon announce his latest initiative to improve life in his city. According to reliable sources, after Rosh Hashana Mayor Bloomberg will annouce that he will outlaw death in the Big Apple. Bloomberg will say that it is time we in government use our powers to end the pain of suffering of widows, widowers, children, grandchildren, friends, collegaues and neighbors. He will say that death denies New Yorkers their right to live forever, enjoy good health for eternity, and collect Social Security. By outlawing death Bloomberg will say we can end overpriced funerals and end the demand for garrish caskets in which organized crime figures are laid to rest.
Mayor Bloomberg will order all his department heads to draw up plans to accompany the influx of tens of millions of Americans who will want to live in New York now that they will no longer have to face the Grim Reaper. In addition, Bloomberg will argue that by outlawing death New York will be the safest city in the world, thereby allowing his administration to dramatically reduce the police force. Bloomberg will announce that he will live in New York forever, because his edict about outlawing death is void if any New Yorker leaves the city. He will say, “I love New Yorkers, and I want everyone to live happily until the end of time, and remember that the ban on large soda containers is just the beginning to make my people the healthiest in the universe.”
Lou Greenwald, the Willie Sutton of New Jersey
16
Jun
Call Lou Greenwald feisty or gutsy, but the moniker that best describes the Assembly Majority Leader from Camden is “Willie Sutton.” Which is apropos inasmuch as Camden has one of the highest crime rates in the nation.
Ungrateful New Yorkers: Praise the Lord for Mayor Bloomberg
14
Jun
Michael Bloomberg’s net worth of $22 billion makes him the 11th richest person in America; he is also serving in his third term as mayor of the nation’s largest city. If you have a net worth of $22 billion, you are one hell of a smart person with an IQ greater than the average Joe or Jane.
For superior tax relief, abolish income and property taxes
11
Mar
Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald calls for “a 20 percent property tax relief credit to homeowners of the first $10,000 in property taxes paid for all homeowners earning up to $250,000 per year” in a March 11 op-ed (The Record). This plan would be phased in over years, according to Greenwald, “and it would be funded by asking New Jersey’s millionaires to pay their fair share.” What is a millionaire’s “fair share” in taxes? Greenwald does not define, identify his redistributionist heist.
Government incompetence…again?
31
Aug
Media sycophants have been tripping all over themselves heaping praise on Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Christie and Governor Cuomo for their handling of tropical storm Irene. Yes, Irene turned into a tropical storm before it hit the New Jersey shore, a fact that should have known by the “Big Three” hours before they dominated the airwaves with their dire warnings about the impending Apocalypse inNew York and New Jersey.
Tax windfalls, conspiracy theories and the end of the world
20
May
This week, we received some good news for a change about New Jersey’s economy and state budget. The number (13,400) of private sector job increased last month and income tax revenues are higher than the Christie administration forecast. However, government jobs increased by 600. Given the budget situation at both the state and local levels, why is there any new hiring occurring in government? Local, county and state governments should be downsizing to bring their budgets under control, not increasing the cost of government.
Give me, give me, give me
05
Mar
In two separate rallies in Trenton, teachers and then police officers, fire fighters and EMS personnel showed their support for Wisconsin teachers and for public sector unions in general. The rallies have a common theme: public sector employees apparently do not appreciate the severity of the fiscal reality facing states and municipalities around the country, and want to preserve their “rights.” Most state governments are broke and their pension plans and retiree health benefits may be underfunded by as much as $3.5 trillion.
Why education is too important to be left to politicians
01
Feb
Below is an edited version of my brief remarks at a recent breakfast meeting of conservative activists.
Governor Christie at his State of the State address talked about “Big Ideas.” In the few minutes I have, I would like to talk about one “Big Idea,” the restructuring of “public education.” But before I do so, I would like to ask you four questions.
Support the nanny state…or you are an “enemy of the state”
15
Nov
Political correctness and the nanny state dominate our culture. We see this displayed everyday on the editorial pages of America’s newspapers. The latest editorial supporting more government intervention to protect “public health” is found in surprise, surprise, The Record (Hackensack, NJ), “Smoke and Fries: ‘Nanny state’ is good for your health.”
What is wrong with property taxes? Plenty
23
Oct
In Fort Lee, New Jersey–a municipality with one of the greatest concentrations of co-ops and condominiums in the state–a co-op wants to convert its building to a condominium in order to boost property values and remove restrictions on shareholders. The co-op board wants the town to phase in the higher assessments over 20 years to avoid an immediate spike in property taxes.