If you think government is a competent solver of social problems, think again. The Star Ledger reported (“N.J. tax to help low-income people pay cable TV bills was instead used to plug budget hole,” Feb. 6) that a fund established in 2006 by the Corzine administration to help low income and disabled New Jerseyans pay their cable bills has never been used as it was intended. In addition, to add insult to injury, the Christie administration “raided” the $9.4 million fund to balance this year’s state budget.
Archive for the ‘New Jersey’ Category
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.
Crime and punishment
20
Jan
On Friday, January 14, Lakewood police officer Christopher Matlosz was shot three times sitting in his patrol car after he stopped a pedestrian for “routine questioning.” After a massive search, police arrested the alleged killer 19 year old Jahmell Crockam, who is known as “Sav,” as in savage, on the streets. Crockam is in custody; his bail has been set at $5 million.
Is Chris Christie a collectivist?
17
Jan
At a town hall meeting in affluent Bergen County last Thursday, where many of the state’s most plundered taxpayers live, Governor Christie did what he does best, speak bluntly and interact seamlessly—according to press reports–with the public. Read the rest of this entry »
Despite Christie’s cheerleading and rhetoric, New Jersey needs an “extreme makeover”
14
Jan
In his State of the State address, Governor Christie asserted New Jersey “is improving–getting better every day.” Let’s look at the record.
For better education outcomes: separate education from government
06
Jan
The New Jersey Supreme Court heard arguments on January 5th about the constitutionality of Governor Christie’s state aid cutbacks to the Abbott school districts this year. The $1 billion dollar cut to all school districts included a 100% cut to some suburban school districts. In short, the income tax, which is supposed to provide property tax relief to all homeowners, has become a tool to redistribute income from middle and upper income suburban individual and families to failed urban school districts throughout the state.
The thugs, misguided and parasites rule America
01
Jan
If you have high blood pressure, you do not want to read Steven Malanga’s Shakedown: The Continuing Conspiracy Against the American Taxpayer, unless you have taken a mega dose of your medication.
Will Christie support more school construction debt and end his political career?
28
Dec
Governor Christie has received high praise for his “6o Minutes” appearance more than a week ago. He was blunt and unapologetic. He diagnosed the issues correctly. New Jersey is broke. The state cannot afford to fund a new tunnel under the Hudson River. The state’s unfunded liabilities are getting worse every passing day. There is no more money to fund an expansion of government programs, and there will probably have to be cuts, not just reductions in increases, but actually decreases in school and municipality aid and other state expenditures in the next fiscal year to balance the budget.
How to reduce crime with less police
10
Dec
The Star Ledger’s editorial, “Brace yourself: Police layoffs could cost lives,” decries the 167 police layoffs in Newark asserting that crime will increase, thus turning the clock back on the gains made over the past decade to reduce the crime rate in the state’s largest city.
Reporters Roundtable Special Edition available online
25
Nov
A special edition of NJN’s Reporters Roundtable with Michael Aron, featuring Jay Lassiter and Jeff Gardner of BlueJersey, Art Gallagher of MoreMonmouthMusings, and yours truly aired already in South Jersey. It will air Friday at 7PM and Sunday at 10AM in North Jersey. Check you cable system for NJN’s channel. The link to the Reporters Roundtable video is here. (Thanks to Art Gallagher for the information.)
Will Tea Party candidate Anna Little lead the way on Tuesday?
30
Oct
The outcome of the Anna Little/ Frank Pallone race in the sixth congressional district will set the tone of the Tea Party’s strength around the country. If Anna Little wins the House seat, there is a high probability that Republicans could win as many as 100 seats on Tuesday. If Little loses by one or two points, Republicans should pick up at least 70 seats. This race is in so many ways a bellwether for the rest of the nation.
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.
Christie for president? First take on the New Jersey Supreme Court
14
Oct
Governor Christie is getting national attention for his blunt style and outspokenness as he travels around the country campaigning for fellow Republicans. Christie’s “in your face” approach has even spilled over into the Tea Party crowd. Last week, the governor won a presidential straw poll in Virginia, edging out both Sarah Palin and Rep. Ron Paul. However, in a culture that worships style over substance, he has to do more in the Garden State than bash the New Jersey Education Association if he has any thoughts about living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC.
Medical marijuana and the doctor-patient relationship
09
Oct
Last week the Christie administration created new rules for dispensing medical marijuana in New Jersey. Instead of allowing patients who desire to alleviate pain and other ailments relatively easy access to marijuana as the law requires, the Christie administration has reduced the number of authorized dispensaries, will require patients to be certified by a state review panel, and physicians must document that other pain remedies have been ineffective after treating a patient for at least a year. In addition, a patient must suffer from one of nine diseases to be eligible to obtain medical marijuana, among other restrictions.
Raining money in Newark
04
Oct
On Oprah’s national television show Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook, accompanied by Governor Christie and Newark mayor Corey Booker, announced he will make a $100 million gift to the Newark school system spread over five years. Zuckerberg’s gift is in the form of a “challenge grant.” Newark has to raise an additional $100 million over five years, bringing the total philanthropic bounty to $200 million.