Category Archives: Politics

Madoff victims screwed by NJ

Posted on June 14, 2010 by grim

From the Record: Kelly: N.J. refuses to return Madoff victims’ overpaid taxes If you invested with convicted Ponzi scammer Bernie Madoff and you live in New Jersey, you may have gotten robbed twice. First, Madoff fleeced you. Then, Trenton likely … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 240 Comments

Deeper into the hole we go

Posted on May 25, 2010 by grim

From the Daily Record: State revenues continue to fall short State revenues continue to fall below projections, putting New Jersey in potentially tighter budget squeeze. A new analysis by the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services predicts that taxes and other … Continue reading →

Posted in National Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 333 Comments

Paying for Unemployment

Posted on April 5, 2010 by grim

From the APP: NJ unemployment fund: Short of cash Christopher Nagy, a carpenter from Bradley Beach, was called into his employer’s office on Christmas Eve 2009 and told that not only would he not receive a bonus this year, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Development, Politics | 342 Comments

Shared Sacrifice

Posted on March 19, 2010 by grim

From the Record: Property tax rebates may vanish this year Property tax bills in New Jersey have gone up 56 percent since 2001. But the rebate checks that once offset those bills by as much 20 percent may vanish this … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 502 Comments

If schools suffer, are NJ homes worth the price and taxes?

Posted on March 18, 2010 by grim

From the Star Ledger: N.J. school district officials say Gov. Chris Christie budget cuts will force program, staff cuts Gov. Chris Christie sent suburban and urban school districts reeling today with the release of district-by-district state aid figures that cut … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 597 Comments

“I’m not going to spend this state further into debt and I’m not going to tell you a happy story…”

Posted on February 19, 2010 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Gov. Chris Christie warns N.J. districts school aid could be cut 15 percent in next budget With school districts still reeling from the midyear budget cuts he announced last week, Gov. Chris Christie said today he … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 619 Comments

Will the last one out please turn off the lights

Posted on February 4, 2010 by grim

From the Star Ledger: N.J. loses $70B in wealth during four years as residents depart More than $70 billion in wealth left New Jersey between 2004 and 2008 as affluent residents moved elsewhere, according to a report released Wednesday that … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 422 Comments

“Gutting” COAH

Posted on February 2, 2010 by grim

From the Philly Inquirer: Affordable-housing changes pushed in New Jersey A plan to eliminate the state Council on Affordable Housing and put towns in charge of their own housing obligations is necessary to streamline an unwieldy bureaucracy, supporters said yesterday. … Continue reading →

Posted in New Development, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 361 Comments

Planning a move to a far off suburb? Budget for new tolls and higher taxes.

Posted on February 1, 2010 by grim

From the APP: Tolls on N.J. interstates weighed Interstates 78, 80, 195, 287 and 295 are likely targets to become toll roads, transportation experts predict in response to a report submitted to Gov. Chris Christie that suggests that the state … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 324 Comments

Corzine Approves Buyer Rebates

Posted on January 19, 2010 by grim

From the Star Ledger: Corzine passes real estate legislation Two days before Gov. Jon S. Corzine was due to leave office he signed two pieces of real estate related legislation into law, according to a release. The state’s housing crisis … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 360 Comments

Mortgage Modification Program A Failure

Posted on January 18, 2010 by grim

From Bloomberg: Loan Modification Recipients Fall Short, Drop Out About 25 percent of homeowners who received trial loan modifications through President Barack Obama’s main foreclosure prevention plan are failing to keep up with their new reduced payments, the Treasury Department … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, National Real Estate, Politics, Risky Lending | 169 Comments

Corzine “was unwilling to make the tough decisions”

Posted on January 11, 2010 by grim

From Bloomberg: Corzine Leaves $8 Billion Gap as N.J. Governor Readies Exit Jon Corzine, only the second sitting New Jersey governor to lose a general election since 1947, makes his farewell speech tomorrow with the third-most indebted U.S. state facing … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 323 Comments

Billion dollar tax coming to NJ employers

Posted on December 25, 2009 by grim

From the Philly Inquirer: Looming unemployment-tax hike divides N.J. officials A tax increase that could cost employers $1 billion is needed to replenish New Jersey’s depleted unemployment-insurance fund, according to Gov. Corzine’s labor commissioner. With large shortfalls in the fund … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 174 Comments

Jersey agents being sent back to school

Posted on December 23, 2009 by grim

From the Today’s Sunbeam: Bill in New Jersey Legislature calls for real estate professionals education A measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, which would require real estate professionals to complete continuing education courses as a condition of their … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 205 Comments

Another day, another stimulus

Posted on December 8, 2009 by grim

From the NY Times: Obama Announces New Jobs Programs President Obama on Tuesday will announce three proposals intended to turn around the nation’s beleaguered job market, including strengthening investments to small businesses that have struggled to expand because of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, National Real Estate, Politics | 133 Comments