Category Archives: Politics

Can shared services really save money?

Posted on December 19, 2006 by grim

From the Courier News: Shared services can save county millions If a penny saved is a penny earned, credit shared services in Somerset County with 1,950,000,000 pennies. On Wednesday, the Public Affairs Chamber of the Somerset County Business Partnership is … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 5 Comments

“If we don’t do it by Feb. 1, shame on us”

Posted on December 18, 2006 by grim

From the Trentonian: Tax reform stumbles amid Dems infighting New Jersey Democrats have once again met the enemy — and it is them. This time, feuding among Democrats who control state government threatens their promise to tackle what residents continually … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 9 Comments

Corzine didn’t cave?

Posted on December 11, 2006 by grim

From the AP: Governor reverses stance on reforms In a sudden change of course amid heightening property tax reform tension between the governor and the Legislature, Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Sunday challenged legislative leaders to push forward plans to … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 15 Comments

Pension Tension

Posted on December 10, 2006 by grim

From the Home News Tribune: Tensions grow over pensions Since he retired three years ago, Craig Verran has seen his property-tax bill increase by 60 percent. He’s watched his health-care costs grow by between 11 percent and 20 percent each … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 10 Comments

Caved, caved, caved.

Posted on December 9, 2006 by grim

From the Asbury Park Press: Corzine caves on benefits One of the few bright spots about the work of the special legislative committees that studied property tax reform was the series of recommendations for reducing pension and other benefit costs … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 22 Comments

“It appears that county government is being squeezed”

Posted on December 9, 2006 by grim

From the Herald News: Corzine hears county protest Passaic County Freeholder Director Elease Evans laid out her fiscal frustration on Friday before Gov. Jon S. Corzine over reining in escalating government costs. “It appears that county government is being squeezed,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | Comments Off on “It appears that county government is being squeezed”

Tax cut for households earning less than 100k

Posted on December 5, 2006 by grim

From the AP via Newsday: Households earning less than $100K to get 20 pct property tax cut The 20 percent property tax break proposed by state lawmakers will go to households that earn $100,000 or less, meaning nearly 70 percent … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics, Property Taxes | 29 Comments

Elephant in the room

Posted on December 4, 2006 by grim

From the Courier Post Online: Fix our public schools and broken tax system In my humble opinion, the elephant in the room in New Jersey is manifold: the real-estate tax policy, the public school institution itself, the teachers’ union and … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics, Property Taxes | 3 Comments

“Our state spends too much money”

Posted on December 2, 2006 by grim

From the APP: Quick fixes won’t repair finances Gov. Corzine is right to refuse to accept a short-term fix when it comes to tax reform. Tax credits can provide immediate relief for the needy, but to benefit everyone, we must … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics, Property Taxes | 32 Comments

Labor unions rally over proposed cuts

Posted on November 28, 2006 by grim

From the Courier Post Online: State workers decry planned cuts at rally With lawmakers mulling pension and health-care cuts for public workers, including a plan that would roll back retirement benefits, labor unions rallied at the State House Monday, insisting … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 53 Comments

NJ – No place for Small Business

Posted on November 27, 2006 by grim

From the Cherry Hill Courier Post: SMALL-BUSINESS ADVICE: N.J. gets low marks for policy climate New Jersey ranked second-worst in the nation for its “public policy climate for small business and entrepreneurship, according to a study by the Small Business … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics | 71 Comments

Trimming NJ State Government

Posted on November 27, 2006 by grim

From the Home News Tribune: Lawmakers tout bills to cut state work force, tighten ethics Three Shore-area Republican state legislators are hopeful that bills they’ve proposed to reduce the size of the state work force and tighten ethics rules will … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics | Comments Off on Trimming NJ State Government

Opposing school consolidation

Posted on November 24, 2006 by grim

From the Glen Ridge Paper: Educators start new funding call Paul Rooney is a lifelong Democrat, but after Wednesday’s Education Forum at the Women’s Club of Glen Ridge, he said he will vote for any Republican who opposes the recommendations … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 7 Comments

Balking at consolidation

Posted on November 23, 2006 by grim

From the Asbury Park Press: Push for town mergers faces uphill battle One of lawmakers’ key ideas to lower New Jersey’s property taxes calls for asking voters to approve merging their towns in a bid to cut the cost of … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | Comments Off on Balking at consolidation

Want a raise? Send your resume to Corzine.

Posted on November 22, 2006 by grim

From the AP: Rutgers study: Government workers paid more than private workers State and local government employees earn more than private-sector workers, mainly because the income of those working for private companies has eroded over the past few decades, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics | 21 Comments