Category Archives: Politics

What corruption?

Posted on November 22, 2006 by grim

From the Asbury Park Press: Indictment: Mayor offered jobs to opponent A small-town mayor from southern New Jersey offered his political opponent municipal jobs if the man would agree to drop out of a political race, state Attorney General Stuart … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 11 Comments

Monetizing our assets

Posted on November 17, 2006 by grim

From the New York Times: Parts of New Jersey Government for Sale? Just Supposing Should New Jersey consider selling or leasing state assets, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and the lottery system are the best bets, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics | 21 Comments

Support drilling off the Jersey shore?

Posted on November 14, 2006 by grim

From the Press of Atlantic City: Drill plan dangerous to N.J., say politicians Joining environmental groups, New Jersey lawmakers are showing bipartisan opposition to a federal plan that could allow oil and gas drilling in the ocean less than 75 … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Politics | 5 Comments

Six-figure double dippers

Posted on November 13, 2006 by grim

From the Jersey Journal: Politicians double-dip to earn 6-digit paychecks Social Security paychecks? Fuggedaboutit. A large number of Hudson County pols are bankrolling a career in public life into cozy, taxpayer funded retirement plan thanks to spreading themselves out in … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 12 Comments

Mirror the private sector

Posted on November 13, 2006 by grim

From the Asbury Park Press: Majority: Trim benefits of state workers A majority of New Jersey taxpayers says government employees should have retirement plans and health benefits that mirror those of private industry, according to a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

Yes, Yes, Yes

Posted on November 8, 2006 by grim

From the AP: New Jerseyans say yes, yes and yes again New Jersey voters on Tuesday approved additional funding for property tax relief, park maintenance and highway and mass transit improvements. The three ballot questions asked whether the state constitution … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 2 Comments

Slush fund or worthy causes?

Posted on November 6, 2006 by grim

From the Courier Post: Three tax questions on ballot Along with picking New Jersey’s next senator, Tuesday’s election will also give voters a chance to decide how their government should use some of the taxes they pay. Three ballot questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 7 Comments

New rules for abusers

Posted on November 6, 2006 by grim

From the Record: Sex abusers may face housing rules WAYNE — The Township Council wants to restrict where some convicted sex offenders can live. But a constitutional law expert said the state Legislature and courts have already beaten the township … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | Comments Off on New rules for abusers

Closing Tax Loopholes

Posted on October 30, 2006 by grim

From RealtyTimes: Congressional Committee Proposes Crackdown on Homeowner Tax Writeoffs by Kenneth R. Harney Have you been writing off your mortgage interest and real estate taxes correctly on your federal income tax filings? Or maybe not? Whatever your answer, an … Continue reading →

Posted in National Real Estate, Politics | 4 Comments

Should Highlands landowners be compensated?

Posted on October 27, 2006 by grim

From the Daily Record: Highlands residents, environmentalists speak out BY COLLEEN O’DEA Hurry up, but do it right, was the common theme of comments from the public Thursday to the New Jersey Highlands Council during its first full, on-the-record public … Continue reading →

Posted in New Development, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 21 Comments

Want lower property taxes? Trade them for higher income taxes!

Posted on October 26, 2006 by grim

From the Home News Tribune: Group calls for income-tax hike to lower property taxes New Jersey’s income tax should be relied on more as the state looks to cut the nation’s highest property taxes, a liberal-leaning policy group said yesterday … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 12 Comments

Proposals Unveiled

Posted on October 26, 2006 by grim

From NJ.com: Panel unveils proposals to help reduce property taxes By Tom Hester One of four special joint legislative committees given the task of recommending ways to cut New Jersey property taxes has come up with a dozen proposals that … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Property Taxes | 1 Comment

Merge Rumson and Seabright?

Posted on October 26, 2006 by grim

From the Hub: A tale of two towns BY SUE MORGAN Though he is not Charles Dickens, borough resident Andrew Mencinsky has authored a proposal to merge his hometown and its neighbor across the river. To Mencinsky, the result could … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Shore Real Estate | 30 Comments

Funding Open Spaces

Posted on October 25, 2006 by grim

From the Philadelphia Inquirer: It’s a question of preserving the state’s future By Paul Chrystie In coming months, New Jersey will determine the fate of its parks and open-space programs. Voters get to make the first decision on Election Day: … Continue reading →

Posted in New Development, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 12 Comments

JC workers must contribute 30%

Posted on October 23, 2006 by grim

From the Jersey Journal: Redevelopers to be forced to hire Jersey City residents By KEN THORBOURNE Developers who agree to rebuild blighted areas in Jersey City have to give more than lip service to hiring local residents: they must contract … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, New Jersey Real Estate, Politics | 11 Comments