In The News
Legislature needs to reassert long-standing ban on leghold traps
The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection has been dishonest in its efforts to allow the use of steel leghold traps to catch animals even though they’re banned under state law. Last week a state Appellate Court added another layer of dishonesty in this scheme to thwart the will of N.J. residents as a favor to a small number of animal trappers.
Super PAC spending in Chesterfield, Hainesport and Moorestown
Glossy campaign ads attacking Democratic candidates in Chesterfield, Hainesport and Moorestown began showing up in voters mailboxes this week.
State Spotlight: Foreclosure Assistance for Those Impacted by Superstorm Sandy
New Jersey legislation to protect victims from Superstorm Sandy from foreclosure actions under certain conditions cleared a Senate Committee last week. The bill would protect homeowners from foreclosure proceedings if their home repair projects were delayed because of builder issues or the fault of the state’s Department of Community Affairs, according to a recent release from the bill’s sponsors, Assembly Democrats Troy Singleton, Annette Quijano, Ralph Caputo and Adam Taliaferro, Jerry Green, Marlene Caride, and Eric Houghtalin.
N.J. panel approves fix to protect patients from those surprise medical bills
TRENTON — An Assembly panel approved long-awaited legislation Thursday that would protect consumers from getting surprise medical bills from hospitals and doctors they did not know were outside their insurance network.
Doctors, Hospitals Still Fighting Plan to Curb Out-Of-Network Charges
Reducing out-of-network medical charges would save hundreds of millions of dollars each year for residents, businesses, and taxpayers in New Jersey while slowing the growth of healthcare costs overall, according to those who support a plan to limit the practice.
New Jersey health insurance marketplace down to 2 companies
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey residents will only be able to choose between two companies this year in the federal health insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act.
Backers of Public Question #2 Say It's Only Way to Make Sure Gas Tax Goes to TTF
Over the past three decades New Jersey voters have approved several ballot questions that have protected revenue raised from state fuel taxes from being used for anything other than transportation projects. Now, in the wake of the unpopular 23-cent gas-tax increase that went into effect today, voters are being asked to do so again.
Erin Brockovich teaming with expert on investigation of Moorestown water issues
MOORESTOWN — Erin Brockovich and a water expert who frequently works with the environmentalist have agreed to launch an investigation into the township's water woes.
Wide Achievement Gap Persists Despite New PARCC Exams
For all the changes that the state’s new PARCC testing has wrought for New Jersey’s public schools, one constant has prevailed: a wide and deep achievement gap.
New Jersey Tops Illinois as State With Worst-Off Pension System
New Jersey became the state with the worst-funded public pension system in the U.S. in 2015, followed closely by Kentucky and Illinois.
The Garden State had $135.7 billion less than it needs to cover all the benefits that have been promised, a $22.6 billion increase over the prior year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Illinois’s unfunded pension liabilities rose to $119.1 billion from $111.5 billion.