In The News
Lower Returns on State’s Pension Investments Raise Questions, Concerns
Officials say 4 percent gain is still better than most similar plans, but state workers worry about impact on severely underfunded system
After seeing investment returns swell into the double digits for several years in a row thanks to a booming stock market, New Jersey public-employee pension system’s gains have come back down to earth.
Analysis: Average property tax bill in Burlington County up 4.6 percent
New Jersey's dreaded property taxes are on the rise again in Burlington County. An analysis of data released this month by the Burlington County Tax Board revealed that the average tax bill in the county grew this year by 4.6 percent to $6,327, about $278 more than the average bill in 2014.
Nearly 1M people live in poverty in N.J., new Census data shows
Nearly one million people live in poverty in New Jersey, an increase of just short of 250,000 people in the past 10 years, according to 2014 Census data released today.
The rate of state residents living in poverty dropped slightly between 2013 and 2014, from 11.4 percent to 11.1 percent, though an estimated 973,000 people live below the federal poverty line.
In the past decade, the poverty rate in New Jersey has jumped from 8.7 percent to 11.1 percent, according to the Census data. There were about 739,000 New Jersey residents living in poverty in 2005.
Support for NJ bill to rein in health costs
A coalition of consumer health groups gave its support Wednesday to proposed New Jersey legislation to rein in surprise medical bills for consumers who inadvertently use out-of-network health care providers.
AARP poll shows support for state-administered retirement plans
TRENTON — Most New Jersey voters are anxious about their retirement savings, and a majority of them support the idea of the state administering retirement accounts for private workers who don't have them through their jobs, according to a new AARP poll.
Christie Administration Stands Firm on Less-Detailed Tax-Revenue Reports
As Gov. Chris Christie took on a staggering $1 billion budget shortfall last year by delaying property tax relief and slashing funding for public-worker retirements, his administration also made a subtle shift in how the state discloses monthly tax-collection data.
N.J. health care coalition releases report backing out-of-network bill
A major New Jersey-based health care coalition released a report Wednesday in support of the passage of an out-of-network health care bill, which is currently being considered by the state Legislature.
N.J. Class of 2019 won't have to pass PARCC to graduate
TRENTON — New Jersey's new class of high school freshmen won't have to pass the PARCC exams to graduate, and some students in 11th grade will be exempt from taking PARCC's English test this year, the state's Department of Education announced today.
WWII veteran honored in Burlington Township
Now in his 90s, MacClemmy recently was recognized for his service and honored by Acacia Hospice. He received the Air Combat Action Commemorative certificate and medal. In addition, New Jersey Assemblyman Troy Singleton, D-7th of Palmyra, presented a proclamation from the state honoring his service and sacrifice.
Analysis: Pricey problems await N.J. lawmakers
When the Legislature broke for summer recess and Governor Christie launched his presidential campaign the next day, New Jersey’s lawmakers and its chief executive left a pair of large policy issues unresolved.
The return of the 216th Legislature this month — or at least the Senate portion of it — will bring the public employee pension fund and the state’s transportation bank account back into focus.