In The News

Restarting N.J. hospital billing debate

Surprise medical bills just keep coming for patients in New Jersey, five months after the Legislature’s effort to fix the problem died. Some come from hospital-based doctors who don’t accept the same insurance plans as the hospital where they work. Others are received by patients with out-of-state or federally regulated coverage who go to out-of-network emergency rooms — New Jersey regulations that require the insurer to protect its members from balance billing in such cases don’t apply to their plans

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Deadline looms for Transportation Trust Fund fix

At the Statehouse, the month of June typically features a flurry of debate, negotiations and deal making on the budget and other legislative priorities before the current fiscal year ends. But the next few weeks could be even noisier than usual, as Gov. Chris Christie and lawmakers wrestle with the budget as well as the impending insolvency of the Transportation Trust Fund. 

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N.J. extends June deadline for property tax relief program

Wednesday's deadline for homeowners to apply for the Senior Freeze property tax relief program has been extended through October, Gov. Chris Christie's administration announced Friday.

The state routinely pushes back the deadline for the program, which offsets taxes for more than 170,000 seniors and disabled residents. Acting Treasurer Ford Scudder said the delayed deadline so more residents who are eligible for the program can apply.

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SOME SENIORS, DISABLED COULD BE FROZEN OUT OF NJ’S ‘SENIOR FREEZE’ PROGRAM

Fine print in annual state budget will eliminate cost-of-living increases for property-tax relief program, unless Christie changes his mind

A state program designed specifically to help keep seniors and disabled residents from being forced out of their homes by New Jersey’s ever-rising property-tax bills is once again in line to take a hit from fine print in the annual state budget.

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STATE TURNS ATTENTION TO TWO MORE CONTAMINANTS FOUND IN NJ DRINKING WATER

DEP wants Drinking Water Quality Institute to come up with recommended levels for PFOA and PFOS

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Singleton unveils legislation to boost aid to underfunded school districts

Assemblyman Troy Singleton has introduced legislation to award $50 million in more state aid to 80 of New Jersey's most underfunded school districts.

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New Jersey Bill Would Create Animal-Abuse Registry

New Jersey would become the second state in the nation to establish an online registry of animal abusers if a bill under consideration by state legislators becomes law.

Under the proposed legislation, anyone convicted or found civilly liable for animal cruelty in New Jersey would be added to the database, which would be publicly accessible via the state Department of Health’s website. The bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Troy Singleton...

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Election is a year away, yet 2017 N.J. governor's race is on

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Get ready, New Jersey, for more political sniping, increased jockeying on big issues and a jump in the millions of dollars politicians and supporters pour into the races.

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Lawmakers discuss state budget, finances with South Jersey business leaders

MOUNT LAUREL — Three of New Jersey's most influential lawmakers — Assemblymen Troy Singleton and Declan O'Scanlon, and Sen. Steve Oroho — sounded off on the state government's close-to-billion-dollar budget deficit and other pressing financial issues Friday in front of an audience of South Jersey business leaders.

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Legalizing marijuana would reap $300M a year in taxes for N.J., advocates say

TRENTON — New Jersey could reap $300 million a year in sales tax revenue by legalizing marijuana for recreational use, according to a new report by supporters of the effort.

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