Media
What Now America?
I was 17 years old and sat down at my family’s kitchen table with my father to have “The Talk”. Now this talk wasn’t about the birds and the bees but rather something more important. He said to me that now that I was driving he wanted to talk to me about my potential interactions with law enforcement. He never tried to scare me about what could happen if I get stopped, but rather how I should behave when I did. I remember this story because I recall having the same conversation with my oldest son when he turned the same age. The conversation centered around not making sudden movements or being combative on these occasions. No matter whether I thought I was in the right or not, the idea was to leave the encounter without it escalating into something far worse.
Christie gives himself more power to slash millions in N.J. municipal aid
By eliminating fewer than two dozen words from the state budget, Gov. Chris Christie has given himself the power to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in funding that New Jersey's municipalities use to hold down property taxes, local government experts say.
AT NJ SPOTLIGHT ROUNDTABLE, COMPETING VISIONS OF HOW TO FIX PUBLIC-PENSION SYSTEM
Heated discussion leaves little room for common ground; former governor says situation may need federal intervention it’s been well over a year since the New Jersey Supreme Court invalidated a key component of a bipartisan state benefits-reform law, throwing new doubt on the future of the $71 billion public-employee pension system.
Update: Appeals court overturns affordable housing ruling, meaning 'gap years' won't count in requirements
A group of Jersey Shore municipalities will be able to scale down their affordable housing obligations under a ruling Monday by a state appeals court, reversing the decision of a lower court in February that was expected to have a broad impact across New Jersey.
Where’s casino referendum money coming from? You may never know
Those fighting and championing North Jersey casinos could spend a record $40 million trying to sway public opinion before a November referendum, observers say.
Maple Shade woman awarded annual law scholarship
It is her sparkle and energy that are at once so apparent. Sade Calin exudes both. And on a recent evening, there was good reason for this Willingboro native, now 25 and a resident of Maple Shade, to be celebratory.
With spending onslaught approaching, calls for campaign finance reform grow urgent
As New Jersey faces a potential $100 million onslaught of spending this year from super PACs and other interest groups, the leader of the state’s campaign finance watchdog agency says now is the time to do something to prepare for it.
Ending an Inhumane Practice: Declawing Cats
There are a lot of important issues facing our state these days. Many have been discussed and debated through my blog posts over the years. One issue that I take very personally is in the area of animal protection and safety. So, while some may not read much of this week’s post past the headline because it isn’t as important to you as it is to me, I invite you to indulge me on this particular topic. Perhaps you will see why I care about it so much.
There are an estimated 82 million cats in the United States, making them among our most popular pets. Yet, there is a “medical” practice that many from around the globe have deemed to be barbaric, out of touch and frankly an unnecessary procedure: declawing.
The Record: Uber safety
WHETHER PEOPLE are getting rides in a cab, in a limousine or from a ride-hailing service like Uber, they deserve a driver with a clean background. That's not negotiable.