Media
Prescription benefit changes likely for NJ state workers and retirees
Public workers and retirees enrolled in the state’s health plans are likely to see changes to their prescription benefits in the coming year as part of the state’s efforts to trim healthcare costs by a quarter-billion dollars.
It’s not official yet, even though Gov. Chris Christie’s administration counts on the savings to balance the budget in the fiscal year that starts in seven weeks. But Acting Treasurer Ford Scudder told lawmakers he feels good about the chances for the health plans’ design committees to approve the money-saving changes.
OUT-OF-DATE DATA SHORTCHANGES RECIPIENTS OF HOMESTEAD TAX REBATES
The calendar may say 2016, but Homestead credits are based on 2006 property taxes, which were typically 30 percent lower than today’s
Celebrate Fitness This May
Most bloggers understand an unwritten law about blogging: Don’t start off with a statement, proclamation or diatribe from a “higher authority” to promote a point of view. The reasoning is that it’s the author’s viewpoint that matters.
However, since I’m not a blogger I’m going to break that rule. This is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and I happened to read President Barack Obama’s recent proclamation highlighting the importance of this special period. I found it to be dead on and wanted to share a portion of it.
Helping Low-Income Taxpayers Put Money Aside for that Rainy Day
Most Americans tend to spend their federal tax returns almost as soon as they arrive, but saving some portion of that money is a smarter -- though tougher -- decision
Most Americans have a hard time keeping enough money aside in savings to handle an unexpected expense like repairing a car or a leaky roof. And with the average federal income-tax refund nearing close to $3,000 this year, many of them are probably spending that refund almost as soon as it comes back from Washington.
Should NJ borrow $125M to fund public library construction?
New Jersey voters might be asked whether the state should borrow $125 million to help finance a quarter-billion dollars a year in construction projects at public libraries.
Christie: All N.J. school water fountains to be tested for lead
TRENTON — New Jersey will test the water in its 3,000 schools for lead exposure beginning later this year and publicly release the findings, Gov. Chris Christie announced Monday, two months after results from 30 schools in Newark found lead levels as high as 35 times above the federal action limit.
Out-of-Date Data Shortchanges Recipients of Homestead Tax Rebates
Some of the New Jerseyans who need the most help paying their property taxes are being shortchanged by the program that was specifically put in place to assist them. And the problem affects 650,000 low- and middle-income homeowners, seniors, and the disabled who qualify for the state’s Homestead benefit program.
Understanding The Science Behind Gun Violence
"Remember, guns don’t kill people. People kill people.” This maxim was said to me when I got my firearms ID and has been recanted numerous times by proponents of the 2nd Amendment when faced with the conversation on our country’s passion for firearms. And, the truth is that they’re right! Guns in the hands of those bent on destruction and malice towards their fellow members of humanity or themselves are a recipe for disaster. Additionally, guns in untrained hands have also been shown to have the same unfortunate and disastrous outcome. But, the gun itself is simply an object or a tool for that destruction. I think that is important that we attempt to understand the science behind why and how firearm violence occurs. This understanding is critical towards removing the emotion from the gun debate. Hopefully, this will allow us to move towards a position where gun-control and gun-rights advocates can agree on some common sense approaches to reduce its impact on our society.
5 things to know about N.J. transportation funding woes and your taxes
TRENTON — New Jersey's long saga on how to raise cash for transportation projects took a new twist last week when the chairman of the state Senate budget committee came up a compromise designed to end the stalemate.
Singleton Backs Striking Verizon Workers
Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-Burlington) on Monday voiced his support for Verizon workers who are fighting for fair labor treatment from the corporate giant.