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NEW JERSEY’S EDUCATION REFORM IMPERATIVE
As a member of both the New Jersey Assembly Budget and Education Committees, I get to see first-hand the intersection of our state’s fiscal and educational policies. This vantage point has given me a greater appreciation of the difficult decisions that New Jersey faces with respect to ensuring that every child is given the best chance to succeed academically, while recognizing the financial constraints which sometimes limit our options. However, by serving in this capacity I am emboldened to push our educational system in a way that allows all of our children to fulfill their enormous promise. This promise can only be nurtured forward by a comprehensive and cohesive agenda that no longer pits tax payer against tax payer or child against child, but rather recognizes that through our common purpose we can raise the educational standards of every child.
NJ voters support state worker wage freeze but oppose gas tax hike, poll shows (NJ.com)
TRENTON — A poll released today shows more than half of New Jersey's registered voters support a wage freeze for state workers to rein in the state budget, while an even larger share oppose raising the gasoline tax.
NJ Bill Targets ‘Patent Trolls’ (New Jersey 101.5)
A measure in Trenton goes after a business-unfriendly practice sometimes known as “patent trolling.” The sponsor of the measure claims it can help remove a threat to the innovation-based economy that New Jersey is hopeful to have.
Lawmakers debate property tax relief in Christie's proposed budget (Burlington County Times)
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed $34.4 billion budget calls for the largest payment into the public employee pension system in state history, but lawmakers question whether it’s short on funding needed to tame New Jersey’s notoriously high property taxes.
CAP Team
Earlier this year, I put out a call for people who were interested in serving their neighbors to join me on special community boards that we instituted to gain your insights on the issues affecting our communities. One of the highlights of my job is the interaction and feedback that I get from folks like you....my bosses. That is what led me to start the CAP (Citizens Advisory Panel) Teams. The CAP Teams are every day men, women and children who have committed some of their time to meet with me to discuss the issues of importance to our communities. The CAP Teams focus on economic development, education student, veteran and women issues, with an eye towards adopting common sense solutions to problems in these respective issue areas.
We had great success with this program during my first term in office. Initiatives such as the law to create the NJ Helmets-to-Hardhats Program in the NJ Turnpike Authority, ideas to refine the transformative New Jersey Economic Opportunity Act and the proposal to create benchmarks of performance for teacher preparation programs were all born out of discussions led by the CAP Team.
Patent trolls: New Jersey out to stop companies unfairly profiting from patents (NJBiz)
They are called “patent trolls” — and that's the nice nickname. Their critics feel what they do is not so nice. Or ethical. Or really anything other than a shakedown or a shameful money grab.
Elected officials to get an earful at community meeting
By STEVEN HART
Staff Writer
HAINESPORT - A New Jersey assemblyman will be there. So will a Burlington County freeholder. As well as officials from the township, Pemberton Township and Westampton.
March 31
Over the last few months I have been working with different groups to ensure that New Jerseyeans know about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and to sign up by the March 31st deadline. I am one of those folks who believe that our "unalienable rights.....life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" are made far more possible if we're healthy enough to enjoy them. Call me crazy, but I believe in an America that looks out, rather than looks over one another.
NJ legislative package would help manufacturing
Legislators have introduced a package of bills proposing tax cuts, training initiatives and educational programs to help New Jersey's ailing manufacturing industry.