Troy Talk
Small Business: The Real Business of America
If you want to take the measure of business in the United States, just glance at those stores on the strip mall that you pass every day on your way to work. It’s your bagel place, a laundry operation, maybe a strictly takeout restaurant. Many are microbusinesses. And if you want to take the measure of business in the United States that you don’t see, imagine all the small companies run from home, self-employed consultants, for example, on every subject under the sun.
The Real Illegal-Immigration Issue: Employers
I recently came across the following article looking at the ongoing immigration question in our country from an often times ignored perspective: Should we hold employers more accountable? Now, this issue is one that generates intense feelings on both sides of the debate and the author weaves a fine line in his argument. In my opinion, his perspective on how we should look at this issue stirred some deep and candid conversations with some of my peers.
I firmly believe that employer accountability as a component of the immigration debate should be addressed. It has been historically ignored under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Some create this somewhat ridiculous paradox of encouraging a greater influx of immigrant workers by soliciting those workers with the prospects of jobs, while simultaneously stigmatizing those workers for coming to our country for those opportunities. By ignoring this important piece of the puzzle, we are allowing the exploitation of these workers to continue and creating a "faux" villain to perpetuate class and racial divides.
Portable Benefits: Traveling With A Cloak Of Security
The Internet economy has given us many new words, and two recent additions are “portable benefits.” They might be new, but it is an important term because it stands to affect a huge portion of working Americans.
A Step Forward for Educational Transparency and Gainful Employment
Few topics are as dear to me as education. Only a handful of actions can propel you forward in life, like the benefits of a good education. I’m a deep believer in education and firmly committed to it because it truly helps level the playing field for later in life. As I was taught early in life by my parents, education is the gateway to a lifetime of opportunity only limited by one's thirst to acquire it.
Property Taxes: Improving the “Senior Freeze” Program
The subject of my topic this week is a lesson that you can improve the tax system in favor of New Jersey residents who pay some of the highest property taxes in U.S. bureaucracy.
Burlington County Unites
Recently, actions by the Klu Klux Klan in releasing racist and homophobic flyers, attacks on immigrants of Indian descent, the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and threats of violence at Jewish community centers were designed to sow the seeds of division and heighten fear in our communities. On Thursday, March 2nd at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Maple Shade, NJ public officials, clergy leaders and concerned community members came together as one voice against intolerance, bigotry and discrimination. Our message of unity and inclusiveness permeated through the program. The following is the longer version of my remarks that were shortened on the night of the program.