Troy Talk
Getting More Value for Your Health Care Dollar
It's YOUR Money After All!
Can you think of any subject where there is unanimous agreement that results in constant grousing other than on the subject of property taxes? Everyone complains, and I’m sure that you’ve never heard your neighbor say, “My property taxes are too low.”
But New Jersey residents, in particular, have solid footing for their complaints. We have the highest average property taxes in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation and the Fiscal Times. And, our residents have faced the gradual and tenacious rise of taxes for years. The average statewide property tax rose from $8,161 in 2014 to its highest level in New Jersey history at $8,353 in 2015.
The Company We Keep
Most of us recall the frequent admonition of our parents from when we were younger: Don’t hang out with the wrong crowd. They had a basic fear. Associating with the wrong crowd could unduly influence our moral and personal code in a negative fashion. And when we did dabble in the wrong crowd, in the back of our brain, we knew in this instance that our parents were right.
Winning Big After A “Loss”
So you want to be a educator?
How would you feel about overseeing the teaching of kids, 70 percent of whom live below the poverty line? What would you do if about 10 percent of your students were homeless? Any thoughts about spending your own money to help these students buy all those extras? You know things like deodorant, toothpaste and other hygiene products that many of us take for granted?
Probably not an appealing proposition and no one would blame you if you took a pass. But, thousands of people accept that challenge every day. And, I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with them to try and make education more equitable and rewarding for the children of our great state. Beverly School District Superintendent Elizabeth “Liz” Giacobbe, is someone who lives and embraces that challenge every day. And, from my perspective truly embodies what an educational leader is all about.
Politics & Religion: Talking About It Isn’t Taboo
We know the popular advice. Don’t talk about politics and religion during a dinner party because to do so would only result in a social misstep or something worse. Many consider it a volatile social cocktail.
That is precisely why we shouldn’t be afraid to mix the two in any discussion. And by refraining from a discussion, in a fair-minded and reasonable manner, we only confirm a misguided taboo.
Predatory Lending: The Public Loan Sharks of the Lending Industry
Some years back, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jimmy Breslin wrote a book entitled, “How the Good Guys Finally Won,” which took to task members of the Nixon administration during Watergate.
The subject is different, but the title of this blog captures the spirit of the moment: The Good Guys (that’s you, the citizens of New Jersey) finally have a victory against some of the most despicable companies in operation throughout most of the United States. These are predatory lenders who participate in what is often called “payday loans.”
Just what is predatory lending? Allow debt.org to answer: “Predatory lending is any lending practice that imposes unfair or abusive loan terms on a borrower. It is also any practice that convinces a borrower to accept unfair terms through deceptive, coercive, exploitative or unscrupulous actions for a loan that a borrower doesn’t need, doesn’t want or can’t afford.”