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Gov. Christie Needs a Clue

The New Jersey Education Law Center has sued New Jersey. I am no fan of the Ed Law Center and David Sciarra in particular, but it does what it does. That, however, does not excuse Governor Christie from keeping public information from the public.

Gov. Chris Christie has advised the education department not to release a report Tuesday which details how much New Jersey spends per pupil, over concerns it could hurt the state in a current legal challenge.

The above is plain ridiculous. If releasing how much taxpayers fund per student will hurt the state in the lawsuit, perhaps the Ed Law Center has a point. You do not conceal public information.

These are not national secrets. It is not a covert operation. It is not a trade secret. This is an accounting to the taxpayers for how much they are actually spending on public education.

This is civics 101 here, governor. Release the damn figures and just shut up about it. You are becoming ever so the politician with comments like this one.

Posted in Education, New Jersey, Politics | No Comments »

Be Careful What You Ask For

The political world is predicting huge gains for Republicans in Congress at the midterm elections. Some are even predicting clean sweeps in both houses. It certainly seems possible given the lackluster performance by the Democratic leadership.

But Republicans should be very cautious.

If Republicans take control of Congress at the midterm, then President Obama has two years to run against what he will clearly define as an obstructionist Congress. Given America’s penchant of late to keep politics “balanced”, that would seem to favor re-electing Obama rather than give Republicans control, once again, of Congress and the White House.

Then again I don’t know what is worse: President Obama’s pathetic agenda or a spending Congress.

This I do know: if Republicans take control of Congress, they better change their ways. The reason they lost control in 2006 is because they were corrupt and they spent taxpayer money silly.

While there have been glimmers of change, frankly I have not seen a reformation of the GOP. Michael Steele is still leading. Newt Gingrich even though I really like him, is still a player. There’s a battle between the establishment and the new right-wing. The problem is that the newcomers are easily pigeon-holed, a la Millville First and TrackRacket, as extreme. If not handled properly and promptly, this new emergence will just be a Ross Perot moment.

Leadership extends beyond the day’s news cycle. Vision is needed. Honestly, what national politician (heck, name any on any level) has a clear vision? I guess, President Obama fits that criteria. Obviously more is needed than a vision because his vision is wreaking havoc.

Who is going to step up?

Posted in Politics | 5 Comments »

Noise Prevents Home Purchase in Millville

If Jeannine McCollum is to be believed, the noise from the New Jersey Motorsports Park cost Millville a homeowner. In tomorrow’s News of Cumberland County, Ms. McCollum states that her husband wants to rescind their down payment on a home here in the Holly City after she heard the noise from the track. Further research indicates this was not the community she sought.

We put a deposit down and afterwards heard some of the noise from the raceway. I then did some on-line research which I shared with my husband. Now he wants to withdraw our deposit and forget the deal.

We are concerned about quality-of-life issues as well as diminishing property values due to noise pollution. Who wants to hear race track racket from dawn to dusk each weekend? Both of us were looking forward to taking advantage of the arts and glass district as well as various restaurants and activities in the area. Now we will not be able to do so.

I assume the News verifies letters submitted to its newspaper.

Posted in New Jersey, Politics | No Comments »

Think of the Children

Last year I was incredulous to learn that the dump lends money to theatres. Recently I read that the embattled Delaware River and Bay Authority is donating stocked backpacks to area schools.

Bridgeton is an Abbott district so I am certain there will be plenty of students who would benefit from the backpacks. That isn’t the issue.

What is the DRBA doing in the education field? Apparently, it has a Community Initiative Committee and that group thinks backpacks is a good use of the authority’s money.

Now you and I both know that stocked backpacks are a drop in the bucket for a multi-million dollar entity like DRBA. They can certainly afford it. But what the hell does it have to do with administering bridges, airports, and ferries?

The DRBA mission is:

The mission of the Delaware River and Bay Authority is to provide safe, efficient and modern terminals, crossings, vessels and related transportation while participating in controlled economic development opportunities supported by a technically proficient and professionally motivated work force dedicated to providing high quality customer service.

Do backpacks for school children fit into that?

Posted in Education, New Jersey, Politics | 1 Comment »

Tax Abatements Steal from Children

At the most recent City Commission meeting a Vineland resident made a pitch for an ATV track claiming it is good for the children.

Claiming it is for the children or will hurt the children is a classic case of ratching up the dialogue. Children are invoked in politics all the time. It is a way to make a sympathetic case for whatever issue is being argued.

In the case of tax abatements, however, it does seem that children are negatively affected. According to a state report, the municipal use of tax abatements hinders school districts.

New Jersey’s municipal tax abatement program is taking “critical funding” away from local school districts, leaving taxpayers to make up the difference

When a business is lured to town (Target, New Jersey Motorsports Park, etc.), one of the mechanisms used is a tax abatement. The business is promised a reduced tax burden for a set period of time. This helps the business make a go of it without needing to pay the tax man in full. The taxes that are paid, are completely kept at the municipality. School districts and the county do not benefit from the new business.

Who subsidizes the rest? The rest of the tax roll, meaning you and me.

Opponents of tax abatements have made these claims ever since Millville began using them. They have been shouted down. They have been ridiculed. They have been parodied. Now the state has evaluated the system and confirmed that indeed tax abatements steal money away from school districts and county governments.

So, next time NJMP interrupts your meal, you stop into Target, or have a slice at Venuto’s, understand the increase that Lou Magazzu has delivered to Millville in this year’s county tax bill could have been lessened if the City Commission did not not keep those businesses off the books. You and I are paying extra while Target, NJMP, and other businesses pocket cash.

Enjoy your day!

Posted in New Jersey, Politics | 5 Comments »