Thursday, July 26, 2007
Rocky Patel Speaks Out On The Cigar Tax
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Ticket-holder losing big time
Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/13/2007 | Ticket-holder losing big time: "Whoever won the New Jersey half of last week's record $390 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot is becoming a bigger loser by the minute.
The mystery millionaire has already lost as much as $140,625 - interest that the giant jackpot could have earned in a bank for a week. That's nearly three times what the typical New Jersey resident makes in a year.
'It would seem like it's a big financial hit not to be earning that interest, but in terms of what they have won, the amount is a drop in the bucket,' said Don Taylor, an associate finance professor at the American College in Bryn Mawr, who writes a personal finance column for the Web site www.bankrate.com.
He added: 'The lottery winner may be using the time wisely to talk to a financial planner, move to a secure location, and change their phone number before they stand in front of the camera and smile as they are handed a giant check.'"
The mystery millionaire has already lost as much as $140,625 - interest that the giant jackpot could have earned in a bank for a week. That's nearly three times what the typical New Jersey resident makes in a year.
'It would seem like it's a big financial hit not to be earning that interest, but in terms of what they have won, the amount is a drop in the bucket,' said Don Taylor, an associate finance professor at the American College in Bryn Mawr, who writes a personal finance column for the Web site www.bankrate.com.
He added: 'The lottery winner may be using the time wisely to talk to a financial planner, move to a secure location, and change their phone number before they stand in front of the camera and smile as they are handed a giant check.'"
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Gov.'s Office subpoenaed for budget info
Gov.'s Office subpoenaed for budget info: "Gov. Jon S. Corzine's office was subpoenaed Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney's Office, a spokesman confirmed.
'We have received them,' Corzine spokesman Anthony Coley said.
It's the latest round of subpoenas from federal investigators looking into how the state budget has been developed since 2004.
The records requested from the governor's office span the administrations of Democrats James E. McGreevey, Richard J. Codey and Corzine."
'We have received them,' Corzine spokesman Anthony Coley said.
It's the latest round of subpoenas from federal investigators looking into how the state budget has been developed since 2004.
The records requested from the governor's office span the administrations of Democrats James E. McGreevey, Richard J. Codey and Corzine."
Labels: NJ News, NJ Politics
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Avoiding A Ticket
kyw.com - Avoiding A Ticket: "You know that sinking feeling when police lights flash behind you. You wonder, 'Will I get a ticket? Can I get out of it?' CBS 3's Mary Stoker Smith spent some time with a traffic officer.
One captain said, 'The decision on whether to cut you a break is made in the first two minutes of your conversation.'"
One captain said, 'The decision on whether to cut you a break is made in the first two minutes of your conversation.'"
Labels: NJ News
Friday, February 23, 2007
Corzine: Financial future in N.J. is bleak
Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/23/2007 | Corzine: Financial future in N.J. is bleak: "TRENTON - Calling it 'a very good budget for the people of New Jersey,' Gov. Corzine yesterday formally introduced a $33.3 billion state spending proposal that contains no tax hikes, more aid for schools and towns, and money for a major property-tax relief program.
But the governor, who had released many of the plan's details on Wednesday, spent less than half of his 35-minute budget address actually addressing the forthcoming year's budget.
Speaking before hundreds gathered in the State Assembly chambers, Corzine focused more on the future.
He warned that the state's long-term financial outlook remained dire - and that the only real fix could be selling or leasing assets such as the lottery or New Jersey Turnpike."
But the governor, who had released many of the plan's details on Wednesday, spent less than half of his 35-minute budget address actually addressing the forthcoming year's budget.
Speaking before hundreds gathered in the State Assembly chambers, Corzine focused more on the future.
He warned that the state's long-term financial outlook remained dire - and that the only real fix could be selling or leasing assets such as the lottery or New Jersey Turnpike."
Labels: NJ News, NJ Politics
S.J. residents don't expect big changes in new budget
S.J. residents don't expect big changes in new budget: "Residents throughout South Jersey expressed doubt Wednesday that Gov. Jon S. Corzine would come out with a formula that would significantly and permanently reduce taxes in the state.
'Jersey is expensive to live in,' said Samuel Jenkins, of Woodbury. 'I don't think you're ever going to feel like you're getting your money's worth.'
Corzine has pledged a tax rebate for property owners in his budget proposal to be unveiled today. His plan is expected to include $2.3 billion to cut America's highest property taxes by 20 percent for most homeowners and about $400 million in increased public school aid.
As usual, taxes were foremost in people's minds.
'I'm old enough to know I'm being screwed,' said Tom Millea, a construction project manager from Moorestown.
He makes enough money that he doesn't expect to benefit from the tax rebate, he said. But even for people making a comfortable living, taxes are a burden that are driving people away, he said. It's bad enough that he and his friends are contemplating moving out of the state.
'I'm thinking about Delaware,' he said. 'I'm thinking about Florida.'
The governor has also mentioned preventing lawmakers from inserting add-ons to bills right before they are passed, a practice under federal investigation. In general, the state doesn't do enough to monitor spending, Millea said.
'It doesn't keep people's hands out of the cookie jar,' he said."
'Jersey is expensive to live in,' said Samuel Jenkins, of Woodbury. 'I don't think you're ever going to feel like you're getting your money's worth.'
Corzine has pledged a tax rebate for property owners in his budget proposal to be unveiled today. His plan is expected to include $2.3 billion to cut America's highest property taxes by 20 percent for most homeowners and about $400 million in increased public school aid.
As usual, taxes were foremost in people's minds.
'I'm old enough to know I'm being screwed,' said Tom Millea, a construction project manager from Moorestown.
He makes enough money that he doesn't expect to benefit from the tax rebate, he said. But even for people making a comfortable living, taxes are a burden that are driving people away, he said. It's bad enough that he and his friends are contemplating moving out of the state.
'I'm thinking about Delaware,' he said. 'I'm thinking about Florida.'
The governor has also mentioned preventing lawmakers from inserting add-ons to bills right before they are passed, a practice under federal investigation. In general, the state doesn't do enough to monitor spending, Millea said.
'It doesn't keep people's hands out of the cookie jar,' he said."
Labels: NJ News, NJ Politics, SJ News
Dog barking target of N.J. city's law
Dog barking target of N.J. city's law: "The city of Clifton is not going to the dogs. At least not if the City Council has anything to do about it.
Later this month, the council is expected to introduce an ordinance setting a limit on how long dogs can bark.
Noisy canines will be defined as those that bark for more than 30 minutes on two consecutive days.
The city already has nuisance and 'noise laws that can be used to address annoying and disturbing noises such as constant barking.' But officials said those laws are sometimes difficult to enforce.
Police have to investigate complaints, and the city Health Department sent 11 letters last year warning that a summons could be issued if the barking continued, health officer John Biegel said. Clifton has issued 3,756 dog licenses this year.
Summonses are rare, because the person who complained must go to court to sign a complaint.
Fines for the new ordinance could start at $250, Biegel said. "
Later this month, the council is expected to introduce an ordinance setting a limit on how long dogs can bark.
Noisy canines will be defined as those that bark for more than 30 minutes on two consecutive days.
The city already has nuisance and 'noise laws that can be used to address annoying and disturbing noises such as constant barking.' But officials said those laws are sometimes difficult to enforce.
Police have to investigate complaints, and the city Health Department sent 11 letters last year warning that a summons could be issued if the barking continued, health officer John Biegel said. Clifton has issued 3,756 dog licenses this year.
Summonses are rare, because the person who complained must go to court to sign a complaint.
Fines for the new ordinance could start at $250, Biegel said. "
