Teachers Union — and Its Money — Helped Shape Outcome of Assembly Races

Gov. Chris Christie may claim in places like New Hampshire and Iowa that he has tamed New Jersey’s public employee unions, but you wouldn’t have known it from the smile on the face of one union’s leader. “We had a terrific week,” said Wendell Steinhauer, president of the New Jersey Education Association, as his union gathered… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Under new bill, a ‘smart gun’ in every N.J. gun shop

TRENTON — More than a dozen years after passing a “smart gun” law that is now blamed for stopping them from being sold across the country, state Senate Democrats on Thursday said they want to revamp the law and force gun dealers to carry the high-tech weapons. Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) said she is introducing a… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Christie knocked out of 4th GOP primetime debate

SOMERSWORTH, N.H. — Gov. Chris Christie was edged out of the upcoming GOP debate’s main stage event scheduled for Tuesday, delivering a major blow to the struggling campaign that had just begun showing signs of gaining momentum. The line was announced Thursday night on Fox Business just as Christie campaigned in New Hampshire, where the latest… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, November 6-8, 2015

By Greg Kelly

Like this?

Friday, November 6

• Jersey Shore Restaurant Week – MORE INFO
• Red Bank Restaurant Week – MORE INFO
• Agnes of God by South Street Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• The Rainmaker by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• The Seedbed at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Jersey Shore Ghost Tours (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Dancing In the Light at Axelrod PAC (Deal) – MORE INFO
• Live Harness Racing at Freehold Raceway – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Highlands Farmer’s Market – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

How a write-in candidate ousted Oceanport’s incumbent mayor

OCEANPORT — Before the summer, John “Jay” Coffey didn’t have any intentions of becoming the borough’s next mayor. A member of the Board of Education, Coffey was an active participant in the community — but he didn’t start regularly attending Borough Council meetings until after a slew of officials in the borough resigned. The resignations caught… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Belmar’s controversial boardwalk pavilion narrowly approved by voters

BELMAR — Belmar residents should be getting a new pavilion on the boardwalk after voters Tuesday night narrowly approved a bond ordinance to borrow $4.1 million to rebuild what Hurricane Sandy destroyed three years ago. The approval wasn’t without confusion, though. Shortly after borough officials declared victory with a plan they had pushed and modified for… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Deception and Distraction: An Inaccurate Report on Health Benefits Remains Inaccurate Nearly 4 Year later

By Joseph M. DiBella

Recently the Asbury Park Press published a story based on a widely criticized and discredited State Comptroller’s 2012 report examining the state of health benefits for public workers of municipalities, county governments and school districts. The report, which was panned by most benefit and insurance professional at the time as being actuarially and statistically invalid, also failed to accurately reflect the process local governments must use when selecting benefits for its employees. The report made for good headlines, but it didn’t make for good policy.

The takeaway of the report was that local entities in New Jersey — counties, townships, boroughs, school districts — could simply join the state health benefit plan and save the state $100 million dollars. But that wasn’t correct then and it isn’t correct now. The report overlooked the fact that benefits are collectively bargained for and can’t simply be changed on whim or all at once. It also made the false assumption that just by merging all the groups across the state, their claims history, which is how insurance policies are priced, would miraculously get better and generate savings. Finally, the report largely blamed local benefit brokers and consultants for the high cost of health care for public plans even though the cost of brokerage services is about 2% to 3% of the total cost of healthcare. The state plan is a solution for many public employers as are other private plan options. The key is to examine all of the options and align the entity with the best solution for their circumstances.

The report was largely discredited and dismissed at the time of its issuance by industry experts for being naïve and non-factual. But because it includes an eye-popping alleged savings number, the nearly 4 years old report is regularly dusted off and re-circulated by political operatives and media types looking to re-create a controversy that never existed.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Veitengruber: Keep Big City Politicians Out of Howell’s Board of Education

By Sue Veitengruber

I have a self imposed rule of not using my Facebook page for political views on candidates. My friends’ beliefs and ideals cover the entire spectrum. However,  at the risk of a few individuals never speaking to me again, I have questions about certain BOE candidates on the ballot.  Board of Education members are supposed to be the epitome of community volunteers. Howell is not “the big city.” So why, I need to ask, is one candidate being funded by state wide Political Action Committees and the Mayor of Elizabeth?  The Elizabeth BOE has been fraught with corruption and nepotism. Board officials, including an attorney,  were indicted on fraudulently  claiming their kids were eligible for free lunches. Staff members were pressured into contributing to BOE members campaigns. Why does that candidate list her name and “politician” on her  election FB cover page?  This is not what the Howell BOE needs. It is the largest and best K-8 in the state. I am proud to have been part of the reforms in the 80s as a board member for almost 9 years, reforms that succeeding boards built on to continue the excellence in education in our town. We don’t need the Elizabeth political machine determining  the decisions and future of the Howell BOE.
Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Irace: In Oceanport, Write-in Coffey and Wible

By Councilman Joe Irace

Oceanport Councilman Joe Irace

For the past eight years, it has been my  privilege to serve the people of Oceanport.  At all times, I have done what I felt was best for our borough because I, like you, truly love our collective home. As you know, I have been very outspoken on behalf of Oceanport.  I have used my position as Councilman to keep Oceanport residents informed of important issues pertaining to Oceanport, oftentimes to my own personal detriment within the very Council on which I serve.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Fred Dalton Thompson, 1942-2015

The Tennesseean reports that the popular character actor who became a U.S. senator and Republican presidential hopeful has passed away. Mr. Thompson died after a recurrence of lymphoma, according to a statement issued by the Thompson family. “It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that we share the passing of our… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet