State Aid to New Jersey Municipalities Frozen for Third Consecutive Year (via NJSpotlight)
New Jersey municipalities would see no increase in state aid for the third year in a row under the $34.4 billion budget proposed last week by Gov. Chris Christie. While the $1.5 billion being distributed is better than the aid cuts municipalities had…
Essex County authorities’ mistake puts innocent man in jail for 27 days (via NJ.com)
Our story begins one evening six years ago, when Omar Sullivan opened an envelope from Essex County authorities and slowly read the document inside with rising terror. He’d had his share of parking tickets and moving violations, but this notice was…
The race for Senate: Another Republican declines to run against Booker (via NJ.com)
TRENTON — Yet another Republican has declined to seek the party nomination to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker in November. Chris Isola, a marine veteran who had the backing of powerful Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, said today…
Christie broke no rules in awarding no-bid Sandy contract, audit finds (via NJ.com)
TRENTON — A federal audit released today concludes that Gov. Chris Christie’s administration did not violate any rules in awarding a no-bid contract to a politically connected company to haul away debris left by Hurricane Sandy. But the audit by the…
Chris Christie: Media can’t define us (via CNN Video)
Gov. Chris Christie speaks to the CPAC crowd about the media and issues facing the Republican party.
As Sandy housing aid deadline nears, lawmakers request extension (via NJ.com)
Roughly 1,000 New Jersey households still displaced because of Hurricane Sandy rely on the federal government to help pay for temporary housing. But that program is scheduled to end on April 30. So U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker announced…
Essex Republicans back Goldberg for U.S. Senate (via NJ.com)
NEWARK — The Essex County Republican party announced today they will back Brian Goldberg to unseat Sen. Cory Booker in his 2014 re-election bid. “I’m very pleased to support Essex County’s own Brian Goldberg for U.S. Senate,” said county party…
Latest Obamacare change – not an option for most NJ policyholders (via NJ.com)
The two-year extension for people whose individual health insurance policies don’t comply with requirements of the new health care law, announced yesterday, will have little impact in New Jersey. Here, all but one of the six insurers selling plans…
By Greg Kelly
Friday, March 7
• The Moody Blues at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Open Ceramics Class for Adults (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Driving Miss Daisy at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO
• The Odd Couple at Spring Lake Community Theatre – MORE INFO
• Free Tax Preparation Help (Wall Twp, Shrewsbury, Manalapan) – MORE INFO
• Date of a Lifetime at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO 
• Into the Woods at Axelrod PAC (Deal) – MORE INFO
• Sylvia at First Ave Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Little Shop of Horrors at Monmouth U (WLB) – MORE INFO
• Once On This Island at Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Aberdeen) – MORE INFO
• Pinkolandia at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• A Conversation with the Doctor (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO
Posted: March 5th, 2014 | Author: admin | Filed under: Greg Kelly, Greg's List, Things to do in Monmouth County | Tags: Greg Kelly, Greg's List, Things to do in Monmouth County, Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend | 1 Comment »Bill would reform National Flood Insurance Program, aims to protect homeowners from steep insurance hikes
Congressman Chris Smith and Monmouth County Shaun Golden prepare to survey Hurricane Sandy damage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives voted last night to provide relief to hundreds of thousands of homeowners facing huge flood insurance premium rate increases, including many still recovering from the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who represents severely damaged areas in southern Monmouth and northern Ocean Counties, praised the vote.
“The bill makes targeted and necessary reforms and will prevent massive premium increases from hitting homeowners who simply cannot afford them—and cannot find a buyer to take them on, leaving them stranded and without a solution,” Smith said. “Many cannot afford the recommended mitigation measures that may or may not reduce their premiums, creating a further environment of uncertainty. Accordingly, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act slows the rate of increase that was included in the 2012 Biggert-Waters reform bill, allowing homeowners to remain in their homes and plan accordingly to continue flood insurance policies.”
The bill passed in a 309-91 vote. If enacted the bill will provide relief and stability to these homeowners and their communities while bringing reform to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It also provides a mechanism for enhanced community participation in the flood mapping process and increases transparency by making information publicly available to impacted parties.
The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HR 3370), co-sponsored by Smith, remedies many of the unintended consequences of the so-called Biggert-Waters Act of 2012. It repeals certain rate increases on Pre-Flood Insurance Rate Map (Pre-FIRM) properties and restores Grandfathered Rates for Post-FIRM properties that were built to code at the time of construction. It prevents a property sale from triggering rate increases and refunds those who have already faced one.
Posted: March 5th, 2014 | Author: admin | Filed under: Chris Smith, FEMA, Flood Maps, Flooding, National Flood Insurance Plan, Press Release | Tags: Chris Smith, Congressman Chris Smith, FEMA, House of Representatives, National Flood Insurance Plan, Press Release | 1 Comment »© Copyright 2026 | MoreMonmouthMusings | All Rights Reserved