New Jersey Politics & News
New Jersey news from The Daily Signal, examining state government, property tax crises, education funding battles, and political corruption in the Garden State.
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New Jersey Flirts With Requiring Dog Groomers to Obtain a License
New Jersey lawmakers are moving to license pet groomers after several New Jerseyans’ canine companions sadly died, allegedly due to grooming at well-known pet stores. The legislation cleared a key hurdle last week when the New Jersey General Assembly approved Assembly Bill 3044, named “Bijou’s Law” after a Shih Tzu who died during a grooming….Amanda Botts -
This New Jersey Woman Was Charged With Buying Votes
Voter fraud is an ongoing problem in America. For those who doubt, look no further than a new case out of New Jersey. On Thursday, federal officials charged a New Jersey woman with “promoting a voter bribery scheme.” Lizaida Camis allegedly offered Hoboken voters $50 in exchange for applying to receive mail-in ballots, and then…Jason Snead -
New Jersey Budgets $5M to Prop Up ‘Community’ Newspapers
The New Jersey state Legislature set aside $5 million in the annual budget to help fund what it calls “community journalism,” which critics say raises serious ethical questions regarding the influence it gives government over news coverage. As local newspapers have seen circulation and advertising steadily decline in the digital age, the traditional business model…Jeremiah Poff -
New Jersey Imposes State Obamacare-Style Individual Mandate
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed into law a measure that preserved the Obamacare mandate requiring state residents to buy health insurance. Starting next year, the bill will require all uninsured residents of the Garden State to buy health insurance or face a tax penalty, which would be deposited into a New Jersey Health…Jeremiah Poff -
‘Party Like It’s 1776’ Theme Too Offensive for New Jersey School Prom
A New Jersey high school principal apologized Friday for a “Party Like It’s 1776” theme at prom. Dennis Perry, principal of Cherry Hill High School East, posted on his Twitter feed an apology for the theme printed on prom tickets, calling the decision “insensitive and irresponsible,” reported Fox News. “I especially apologize to our African-American students,…Rob Shimshock -
New Jersey’s Federalism Wager Pays Off Big
Our Founding Fathers wisely recognized that, to safeguard individual liberty, power must be divided up between different branches and levels of government. To preserve that system, courts must block any effort to upend that division, whether it be an imperious president seeking to force Congress to pass particular legislation, or a Congress similarly dictating to…Jonathan Wood -
Incoming New Jersey Governor Wants to Create an Entire Agency to Protect Illegal Immigrants
Newly inaugurated New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy plans to establish the Garden State as a bastion of far-left policies, including a first-of-its-kind government agency devoted exclusively to protecting the rights of legal and illegal immigrants alike. Murphy, a Democrat and former Goldman Sachs financier who was swept into office on the back of former Gov….Jack Crowe -
Latest ICE Operation Snaps Up 101 Illegal Immigrants, Mostly Criminals, in New Jersey
Federal agents arrested more than 100 foreign nationals wanted for immigration violations in a five-day operation in New Jersey, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Tuesday. The operation, led by ICE’s enforcement and removal division, netted a total of 101 illegal immigrants who were either criminal aliens, had illegally re-entered the country after being deported, or…Will Racke -
As GOP Looks to Eliminate State Tax Deduction, New Jersey Democrat Wavers on Millionaires Tax
New Jersey is potentially holding off hiking its income tax due to the possibility of the state and local tax deduction being eliminated in the GOP tax plan, according to the president of the New Jersey Senate. “I’m actually very concerned for the people of this state if this Trump tax happens, and I think…Rachel del Guidice -
New Jersey Man’s Confessed Bombing Plan Is 95th Terror Plot in US Since 9/11
While the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, is on the retreat in some parts of the Middle East, its reach in the Western world remains a serious threat. A recent arrest in New Jersey shows just how vigilant the U.S. must remain. In February, police charged Gregory Lepsky, 20, with attempting to provide material support to…Riley Walters -
Finally, New Jersey Stopped Requiring People to Get a License to Shovel Snow
After a year of debate in the New Jersey state legislature, young entrepreneurs in the state finally have the right to shovel snow without fear of legal consequences. Right before the historic blizzard of 2016, Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law removing the need for, of all things, a license to shovel snow….Jason Snead -
New Jersey Supreme Court Allows Christie’s Cut in Pension Contributions
The Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled in a 5-2 decision today in favor of the Chris Christie administration, reversing a lower court’s ruling that found Gov. Christie’s roughly $1.6 billion cut in 2015 pension contributions violated an enforceable contractual obligation. The state’s high court ruling effectively allows that and future proposed cuts to stand….Rachel Greszler -
Chris Christie Vows to Scrap Common Core in New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he will pull the state out of Common Core education standards—increasingly unpopular among parents and teachers alike—in favor of “higher, New Jersey-based standards” to be developed by the end of the year. He has asked the state’s top education official to convene parents, teachers and educators to drive development of…Ken McIntyre -
How Much Will Chris Christie’s White House Bid Cost New Jersey Taxpayers?
As his first official step in a likely run for the White House, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has formed a political action committee to raise money, hire a staff and fund his campaign trips. For New Jersey taxpayers, the bad news will be an increase in Christie’s out-of-state political sojourns and the cost of…Mark Lagerkvist -
NIH Director Warns of Unintended Consequences from Mandatory Quarantines in New York, New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced mandatory quarantines for health workers returning from West Africa. However, such a policy could have negative, unintended consequences, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned today. During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Fauci said that…Melissa Quinn -
In New Jersey, an Uphill Race for Senate Resets the Gold Standard
“Hands Across New Jersey.” That was the name given to the grassroots movement that came together in response to the $2.8 billion tax increase New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio pushed through after taking office in 1990. Florio, a Democrat, had said throughout the campaign that he saw “no need for new taxes.” When he went…Kevin Mooney -
Did New Jersey School’s Anti-Bullying Policy Go Too Far?
Education officials in New Jersey are being sued for allegedly infringing on a student’s free-speech rights when he was accused of bullying another student. According to a lawsuit filed by the Rutherford Institute, a school nurse sent a letter to parents informing them a student had head lice. While fourth-grade students were working in small groups, one student…Mary Tillotson -
Can Chris Christie Fix New Jersey’s Budget ‘Disaster’?
New Jersey’s budget mess is so bad a judge last week ruled it a “disaster.” It could be even worse in the new fiscal year that began Tuesday. At stake is a financial future of New Jersey, struggling under the weight of a $51 billion shortfall in the state retirement system. Gov. Chris Christie on…Mark Lagerkvist