Politics
2022 spending bill included all but one add-on spending request
As lawmakers finalized New Jersey’s budget in June, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration and legislators submitted 407 requests for additional spending. Just one of those requests was denied outright, according to a review of budget resolutions. The budget add-ons, often referred to as “pork” or “Christmas-tree items,” helped push the final price tag of the state’s budget […]
Hurdles persist for undocumented immigrants seeking N.J. driver’s licenses
It’s been three months since New Jersey implemented a law allowing undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses and members of that community say they face multiple hurdles trying to obtain them. From being denied translators to getting turned away despite possessing valid documents to a booked-solid appointment system, advocacy groups argue too many people keep running […]
Menendez among US lawmakers calling for more help for Cuban people
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is still trying to restore internet access cut off by the Cuban government after thousands of protesting Afro-Cubans took to the island’s streets calling for democratic reform. Florida lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, are lobbying the administration to support the protests, as well as quickly get internet access back to […]
Roselle Park’s foolish attack on free speech
Roselle Park wasted taxpayer resources and courts’ time with its foolish and unconstitutional targeting of a pro-Trump borough resident. The “Fuck Biden” flags on display next to Andrea Dick’s home may be tacky and the message on them may be unsubtle, but they are an obvious display of political speech protected by the First Amendment. […]
N.J.’s part-time legislature exposes state to abuse. It’s not likely to change.
In early 2003, reports accusing a top member of the New Jersey Legislature of overbilling municipalities where he served as an attorney began to emerge in the press. They charged that co-Senate President John Bennett sent duplicate bills to Marlboro Township, which his law firm represented. The saga saw party support ebb from Bennett and […]
Roselle Park bows out of fight over profane anti-Biden flags
Roselle Park has dropped its case against a borough resident who displayed profane anti-Biden flags outside her home, a decision applauded by free speech experts who said town officials were violating the resident’s free speech protections. The borough’s attorney told a state Superior Court judge in Union County Tuesday that Roselle Park would dismiss the […]