The Morning Briefing - June 14, 2016
TRENTON - The latest concoction of proposals to solve the state's woes is now banging around the State Senate. Try to follow: There would be a 23-cent increase in taxes for each gallon of gas purchased. Yet, there would be cuts in retirement and estate taxes that would hit the state coffers to the tune of $1 billion a year. But, then, there's $500 million in tax increases from the gas tax to fund the state's broke transportation fund. In the end, this would be an apparent victory for seniors, the poor and retirees, while motorists, such as those from out-of-state who dare to drive through, would take a direct hit. Gov. Chris Christie figures this all equals a $1.4 billion tax increase, but bi-partisan leadership appears intrigued.
TRENTON - South Jersey is taking on North Jersey in the battle over the casinos. They've formed the "No North Jersey Casinos Coalition," with the sole goal of defeating a referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot that would allow casinos in North Jersey. Interesting to see if there will now be a "No South Jersey Casinos Coalition," which will argue that Atlantic City had a 40-year monopoly and completely botched the casino business. There could also be a "No South Jersey or North Jersey Casinos Coalition" by people in Central Jersey, who may feel left out with all these possible casino coalitions. Right now, the polls show that voters are split on the issue down geographic lines. It's like the "Pork Roll v. Taylor Ham" debate all over again.
POMPTON LAKES - In what seems like another "only in New Jersey" story, Pompton Lakes opened a new dog park last month. Yet, no dogs are allowed. That's because borough laws don't allow dogs to go inside. Huh? Even Councilman Lloyd Kent was caught in the madness, the Record reports, as he walked his dog close to the entrance of Hershfield Park and was told by a cop to keep the dog away. That's because, under the law, owners must keep the dogs leashed at all times. Looks like a job for the borough's "Ordinance Committee" to figure out.
VINELAND & BARNEGAT - For those interested in the ongoing stories of teachers hitting on their students, there's plenty to report today. In Vineland, a language arts teacher at Anthony Rossi Intermediate School is on paid leave after allegedly sending sexual emails to a 13-year-old girl. Meanwhile, in Barnegat, a state-appointed arbitrator found the district didn't properly document claims that a teacher inappropriately touched a female student. That means he'll be back at Brackman Middle School this fall, where he is a sports coach. The good news: summer recess begins next week.
IN THE MEDIA
WASHINGTON - Donald Trump continues to reinterpret the U.S. Constitution, making history yesterday by revoking the press credentials to The Washington Post. The highly-reputable newspaper is the latest media outlet to hit the Trump buzzsaw, as credentials have already been revoked for The Daily Beast, Politico and the Des Moines Register. Trump was rightfully ticked at a Post headline yesterday, which read, "Donald Trump suggests President Obama was involved with Orlando shooting." It was changed yesterday afternoon to "Donald Trump seems to connect President Obama to Orlando shooting." Yes, some shoddy headline-writing here, but c'mon. Kathleen Carroll, AP's executive editor, put it well last night: "The founders who crafted the U.S. Constitution may very well have disliked some of the stories written about them, but they enshrined the right to a free press in the First Amendment anyway." America, please wake up.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
EDGECOMB, Maine - A teacher founded The Centre for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb. She was selected from a pool of 1,300 applicants for the first Varkey Foundation award in 2015. And she won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize. But the big news, reports the Portland Press Herald, is that she shoplifted a $14.99 blouse. Charges will be dropped with a big caveat: She donates the $1 million. Might be worth going to court on this one.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was a big loss for the drunks on this day in 1990, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it was constitutional to conduct roadside tests.
WORD OF THE DAY
Wisenheimer - noun
Definition: A real smart-aleck
Example: Why, you little wisenheimer! I'll throttle ya!
WEATHER IN A WORD
Hooky-time.