The Morning Briefing - November 2, 2016
ON THE ROADS – Well, yep, we now have a new gas tax. But an informal study during the morning commute to Newark shows regular gas selling for around $2.18 a gallon at those bargain stations on Route 22. So, we are not exactly ready to protest in the streets, or tar and feather our local assemblyman. Yet, state lawmakers are wondering if they will ultimately feel the wrath of the public over this 23-cent-a-gallon tax hike. Probably not; unless this new infusion of cash is somehow not used for pothole repair, bridge reconstruction and all the other transportation projects so desperately needed, and promised.
STOCKTON — That guy with a wild mop of white hair on our twenty-dollar bills, Andrew Jackson, was re-elected President in 1832, the same year New Jersey's oldest and smallest elementary school opened here. Now, flash forward 184 years, the fate of Stockton’s historic little school is in jeopardy if the regional school district decides that closing it could save fists full of $20s. Officials tell NJ.com that it enrolls fewer than 50 pupils, but they may turn it into a magnet school to attract more kids, perhaps eager to taste an era of wagon trains. The school’s fate is up for discussion at a community meeting tonight. Quaint is always nice; so are 21st century educational facilities.
PATERSON – The story seems to be the same in the Silk City: one step forward, three steps back. The city hires a financial consulting services company, funded with $250,000 from the state, to help get the books under control. Good, right? But then the intrepid Paterson Press discovers the firm performed a bogus audit for the town of Ramapo in Rockland County, forgoing $380,000 in fees and paying $175,000 in penalties. The Paterson Press runs to city officials with the news. Of course, no one knew about it. Paterson now needs to decide: Do they rescind the $160-an-hour contract?
ATLANTIC CITY – The state has been salivating to take over Atlantic City for months, and it looks like city officials have finally run out of aces. Gov. Chris Christie is rejecting the latest financial recovery plan, saying the city’s plan won’t stabilize the budget, calling it largely “speculative” and ultimately “deficient.” City officials have vowed to appeal any decision to strip their power, claiming Christie has “truly missed a golden opportunity.” Based on past performance, such claims are uproarious. But the big question remains: Can the state do any better?
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
AUBURN, Ky. – Is it persecution, or just an effort to keep horse poop off the streets? Depends on who you ask in Auburn, where Amish residents are flipping their bonnets over a new ordinance requiring horses to wear collection bags. The Daily News of Bowling Green says many Amish feel targeted and refuse to comply with the law, claiming such bags would scare the horses. Auburn officials say this has nothing to do with rights; they just don’t want to see or smell horse crap on modern streets. The issue is now in the courts.
FULL OF BEANS – As the nastiest, most caustic Presidential campaign in memory lurches to an end, Starbucks is offering a green glimmer of hope and unity. The Seattle-based coffee giant just unveiled a limited-edition green cup featuring a line drawing of characters – from a coffee farmer and barista to a family and friends – embracing one another. CEO Howard Schultz says with such “a divisive time in our country” people need “a reminder of our shared values and the need to be good to each other.” Ad Week says many caffeine-infused people aren’t buying it, and let the coffee chain know on Twitter:
@Starbucks Screw you. My coffee should NOT (and does NOT) come with political brainwashing. I dropped @Starbucks like a hot rock. — #F&%kHillary (@RadioAnna)
@Starbucks stop pushing your liberal bullshit and sell coffee. Lifelong customer becoming disgusted with the forced agenda. #HolidayCupsNow — Archie Bunker (@ArchieBunker19)
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was two years ago the United Nations issued an alarming report, saying immediate global actions must be taken to prevent runaway impacts of climate change. If we don’t act now, extensive future damage will cost too much money to correct.
So, obviously, this would be a major debate topic in the Presidential race… er, right?
WORD OF THE DAY
Variegated [VAIR-ee-uh-gay-tud] – adjective
Definition: Various, diverse
Example: With six days until Election Day, perhaps we can all agree the political candidates have variegated slime thrown at them.
WEATHER IN A WORD
Perfect