The Jaffe Briefing - September 28, 2017
OUR TAKE ON THE NEWS IN NEW JERSEY
STATEWIDE - In what has become a huge bidding war, New Jersey is poised to offer $5 billion in tax incentives over 10 years to Amazon if it locates a headquarters in the state. NJ Spotlight reports the staggering sum is being offered, with the belief that Amazon will spend $5 billion and bring 50,000 good jobs to the state, taking advantage of a terrific transportation network and 24-hour diners. And there's this local sweepstakes going on, as well, with every major and mid-sized city and town in the state claiming they offer the absolute best amenities and workforce to accommodate the mega-operation that Amazon is dubbing "HQ2." It's all fascinating to watch, with the Oct. 19 application deadline quickly approaching.
NEW BRUNSWICK - Rutgers University students may want to add another five pounds onto the "Freshman 15," with word that McDonald's is now delivering straight to the dorm room. Just imagine the end of those late nights when you would sit around with your pals, saying, "Man, I could use some really, really awful food." Now, students just sign up for "McDelivery" on UberEATS, and one of the billion McDonald's located in greater Middlesex County would be happy to run over with a sack of Double Quarter Pounders with cheese, TAPInto New Brunswick reports. All a student needs is the downloaded app and dad's credit card. (Sorry, ice cream cones will not be delivered, for obvious reasons.)
STATEWIDE - It's the height of election season, so don't expect Phil Murphy or Kim Guadagno to agree on anything. Well, almost anything. In a move
that can best be described as unprecedented, the two leading candidates for governor have issued a joint press release, urging people to support a statewide charity designed to raise funds for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. The fund is called "New Jersey for Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief" and we can all assume the effort is completely bipartisan. Empty your wallet here.
THE BURBS - So, you've finally landed yourself that big house in the suburbs, figuring someone out there will plunk down hundreds of thousands of dollars for it, at some point, as you cascade to a warmer, tax-friendly climate. But New Jersey Future is questioning who that home buyer will be, reporting that millennials are ignoring parts of the state that are not "walkable." NJ 101.5 reports that millennials like hanging around places like Hoboken or Jersey City, but their overall numbers in the state have declined by more than 2 percent - even though they comprise the largest generation in American history. Why? Because New Jersey is too darn expensive, and who wants to live in your big, unaffordable home that's no where near trendy stuff? Sheesh.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
BERLIN - If you own a $350,000 sports car, perhaps you shouldn't be speeding around the German countryside. There are donkeys out there, and one may want to take a bite out of your car. The owner of a McLaren - a kick-butt, super-awesome car - is now in court, trying to get the owner of a donkey to pay about 5,000 euros for repairs. The donkey isn't talking, but cops believe he assumed the orange car was a giant carrot and figured he would chew on the rear. Unclear why the guy parked his gem next to a donkey. Someone is clearly an ass.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 2015 that NASA detected "liquid water" on Mars.... (as opposed to a water that is not liquid?) It was in the form of hydrated salts that appeared in balmy weather, around 10 degrees, raising the question yet again: Could there be life on Mars?
Oh, and... Happy National Drink Beer Day!
WORD OF THE DAY
Yeasty: [YEES-tee] - adjective
Definition: Of, relating to, or resembling yeast
Example: I like the delivery service to my dorm, but my Quarter Pounder tasted a wee bit yeasty.
WEATHER IN A WORD
Blustery