The Jaffe Briefing - April 11, 2018
OUR TAKE ON THE NEWS IN NEW JERSEY
TRENTON - Sure, New Jersey loves the idea of free community college and expanded pre-K education. But are we willing to pay for it? Gov. Phil Murphy's proposed $37.4 billion budget is now getting picked apart in the state Legislature - with criticism even coming from Democratic circles. That's because of a net $1.5 billion in tax increases and $600 million in new spending that is needed to shore up this progressive spending plan. New programs create new taxes, and that creates skittish lawmakers who do not want to be tagged with any of it. So, perhaps we need to wait one or two more budget cycles before Murphy's vision for New Jersey can become a reality.
KEYPORT - A message from Monmouth County to Keyport: Hush up. County officials say the town is clearly violating the state Noise Control Act of 1971 by playing chimes every night at 6 p.m. from a speaker affixed to a 50-foot metal pole. The goal is to give a nice Big Ben feel to Keyport, with "Westminster Chimes" played over the emergency alert system. Keyport officials say it is all about harkening the cherished past, when kids actually went outside and would hear the chimes as a gentle alert to come home for dinner, NJ.com reports. Fine, says Monmouth County. But if you keep playing the chimes from this virtual clock tower, expect a fine.
PATERSON - It's one big political crapshoot in Silk City, where the most contentious campaign in years is in full swing. With the May 8 election just four weeks away, there is still no clear front-runner among the six men - including four councilmen - jockeying to be the next mayor. Another 14 candidates are crossing swords over three council seats. The Paterson Press says "hardly a day goes by" without candidates firing off new accusation-laced press releases and social media posts about endorsements or headline-grabbing proposals. The ultimate winner will certainly be butchered and battered, but somehow required to create consensus.
TRENTON - While perhaps less contentious than the race in Paterson, this city's upcoming mayoral race has been mired in accusations of favoritism, social media attacks and a series of campaign headquarter break-ins. Just this week, The Trentonian reports that one mayoral hopeful got evicted from his home of 18 years as ... wait for it ... a potential squatter? No, seriously. With eight contenders vying to replace one-term Mayor Eric Jackson and 20 hopefuls running for six City Council seats, expect plenty more campaign shenanigans.
IN THE MEDIA
STATEWIDE - An odd story on NJ 101.5 this morning, in which the news site is defending the questionable claim that auto dealerships charge the same amount for basic repairs as your local mechanic. The news site went as far as to interview a Nissan dealer, who just happens to be an advertiser, to "debunk the myth that a dealership service costs more." You can listen to the free plug here. No one can blame NJ 101.5 for trying to make a buck, but the rest of the news site includes reputable, unbiased information. So why stick this advertisement in a legitimate news feed and portray it as real information?
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
MINNEAPOLIS - Workers renovating the old Dayton's department store in downtown Minneapolis are scratching their heads: a mummified monkey was discovered in the duct work on the seventh floor. No clue when or why this monkey arrived at the century-old department store. There is an unsubstantiated rumor that a monkey escaped from an eighth-floor pet store into the air conditioning system in the 1960s. Or maybe it was brought in for a big sale on monkey suits. Or perhaps it was chasing the banana truck. Or maybe we are just monkeying around.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1986 that a 50-cent piece from 1921 was auctioned off in New York City for $22,000. It could also have paid for two rounds of Pac-man at the local arcade.
WORD OF THE DAY
Maladroit - [mal-uh-DROYT] - adjective
Definition: Lacking skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situation
Example: Will the 33-year-old CEO of Facebook have a maladroit performance today before Congress?
WEATHER IN A WORD
Warming