The Jaffe Briefing - September 14, 2021

STATEWIDE – When we talk about the trillions of dollars that the U.S. government is throwing around these days, New Jersey has just one ask: Increase the $10,000 federal tax deduction on our property taxes. Even though Democrats run things in New Jersey and on Capitol Hill, New Jersey appears to be losing out… again. House Democrats are still tinkering with their big, controversial $3.5 trillion plan, yet it looks like the so-called SALT relief will not be part of the spending package. And what does that mean? High-tax states like ours – with our property taxpayers shelling out waaay more than $10,000 a year – will continue to get whacked. Our Congressional delegation vows to continue the fight; it’s likely up to our two senators to now get in the ring.

TRENTON – When New Jersey learned this spring that it would reap $6.2 billion in federal aid, we just figured the cash would be raining from the sky, getting stuck in our wiper blades as we drove down a gold-plated Turnpike. But the Record reports this emergency aid has been released only at a dribble, with just $120.3 million — or 2% — of the “American Rescue Plan” money actually spent. There are lots of logical reasons, such as the state is awaiting federal reimbursement, or programs are still in development, or more details are needed by applicants or current programs are already receiving government funding from elsewhere. The state vows to do this correctly, thus squeezing out every penny. And that means to closely follow federal rules and reporting requirements. Boring and slow? Yes. But this is Jersey’s fair shot to finally get money from stingy Uncle Sam, who always seems to favor his other nephews.

STATEWIDE – Angry anti-maskers – including parents and teachers – went to the courts, demanding that a judge block Gov. Phil Murphy’s mandate for masks in our public schools. But U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty was not swayed by the arguments, pointing to the “unequivocal advice from the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] that mask wearing is efficacious… It is clearly a response to the infection rates, which are rising.” Politico reports the judge also found the request for a temporary restraining order to be “irrational,” adding the state has the power to turn to infectious disease experts to decide what is best for the kiddies. The court ruling makes for great reading among our conspiracy theorists, who likely assume the federal courts are now sponsored by Pfizer.

BRIEFING BREATHER

There is an annual coffee break festival.

STATEWIDE – President Biden has a big red circle around September 20, the day Americans are supposed to begin getting booster shots to provide further COVID protection. But, as Politico reports, there are a lot of hurdles here. New Jersey’s leaders are sitting on their hands a bit, awaiting word on who is eligible, when they are eligible and how they will be eligible. Some of the state’s six vaccine megasites could reopen, as they proved extremely successful in administering 2 million doses through the first half of the year. All eyes are on the feds.

IN THE MEDIA

ON THE AIR – If you listen to that guy who talks loudly into a NJ 101.5 microphone every morning, you would be convinced that COVID is the hoax of the century and that all of us vaccinated people are just suckers of Big Pharma. The guy is certainly compelling, at least to all the sycophant callers who appear on air to publicly agree with him. Now, back to real life. As of Aug. 30, 18,390 fully-vaccinated people had tested positive for the virus in New Jersey. That’s roughly 0.35% of the 5.3 million people who were fully vaccinated by that day; just 386 of those residents, or 0.007%, needed hospitalization. Ninety-seven died, making up just 0.002% of those vaccinated. So, yes, again, vaccination works. Yet you won’t hear those stats on NJ 101.5 during the morning drive. Why? Not good for ratings.

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

VIENNA – For more than two hours, an Ethiopian marathoner huffed and puffed, and was able to squeak out a big win – just three seconds in front of the second place finisher. But as the 24-year-old winner gasped for some air and a well-deserved gulp of water on Sunday, judges noticed something a bit odd: his shoes. The soles were one centimeter thicker than allowed by course rules. It seems the runner did a little switcheroo, switching the pair right before the race started. The second-place finisher – at 2 hours, 9 minutes and 25 seconds – was crowned the champ.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

How’s this for a family business? It was on this day in 1990 that Ken Griffey, Sr. and Ken Griffey, Jr. hit back-to-back homers to start off the game.

WORD OF THE DAY

Brogue – [BROHG] – noun

Definition: A brogue is a low shoe, usually made of leather, with perforations and a wing tip.

Example: My brogues are old, scuffed and worn through, yet I will own them forever.

WIT OF THE DAY

“I used to get things done by saying please. Now I dynamite 'em out of my path."

-former Louisiana Gov. Huey Long

BIDEN BLURB

“If these governors won’t help us beat the pandemic, we will get them out of the way.”

-Joe Biden 

WEATHER IN A WORD

Sweet