The Jaffe Briefing - October 7, 2021
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – Great Scott!! The sky is blue, the leaves are changing, and somehow it’s news that the Biden team is endorsing a fellow Democrat, Gov. Phil Murphy, for another four-year term. Political parties would endorse potted plants if they happen to be members of the same party, so this is not groundbreaking stuff. Yet, alas, the media is covering this “news,” so here we go: “Governor Murphy is getting folks vaccinated to beat the pandemic,” Biden said in a statement, (insert yawn here.) “He’s delivering economic relief to working families and supports my plans to build back better by investing in our infrastructure and in our people — with child care, elder care, paid leave, and more.” So, there ya go, with this landmark endorsement. Save space on Page 1.
LAKEWOOD – Two things evident in this town: The school district is hopelessly broke and the school board attorney makes a fortune. Nothing ever seems to change, except the fact that it’s now on Gov. Phil Murphy’s radar. Murphy called the attorney’s $1 million compensation “eye-popping” during a meeting Tuesday with the Asbury Park Press, but stopped short on demanding a state review. “I also have to tell you as we sit here, I don’t have insight into the particulars of it,” the governor said. The newspaper reported the attorney failed to fully detail what tasks he performed for more than half his pay, as required by his contract. So, what does this mean? Likely another school year, with another $1 million bill, and a school district begging the state, again, for a bailout.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – Want to be a poll worker… pretty please? With the insatiable demand for poll workers for the upcoming election – and plenty of New Jerseyans who are still tepid about the whole concept of working – Gov. Phil Murphy is upping the offer. Now, poll workers can earn $300 a day, rather than $200, on Election Day, Nov. 2. Also, during the nine early voting days from Oct. 23-31, poll workers will see an increase in their hourly wages. So, yes, the work is still dreadfully boring as the clock slowly tick, tick, ticks throughout the day. But the pot is getting some nice sweeteners.
BRIEFING BREATHER
In a study of 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, not one buried its head in the sand.
DOWN THE SHORE – Buying that little slice of overpriced heaven at the Jersey Shore was a no-brainer on Memorial Day, but get ready to pay for the harsh reality of climate change. FEMA is again tinkering with its federally-subsidized flood insurance and that means that property owners near waterways should be prepared to pay plenty more in the years to come, NJ.com reports. Rates are going up in April, with nearly 80% of the policy holders in New Jersey expected to pay more. Hundreds of policyholders would see a $1,200 bump or so and annual increases that could be as high as 18%. Yes, things are getting more expensive, if that could be possible. But, as they say, those oceanfront views are priceless.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Nice to have a satisfied customer. A longtime Alabama sheriff – convicted of theft and ethics violations – has given a five-star review to the jail where he sat for two weeks. That makes sense; he ran this particular lock-up for decades. Rather than focusing on the fact that he stole $4,000 from his own campaign account and took no-interest loans from the Limestone County jail, he gushed to media about the prison food and the friendly prison staff. “Best jail in the state of Alabama — that’s another thing I’m proud of.” Ousted Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely says he also really liked his friendly fellow inmates, adding some even offered to have food delivered to the jail, if that’s possible. “I said, ‘No, I eat the jail food ’cause I love it because I’ve been eating it for the last 38 years.”
WASHINGTON – America is trying to wrap its weary head around the proposed trillion-dollar coin, the latest gimmick on Capitol Hill for the treasury to spend more money than it takes in. The government is set to run out of money in 11 days and needs to increase the debt ceiling yet again. And how do you do that? How about President Biden orders the creation of a trillion-dollar coin and then deposit it in the Federal Reserve? Boom. There would be more money to pay off debt and no more concern of a government shutdown. Case closed. Of course, nothing is so darn simple, as dropping an extra trillion bucks on the market weakens the dollar, circumvents the will of Congress, messes with the stock market and creates plenty of late-night jokes. So, will this accounting trick happen? Flip a coin.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 2014 for an unintended ObamaCare consequence: Walmart announces an increase in health care premiums for all employees and booted 30,000 or so part-timers off its grand plan.
WORD OF THE DAY
Gramarye – [gramuhree] – noun
Definition: Occult learning; magic.
Example: I perform feats of gramarye that leave my audience gawping. In short, I’m an astounding magician.
WIT OF THE DAY
“The difference between a thief and a congressman: When a thief steals your money, he doesn't expect you to thank him.”
― Walter E. Will
BIDEN BLURB
“Any dollar that goes to someone that does not merit it under the law, any dollar taken corruptly, we will find it, we will come get it and we will punish the wrongdoers, that should start tomorrow.”
– Joe Biden
WORD OF THE DAY
Dreamy