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The Jaffe Briefing - October 18, 2021

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – It’s a terrific headline: Gov. Phil Murphy raised the state budget by $11 billion! That’s the ongoing message from his gubernatorial challenger, Jack Ciatarrelli. But there are some devils in the details, of course, such as a global pandemic and an enormous influx of federal aid to bail out New Jerseyans. Let’s offer up a dizzying amount of numbers: NJ is now running on an unexpected $10.1 billion surplus, with robust tax collections and $6.2 billion in federal relief money. Murphy has thrown a record $6.9 billion at the state pension system, while previous governors from the 1990s and 2000s famously shortchanged it, creating a decades-long mess of mounting interest. Murphy has devoted $3.7 billion for state debt, NJ.com reports, as well as to support tax rebate programs. Still, Ciatarrelli says “state government is bloated, inefficient and corrupted by special interests” and he is correct. But it’s the same old question: Where can a new governor drastically cut the state budget and still get re-elected?

TRENTON – Another campaign season for governor, and another season in which property taxes in New Jersey remain the highest in the nation, an average of $9,112. Under Murphy, the average bill has increased about $350 over four years. Not outrageous, but still presses yet another pesky question: With a new governor, can taxes actually go down? Ha-Ha, that’s funny. The answer, of course, is no. But the candidates can’t say that. Here’s what they are saying: Murphy says if the state spends more on public education, the burden won’t fall as much on local property taxpayers. Meanwhile Ciatarrelli, a former accountant, wants to overhaul the state formula for public education, driving down costs. Lots of fuzz with one clear fact: four more years of tax hikes.

TRENTON – When you call a state office this morning, someone may actually answer the phone. No, we are not kidding. State workers are expected to arrive in their offices bright and early this morning, and spend five days this week in the office. Previously, workers only needed to appear in the office twice weekly or so, masked. Now, beginning today, they must be fully vaccinated or face a barrage of ongoing COVID testing. NJ.com reports the state workforce has dropped by about 4% since last March, losing 3,200 workers or so, with some opting to retire rather than trudging back to Trenton or wherever else in the state they are expected to show up at work. Maybe a few thousand more will retire, and New Jerseyans can see if they notice a difference in their daily lives.

BRIEFING BREATHER

People used to say “prunes” instead of “cheese” when having their pictures taken.

STATEWIDE – Eager to find something to hoard? The Record reports that the supply chain is still a drag on the economy in this second full year of the pandemic. So, when you run to the grocery store in the next wave of panic, what shelves should you clear?  Head to the soda aisle, as there will be a shortage of CO2, and buy more chicken, as people are hitting the fast-food restaurants like crazy and creating a shortage. There’s also coffee limits, with a drought in Brazil, as well as diaper shortages, with some raw material issues. Other crazy stuff, like a customs dispute between the U.S. and Canada over Alaska pollock, will jack up your price on fish sticks, while Ben & Jerry’s can’t find anyone to produce their ice cream, limiting production. Walk, don’t run, to the store, please.

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

BANGOR, MAINE – If you can’t say it on the 6 o’clock news, then it shouldn’t appear on your license plate. That’s the message from state officials, who are finally banning the anything-goes policy when it comes to vanity plates. One plate literally spelled out “FU,” prompting state officials to pass a law effective today in an effort to rid the road of plates that include f-bombs, references to less-than-impressive anatomy, aerobic sex acts, “your mother” jokes and general insults. Of course, some freedom-of-speech people are screaming about the First Amendment and all, but the state is holding firm. Eventually, Maine will attempt to recall all the offensive license plates currently on the roads, which should prompt plenty more salty language among all those proud, foul-mouthed motorists.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

It was this day in 2013 that NASA discovered a giant asteroid that has a one-in-63,000 chance of smashing into Earth in 2032, destroying everything. We’ll give you a head’s up.

WORD OF THE DAY

Gossamer – [GAH-suh-mer] – adjective

Definition: Extremely light, delicate or tenuous

Example: The Giants offensive line played with gossamer arms.

WIT OF THE DAY

“Human beings have an inalienable right to invent themselves.”

-Germaine Greer

BIDEN BLURB

“As a child of God, I believe my rights are not derived from the constitution. My rights are not derived from any government. My rights are not denied by any majority. My rights are because I exist.”

– Joe Biden

WEATHER IN A WORD

Fall!