The Jaffe Briefing - March 22, 2022

TRENTON – The proposed state budget is great – or not – depending upon who you ask. The haves and the have-nots were eager to share their thoughts yesterday before the Assembly Budget Committee, launching a season of public hearings to hear what everyone thinks about the governor’s proposed $48.9 billion spending plan. This brings out a casting call of special interests, lobbyists, trade groups, unions and perhaps even a real resident or two, all of whom have plenty to say about the $4.6 billion surplus in the current budget and a projected $4.2 billion in extra cash for fiscal ’23. Everyone had an opinion, of course, some saying the largest proposed budget in state history doesn’t really help those who need it, while others say the state is just spending way too much, despite the heaps of money to throw around. All seem to agree about one major concern: Inflation is sucking away all the fun.

TRENTON – State motor vehicle officials are still trying to enhance customer service – even offering mobile MVC units that drop into various towns to serve the yearning public. Yet, the Record reports, there are plenty of ticked-off residents, still complaining of staffing shortages, limited facilities and high demands, as some motor vehicle customers wait weeks for an appointment. The biggest angst is among first-time drivers looking for permits, which could take months.  Now, to be fair, we aren’t seeing that, as parents of teen drivers. But others tell the newspaper that eager 16-year-olds are booking appointments in other rural areas of the state, where the demand isn’t as high, and still need to wait weeks. The state admits it remains an uphill battle, and has been able to add about 1,200 appointments a day, statewide. But, particularly in North Jersey, people continue to wait and wait.

BRIEFING BREATHER

It’s been long assumed pigs roll in the mud to stay cool, but they just do it for fun.

STATEWIDE – Breathe relief, New Jersey: it looks like we won’t have to start pumping our own gas. (Whew!)  Senate President Nick Scutari says the recent push to bring self-serve gas to New Jersey is as dead as a 1962 Studebaker, telling New Jersey Monitor that motorists like things just the way they are. He also notes there is no proof that moving to self-service will save money at the pump. And you can’t ignore the recent Rutgers-Eagleton poll reported here, showing 73% of drivers want someone else pumping their gas. With Scutari’s lack of support, and his power to bring legislation to the Senate floor, assume the proposed bill is killed.

STATEWIDE – Meanwhile, New Jerseyans are still concerned about the high cost of gas, affecting everyone, everywhere. Many post a great argument: How about New Jersey suspend taxing our gas for a little while, until the prices come back down? Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo tells Politico  that’s fine – as long as the feds pay for it.  New Jersey’s gas taxes are used to fund the state's Transportation Trust Fund, which pays to fix many of our notorious crumbling roads and bridges.  A reduction in the gas tax will be a direct hit on the state fund, forcing New Jerseyans to keep on paying, just in a different way. So, as usual, the motorist does not win. Here’s something: How about using some of the billions of dollars in state surplus to fund a nice, little gas holiday?

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

MATINICUS ISLAND, Maine – You’ve got a great book, but closed-minded people who want to save the planet from alleged filth have deemed it inappropriate. So, where does it go? To a tiny library in Matinicus Island, about 22 miles off the Maine coast, which is filling its shelves with canceled, classic books from elsewhere. Here’s what you will find (and prepare yourself): “And Tango Makes Three,” the story of two male penguins that raise a chick together. There’s also the despised, terrific classics like “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood and “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck. The Bangor Daily News says the library is actively buying banned books to push back. As this operation is low-budget, there’s no money for a librarian on this island of 100 people. Just borrow what you want, and bring it back at some point. And, please, enjoy being aghast.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

It was this day in 1998 that the movie “Con Air” won a Golden Raspberry in the category of “Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life.”

WORD OF THE DAY

Furtive – [FER-tiv] – adjective

Definition: Done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed

Example: In a furtive way, I googled “Why does Saint Peter’s – a small, private Jesuit university in a congested city – have a peacock as its mascot?”

WIT OF THE DAY

“Each Javelin round costs $80,000, and the idea that it's fired by a guy who doesn't make that in a year at a guy who doesn't make that in a lifetime is somehow so outrageous it almost makes the war seem winnable.” 

-Sebastian Junger

BIDEN BLURB

“Anyone who's traveled with me to Afghanistan knows why I love this book: 'War,' by Sebastian Junger.”

-Joe Biden

WEATHER IN A WORD

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