Marijuana Updates
Claude Brodesser-Akner at NJ.com says legal recreational marijuana might not pass after a number of Dems in the state legislature said they were nos. But Nick Scutari, the bill’s sponsor, said, he still expected the bill to become law. “I think your math is wrong,” Scutari said.
Jeff Van Drew is one of the nos. Chris Brown has said he’s got an “open mind.”
Ronald Rice, of the 28th LD said the priority should be to ” indemnify and free the disproportionately high number of people of color in the Garden State who have been prosecuted or incarcerated for marijuana possession,” in CB-A’s words.
Small-Town Spending
The APP reports that Brian Rumpf, “a Republican from Little Egg Harbor, who has represented the state’s 9th Legislative District in Ocean, Burlington and Atlantic counties since 2003,” was appointed director of personnel and program development at the Ocean County Health Department at an annual salary of $139,000. He also gets a base salary of $49,000 as assemblyman.
“The question as to whether Rumpf should resign his Assembly seat was one debated at the highest levels of the Ocean County Republican Organization,” Erik Larsen reports.
Incident at Mad Horse Creek
The state DEP is set to demolish four secluded and amazing old fishing cabins along the “windswept marshes of Lower Alloways Creek” that are on state land, illegally, allegedly. The cabins are decades old, “[u]sed by hunters, fishermen and pleasure boaters, they are part of the rural landscape and the heritage of the region,” Bill Gallo writes.
The state says the cabins weren’t there when they bought the land. The cabin owners say they’ve been there for generations and they can prove it but the state just doesn’t want to listen.
Some of these little buildings are really beautiful and you should check out the NJ.com photo essay from back in November too.
Christmastime in New Orleans
Spirit Airlines is offering direct flights from Atlantic City to New Orleans, where the airport is named for Louis Armstrong. The service is set to start April 13, which is just about the time of year when my interest in going to New Orleans begins to wane. Tickets were $49 one-way according to an email Route 40 got yesterday.
Our Charming Overseers
Atlantic City Councilman Jesse “the Body” Kurtz called the 10% interest rate the city is paying on health and pension payments deferred by the state “loan-shark” rates, Mel Taylor reports. I’m not a banker, but 10% does seem a little high. Weren’t the state’s financial wizards sent down here to lend an air of creditworthiness to these dealings and thereby lower rates?
Speaking of whom, Timothy Cunningham from Trenton told the city council he would be “sticking around “for a little while longer” despite rumors to the contrary, Erin Serpico at the Press of AC reports.
Mayor Gilliam also told Erin he can’t hire his own department heads because: Trenton. “The state designee has made it very clear that he doesn’t want me to hire any new directors,” Gilliam reportedly said.
On the Twitter Box, Jim Kennedy (the former CRDA head) notes, “Atlantic City has now been under State Supervision longer than Baghdad was occupied by American forces. The State Government needs to publish for Atlantic City a framework and schedule for troop withdrawal.”
Atlantic City has now been under State Supervision longer than Bahgdad was occupied by American forces. The State Government needs to publish for Atlantic City a framework & schedule for troop withdrawal.
— Jim Kennedy (@ACEconPolicy) January 19, 2018
Babes in Business Upends Networking For Women At Jersey Shore–Jennifer Chavez had lots of questions about writing a plan, doing taxes, creating a website, and everything else that goes into starting a business, so she did what anyone in her predicament would do: She Googled it. www.app.com
Amazon Hired Thousands Of New Jersey Workers–Amazon in New Jersey saw a massive response to its expansion as people lined up at several Amazon Fulfillment Centers to apply for jobs. www.app.com
Couple Arrested For Allegedly Forcing Teen Into Prostitution–A man and woman are charged with human trafficking after allegedly forcing a teenager into prostitution. The 17-year-old victim was found walking along Interstate 295 in Lawrence Township at about 11 pm January 1. breakingac.com
DOT Says No Roundabout Without Absecon Council’s OK–More than 50 residents filed into the Municipal Complex courtroom Tuesday, January 16, many to question officials from the state Department of Transportation about a proposal to convert a busy five-way intersection into a roundabout. The DOT and KMA Consulting Engineers have said the proposed reconstruction at Mill, Pitney and New roads could improve safety, reduce congestion, save money and enhance the community. www.shorenewstoday.com
Jersey Shore Children’s Museum Closes After 20 Years–Makayla Dreby, 3, of Galloway Township received a membership to the Jersey Shore Children’s Museum in the Hamilton Mall as a Christmas gift. But she won't be able to use it, because the museum closed a week later. www.shorenewstoday.com
Watching NJ Teacher Of The Year At Work Is Beautiful–Andersen was just named New Jersey Educator of the Year and is currently in the running for the national title. As an American Sign Language teacher at Ocean City High School, Andersen has instructed hundreds of students in deaf language and culture. www.njspotlight.com
Brand Will Be Back As Director Of New Jersey Rate Counsel–Stefanie Brand is staying put as director of the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, a post she has held since 2007. The reappointment retains an experienced and knowledgeable litigator for the agency that represents millions of consumers and thousands of business on issues dealing with regulated companies supplying electricity, gas, water, and other services. www.njspotlight.com
Want In On NJ’s Weed Biz? ‘Cannabis Symposium’ Offers A Pot Primer–As New Jersey lawmakers will soon debate the finer points of marijuana legalization, many people across the state -- and the nation -- are wondering one thing: How can we get in on it? www.nj.com