A couple of Narcan stories in the news, since that’s so depressingly timely. Matt Skoufalos at NJ Pen has a piece on Camden County health systems teaming up to buy the opioid antidote in bulk, which could reduce costs on the list price by 50%.
Meanwhile Assemblyman Herb Conaway said prison inmates who are addicted to opioids should be given Narcan when they get out of jail, since they’re often very susceptible then to OD-ing.
Phil Murphy proposed raising the state sales tax, and Fitch Ratings called that idea a “positive step.” Never forget bond traders run the world.
And the Ventnor School Board’s in a palaver after a fourth-grader said her teacher taught them, “some slave owners were good slave owners and some slaves wanted to be slaves.” Crikey.
Also, almost 20,000 people have left Atlantic County since 2010 (and through 2017).
For the rest of the news from across our brave region, do see below:
NJ FILES IN FEDERAL COURT TO STOP PENNEAST FROM CONDEMNING PROTECTED LAND–Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has filed a motion to block PennEast Pipeline Co. from condemning over 20 properties acquired under open-space and farmland preservation programs. www.njspotlight.com
Opinion: We have a problem with how Republican clubs pick our candidates–Democrats aggressively recruit, train, and promote strong candidates. Our Republican clubs often endorse weak candidates for the wrong reasons. Except for Trump, NJ Democrats have slowly gotten stronger during each of the past five years. We Republicans have gotten weaker. www.insidernj.com
Look at what the last 4 storms have done to our beaches. Hint: It’s not good–The torture of four nor'easters in three weeks has many awaiting summer, when they can forget winter and warm up on the beach. www.nj.com
ELEC files complaint against Freeholder–A seven-count complaint has been filed against Cumberland County Freeholder Darlene Barber alleging that she failed to provide obligatory information about donors to her 2013 campaign to the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). newjerseyglobe.com
Hardwick man named winner of beer scholarship–A little more than a month ago, 26-year-old Ryan Campbell's life was like that of many recent college graduates as he tried to figure out a way to pay off his student loans. www.njherald.com
How can N.J. legalize pot before fixing liquor laws?–In Trenton, did you know it’s illegal to throw a bad pickle on the street, or that men in New Jersey are banned from knitting during fishing season? www.roi-nj.com
Union official says it’s too early to celebrate Gateway funding–Greg Lalevee was thrilled to see the statements from U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce head Tom Bracken and Amtrak about the Gateway Tunnel project securing more than $500 million in funding in the omnibus spending bills passed in the House on Thursday. www.roi-nj.com