Our Crumbling Infrastructure
The White House released its long-awaited infrastructure plan and it looks like we’re not getting that transit hub at Bader Field, or a high-speed Jitney lane to South Street or even a bike path to Pleasantville. The plan from President Trump–who grew up in Queens and became a famous casino mogul in Atlantic City–“favors little-populated rural areas to the detriment of urban America,” Politico reports, citing critics who of course would say that.
The plan is supposed to “stimulate” $1.5 trillion in infrastructure investment but proposes only $200 billion from the federal goverment, relying on, “local governments and private operators to do the heavy lifting, even as those same local governments — particularly in high-tax blue states — are grappling with the budgetary implications of Trump’s tax code changes that took effect last month.”
The Undocumented Pay Taxes
Undocumented immigrants paid $587 million in taxes–sales, income and property–in New Jersey in 2014 according to the nonpartisan think tank the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the valuable NJ Spotlight reports. The same group said DACA recipients paid about $66 million in state taxes in 2016.
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Sliding Through Life on Charm
Local concert promoter Amanda Thomas has been charged with unlawful taking after she allegedly took $5,000 out of a rival promoter’s bank account without that person’s permission, a move she told the Press of Atlantic City was related to a “computer glitch.”
Thomas, who is 25, created food truck festivals in Wildwood and Ventnor and “worked on the Fall in Love with Wildwood” marketing campaign. In 2016, she was accused of taking money from a memorial fund for an Ocean City school teacher, but those charges were dismissed after she enrolled in a pretrial intervention program, the Press reports.
Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano said he planned to still work with Thomas because apparently she’s the only person who understands Millennials within 500 miles.
Elsewhere across the region:
Stockton To Hold First Public Job Fair Tuesday In Atlantic City–More than 80 Atlantic County-based companies are registered to participate in Stockton University’s first Atlantic City Gateway Career Fair at the Atlantic City Convention Center. breakingac.com
Ocean Resort Casino begins hiring process–Ocean Resort Casino, the former Revel resort, is taking applications for several positions at the property, which is expected to open this summer. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Atlantic City Jeffries Tower residents return home–Almost 40 days later, residents of the Charles P. Jeffries Tower Senior Apartments on Monday began moving home after being displaced by a fire at the high-rise during a blizzard. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
The good news: N.J. bail overhaul is working. The bad news: It’s already going broke.–In its first year, New Jersey's historic criminal justice system overhaul slashed the number of people charged with minor crimes locked up until trial because they couldn't post bail by 20 percent, according to a new report from the state judiciary. www.nj.com
How 5 people lured teen to his death via Facebook–Camden-native Chris Dickerson first met Harrison Javier two years ago, when Dickerson was talking with students at his alma mater, Camden Academy Charter High School. www.nj.com
SEVEN PEOPLE CHARGED IN CHAIR-THROWING BRAWL AT VINELAND DENNY’S–Seven people ranging in ages from 17 to 31 have been charged following a wild chair-throwing brawl at Denny's in Vineland last month. catcountry1073.com
$20M Newton Creek Cleanup Could Resolve Longstanding Community Environmental Issues–This summer, the Camden County government plans to kick off a two-year, $20-plus-million cleanup of Newton Creek, from its headwaters in Haddon Township through its tributaries in Audubon Park. www.njpen.com