Regulating AirBnB
New Jersey is looking at regulating and taxing the ‘home-sharing industry’, which is dominated by AirBnB, and matters in a lot of ways to South Jersey, where both formal and informal hospitality is still a huge industry. The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee has recommended two bills to the legislature – you can read more about it here, via the New Jersey Law Journal.
Pinelands Pipeline Problems
One of the companies behind the project to build a controversial gas pipeline through the Pinelands in South Jersey is considering selling its stake, NJ Spotlight reports. The company – Newark-based PSEG Power – says it wants to focus on its core business. It’s not clear what ramifications (if any) this could have for the pipeline project, which was recently approved by the Pinelands Commission. Folsom-based South Jersey Industries is a local partner in the project.
Boardwalk Beans
We hung out this weekend with another local startup – a small coffee roasting company in Pleasantville. They freshly roast single-origin coffee to order, from a spot not far from an old Ireland Coffee plant (one of the co-owners worked for Ireland back in the day). You can read our profile of their business here. Also – Boardwalk Beans is offering Route 40 Members a chance to win 2 lbs of coffee of their choice – so if you’re not already supporting our local news service, now is a great time to sign up! (To find out more about our membership program, click here).
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The rest of the headlines from the last 24 hours include a piece on New Jersey residents’ concern with fake news, the weather forecast, which includes the prospect of SNOW for this weekend, and a Camden-county beer distributor is cutting jobs. All that and more below:
Poll Reveals Fake News Concerns Among Garden State Residents–A new poll showed that New Jersey residents, for the most part, believe news media across the spectrum is biased, and a large majority of them are concerned about fake news. www.snjtoday.com
Elected Officials Sound Off at South Jersey Forum–Three gubernatorial candidates and other elected officials shared their thoughts at the Sound Off for South Jersey event in Atlantic City. NJTV News
A Volatile Forecast for NJ, as Snow and Frigid Temps Return–While Wednesday will be warm and sunny, conditions will be very different by the end of the week. New Jersey 101.5 – Proud to be New Jersey – New Jersey News Radio
Polillo Jumps into Atlantic City Mayor’s Race–Perennial candidate Joseph Polillo is once again seeking Atlantic City’s highest office. Polillo said Wednesday he will challenge Mayor Don Guardian for the top of the local Republican ticket. Press of Atlantic City
Stockton Professor to Hold Town Hall on Obamacare, New GOP Health Care Bill–House Republican lawmakers Monday introduced the first official bill aimed at replacing regulations, programs and services in the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. While the direct effects on New Jersey, a state that participated in the ACA’s Medicaid expansion, are unknown, Ron Caplan, Stockton University associate professor of public health, will hold a presentation and discussion Thursday night to address the possible federal health care changes. Press of Atlantic City
South Jersey Beer Distributor to Lay Off 128–A beer distributor in South Jersey will lay off 128 employees by the end of April. A notice posted by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development website listed the layoffs at the Camden County location of Warren Distributing Co. NJ.com
3 Students Charged After Lockdown at Absegami High School–Three students have been charged after possible threats spread on social media resulting in a lockdown at a Galloway Township high school. 6abc Philadelphia
FAA Complaint Alleges Orange County Supervisors Rigged John Wayne Bidding Process–The world’s largest operator of private-plane airport bases ramped up its fight with Orange County supervisors when it filed a complaint this week with the Federal Aviation Administration alleging that a contracting process was rigged to award a John Wayne Airport lease to a low-ranked applicant. The Orange County Register
Ethics Complaint Filed Against State’s Hiring of Atlantic City Business Administrator–An ethics complaint has been filed against the state’s hiring of the city’s former business administrator to help in its takeover of the city’s finances. Press of Atlantic City
Summer Commute From Philly To Jersey Shore Expected To Be Problem Free–If you're heading to the Jersey shore on vacation this summer, you should be in for some smooth sailing, at least as far as the drive is concerned. philadelphia.cbslocal.com
NJ Moving to Regulate, Tax Home-Sharing Industry–The New Jersey Legislature is taking steps toward regulating and taxing the burgeoning home-sharing industry in the state. New Jersey Law Journal