Rowan v Stockton
Since we wrote about Stockton’s interest in Atlantic City’s Bader Field site (the Press of Atlantic City has more details on that project here) we’ve heard a lot of people questioning everything from Stockton’s debt load to its tuition fees, so we thought we’d look at the raw numbers and also see how Stockton stacks up against its neighbor, Rowan University. Stockton University is still small, compared to Rowan (which has medical schools), and although its tuition is slightly higher, there’s not much in it. You can see the detailed breakdown here, comparing everything from SAT scores to the number of state-funded personnel.
Water
A state legislative committee yesterday proposed a bill that would force water companies to perform audits to see how much water is wasted before reaching customers. Maybe it seems odd that – as businesses – they don’t already do that, but apparently they’re not required to. Close to one third of the state’s drinking water leaks out before it gets to the consumer, according to state estimates. NJ Spotlight has the details.
Icahn
State politicians yesterday dallied with making another attempt to curb the rights of billionaire dealmaker Carl Icahn in Atlantic City, but in the end they failed to take any action. Senate President Steve Sweeney yesterday proposed a bill that would have overridden Gov. Christie’s veto of legislation that would have blocked Icahn from reopening the Taj Mahal casino with non-union employees. Sweeney pulled the bill before a vote, The Press of Atlantic City reports. Icahn has said he plans to sell the property.
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The rest of yesterday and today’s main local news includes Kevin Riordan’s piece looking at KKK messages in South Jersey, a look at how the local races for state assembly and senate are shaping up, more questions about the price of overdose-antidote meds and the fight over funding for New Jersey’s sanctuary cities.
You can see all the headlines here:
State Prescribed Burning Season Begins–New Jersey has started its annual prescribed-burn program to help reduce wildfire risks. Press of Atlantic City
More Than Half of Low-Income Children get Breakfast in School in NJ–Almost 268,000 low-income children in New Jersey got breakfast in school in 2015-16, a six percent increase from the year before, according to a national report. Press of Atlantic City
Ride-Sharing Companies Finally Becoming Legal in the Garden State–Hailing a taxi is becoming a thing of the past for some South Jersey residents and visitors because ride-sharing companies are officially becoming legal in New Jersey. Governor Chris Christie signed legislation this past Friday that will make New Jersey become the 36th state in the US with a statewide ride-sharing law. www.snjtoday.com
Bill for South Jersey Seat on Turnpike Authority Advances in Senate–When the New Jersey Turnpike Authority meets, if anyone at the table is from South Jersey, it's almost coincidental. It would become mandatory, if a bill sponsored by Ocean County lawmakers advances and gets the Governor's approval. 92.7 WOBM
TD Bank to Hire 75 Lenders to Serve Small Businesses–TD Bank said it will add up to 75 small business lenders, including a third in Pennsylvania and South Jersey, to coincide with an improving U.S. economy. These new small business specialists will focus on serving the lending and account needs of small businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenue and fewer than nine employees and on micro loans of $100,000 or less. Philadelphia Business Journal
Riordan: KKK ‘Message of Hate’ Unwelcome in South Jersey–Crude fliers promoting the “Loyal White Knights KKK” turned up in at least three South Jersey towns over the weekend. Found on the ground – like litter, appropriately enough – four “Join the Klan Today” fliers were recovered Sunday by Maple Shade police from the area along Boulevard Avenue, where a resident reported finding one late Saturday. Philly.com
Brigantine Art Walk Continues to Evolve, Expand–As is the case with many art aficionados, Connie and Karl Pyatt are always seeking to evolve, expand or improve upon their creations. Last summer the couple established the Brigantine Art Walk – a weekly series that brought together artists and performers from a variety of genres and helped raise money for several causes. Shore News Today
Local Races for Assembly, State Senate Begin to Take Shape–New Jersey residents won’t get a break from election talk. Just three months after the presidential election, the state Assembly and Senate races are beginning to heat up. Press of Atlantic City
Former Margate Commissioner Brenda Taube Seeking Republican Nomination for District 2 Assembly–Margate resident Brenda Taube is seeking the Republican nomination for New Jersey Assembly in the 2nd Legislative District. Taube, 53, made her announcement at the Margate City Republican Club Thursday, Feb. 9. Shore News Today
Senate Fails to Override Icahn Bill Veto–The state Senate failed Monday to override Gov Chris Christie’s veto of a bill that would have punished billionaire investor Carl Icahn for closing Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City. Senate President Steve Sweeney, D-Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, put up the bill but pulled it before a final vote was recorded. Press of Atlantic City
Carbon monoxide detector saved Marmora family’s life, fire company says–MARMORA – A home’s working carbon monoxide detector and the owner’s quick decision to evacuate may have saved a local family’s life, firefighters said this week. Shore News Today
Hijab cultural event hits a nerve in Northfield–NORTHFIELD – More than 75 people attended a program at the Otto Bruyns Public Library of Northfield in December about cultural diversity and Muslim women. Shore News Today
N.J. migraine, chronic pain patients seek OK to use medical marijuana–For the first time in the history of the seven-year-old New Jersey medical marijuana program, a health department panel will consider adding chronic pain and other ailments to the list of about a dozen conditions that qualify a patient to use cannabis in the state. Philly.com
Dems Want State to Pick Up Tab if NJ’s Sanctuary Cities Lose Funds Under Trump–President Donald Trump has threatened in an executive order to strip federal aid from so-called sanctuary cities that harbor undocumented immigrants, meaning some communities in New Jersey could stand to lose millions of dollars. www.njspotlight.com
Op-Ed: The Will of New Jersey Voters Must Be Respected–Last November, New Jersey voters overwhelmingly rejected Public Question #1 — the ballot question that would have resulted in two North Jersey casinos. www.njspotlight.com
Will Skyrocketing Price of Naloxone Limit Its Use?–Narcan — which can reverse the effects of heroin and opioid overdoses — has a well-deserved reputation as a lifesaver. That helps explain why it was administered some 10,000 times in New Jersey this past year, according to state estimates. www.njspotlight.com
Straub still lacks city permits to reopen Revel–ATLANTIC CITY — The clock is ticking on Glenn Straub’s self-imposed deadline to reopen the shuttered Revel, now known as TEN, for the upcoming Presidents Day Weekend. Press of Atlantic City