Coast Guard, State Police, Protecting Whale in Raritan Bay

The photo is of #NYC0071 showing the gear with buoys wrapped around the whales body. The fishing gear is inside its mouth, at the hinge of the jaw and wrapped around the top of its Rostrum/Head running across the middle of the blow hole. NOT GOOD! (Photo @araslich/@gothamwhale) pic.twitter.com/wBjGpryagk

— Gotham Whale (@gothamwhale) June 29, 2018

The U.S. Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook and the NJ State Police enforced a safety zone for an entangled whale, believed to be a humpback, in the Raritan Bay this afternoon, according to an announcement by the Coast Guard.

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Murphy to hold press conference with Sweeney and Coughlin and 7:30 pm. Budget announcement expected

Governor Phil Muphy’s office announced a press conference for 7:30 pm with Lt Governor Sheila Oliver, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.  It is expected that the Democrat leaders of New Jersey’s state government will announce they have made an agreement for the 2019 fiscal year budget.

According to published reports the budget will an income tax increase to 10.75% on individuals and families with over $5 million income and a corporate business tax increase of 2.5% for two years, to phase out over the following two years.

The sales tax will not be increased, according to the reports.

MMM will post the live stream coverage of the press conference here. Read the rest of this entry »

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NJ Government Shutdown Likely

Governor Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin were unable to agree on how much pain to impose on New Jersey taxpayers after four hours of negotiating today, meaning that New Jersey’s state government will very likely shutdown at midnight tomorrow.

InsiderNJ is reporting that Sweeney and Coughlin cancelled the legislative sessions that were to have occurred on Saturday, and schedule session for Monday.  Senator Declan O’Scanlon told MMM that he had not yet been informed of a schedule change. Read the rest of this entry »

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O’Scanlon legislation would keep road work going, keep Monmouth Park open, in the event of a NJ shutdown

Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth County) announced that he will introduce two bills tomorrow in the NJ Senate tomorrow that, if enacted, would lessen the destructive aspects of a state government shutdown.

Governor Phil Murphy and the Democrat leaders in the legislature, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, are thus far deadlocked over their competing proposals to raise taxes on New Jersey residents, tourists and businesses.   If they are unable to come to an agreement, and get the legislature to concur, by midnight tomorrow, the government will shutdown.

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Sheriff Golden Warns Of Fireworks Danger

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden is warning County residents of the dangers that fireworks pose to the lives and limbs of residents celebrating our nation’s Independence over the Fourth of July holiday.

“The result of fireworks being handled in the wrong way can cause serious injuries,” Sheriff Golden said. “It’s important to know that the danger is not only limited to general Fourth of July fireworks. Even sparklers, which are now exempt from the state’s fireworks ban, should be kept away from small children, as they can easily cause harm.”

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Guadagno to lead 200 Club of Monmouth County

Robert A. Honecker Jr, Kim Guadagno, Benjamin Lucarelli and Manasquan Mayor Ed Donovan take the Oath of Office issued by M. Claire French

Former Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno was sworn in as the president of the Monmouth County 200 Club last night at the non-profit’s reorganization meeting at the Spring Lake Golf Club.

Founded in 1987 by area philanthropists, the Monmouth County 200 Club provides financial assistance to the families of first responders, police, firefighters, EMTS, first aid and others, who have been killed in the line of duty.

“The 200 Club of Monmouth County supports our women and men in uniform and their families when they need help the most,” said Guadagno. “I am proud of the work outgoing president Joe Thompson did, and I am excited about building on his efforts.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Democrats Budget Compromise Talks Stall

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Governor Phil Murphy. NJGlobe photo by NIKITA BIRYUKOV

The Democrat debate in Trenton over which taxes to raise on New Jersey residents and by how much ended last evening with no deal.  Voting sessions scheduled for today in the Assembly and the Senate where cancelled.  Legislators were told to report to Trenton on Saturday.

If Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin do not make a deal that is approved by the legislature by midnight on Saturday, New Jersey’s state government will shutdown for the second consecutive year.

Governor Murphy wants to increase income taxes on millionaires and the sales tax on everybody.  Sweeney and Coughlin want to raise taxes on businesses to the highest in the nation, expand the sales tax to internet purchases, real estate sales, and impose a new tax on vacation rental homes and Airbnb rentals.

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O’Scanlon and DiMaso: Don’t tax summer rentals

As part of their compromise with Governor Phil Murphy over how many taxes to raise and by how much in the new state budget, the Democrat leaders of the legislature have proposed taxing seasonal rentals of vacation homes and Airbnb rentals.

Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso came out against a seasonal rental tax, which will have a disproportionate impact on Jersey Shore property owners, in a statement issued this afternoon.

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Supreme Court Decision Changes New Jersey’s Political Landscape

Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 is a game changer nationally and particularly in New Jersey where teachers and government workers pay checks are dinged significantly for union dues that ends up paying seven figure salaries to union executives and for political campaigns supporting politicians who do not deliver. (More on those lying politicians next week when the NJ School Funding Formula is finalized)

SCOTUS decided, 5-4, that public sector employees cannot be forced to pay union dues or fees that support union activity.
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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, June 29-July 1, 2018

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, June 29

• SharkFest ‘18 (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Jersey Shore Greek Festival (Ocean Twp.) – MORE INFO
• “Summer at the Jersey Shore” Exhibit (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Mercy by NJ Repertory Company (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Wall Twp. Fair ’18 – MORE INFO
• Songbird at Two River Theater (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• “The Fantasticks” at Monmouth U. (WLB) – MORE INFO
• The Great St. Mary’s Fair (Middletown) – MORE INFO
• Art + Autism at Monmouth U. (WLB) – MORE INFO

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