New Jersey

Winners and losers under Christie's school budget

The first details are out about Gov. Christie's trumpeted increase in state aid for public schools next year, showing a much more complicated picture that means big increases for some schools and sharp cuts for others. In all, 95 districts would get less, from a cut of 13 percent down to minuscule dips. Jersey City is slated to get a single dollar more. Other districts in for significant cuts include Pemberton Township, Winslow and Washington Township. http://bit.ly/wI5s1S

Red knot shorebird designated endangered species in N.J.

Wildlife officials said that the new status, a change from threatened, did not add protections. However, it is formal recognition that despite years of efforts to help the bird, its numbers continue to decline. The red knot population on the bay is about 15,000, down from nearly 100,000 two decades ago. http://bit.ly/zeDKlr

Christie not doing enough to ease property tax burden on N.J. residents

In response to the governor's budget proposal Tuesday, Democrats, who control the Senate and Assembly, say the governor should forgo the income-tax cut and redirect that revenue to offset New Jerseyans' property taxes, a plan they say is fairer.

Poll: Most in N.J. oppose merger of Rowan and Rutgers-Camden

More than half of New Jersey’s registered voters disapprove of a proposed merger of Rutgers-Camden with Rowan University, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll released Tuesday. According to the poll, 57 percent of 914 adults interviewed by phone between Feb. 9 and 11 oppose the plan. Twenty-two percent support a merger and 21 percent are unsure. “Gov. Christie’s plan may be the most unpopular idea he has put forward to date,” said Rutgers-Eagleton Poll Director David Redlawsk, a professor of political science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Calling the numbers “stunning” in their “deep dislike” of the proposal, Redlawsk added that even Republicans did not line up behind the governor. The university’s Board of Governors will meet on the Camden campus today to hear comments on the merger plan. A student/faculty rally is also planned before the 1:30 p.m. session.

Online sales-tax bill is introduced

A sales-tax exemption measure designed to encourage major online retailers to locate in New Jersey has been introduced in the Legislature.The bill would help alleviate disparities between online retailers, who are not required to collect New Jersey's 7 percent sales tax unless they have a physical presence in the state, and bricks-and-mortar stores, according to Democrats. Amazon.com, the world's biggest online retailer, is in talks to bring two warehouses to New Jersey in exchange for a delay in charging its Garden State customers sales tax. The deal could bring 1,500 full-time jobs to a state where unemployment has hovered around 9 percent. The legislation specifies that the jobs must go to New Jersey residents.

A blue oasis in a sea of red and yellow

High property taxes consistently rank as one of NJ voters' biggest concerns. A color coded, interactive map shows property tax changes from 2009-2011 during the first two years of Gov. Chris Christie’s tenure. Data includes the total tax levy, total tax rate, average home value, property tax bill on that average residence, average property tax rebate and the net average property tax bill when adjusted for that rebate. The two-year change is calculated for each from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ property tax spreadsheets. Despite the economic times, large reductions in state aid and sharp reductions in direct property tax relief Merchantville responded to and met those municipal challenges during the past two years. Cuts in rebates have left the mean average household paying $1,275 more than when Gov. Corzine left office. "http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0216/2014/

Garden State Company Converts Biomass into 'Green Gasoline'

Primus Green Energy hopes to break ground next year on commercial plant. It may only amount to a drop in the bucket for a nation as thirsty for oil as the United States, but a Hillsborough company is betting it can convert wood pellets and other biomass into a renewable gasoline. Primus Green Energy, an 11-year-old company, already has produced fuel samples from a pilot plant located in a three-building complex off of Route 206, just north of Princeton. It now is building a demonstration plant at the facility and hopes to break ground next year on a commercial plant. http://bit.ly/xliEJs

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