Garden State Times

Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia passionately defended the importance of maintaining safe spaces for females and protecting hard-won advances in girls-only sports at a recent Roxbury Board of Education meeting. Fantasia, a respected educator and school administrator, expressed her concerns about the impact of policies on female athletes and the potential risks they face.According to Fantasia, the state's guidance on transgender students, specifically Policy 5756, has negative consequences for female athletes, stating, "It completely hurts our children. It targets female...

Sauickie says some schools have nowhere left to cut

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Alex Sauickie delivered a stark message to the Assembly during its voting session on Monday, stating that some schools are facing severe financial challenges with no further room for budget cuts. Sauickie highlighted the dire situation in the Jackson Township School District, where even the state-appointed school monitor acknowledged the lack of options for cost reductions.Referring to a meeting with the state Department of Education, Sauickie expressed frustration, stating, “What tools do we have? You’re the DOE…What can you offer them?” He...

Steinhardt Prioritizes Package of Tough on Crime Public Safety Measures

Senator Doug Steinhardt (R-23) has put forth a comprehensive package of tough-on-crime public safety measures in New Jersey, aimed at enhancing security and protecting property rights in the state.In a recent statement, Sen. Steinhardt emphasized the need for stricter consequences for criminal behavior and accountability for those who abuse the system. He highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as squatting and home invasions, stating, "Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their home."Among the bills introduced by Senator Steinhardt is S-3093,...

Report Potholes to Camden County Public Works

(Lindenwold, NJ) – As the Department of Public Works in Camden County gears up for its annual pothole patrol, Commissioner Al Dyer, the liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Works, highlighted the importance of the ongoing efforts. Dyer emphasized the deployment of multiple crews to repair the damage caused by winter conditions on the roads."We have dispatched several crews throughout the highways and byways of Camden County to get hot asphalt on the ground and keep vehicles moving," stated Dyer. He also mentioned the county's capital maintenance program aimed...

Henry Meets with Jackson School District Officials to Discuss S2 Funding Cuts

Senator Owen Henry (R-12) recently met with school officials in the Jackson School District to address the significant impact of Governor Murphy’s proposed S2 funding cuts. During the round table discussion, Senator Henry expressed his concern over the disproportionate nature of the cuts, stating, "It is abundantly clear that the school funding formula is broken."The Jackson School District reported a substantial loss of funding despite a relatively smaller decrease in enrollment, with Senator Henry noting that they have resorted to taking out loans to cover budget...

Commissioners, Camden Coalition Announce Cover All Kids Initiative

In response to 16,000 children in South Jersey losing health insurance coverage last year, the Board of Commissioners, the Camden Coalition, and Mayor Victor Carstarphen have partnered with several local organizations to launch the Cover All Kids initiative. This campaign aims to raise awareness and enroll as many children as possible who are eligible for free or affordable government health insurance.According to the Camden Coalition’s redetermination data, a total of 16,000 children were terminated in the three-month period between September and November 2023, with 60%...

Holzapfel Announces $1.7M for Crucial Manasquan Infrastructure Project

Senator Jim Holzapfel has revealed that Manasquan is set to receive a significant financial boost of $1.7 million through a Transportation Projects Fund (TPF) grant aimed at enhancing the Stockton Lake bulkhead.“I’m glad that the Commissioner approved Manasquan’s grant request,” expressed Holzapfel (R-10) about the grant. “Flooding in lake communities has the potential to become a chronic and costly issue. These funds will help mitigate that problem by allowing Manasquan to replace a large section of Stockton Lake’s bulkhead so that homes and properties in the area are...

Hawthorne Schools to Receive State Aid Restoration Following Assembly Bill Passage

TRENTON, N.J. – Districts that have had state aid cut under the school funding formula known as S2 may have some of that aid restored under a bill that passed the Assembly Monday. The legislation (A4161) appropriates $71.4 million to establish a stabilized school budget aid grant program.The Hawthorne School District, represented by Assemblymen Al Barlas and Christopher DePhillips, had lost 18% of its state funding—nearly $900,000, the largest cut in all Passaic County schools—this round. However, the district is one of 233 eligible for the grants created by this bill. It...

Commissioners Celebrated Opening Day of Miracle League

On April 16, 2024, the Camden County Miracle League marked the beginning of the spring baseball season with a joyous Opening Day event. Commissioner Deputy Director Ed McDonnell expressed his excitement, stating, "It is such a privilege and an honor to be able to bring the joy of baseball to these children and their families."The Miracle League field, designed for children in wheelchairs or who use walkers, provides a safe environment for them to enjoy America's favorite pastime. McDonnell emphasized the importance of the field, saying, "This field provides children with...

Restoration Project to Shift Lanes on Market and Federal Streets in Camden

(Lindenwold, NJ) – Next week, downtown Camden City will see significant changes as a major restoration project is set to commence on Market and Federal streets. The project, initiated by PSE&G, will lead to lane closures along these key roads, affecting the flow of traffic in the area.According to Commissioner Al Dyer, the liaison to the Department of Public Works, motorists should be prepared for disruptions due to the construction work. Dyer emphasized the importance of planning ahead and considering alternate routes to reach their destinations on time. He advised,...

NJ Health Care Reform Group: Government price setting an obstacle to ‘research and cures’

By Garden State Times News Service | Apr 15, 2024

The executive director of Patients Come First - New Jersey (PCF-NJ) said that government price setting in health care will negatively impact “access to research and cures.”

VA’s Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in New Jersey average $384,159 for Q1

The VA’s Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in New Jersey for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 averaged $384,159, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

VA Purchase Loans in New Jersey average $425,071 for Q1

The average VA Purchase Loan amount for New Jersey in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 was $425,071, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Number of VA loans issued in New Jersey decreased by 18.4% from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued 834 home loans totaling $337.4 million in New Jersey during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Bucco Calls for a Vote on Bill to Responsibly Restore School Aid

Senator Anthony M. Bucco, the Senate Republican Leader, has urged the Legislature to vote on a Republican-sponsored bill, S-3076, that aims to fully restore Governor Murphy's proposed school aid cuts without burdening New Jersey taxpayers. Expressing his concerns over the alternative bill A-4161/S-3081, Sen. Bucco emphasized the need to avoid raising property taxes in a state already burdened with high taxation."The Legislature should refrain from supporting property tax increases when New Jersey already holds the unfortunate title of having the highest property tax...

Sauickie, Kanitra introduce bill to restore school state aid cuts

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblymen Alex Sauickie and Paul Kanitra have introduced a bill aimed at restoring state aid cuts that have had devastating effects on school districts in New Jersey. The bill seeks to appropriate $210.1 million to disburse to schools that previously received supplemental stabilization aid for their 2023-24 budgets.According to Sauickie, who represents the 12th Legislative District, districts like Jackson schools have suffered significant losses in aid, resulting in cuts to positions, sports teams, AP classes, and electives. Sauickie stated, “Students in...

Assembly passes Inganamort bill expanding NJ’s accessible transportation options