About 20% of landlines within the NJ government were unused and will be disconnected. Here’s another reason NJ is broke.
About 20% of landlines within the NJ government were unused and will be disconnected. Here’s another reason NJ is broke.
NJ Governor Chris Christie has a lot on his hands. The state’s teachers union is one of his largest problems, and they are also one of taxpayers problems too. Want some proof? How about 553 pages of Elementary School Assistant Principals with most salaries WELL ABOVE $100,000. That’s about 5550 administrators (a few also teach classes) working at the most basic educational level in the state. It equates to a whole lot of money being spent distributing the finger paint and hand puppets.
Not to sound like an old-timer, but I don’t recall having any Assistant Principals when I attended elementary school. We had a principal, some front office staff and teachers. That’s a system that has seemed to work for countless school districts in NJ and across the country. And these 5550 people represent just a small portion of the total needless employee base in NJ public schools. The Asbury Park Press has a searchable database for federal, local and state employees including teachers at http://www.app.com/datauniverse/. When reviewing that site, make sure you have a strong stomach.
With three major races today, I’m taking a shot at predicting the winners.
1. VA Governor: It’s going to be Bob McDonnell, the GOP candidate with a two digit victory (a predicted margin of 12 points). This seems like a slam dunk.
2. NJ Governor: Only the NJ GOP can lose this kind of race to an unpopular Governor. Expect the third-party Independent to play spoiler and watch NJ voters stay blue by re-electing Democrat Jon Corzine (much to my personal disappointment). It will be a tight win for Corzine by two or three points.
3. NY’s 23rd Congressional District: Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman will end up beating his Democratic opponent Bill Owens by three points, with no thanks to the strange actions by the former GOP candidate in that race.
Here’s something I missed earlier this month. The New Jersey state Senate is pondering a bill that would allow liquor to be sold at convenience stores and supermarkets in NJ. Unlike 45 other states, the Garden State does not allow adult beverages purchases to occur outside of liquor stores.
Listening to the state director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Jerry Fischer, you get the sense that the government knows what’s best for New Jersey residents:
“When I see a 15-year-old walk into a liquor store, I assume there is a problem,” said Fischer. “When I see a 15-year-old walk into a supermarket, I can’t assume anything. I have very valid concerns.”
Here’s a wake up call. Forty-five other states currently have this kind of set up, and cashiers at big box stores in those states still check ID.
I hope the people of New Jersey let their elected officials know that free-market values do exist in New Jersey, even if certain state officials think otherwise.
