TRENTON (CBSNewYork) – Lawmakers in New Jersey are pushing to ban single use plastics, and even paper bags. While some officials say this is a step in the right direction for the state’s environment, others say the bill is a disadvantage for both supermarkets and consumers. Take Our Poll New Jersey residents are in for a big lifestyle change if a bill to ban plastic and paper bags is signed by Gov. Phil Murphy. Stores would not be allowed to give out single use plastic bags. The bill goes a step forward and bans paper bags as well, encouraging people to bring their own bags when shopping. “When I was growing up, we didn’t have plastic bags in supermarkets. We did just fine,” St. Sen. Linda Greenstein said. “We’re going for a little bit of a lifestyle change but one I believe will not be hard for people to adjust to. The bill also bans Styrofoam. Those representing that industry as well as the food industry oppose the bill. Dennis Hart, the … [Read more...] about NJ Lawmakers Consider Plastic Bag Ban, Would Be Strictest In The Nation
Nj state income tax
NJ Lawmakers Weigh Bill To Let Those Without Documents Get Licenses
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey lawmakers considered legislation Monday to permit immigrants who cannot prove they’re in the country legally to obtain drivers licenses. The Democrat-led Assembly Judiciary Committee began hearing the bill in a packed committee room in the statehouse annex building. Many supported the measure, including a handful of people wearing green and yellow t-shirts that said, “Don’t let these bills die in committee.” Thirteen states, including Delaware and New York, and the District of Columbia permit immigrants without legal status to obtain drivers licenses, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.A 2018 study from the left-leaning think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective estimated that about 466,000 residents without documentation would be of driving age in New Jersey. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy along with Democratic Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Steve Sweeney have said they … [Read more...] about NJ Lawmakers Weigh Bill To Let Those Without Documents Get Licenses
‘Tax Free. Periods.’ Protest Demands States, Like GA Remove Tax
ATLANTA, GA — When states, like Georgia, tax menstrual products such as tampons, they're sending a message, whether intentional or not, says Lindsey Swedick, the marketing director for "Tax Free. Period." LOLA, the first lifelong brand for a woman's body, launched the campaign, in partnership with Period Equity. They've been spreading awareness in 33 states that still mandate a sales tax be placed on those feminine products. More than that, though, the movement has mobilized across the country preparing to take legal action if their demands aren't met by Tax Day 2020. "Those states do not consider menstrual products a necessity," said Swedick. "If anything should be considered a necessity, it is period products. The fact that 33 states don't, that really sends a message, loud and clear." States don't don't exempt menstrual products from sales tax are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, … [Read more...] about ‘Tax Free. Periods.’ Protest Demands States, Like GA Remove Tax
The left and right agree to end taxpayer-funded job wars in Midwest
The states of Missouri and Kansas recently made history by agreeing to no longer pay companies to hop back and forth across the state line in the Kansas City metropolitan area. It’s the first such legally binding deal between two states in U.S. history. It also strikes at a left-right consensus that could save tens of billions of dollars for vital public services. This idea should be adopted more widely. Since 2010, the Show-Me and Sunflower states have wasted $335 million paying companies in the K.C. metropolitan area to merely change their employees’ commuting routes. Worse than zero-sum, this is a net-loss game: One state loses its tax base, the other state abates its tax base, and every other local employer gets stuck with higher taxes and less money for schools, infrastructure and other public services. At the heart of this is what Good Jobs First — a Washington, D.C.-based corporate welfare watchdog — calls “interstate job fraud.” … [Read more...] about The left and right agree to end taxpayer-funded job wars in Midwest
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg would face a steep climb in the 2020 presidential race
Michael R. Bloomberg is flirting once again with a run for president, but all signs point to a steep challenge for the billionaire and former New York City mayor if he makes a late entry into the race for the Democratic nomination.At a time when some Democrats are yearning for a new generation of leaders, Bloomberg, 77, would be among the oldest contenders, wedged between Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, 78, and former Vice President Joe Biden, 76.Bloomberg is a former Wall Street investment banker who would be joining the race when a top concern for many Democrats is growing wealth and income inequality.His 12-year mayoral record could also make him unpopular among some of the party’s core constituencies, especially African Americans turned off by his support of police “stop and frisk” tactics. A federal judge struck down the policy in a 2013 ruling that found the city was violating the constitutional rights of minorities. Advertisement “He’s got a mountain … [Read more...] about Billionaire Michael Bloomberg would face a steep climb in the 2020 presidential race