Christie Declares 'Fiscal Emergency'

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today announced $2.203 billion in budget solutions to balance New Jersey’s current-year budget through a combination of savings from over funded programs, targeting of waste, and the capture of unexpended balances from accounts in every corner of state government.
“These are among the hardest decisions any governor could be called upon to make,” said Governor Christie. “But this process is also an extraordinary opportunity – a generational moment – where we confront the consequences of past failures while providing the solutions and permanent reforms we need to lead us to stability and better, more prosperous times.”
The Governor advanced his budget solutions during a special Joint Session of the Legislature, where he advised the members that he had signed an Executive Order before the speech and declared a “state of fiscal emergency” in recognition of the state’s looming deficit for the balance of Fiscal 2010. The Executive Order includes the authority of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting to reserve or freeze funds at the Governor’s direction.
The budget solutions were derived from four general areas: targeting savings or areas of overfunding in programs and departments, targeting waste and ineffective programs, identifying areas for long-term reform and, above all, making hard choices in the form of program cuts, the use of unspent balances or withholding of aid. In all, 375 line items of cuts, efficiencies and program eliminations are found in the Governor’s plan.
Aid to local school districts and higher education institutions is being reduced, requiring them to use surpluses to fund operations for the balance of the school year. The school aid reductions do not impact any approved school budget funding. Other hard choices include eliminating programs across virtually all departments, including some very good but non-essential programs that simply cannot be afforded at this critical time in New Jersey’s history.
The cumulative impact of years of short-sighted budgeting and the failure to control spending or enact pension and benefits reforms left the new Administration with no alternative.
While the Administration will be forced to forgo $100 million in funding for public employee pensions, it proposes to move ahead with substantial pension reforms that will help reduce under funded pension obligations.
At the end of January, seven months into the fiscal year, the state government had $14 billion of unspent money remaining for Fiscal 2010. Of that amount, $8 billion was dedicated to such things as state employee contracts, maintenance of funds to keep federal funding, debt service and constitutional mandates.
Consequently, the new Administration – to balance the budget, as required by the state Constitution – was forced to find more than $2 billion in savings out of the remaining $6 billion.
For Fiscal Year 2011, the state will have to resolve a more than $11 billion gap at the outset – the largest shortfall per taxpayer of any state in the country by far.
Among some of the largest impacts from the budget solutions:

• Withholding $475 million in local school aid for the balance of the fiscal year, with the amount of individual aid reductions tied to surpluses in the school districts. The withheld aid will not result in any reduction in approved school spending this year.

• A $62.1 million reduction in aid to county and senior public colleges and universities, also tied to existing surpluses.

• A $12.6 million reduction in hospital Charity Care, representing a 4.2 percent reduction.

• Capture of $158 million in unexpended balances from the Board of Public Utilities-administered Clean Energy Fund.

• Capture of $13.8 million in surplus balance from the Homestead Rebate program.

• Take a balance of $15.9 million in unused grant money remaining due to reduced service requirements in the Division of Youth and Family Services.

Delayed programs and capital projects total more than $115 million. There was no reduction in municipal aid.
Other programs that sounded good in theory but failed in practice are being scrapped and their balances used in the budget solutions.
InvestNJ was designed to spur job growth by giving out tens of millions of dollars to businesses at a rate of $3,000 per new hire. However, it experienced only limited success. Consequently, $57.9 million in InvestNJ funds will be used in the budget solutions.
Funding for the Office of the Public Advocate is being discontinued, and its present balance of approximately $600,000 will be used in the budget solutions. Necessary functions of the Public Advocate will be consolidated into other parts of state government.
Where possible, the Administration focused first on programs where there would not be any negative effect on programs. That analysis resulted in $454 million in savings or areas of over funding.
The targeting of waste and abuse resulted in approximately $70 million in savings. This is just the beginning – a down payment – on the Administration’s plan to go deeper in finding wasteful spending in the new fiscal year.
“As difficult as this is, with all the individuals and government operations that are effected, we must view this in a positive way,” said Governor Christie.
“All of it, the cuts, the savings, the use of unexpended balances and surpluses, amount to a down payment on a stable future for our children and their children. We just could not delay any longer without pushing our problems onto another generation.”

Your Favorite Steakhouses

Our poll on your favorite chain steakhouses is complete and the winner is (tah dah....!) Ruth's Chris.
Yes, more than a third of you (35%) voted for that sizzling Ruth's Chris cooked-in-butter steak.
Ruth's Chris was followed by Outback (20%), Capital Grille (14%) and Palm (11%).
All of the rest of the choices scored in the low single digits.
So, after Ruth's Chris, Outback, CapGrille and our beloved Palm, there isn't very much to say about steak houses. The rest of them don't even show up on the radar screen.
Thanks for participating!

BTW: That photo to the right is Ruth herself -- Ruth Ann Udstad Fertel, the "Ruth" behind Ruth's Chris. When Ruth purchased Chris' Steaks in New Orleans in 1965, Ruth's Chris was born. Still, the restaurant did not formally change its name to Ruth's Chris until 1976. The reason why the name was changed is that Ruth's agreement with Chris (of Chris' Steaks) prevented her from using the "Chris" name unless and until the restaurant relocated. When a fire forced the relocation, the name changed. And so it remains -- one of the most unusually named restaurants ever.
You can read the full story by clicking on the photo of Ruth.

Philly: The View From Parc

This was the view just a couple hours ago from a window seat at the trendy Rittenhouse Square restaurant Parc in Philadelphia.
Yes, thc chic boite on the square was not only open but our spies tell us it was thriving. Of course, no al fresco dining this evening.
And on the square itself?
Lots of dog walkers and snowball fights, we hear.
Hat tip: Mark Tarasiewicz

The Sudden Celebrity of "Snowmageddon"

Here in the Mid-Atlantic all anyone can talk about is the slickest new celebrity on the scene. It has a temper, goes out all night long, it’s hard to predict and even harder to control. And usually it wrecks more havoc than Russell Crowe in a luxury hotel room. When it comes to fame, none are cooler right now than Snowmageddon! Or in this case Snowmageddon 2.0.

Who says LA attracts all the celebrities? Not Snowmageddon. This fame seeker caused a splash (or more aptly a snowdrift) by skipping New York City entirely in its debut late last week. Forget Vegas, ditch Miami. The first time around Snowmageddon brought attention (and loads of white stuff) from Washington to Philadelphia stopping in between for high profile love affairs with smaller towns like Colesville, Maryland.

You’d have to imagine that the traditional, flesh and blood celebrities are pissed. “Brangelina” sounds pretty wimpy compared to “The Snowpocalypse.” Not even the Super Bowl, the Saints improbable win, or Ellen DeGeneres’s first night on Idol could detract from the near constant media attention on “SNOWtorious B.I.G.” or as some are now calling it “Snowverkill” as we prepared for round two. And it hasn’t disappointed. Snowmaggedon is already more entertaining than every movie Madonna has been in… combined.

Those of us living in the affected areas are captivated. Instead of discussing the Oscars we’re focused on the Dopplers. Meteorologists are hip and snow photos fill Facebook with each of us vying for a more intimate encounter with the winter beast. As I look out my window the white stuff continues to fall, local news crew high on endorphins and armed with rulers enjoy their importance, schoolchildren delight, and we’re forced inside, sometimes without power, sometimes without satellite TV, sometimes without our patience but always with each other. Finally a celebrity that reminds us of what we do have. Maybe Snowmageddon isn’t so bad after all.

FREE Auntie Anne's Pretzels

Auntie Anne's Pretzels will give away free original or cinnamon sugar pretzels at the Cherry Hill Mall on Saturday, February 20 from 10 am till 3 pm only at the two Auntie Anne's locations in the Mall - on the upper level near Penney's or on the main level near Macy's.
For more information click here.

Christie Halts COAH Efforts

Today New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed Executive Order 12 creating the Housing Opportunity Task Force, which will initiate an immediate review of the Commission on Affordable Housing and its continued existence.
The mission of the group will be to examine the regulations and methodologies of COAH, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the State Planning Act in meeting the constitutional obligations of the Mt. Laurel­ court decisions in a manner that is consistent with sound planning and economic growth for the state.
“COAH’s conflicting messages and edicts to municipalities and builders have made it a planning nightmare and a source of endless litigation,” said Governor Christie. “This Task Force will help formulate a sensible planning system that considers economic growth and development, the character of our communities and our commitment to affordable housing opportunities for our residents.”
The Task Force will be chaired by former Senator Marcia Karrow and will be comprised of five members. The task force will serve without compensation, and will be dissolved after issuing its final report in 90 days.
During that time, COAH is to refrain from taking any further action to process applications for substantive certification or to take any other actions to implement the Third Round regulations. Previously, the New Jersey Supreme Court in Mt. Laurel I and II identified a constitutional obligation on the part of municipalities to provide, by their land use regulations, the provision of affordable housing in a manner that is both fair and reasonable. Delays, inefficiencies, sky-rocketing costs and continued litigation have rendered COAH impractical and ineffective.

The Task Force will work to:

· identify the best means for determining whether a municipality should have any further affordable housing obligation;

· examine the regions that have been used by COAH for more than 20 years and whether they are still appropriate;

· review the means of incorporating workforce housing into the concept of affordable housing;

· evaluate the diverse State projections for housing and employment growth to determine the obligation for a variety and choice of housing;

· determine mechanisms that could or should be used to support the rehabilitation of deteriorating housing in the urban centers;

· find economies, efficiencies and savings to meet affordable housing needs;

· determine the appropriateness of methodologies that continue to include prior round need

Read This, Watch That – Diversions for the Snowstorm

As we prepare for what looks to be a second whopper snowstorm in Philly forget milk and eggs, think books and movies. Food can’t compete with entertainment for my affection and until an omelet takes the lead in a romantic comedy that’s not going to change. So here are my suggestions for sustenance during this next storm. Now get out there and clear the shelves of your local bookstore!

READ THIS!

Non-fiction:

• The Best Day, The Worst Day by Donald Hall – Hall recounts the illness that claimed the life of his wife, Jane Kenyon, but does it in a way that is respectful and beautiful. The structure alternates by chapters between the story of Hall and Kenyon’s meeting and falling in love and her declining health. The amazing part considering the subject matter is that this book never gets maudlin. Plus Hall’s love for his wife is never more dazzling than in her final days. The reader is left feeling glad to have experienced Jane Kenyon through her husband’s eyes.
  

• Safekeeping by Abigail Thomas – If I could marry a book, I’d marry this one. Written in short vignettes it may be difficult at first to understand how they are linked together but stick with Safekeeping and you will be awesomely rewarded. Abigail Thomas makes even the most mundane meaningful as she examines her life, mistakes and all, and in the process redeems it.

• Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup – I am jealous of those cracking the spine of this book for the first time. Braestrup is a natural storyteller and infuses the spiritual into her tales without clunking readers over the head with it. Her life as a Chaplin to the Maine Game Wardens in the wake of her husband’s death offers an array of incredible stories but it is in how she shares them that readers find something to hold on to.

All three of these books make for great winter reading being set in New Hampshire, New York, and Maine respectively!

WATCH THAT!

Movies on DVD:

• 500 Days of Summer – If you haven’t seen it you’re missing the quirkiest, most innovative, human and poignant romantic comedy I’ve ever seen. Watch it!

• Julie & Julia – Don’t wrinkle your nose, there’s a good reason Meryl Streep got an Oscar nod for this role. It is so refreshing to watch a movie where the female leads are not alternately chasing and crying over men. Streep infuses the film with Julia’s joy and Amy Adams leaves you feeling that your next adventure is right around the corner. Just make sure you have enough food in the house because you’ll feel inspired to cook (and eat!) after this movie.

• The Reader – Yes, as you surely know the subject matter is heavy. It’s not a feel good film but it is a film that will make you think. And you’ll think about it long after you see it. The story and the performances, especially Kate Winslet’s, will haunt you with questions about love, fear, and the jagged edges of right and wrong.

Cat Owners 'More Educated Than Dog Owners'

I suspect cat folks will be pleased to see this!

From Matthew Moore at the Telegraph:

People with cats are more likely to have university degrees than those with dogs, according to a scientific survey of pet ownership.

The study also revealed that the combined cat and dog population of Britain is more than 20.8 million - 50 per cent higher than previously thought. Researchers at the University of Bristol say that the superior intelligence of cat owners is unlikely to be caused by their exposure to the famously cunning and selfish pets.

Rather, more educated people tend to work longer hours and choose a pet to fit their lifestyles. Unlike dogs, cats require no walking and can manage with little human company. Dr Jane Murray, Cats Protection Lecturer in Feline Epidemiology, who led the study, said: "We don't think it is associated with income because that was one of the variables we looked at, and there was little difference. "Cats require less time per day than a dog, so they are more popular with educated people who work late and have long commutes." Homes with degree-holders were 1.36 times more likely to have a cat than other households. The same homes were less likely to have a dog than households where no-one went to university.

Here: The Tim Tebow Spot

Now we know, there is no way this spot could have been rejected.
It's actually very clever.
Yes, it's subdued, to say the least.
But that's the whole point. It doesn't alienate anybody. It's welcoming.
So, the aim is clear: An inclusive, positive message that makes you want to learn more. And it tells you what you can do to get more information.
It's an introduction -- pure and simple.
No wonder the pro-abortion crowd is worried about it. It's a very effective spot.

What Took So Long?

Opening a travel size ketchup packet has always been one of those irritating life chores like getting an Advil from a child-safe bottle. Now news that finally, we dunkers will have to struggle no longer! A great idea and long overdue. Thanks, Heinz!

From Andrew Heining at The Christian Science Monitor:

Dip? Squeeze? Yes. New ketchup packaging from Heinz gives fast food fans a choice.

For Heinz, that's the desired change on-the-go eaters will find when new ketchup packaging goes into circulation this fall. It's one of those "huh, never knew that much thought went into that" tales – the quest for the perfect ketchup packet. But as a look into the world of Heinz shows, a great amount of research, trial-and-error, and thought is applied to the problem of spilled and wasted ketchup.

The old packets, we learn, originated in 1968, and have never been perfect for everyone. Whether it was the problem of one-handed opening, at-the-wheel eating, or just a personal preference for dunking, there have long been complaints with the ubiquitous single-serving condiment package.

The new design seeks to please two once-divisive camps – dunkers and squeezers. Prefer to dip your fries? Peel off the top. Want your ketchup where you put it, without spreading with a knife? Rip off the tip and squeeze away. Also appeased by the revamped packet are people like this Horizons writer's brothers, who seem to have made it a personal life quest to use as much ketchup as possible: a new Dip & Squeeze packet contains three times as much ketchup as the old design.