Claire Gustafson To Challenge Norcross

Gustafson releases video announcing campaign for Congress

COLLINGSWOOD – Former Collingswood school board member Claire Gustafson announced today, via video, that she has entered the race to challenge Congressman Donald Norcross in New Jersey’s First Congressional District.

Gustafson announced on November 12th that she formed an exploratory committee “to gauge interest and support into a possible candidacy for Congress” and said today, “The exploring is done. I spent the past few weeks talking with friends, family and colleagues and am confident we will be able to raise the funds necessary to run an aggressive campaign against Congressman Norcross and the political machine that has a stranglehold on South Jersey.”

In her announcement video Gustafson makes it clear she is a pro-President Trump Republican saying, “I am unapologetically Republican and proudly stand with President Trump. I am a Republican because I believe in hard work, self-reliance, smaller government, the preservation of our Judeo-Christian values and the free-enterprise system that has made America the envy of the world.”

Gustafson’s announcement video can be viewed at,

https://gustafson2020.com/

About Claire Gustaafson: Active in her community, Claire is currently the President of Camden County New Jersey Republican Women, a former school board member in Collingswood, a former soccer and Little League coach and a member of Collingswood’s historic commission. She’s owned her own small business for over 30 years and is married with four sons, one daughter and several grandchildren.

Code Blue Issued in Newark

Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Dr. Mark Wade are activating a “Code Blue” for Monday afternoon, December 2, 2019 through Tuesday afternoon December 3, 2019.

“Code Blue” is called when temperatures reach 25°F or lower without precipitation, 32°F or lower with precipitation, or a wind chill factor of 15° or lower.

‍

“Newark is preparing for snow and cold temperatures early this week,” Dr. Wade said. “We will meet nature’s challenge with the strength and resilience that defines us. I urge our residents to take precautions to keep their homes safe and be safe when they are out and about, and to check on their neighbors, especially the disabled, children, and the elderly.”

‍

In addition, Dr. Wade reminded residents of the hazards of cold weather. “Several layers of warm clothing and protection against moisture and wind are important, even though weather may not seem to threaten cold injury. Gloves and socks should be kept as dry as possible. Insulated boots that do not obstruct circulation are essential in very cold weather. Warm head covering is particularly important, since 30 percent of heat loss is from the head,” he added.

‍

“We are expected to endure temperatures as low as 27°F and residents should take measures to ensure their safety at home and when outside of their home,” said Dr. Wade.

‍

The City is reminding residents that there are emergency shelters operating during the extreme cold weather that have partnered with the City to provide overnight sheltering.

For more information about sheltering services, contact the shelters listed below or the Department of Health and Community Wellness, Division of Social Services at

(973) 877– 9481, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The City offers the following tips on keeping homes safe and coping with extreme cold weather:

· Keep the house heated to a minimum of 68 degrees. The temperatures inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 68 degrees will not keep the inside walls from freezing.

· Identify the locations for the main water shutoff in your home. Find out how it works in case you have to use it.

· Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent them from freezing.

· Check on seniors to make sure that they are warm and dry.

· Stay indoors as much as possible.

· Check all windows and doors for drafts. Place plastic if you feel a draft.

· Do not leave space heaters unattended.

· Do not use generators indoors.

· It is illegal to use kerosene heaters indoors.

· Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.

· Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

· Never use your oven to heat your home.

· Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

· Take inventory of emergency items.

· Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly.

· Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by checking and cleaning your furnace and chimney regularly and ensure you have proper ventilation and the exhaust pipe is free of debris.

The City of Newark Housing Code requires all property owners to supply heat from October 1 through May 1 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. at a minimum inside temperature of 68°F, and between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. at a minimum inside temperature of 65°F.

To report no heat or hot water in your apartment, call the Division of Code Enforcement at (973) 733-6471.

Anyone with questions about the City’s heat ordinance or any other Newark municipal policy or program can contact the Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at

(973) 733-4311

, from

8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

New Orleans City Council Budget Includes $3M Investment for Early Childhood Ed

The city grows its early childhood education budget from $750,000 in 2017 to an unprecedented $3 million in 2020, as well as several additional key funding initiatives

NEW ORLEANS

– After several weeks of budget hearings, the New Orleans City Council

adopted the City\’s 2020 Operating and Capital Budgets, concluding the annual budget review process and establishing spending levels for the coming year. Prior to the meeting, Nthe City held a special Revenue Estimating Conference to adopt an adjusted 2020 revenue forecast and capture newly identified sources of revenue.

Since October 17, when Mayor LaToya Cantrell appeared before the Council to present a proposed $721.9 million annual operating budget from the City\’s general fund, the Council has held a rigorous budget review process to learn the needs of each department and listen to residents\’ concerns. As a result of the budget revenue process, the Council adopted an amended operating budget totaling $725.9 million, which represents an increase of $4 million.

\”Today is a historic one for the City of New Orleans and our children. We\’re setting an unprecedentedly high bar for the State of Louisiana and the entire country with this incredible investment in our young people. We\’ve gone from $750,000 two years ago, to $1.5 million in 2018, to an unprecedented $3 million for early childhood education in 2020. I\’m extremely grateful to my colleagues, the Administration, and my staff for the months of hard work that went into this budget. Our future and that of our children, has never been brighter,\” said District \”D\” Councilmember and Budget Chair Jared Brossett.

2020 Budget highlights include funding for the following:

Early Childhood Education programs to expand access to quality early childcare and education in New Orleans (doubling funding by $1.5M to bring the allocation to $3M)

Total Community Action to purchase a food pantry freezer to store food provides low-income vulnerable individuals/families with food supplements ($8,000)

Demolition of the blighted Higgins Gate apartment complex ($800,000)

Algiers Water Management Study ($250,000)

Code Enforcement to address quality of life needs and eliminate blight ($700,000)

Department of Health for mobile decibel monitors to address noise concerns ($45,000)

Department of Health for a Domestic Violence Initiative ($250,000)

\”I\’m very pleased with the collaboration of the budget process,\” said Council President Helena Moreno. \”My colleagues and I on this Council have been laser-focused on making New Orleans a more affordable city to live in since we began in 2018. Today, the Council followed through by lowering – not raising – property taxes at a time when assessments are skyrocketing and potentially forcing long term homeowners out of their neighborhoods. The Council also made clear its priorities: infrastructure and public safety. I\’m also proud that we once again doubled funding for early childhood education and allocated specific funding for domestic violence initiatives.\”

Throughout this year\’s budget hearings, the Council led a negotiation process with the Mayor\’s Administration to ensure critical initiatives and services are funded while minimizing the burden on our residents\’ tax bills. Given that the 2020 tax year is a quadrennial reassessment year, there has been considerable discussion regarding the reassessment process and the rising property tax assessments that resulted, leading to heightened concern among residents about their tax bills and the effect a potential roll forward could have on that bill.

In a reassessment year, the Council may roll forward millages up to the maximum authorized rates. Recognizing the concerns of residents, Councilmember Brossett ensured the redirection of certain millages to fund public safety and infrastructure while reducing (rolling back) other millages during the negotiation process with the Administration. This redirection of millages allows the Council to ensure critical initiatives and services are funded while remaining revenue-neutral.

Key millages being funded:

New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) & Fire Department (NOFD)

Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB)

City Alimony

Neighborhood Housing Improvement Fund (NHIF)

Certain millages being levied below the rollback millage rate:

Economic Development Fund

Capital Improvement Fund

Audubon Park

New Orleans Public Library

\”The extraordinary commitment we\’ve made here today will pay way more dividends for our city in the long-run,\” said Council Vice President Jason Williams. \”Because of Governor John Bel Edwards, and what\’s happened at the State level, we\’re now in a position to receive matched funding to the already historic amount we\’ve approved, doubling the number of young people we\’re able to help with a total $6 million investment. This is a tremendous day in the City of New Orleans as we become the only state providing this level of localized investment in early childhood care and education. Finally, New Orleans is becoming the city on a hill for the State of Louisiana, the South and the entire United States, and our children will be a testament to that for generations to come.

\”Today, we protected funding for vital public services in a smart way,\” said District \”A\” Councilmember Joe Giarrusso. \”Government\’s first job is to provide those public services responsibly. This deal between the Mayor and Council concentrates on quality of life issues with spending for first responders, streets, drainage, maintenance, and other fundamental needs.\”

NJ Resolution Urges Congress to Prevent IRS from Taxing Forgiven Student Loans

Tucker and Pinkin Measure to Help Ease Financial Burden for Families of Deceased Vets Passes Assembly

(TRENTON) –

In an effort to ease the financial burdens faced by the families and friends of deceased veterans, Assemblywomen Cleopatra Tucker and Nancy Pinkin have sponsored a resolution to encourage the federal government to change its policy regarding taxation of federally-forgiven student loans. The legislation passed the full Assembly Monday, 71-0-0.

The resolution (

AR-97

) urges Washington officials to enact the “

Andrew P. Carpenter Tax Act”

to prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from collecting taxes on educational loans forgiven on behalf of a deceased veteran.

Under the federal “Higher Education Act,” certain student loans are discharged when a military member dies as a result of an injury or illness they sustained on active duty. The IRS currently considers the amount forgiven to be taxable gross income and holds any loan cosigner responsible for it.

Since cosigners are often the friends or family members of that deceased veteran, Tucker and Pinkin want to change this by requesting that Congress and the President amend current law to prevent the IRS from collecting these taxes.

“The friends and family of a soldier who lost their life in the line of duty are dealt an enormous loss,” said Assemblywoman Tucker (D-Essex). “Asking them to sort out and pay extra taxes during their time of grief unnecessarily adds to their suffering, which is why federally-forgiven student loans should be exempt from taxation.”

“Anyone willing to cosign a loan to help a veteran go to college shouldn’t be penalized for supporting their efforts to obtain an education,” said Assemblywoman Pinkin (D-Middlesex). “This resolution encourages the government to do the right thing and honor that veteran’s sacrifice by preventing their loved ones from having to shoulder the financial burden of student loan taxation.”

The resolution will be filed with the Secretary of State and passed along to members of the federal government.

Sweeney Says Murphy is Playing Politics with Critical School Funding

Senate President: Governor doesn’t realize his proposed $1B tax hike wouldn’t put a penny into overfunded districts under bill he signed into law

TRENTON

– Senate President Steve Sweeney today blasted the Governor for playing politics on critical school funding issues by calling for a $1 billion tax increase that would do nothing to help districts facing Adjustment Aid cuts.

“It is disappointing to see the Governor demagogue the critical issues of school funding and property tax fairness in order to call for an unrelated $1 billion increase in the sales tax and the millionaire’s tax,” Senator Sweeney said.

“What is more inexcusable is the Governor doesn’t even acknowledge his proposed $1 billion tax hike wouldn’t put a penny into overfunded districts under the school funding bill he signed into law 15 months ago,” Senator Sweeney said. “Any increase in state funding for schools would go to the overwhelming majority of school districts that are underfunded by more than $1.7 billion, not to the Adjustment Aid districts that would be helped by my plan for cap relief.”

Senator Sweeney’s 2018 school funding reform law restored fairness to the 10-year-old School Funding Reform Act by eliminating the growth caps that kept 72 percent of schoolchildren in underfunded districts – urban, suburban and rural – from getting the state aid they deserved, while establishing a seven-year phase-out of Adjustment Aid payments to school districts for students they no longer have.

On Saturday, Senator Sweeney announced that he was developing legislation that would provide cap relief to school districts facing Adjustment Aid cuts that were spending below the adequacy level established by the School Funding Reform Act – and affirmed by the state Supreme Court – as needed to provide the “thorough and efficient” education guaranteed by the 1947 New Jersey Constitution.

“We need to ensure that students do not suffer in districts that are now taking cuts after receiving more than their fair share of state aid for more than a decade,” Senator Sweeney said. “The new law will give school boards in these districts the ability to make up for past years when they had no incentive to provide their Local Fair Share because the Adjustment Aid windfall they were getting gave them no reason to do so.”

Senator Sweeney noted that the legislation signed into law by the Governor already gave the 31 former

Abbott

districts the ability to exceed the 2 percent cap if they were spending below adequacy, and required any school district facing Adjustment Aid cuts and spending below adequacy because it was not providing its Local Fair Share to raise school property taxes by 2 percent a year.

Norcross Statement on New Jersey’s Commitments to Public Employees

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement:

“We all share the common goal of upholding the pension and health care commitments made to our state, county, municipalities and school board employees. The issue is how best to meet these promises,” said Congressman Norcross. “I believe we cannot let New Jersey fall to the ways of

Washington but should instead work together to resolve tough issues. That is why I oppose any effort to place pension and health benefit reform bills on the ballot. Instead, all parties should come together to work on solutions that keep our promises to New Jersey workers. I am happy to participate in a dialogue with legislators, the Governor and union leaders to work together to meet New Jersey’s obligations to its workers.”

Duvall accuses Gustafson of “Attacks”

It Didn’t Take Long For Josh Duvall To Break Reagan’s 11

Commandment

COLLINGSWOOD – On November 12 Republican Claire Gustafson announced she formed an exploratory committee to gauge interest and support into a possible candidacy for Congress in CD1.

Announced Republican candidate for Congress in CD1, Josh Duvall, took issue with the fact Gustafson said, “Republicans I’ve talked with don’t want a wishy-washy middle-of-the-road nominee pandering for Democrat votes.” Duvall said in a statement, “She labeled me as ‘wishy-washy’, ‘pandering’, weak on pro-life issues and the Second Amendment.”

“I don’t know why Josh Duvall would think I was speaking of him,” Claire Gustafson said. “There have been rumors out there for months that a realtor out of Washington Township is considering running for Congress. The fact is I merely stated what Republicans have said to me, that they don’t want a wishy-washy middle-of-the-road nominee pandering for Democrat votes.”

Greenwich Township Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. said, “Claire Gustafson has a solid reputation and has stepped up for the Republican Party many times over the years. If history has taught us anything Claire Gustafson would have mentioned Josh Duvall by name if she were talking about him. Duvall should apologize for this unprovoked attack.”

“I found Josh’s remark that he was disgusted with ‘partisan politics’ odd considering if I decide to make my candidacy official we will be running in a partisan primary election,” Gustafson said. “The very nature of primary elections are partisan, filing as a Republican is a partisan act. Seriously, who performs an act that disgusts them?”

“Obviously it upsets Josh that I’m considering getting into this race,” Gustafson said. “I’ve met Josh, I like Josh, he’s a nice young man. Unfortunately, he’s just a little inexperienced. Whatever the case, when I issued my statement I was careful to honor Ronald Reagan’s 11

Commandment and did not speak ill of any fellow Republican. Josh Duvall violated that Commandment.”

POLITICAL NEWS

GOP Candidate Duvall: Attacks from Fellow Republicans are more Partisan Political Games

CHERRY HILL – NJ CD-1 GOP candidate Josh Duvall released the following statement:

“When I announced my campaign to challenge Donald Norcross for the NJ CD-1 seat next November, I started my appeal to voters as a ‘post-partisan’ candidate running a

campaign built on honesty, decency, and integrity – working towards solutions for all of South Jersey. I’m proud of the campaign I’ve run thus far – meeting with voters from all political points of view, traveling across the district, hosting public events, and engaging with more than 100,000 people on social media alone. I’m also proud of the type of candidate I am – a middle class husband, father, worker and business owner who is growing increasingly disgusted with the status quo of partisan politics in our country.”

“That’s why the recent attacks from Mrs. Gustafson (source:

New candidate emerges to challenge Norcross for Congress

) came as a surprise to me. As the only filed candidate running for the GOP ticket against Donald Norcross, I have to assume her negative comments were directed at me. She labeled me as ‘wishy-washy’, ‘pandering’, weak on pro-life issues and the Second Amendment – among other things.”

“According to her statement, it seems Mrs. Gustafson is more interested in playing partisan political games than appealing to our broad base of registered voters, nearly 85% of whom were registered as something other than Republican in the last Presidential election cycle.”

“While Mrs. Gustafson is positioning herself as the most pro-Trump candidate, I’m focused on highlighting the policy failures of our current elected official Donald Norcross, his ties to the EDA tax break scandal making daily headlines, and the continued progression of a national Democratic party that has moved too far left for middle class voters in South Jersey.”

“No matter who attacks me, whether it be Republicans, Democrats, or Progressives – I’m banking my candidacy on a single solitary truth – voters want a candidate they can feel good about voting for…instead of always casting their ballot as a way of voting against someone they dislike.”

ABOUT: Duvall received his bachelors in Management, concentrating in Finance and Marketing from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and his Executive Degree in Financial Planning from the Fischer School of Business at The Ohio State University. Duvall currently runs his own financial planning and accounting business, and works with other organizations managing their marketing and online content. He also works with several non-profits, sits on the Cherry Hill GOP committee, volunteers with youth sports, and is actively involved in his local church. Duvall is a cancer survivor and is married with two young children.

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/JoshDuvallNJ

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/JoshDuvallNJ

For more information visit

www.duvallforcongress.com

Salaries for Pennsylvania and New Jersey Governors are among the Highest in the Country

The Center Square

Nov 19, 2019

The governor of Pennsylvania now draws a yearly salary of $194,850, the fourth-highest salary among the governors of the 50 states, according to recently reported financial

Gloucester City News blog files

data and media reports.

Based on the most recent numbers, the average U.S. governor’s salary stands at $144,046.

Either state constitutions or statutes determine the governors’ salaries, according to

Ballotpeda.com

. But salaries are only one part of the compensation provided to states’ chief executives since other benefits can include an official residence, insurance and travel subsidies.

In some states, salaries rise automatically every year based on the rate of inflation or a previously determined percentage. In other states, however, legislatures must approve pay hikes before they can take effect.

—

Governor Salaries Among the 50 States, 2018-19

State

2018 Salary

2018 Rank

California *

$210,000

New York

$200,000

Massachusetts

$195,970

Pennsylvania

$194,850

Tennessee

$194,112

Washington

$183,072

Vermont

$178,274

Illinois

$177,412

Georgia

$175,000

New Jersey

$175,000

Virginia

$175,000

Delaware

$171,000

Maryland

$170,000

Nevada

$163,474

Michigan

$159,300

Hawaii

$158,700

Texas

$153,750

Ohio

$153,650

Wisconsin

$152,756

Connecticut

$150,000

Utah

$150,000

West Virginia

$150,000

Kentucky

$148,781

Arkansas

$148,134

Oklahoma

$147,000

Rhode Island

$145,755

Alaska

$145,000

North Carolina

$144,349

Idaho

$138,302

New Hampshire

$134,581

Missouri

$133,821

Florida

$130,273

Iowa

$130,000

Louisiana

$130,000

North Dakota

$129,096

Minnesota

$127,629

Mississippi

$122,160

Indiana

$121,331

Alabama

$120,395

Montana

$118,397

South Dakota

$113,961

New Mexico

$110,000

South Carolina

$106,078

Nebraska

$105,000

Wyoming

$105,000

Kansas

$99,636

Oregon

$98,600

Arizona

$95,000

Colorado

$92,700

Maine

$70,000

U.S. average

$144,046

—

* as of December 2019

Source:

Ballotpedia.org

; media reports

published here with permission of

The Center Square

SURVEY SAYS! One-Third Of Americans Don’t Trust The Media

Around one-third of Americans don’t trust that the media’s reporting is based on factual information, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and USAFacts.

The poll,

released Nov. 20

, asked Americans “how often” they think each of the questions asked “are based on factual information.” It found that about two in 10 – or less – Americans

trust

that the media’s reporting is based on facts. Only 21% of Americans always or often

trust the media

and 47% sometimes have that trust. 31% said that they rarely or never believe that media reports based on facts, the poll found.

This distrust was even bigger when Americans were asked if they believe that the decisions made by policy makers are fact-based. The poll found that 55% of those polled only sometimes believe in their lawmakers decisions, and only 14% always or often trust them.

The trend of skepticism continued throughout the questions, with many Americans expressing doubt about whether their fellow Americans vote based on facts. Americans also doubted whether political candidates’ campaign messages are fact-based and if debates between candidates are legitimate, according to the poll. Only 9% always or often trusted in politicians’ campaign messages.

Republicans are more skeptical of Democrats and baby boomers are less confident in what politicians say compared to

millennials

, the poll also found.

“Democracy is in danger when Americans so overwhelmingly lack trust in the candidates, the policymakers, the news media, and each other,” USAFacts President Poppy MacDonald said according to

a press release

October’s poll saw 1,032 U.S. adults interviewed between Oct. 15-28, Axios

reported

. There is a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2% and the final numbers were rounded.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact

licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

published here with permission |

The Daily Caller