New Jersey Government News

PISCATAWAY - Piscataway High School students Christa Pieper and Elizabeth McLaughlin received citations of achievement recently from Assemblyman Upendra Chivakula, D-17. McLaughlin and Pieper were awarded first and second place, respectively, in the high school category of the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Annual Teen Media Contest.

<![CDATA[The state recently extended its contract with Parsons Corp. to conduct auto inspections for another three years. Meanwhile, Motor Vehicle Commission officials are studying the possibility of eliminating the state inspection stations altogether and relying on private inspections instead. All of that news was greeted quietly by New Jerseyans -- if they noticed at all -- a stark contrast to the scandal that erupted nearly 15 years ago, when Parsons arrived on the scene and New Jersey was in the process of adopting new stringent emissions testing to meet federal Clean Air Act standards. Parsons completely botched the introduction of the new testing, with malfunctioning equipment and poorly trained staffers, causing hours-long delays at the inspection stations. Motorists were angry and politicians slapped down fines and threatened lawsuits. Even private operators were frustrated because they were forced to buy expensive new testing equipment that in many cases went unused after officials decided to ease the delays by temporarily allowing the old emissions tests to suffice. Today, New Jerseyans care a lot less about auto inspections, especially since the changes implemented in 2010 eliminated the mechanical inspections -- wiper blades, taillights, etc. -- that would often cause cars to fail because of minor issues. Now, car owners only have to worry about the emissions test -- and even then only if their cars are at least five years old. Critics of the decision to dump the mechanical inspections predicted all kinds of roadway mayhem, conjuring visions of newly empowered motorists content to drive cars with dangerous deficiencies. But that hasn't happened, at least to any degree that could be pinned on the diminished inspections. So those long waits are a thing of the past -- for the moment. But state officials should be careful. While the idea of privatizing the inspection system may seem cost-efficient, New Jerseyans will be angered once again if such a decision leads to long lines at private stations. Assuring there's sufficient capacity among the private inspectors to handle the load should be first and foremost in any study of the issue. Another concern is the cost to car owners. New Jerseyans are generally supportive of the state inspections for one key reason: they're free (if you don't include any tax and fee money that goes toward keeping the system operating). But private inspections carry a fee, so would customers have to pay directly for something they're used to getting free -- which they won't like -- or would the state reimburse the private operators on a per-vehicle basis? It won't be like 1998 again. But the auto inspection system is something that's actually running smoothly for the MVC, something most New Jerseyans don't even complain about any more. So any financial rewards from privatization better not lead to fresh hassles. It won't be worth the trouble.

The State Motor Vehicle Commission and Division of Consumer Affairs are urging all customers to consult their database of flood and salvage-titled vehicles before purchasing a car.

Although New Jersey has the second-lowest suicide rate in the nation, a new hotline has received roughly 300 calls since it was launched May 1, according to Philly.com. New Jersey's suicide rate for people ages 35 to 64 increased 31 percent from 1999 to 2010, and as a result the New Jersey Department of Human Services spent $648,981 to create ... (more)

By Jim Donovan: If you're looking to buy a used car, be sure to check out the online database listing all vehicles issued flood or salvage titles since Superstorm Sandy flooded large areas of New Jersey.

Although New Jersey has the second-lowest suicide rate in the nation, a new hotline has received approximately 300 calls since it was launched May 1, according to Philly.com. New Jersey's suicide rate for people ages 35 to 64 increased 31 percent from 1999 to 2010, and as a result the New Jersey Department of Human Services spent $648,981 to create ... (more)

The State Motor Vehicle Commission and Division of Consumer Affairs are urging all customers to consult their database of flood and salvage-titled vehicles before purchasing a car.

The township is changing its agreement with the NJDEP Blue Acres Program for the purchase and demolition of two homes on Old York Road along the Raritan River Floodway-because only one is now being accepted into the program.

A child whose body was found in a New Jersey home following a dramatic 37-hour standoff this weekend died from stab wounds on the same day as his mother nearly three weeks earlier, authorities said Tuesday.

Vermont is close to joining Oregon, Washington and Montana as states allowing doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients who request it.

The woman whose decomposing body was pulled from a New Jersey home following a tense, 37-hour standoff died from stab wounds and blunt force trauma, authorities said Monday.

Received this e-mail today from State Senator Barbara Buono who is running against incumbent Governor Chris Christie in this year's election: These past few months all across the country unspeakable tragedies involving gun violence have taken place.

In the immediate aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, volunteer groups from around the nation came to New Jersey to help.

One of the things I love most about living in New Jersey is that it's like being in a reality show every day.

Net property taxes in New Jersey rose 22.4 percent in Gov. Chris Christie's first three years in office, compared to just 6 percent in Democratic Gov.

Before they're allowed to do that, it should be demonstrated beyond doubt there is a need.

New Jersey's new statewide hotline to aid those contemplating suicide got a lot of work in its first week on line.

The state expects to spend $100 million in the coming fiscal year to fund projects to preserve open space and farmland, at least $50 million shy of what New Jersey traditionally spends annually on the popular program.

A new detour will go into effect this weekend for ongoing bridge repair work on Route 57 in Mansfield Township , according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The greatest barrier standing in the way of passage of universal school choice legislation, which is solidly based on the foundation of liberty and free enterprise, is the fact that universal school choice is "politically impossible." Despite the fact that Milton Friedman's plan, empowering parents to send their children to the school of their ... (more)