Top Level
Our top story covers what appears to be the longest running NJ ethics case (according to records available online) involving six BOE Members. Despite affirmation that they violated ethics by an OAL Judge and the SEC; the case remains in limbo as two political appointees holding the DOE Commissioner position have thus far stalled on their final decision raising questions about the Law Firm representing the former BOE reps and whether political influence matters more than justice.
We move on to our 7-Districts and 2026 Special Education determinations – all of our Districts ‘Met Requirements”, but there were significant differences among the 7 that warrant a second look.
We looked at four key areas legislators tackled in Trenton including a new statewide EMS planning bill; two school funding bills (one aimed at districts in development-restricted areas like the Highlands and Pinelands; the Senate housing agenda, (including ADUs and a bill that would direct property-transfer revenue to affordable housing); and an NJ Transit accountability bill that would let riders see where delays are coming from.
On the economic front, 2026 is surpassing the last four years on NJ WARN layoff notices and workers impacted and a US Census bi-weekly snapshot shows that NJ Business Owners are a bit more pessimistic about the next 6 months ahead than their peers, nationally.
Eliza share her thoughts on a new NJSBA initiative that seeks to improve BOE Behavior as a rash of bad actions across the state raises serious questions on whether Representatives understand what the title means.
Onto the Locals
Berkeley Heights moves forward with invasive 24/7 AI Surveillance of students despite concerns expressed by community members and student representatives; we explain why these systems are dangerous and how students and parents can push back.
This wasn’t the only item on the BOE’s agenda this past week, as subscription bus price increases and AP classes were also the subject of discussion during the most recent meeting.
Republican Town Council Candidate Edmund ‘Tom” Maciejewski published two Candidate statements; one outlining the potential impact of a one-candidate Republican ballot and the other a ‘Thank You’ and declaration of victory.
In Summit we covered an agenda that led to a steep increase in fees for OPRA requests of police video, a concerning policy restricting Drone recording of police actions and a land giveaway that had Summit residents lining up to speak. Following our letter to the Council in connection to the OPRA increases, Summit made a small change that moved the fees from being mandatory to discretionary but did not include the specific exemptions we requested.
Garwood resident Bruce Patterson shares another chapter in his community’s saga involving a developer who “dragged their feet’ for 8 years, sued the borough, nearly doubled housing density and is now being considered for a PILOT tax exemption.
Millburn resident Viswa Reddy argues that a vote that may lead to a different form of Government may not actually solve the underlying political issue.
On the Socials
Former Hillsborough Business Administrator Indicted
NJ Unemployment Rate Improved Compared to Last April
Top Five Articles for May
The 2026 NJ Layoff Warning Trend Spotted in March Continues Through May
7 Districts, 5 Years, 1 Dashboard: A Comparative Performance Summary
“Security Theatre” and a Silencing Lawsuit: Cherry Hill’s War on Transparency
Scutari’s Law Delivered: NJ County Parties Rake In $22M as Pay-to-Play Thrives
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