Category: State Matters

Berkeley Heights Among 16 Union County Townships That Sent Police to Private Police Training by Organization that Promoted Unconstitutional Tactics

The NJ Office of the State Comptroller published a supplemental report to it’s original findings published 12/06/2023 on “Street Cop Training”.  It found 240 law enforcement officers from NJ attended the six-day Conference in Atlantic City on October 2021. Among other things, OSC found: Instructors at the Conference promoted the use of unconstitutional policing tactics for motor vehicle stops; Some instructors...
Berkeley Heights Town CouncilBerkeley Heights Town GovernmentJustice SystemState Matters

Residents Request Support Amid North Hanover Board Discussions on Superintendent

Administrator Note: We received communication from two residents in another District outside the 21st requesting that we publish the email at the end of this article regarding issues with their Board of Education and the law firm Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC, in connection with efforts to remove their Superintendent. We have been asked to share this email and have...
North Hanover BOEState Matters

The Sensational Six, 2024: People and Organizations Who Make a Difference in New Jersey

In No Particular Order Kevin Walsh – NJ State Comptroller, Open Government Jedi Master, and Prince of 0 Ducks (but with an “F”) Given Kevin Walsh has been unwavering in his commitment to improving New Jersey’s government. He has fiercely advocated for transparency through OPRA, taken on systemic issues within law enforcement, and stood up to entrenched party bosses across...
State Matters
Credit: Mark Strozier https://www.flickr.com/photos/r80o/ cc2.0

OSC Exposes Double Standards in NJ State Police Practices

Image Credit: Mark Strozier The New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) conducted a detailed review of 500 motor vehicle stops by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP). The investigation revealed that in over 25% of these stops, motorists used courtesy cards, claimed personal connections to law enforcement, or displayed law enforcement badges to influence the outcome. These actions...
Justice SystemState Matters

Controversial Ballot Bill Passes Assembly Committee – Working Families Party Mobilizes with Petition

The Assembly Select Committee on Ballot Design has fast-tracked a contentious bill, introduced in response to a federal court decision, that has drawn significant criticism from good government groups. Introduced just a day before the vote, the bill’s amended version was only read aloud just before the vote took place. Critics have raised concerns over the rushed process and the...
ElectionsState Matters

Analysis: How Are New Jersey Urban Districts Really Holding Up?

I wrote an article comparing seven urban districts for NJ Education Report: [embedpress prefix_nftcreator=’false’ prefix_nftprice=’false’ prefix_nftlastsale=’false’ label_nftbutton=’false’ loadmorelabel=’false’ label_nftrank=’false’ label_nftdetails=’false’ instafeedFollowBtnLabel=’false’ instafeedPostsCountText=’false’ instafeedFollowersCountText=’false’ instafeedPopupFollowBtnLabel=’false’ instafeedLoadmoreLabel=’false’ cPopupButtonText=’false’ adWidth=’false’ adHeight=’false’ adStart=’false’ adSkipButtonAfter=’false’ embedpress_lock_content_error_message=’false’ embedpress_password_placeholder=’false’ embedpress_submit_button_text=’false’ embedpress_submit_Unlocking_text=’false’ embedpress_lock_content_heading=’false’ embedpress_lock_content_sub_heading=’false’ embedpress_lock_content_footer_message=’false’ embedpress_pro_embeded_source=’default’ instafeedFeedType=’false’ instafeedAccountType=’false’ embedpress_pro_embeded_nft_type=’false’ embedpress_embeded_link=’false’ embedpress_audio_video_auto_pause=’false’ spotify_theme=’false’ emberpress_custom_player=’false’ custom_payer_preset=’false’ embedpress_pro_video_start_time=’false’ embedpress_pro_youtube_end_time=’false’ embedpress_player_color=’false’ embedpress_pro_vimeo_auto_play=’false’ embedpress_pro_vimeo_autopause=’false’ embedpress_pro_vimeo_dnt=’false’ embedpress_pro_youtube_auto_play=’false’ embedpress_pro_youtube_display_controls=’false’ embedpress_pro_youtube_enable_fullscreen_button=’false’ embedpress_pro_youtube_display_video_annotations=’false’ embedpress_pro_youtube_progress_bar_color=’false’ embedpress_pro_youtube_force_closed_captions=’false’ embedpress_pro_youtube_modest_branding=’false’ embepress_player_restart=’false’...
EducationState Matters

Political Machines Strike Again: New Bill Protects Party Control Over Fair Elections

The New Jersey Working Families Party has raised alarms over a new bill aimed at addressing the state’s long-standing ballot design issues. Instead of solving the problem, this legislation entrenches party control, creating even bigger challenges for voters and candidates alike. Recent events paint a troubling picture: after gutting campaign finance laws and undermining the Open Public Records Act, both...
ElectionsState Matters

Insights Into Contributions Made by Individuals to Political Action and County Committees in NJ (2019-2023)

81% of contributors to County Level PAC’s and Political Committees disclosed their employer, with 5% identifying as self-employed. Contributions from those listing an employer accounted for 76% of the total funds donated to non-individual county political entities.   Major Contributors: The top 50 donors with employer disclosures contributed close to $3 million to county PACs or political committees. Among these,...
ElectionsState Matters