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'I now hate white people': 7 outbursts, other exchanges that got N.J. profs in trouble

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College professors and social media don't always mix.


Baseball preview: 6 finals that will wrap up a thrilling 2018 season

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A look at the matchups for the state championships

Glimpse of History: Chic in the '60s

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CARTERET -- These unidentified young women are shown in styles of the time while attending a Christmas dance in Carteret in 1960. MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey MORE: Glimpses of history from around New Jersey If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email...

CARTERET -- These unidentified young women are shown in styles of the time while attending a Christmas dance in Carteret in 1960.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

MORE: Glimpses of history from around New Jersey

If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to middlesex@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries on nj.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

Father of 4, in U.S. legally for 30 years, now may be deported

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Cloyd Edralin, a green card holder, was detained by ICE agents as he left his home in Highland Park on Monday morning.

A father of four was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on his way to work Monday and could soon be deported due to a criminal charge in 2007.

Cloyd Edralin, 47, left his house in Highland Park at 5:30 a.m. to go to work as a machinist when ICE agents detained him.

Edralin, who is married to a U.S. citizen and holds a green card, is being held in the privately operated Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, according to Seth Kaper-Dale, an immigration activist and pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park.

He faces deportation because of a third-degree gun offense he was given probation for 11 years ago.

Edralin, who now lives in Highland Park, struggled with addiction but was able to clean himself up and counsels others who are facing those same issues, 

He came to the United States legally 30 years ago from the Philippines to follow his mother, a U.S. resident.

Kaper-Dale, who met Edralin through a local softball program, said Edralin's family has been "deeply involved" with athletics in the area for a long time. He also worked with Edralin's wife, Brandi Davison-Edralin, who is a social worker.

An ICE spokesman, Emilio Dabul, did not return an email and phone call from NJ Advance Media. He told WNYC that Edralin is "removable" because of the gun conviction in 2007.

The pastor plans to hold a rally for Edralin Friday at 3:30 p.m. on the front steps of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19 S. 2nd Avenue.

In a phone interview with NJ Advance Media, Kaper-Dale said what is especially troubling about Edralin's detainment is that he's an example of someone who made a mistake, paid for it and has since turned his life around.

"As a religious leader, the stories that we celebrate are the stories of lives turned around, the stories of beauty, and the story of Cloyd and Brandi and their family is a story of beauty," he explained. "It should not be undone, and trauma should not be caused to the children because of the strange choice of the morality police that wear ICE uniforms." 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Monroe Township High School prom 2018 (PHOTOS)

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Monroe Township High School's students celebrated their prom at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge.

It was a night to remember for the students of Monroe Township High School as they celebrated their prom at Grand Marquis in Old Bridge on Friday night. 

Dress to impress the prom-goers enjoyed the evening as they socialized, posed for photos and danced the night away.

Check back at nj.com/middlesex for other local high school prom coverage. Also be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom.

BUY THESE PHOTOS

Are you one of the people pictured at this prom? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for the blue link "buy photo" below the photographer's credit to purchase the picture. You'll have the ability to order prints in a variety of sizes, or products like magnets, keychains, coffee mugs and more.


Patti Sapone may be reached at psapone@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Instagram @psapo, Twitter @psapone. Follow NJ.com on FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

Family, friends rally around father who might be deported

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Cloyd Edralin, 47, left his home in Highland Park this morning to go to work when ICE agents detained him.

Following brutality complaints, Carteret cops hope fishing derby can restore trust

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The Carteret police department, which has recently faced brutality complaints after the assault of a 16-year-old as well as failing to run background checks on gun purchases, hosts its annual children's fishing derby

In the wake of a police officer's alleged assault of a 16-year-old that sparked criminal charges and a federal lawsuit, the Carteret Police Department sought to re-establish community trust Saturday through the borough's annual fishing derby for children.

The derby has a long history. Carteret Officer John Moody, who has run the event since 2005, said it's been happening every year since he was a kid at least 50 years ago.

"The most important part is the kids seeing us," Moody said. "We're not in a police car, we're out in the open wearing regular clothes, you know. My kids are here, their kids are here."

The department has faced a barrage of bad news lately.

The officer charged with assault and three counts of official misconduct, Joseph Reiman, has been suspended without pay and is awaiting trial in Middlesex County Superior Court on July 27.

The department has also been criticized for not properly performing background checks when processing more than three dozen gun permits and licenses over a 2-year period.

This cop has a violent past. Did his mayor brother protect him?

Saturday's event offered a chance for officers to focus on something positive.

About 75 children registered for the derby. Fishing poles were awarded for the biggest fish caught within each age group, while tackle boxes were given for the unusual catches, which this year included an eel and two turtles. The event is held at Carteret Pond, which is a catch-and-release-only pond. Toys and bikes were also raffled off after the award ceremony.

Matthew Lipnicki, 14, has won three years in a row, reeling in the largest catfish each time. 

"My dad takes me fishing a lot so I enjoy it. This is a good event, entertaining. I like the idea that the police department can get everyone out," Lipnicki said.

Members of the Honorary Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA), part of the Carteret police organization, praised the event for instilling a sense of community. 

"We support (the police department) so that they can support the community," said Tim Hagan, of the Honorary PBA.

"It brings a lot of different ethnicities back in here, too," Hagan said. "Everybody seems to come together in these kind of community affairs. You look through the lines and they all stand next to each other and enjoy themselves. It's a community-building activity."

However, not everyone in the police department was present for the event.

"Unfortunately, last night there was a Yankees trip and everyone got back at 11:30, so most of our lead guys aren't here because they're still recovering," Moody said.

The event was sponsored by the police department with help from Dick's Sporting Good and Walmart of Woodbridge, Kelly's Pub of Carteret, and Investors Savings Bank.

In addition, the Interact Club of Woodbridge donated leftover ice cream donated for a previous Relay for Life event. The PBA then made a monetary donation back to the Interact Club, which helps kids volunteer for organizations in Woodbridge.

"Our police department has gotten hammered in the news and it's about time people get to see the volunteer work we do," Moody said.

Delaney Dryfoos may be reached at ddryfoos@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @delaneydryfoos. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Most N.J. school districts are getting screwed by the state - is yours one of them?

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Some smaller districts would see their state aid double, triple or even quadruple.

If you live in New Jersey, there's a good chance your school district is getting cheated.

The state has a formula that says exactly much money it should give each district so kids get the education they deserve. But it hasn't fully paid in almost a decade, leaving districts to raise taxes, cut jobs and put off new initiatives to make up the difference.

Things may finally be about to change, however. 

Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic lawmakers are working on plans to fully fund that formula within the next few years and remove a cap on much new aid a district can get each year. 

If they can get it done, the impact will be huge. 

About two-thirds of all districts would see their school funding increase, more than 50 districts would eventually get at least a $10 million boost, and some smaller districts would see their state aid double, triple or even quadruple over time (looking at you, Chesterfield). 

That could mean modest property tax reductions (or smaller hikes, at least), fewer budget cuts and more spending on textbooks, technology and other classroom needs. 

But before you celebrate, beware of one thing. Some districts already get more than what the formula says they should because lawmakers previously made a deal to prevent districts from losing state dollars. 

In order to get every district what it's owed, the state is considering reducing aid to those "overfunded" districts and reallocating funds to those that have been shorted. It's the most controversial part of the plan and could lead to local tax hikes or budget cuts. 

Time will tell if anything actually changes. For now, underfunded school districts can dream. 

Use the search tool below to see how much state funding your district receives now and what it could get if New Jersey fully funds its schools in the future.

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Carla Astudillo may be reached at castudillo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @carla_astudi. Find her on Facebook.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClarkFind NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Academy rising senior elected Junior State America governor

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Dev Patel will be the governor of the Mid-Atlantic region.

mx0610schooledison_edited.jpgDev Patel 

EDISON -- The 2018-2019 school year will be a busy one for Dev Patel, a student at the Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies. Not only will he be a high school senior, a typically busy academic year for students, he also will serve as governor of the Mid-Atlantic region of Junior State America.

Junior State America is a nationwide student-run organization that helps politically-minded students develop their leadership and public speaking skills. Each year at the Spring State Convention, the 10 JSA state chapters elect students to serve as governors for the following school year.

Patel will serve as governor of the Mid-Atlantic state, an area that stretches from New Jersey to North Carolina; Neha Nandiwada from Biotechnology High School in Freehold will serve as lieutenant governor. Patel, Nandiwada and their cabinet members are responsible for planning the organization's conventions, conferences and political-awareness events, supporting the chapters and creating new chapters.

"He exudes a quiet confidence. He's a good person," said history teacher JSA adviser Christopher Price.

To submit school news send an email to middlesex@starledger.com.

Two members of Boy Scout Troop 109 earn Eagle

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Scouts are honored at an Eagle Court of Honor.

mx0610scouteastbrunswick_edited.jpgEvan Blake, left, and Patrick Tiongko received Youth Good Citizenship Awards from Susan Luczu of the DAR at their Eagle Court of Honor.

EAST BRUNSWICK -- Last month, members of Boy Scout Troop 109 gathered at St. Batholomew Parish Hall to honor Scouts Patrick Tiongko and Evan Blake at an Eagle Court of Honor for earning their Eagle Awards, the highest honor a Boy Scout can achieve.

To earn the Eagle Award, a Scout must be active with a troop, earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, assume a position of leadership within a troop, and complete a service project that benefits the community.

As a Cub Scout, Tiongko attended many events at Bicentennial Park and decided to make it the focus of his Eagle project. Tiongko repaired six old and damaged benches along Trail B at the park, replacing the benches' planks, nuts and bolts.

Blake researched the World War I veterans buried at Elmwood Cemetery in North Brunswick, secured markers and flags for their graves, and created a walking tour brochure of the World War I veterans' graves.

In addition to receiving their Eagle Awards, at the ceremony Tiongko and Blake were presented with Youth Good Citizenship Certificate Awards and pins by Susan Luczu, Jersey Blue DAR Chapter member and New Jersey DAR central district director, in recognition of their Scouting accomplishments.

To submit scout news send an email to middlesex@starledger.com.

N.J. pets in need: June 11, 2018

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Dogs and cats throughout New Jersey await adoption from shelters and rescue groups.

Here is this week's collection of some of the dogs and cats in need of adoption in New Jersey.

We accept dogs and cats to appear in the gallery from nonprofit shelters and rescues throughout New Jersey. If a group wishes to participate in this weekly gallery on nj.com, please contact Greg Hatala at ghatala@starledger.com or call 973-836-4922.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

Powerball tickets worth $150K and $50K sold in N.J.

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The tickets were sold at supermarket and a gas station

A pair of third-prize tickets were sold in New Jersey for Saturday's $105 million Powerball drawing. 

Both tickets matched four numbers plus the Powerball with one worth $150,000 since the winner spent an extra $1 to exercise the Power Play option, state lottery officials said Monday. 

The $150,000 ticket was bought at Super Stop & Shop on Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne.

Someone also purchased a ticket worth $50,000 at the Shell gas station on New Brunswick Avenue in Perth Amboy.

Meet the winner of the $315.3 million Powerball prize

Saturday's winning numbers were 6, 10, 15, 25 and 36. The Powerball drawn was 14 and the multiplier was 3x. 

No one across the country hit the jackpot. Three second-prize tickets were sold, one worth $2 million, the others $1 million apiece. A retailer in Idaho sold the $2 million ticket, which was bought with Power Play. The other two were bought in Indiana and Minnesota. 

Wednesday's drawing is worth $121 million with a cash option of $72.3 million. 

Powerball is played in 44 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Serious crash involving car, truck closes 2 Turnpike lanes

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The vehicles collided on the northbound side near Exit 12

UPDATE: A man driving the wrong way on the New Jersey Turnpike died after he hit a box truck.

A serious crash between a car and a truck Monday has closed two northbound lanes on the New Jersey Turnpike in Middlesex County, authorities said. 

The crash took place just before 11:30 a.m. and has shut down the left and center lanes of the outer roadway near milepost 93.6 in Woodbridge, according to State Police. 

Trooper Alejandro Goez said the State Police's fatal accident and crime scene units are investigating at the scene, which is just south of Interchange 12.

Both lanes will be closed "until further notice," according to 511nj.com, the state department of transportation's traffic website. 

SigAlert.com says to expect delays of up to one hour. 

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

N.J. proms 2018: See this past week's prom photos from around the state

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Photographers from NJ Advance Media are covering proms around the state. Check out the list below with our most recent prom photo galleries from the past week. Be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom. Patti Sapone may be reached at psapone@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Instagram @psapo, Twitter @psapone. Follow NJ.com on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Photographers from NJ Advance Media are covering proms around the state. Check out the list below with our most recent prom photo galleries from the past week.

Be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom.

Patti Sapone may be reached at psapone@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Instagram @psapo, Twitter @psapone. Follow NJ.com on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Man dies in wrong-way crash with truck on Turnpike

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A 57-year-old New York man driving the wrong way on the New Jersey Turnpike died Wednesday when he hit a box truck head on in Woodbridge, authorities said.

A man driving the wrong way on the New Jersey Turnpike died Wednesday when he hit a box truck head-on in Woodbridge, authorities said.

Steven Hom, 57, of Scarsdale, N.Y., was driving south in the northbound lanes of the Turnpike when he hit the truck traveling north near milepost 93.6 just before 11:30 a.m., New Jersey State Police Trooper Alejandro Goez said.

Hom was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:44 a.m.

Goez said police do not know why Hom was driving the wrong way and that the accident is still under investigation.

The driver of the box truck was not seriously injured.

The crash shut down the left and center lanes of the outer roadway just south of exit 12 for about three hours, Goez said.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Killer, gang members, rapists among 91 arrested in 5-day sweep across N.J., ICE says

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The roundup also included those with convictions for aggravated assault, child endangerment, criminal sexual contact, kidnapping, homicide, drug offenses and other crimes, officials said.

Federal officials said that 91 foreign nationals - including some with violent criminal records - were arrested in a five-day sweep across the state.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation netted an El Salvadoran national in West New York who was wanted on a warrant from international policing group Interpol for being a member of the MS-13 gang, and trafficking drugs and guns, ICE said Monday.

The roundup also included those with convictions for aggravated assault, child endangerment, criminal sexual contact, kidnapping, homicide, drug offenses and other crimes, officials said. About 70 of the people arrested were previously convicted of criminal offenses.

"This operation focuses on the arrest of individuals convicted of serious crimes and are a threat to public safety," John Tsoukaris, field office director of Enforcement and Removal Operations for ICE in Newark, said in a statement. "Because of the targeted efforts of these professional officers, there are 91 fewer criminals in our communities."

Nationals of Anguilla, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Korea, Macedonia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Spain, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Venezuela were arrested in the operation, according to ICE.

Arrests took place in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Passaic, Union, and Warren counties.

Those arrested will face proceedings before an immigration judge while others under a final order of removal will be deported from the country.

ICE has launched a series of immigration operations around the country, including another five-day sweep around New Jersey in April. The agency has faced criticism for arresting people who pose no danger and do not have criminal backgrounds.

The agency has said its operations focus on people who pose threats to national security, public safety and border security. Under the Trump Administration, ICE no longer exempts some from possible enforcement. Instead, anyone violating immigration laws could face being arrested, held and removed from the country.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahycFind NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Family of school bus driver killed in fiery head-on crash settles suit for $1.55M

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The 10-passenger bus was hit by an SUV in November 2016 and burst into flames

The family of a school bus driver killed in a fiery head-on crash in Middletown in 2016 settled their negligence lawsuit for $1.55 million.

Lorraine Filozof, 62, of Woodbridge, was operating a 10-passenger bus when it was struck head-on by an SUV whose driver lost control while speeding around a curve on Phalanx Road in Middletown. The SUV struck the bus between the left front wheel and the driver's side door. 

News of the settlement was first reported by the New Jersey Law Journal. The Middletown attorney for Filozof's estate, Michael J. Hanus, confirmed the settlement to NJ Advance Media. 

The bus aide and a witness pulled Filozof from the bus as it caught fire following the collision. Filozof was conscious and in severe pain before she died, the suit alleged. 

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office declined to charge the SUV driver, who was injured in the Nov. 14, 2016 crash. A 61-year-old school bus aide and a student aboard the bus also were injured.

The bus was owned by R. Helfrich & Son of Hazlet. 

The suit, filed in Middlesex County, was settled April 26. Filozof's estate was paid June 4. Of the $1.55 million, $1.25 million will be covered from policies issued to the SUV driver by the American Automobile Association. The estate also received $250,000 from a separate auto policy issued to the driver by American Bankers Insurance Co. of Florida. The final $50,000 came from a USAA policy issued to the driver's daughter, the owner of the Durango.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Teacher and student admitted kissing each other. Cops say they exchanged 200 calls

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The high school teacher was charged last week for alleged misconduct with the 17-year-old female

A high school English teacher charged with sexual misconduct last week kissed a 17-year-old female student and had several after-hours phone calls with her, authorities allege in a court document.

Kenneth Shindle, 28, a teacher at Hillsborough High School, had over 200 calls with the student between January and May this year, a probable cause affidavit in the case says.

Kenneth Shindle.jpgKenneth Shindle 

Shindle and the student also had visits at his home in Plainsboro, including one on May 6 in which both he and the student admit they kissed on his couch, the complaint says.

"The defendant had unsupervised visits at his residence with the student, where on May 6, 2018, both the defendant and victim admitted to kissing on the defendant's couch," the complaint reads.

Authorities charged Shindle on June 5 with two second-degree counts of endangering the welfare of a child. One count was for sexual conduct that would "impair or debauch the morals of the child." The other alleges conduct that made the victim "an abused or neglected child."

Shindle was suspended from his English teaching position at the Hillsborough High, where he's taught for five years and has tenure.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office did not move to detain Shindle during a court hearing last week, and he was released from the Middlesex County jail, according to Joe Compitello, the attorney who represented him at the time.

Shindle is on weekly court-ordered monitoring.

Shindle's current defense attorney, Thomas Campo, declined to comment Tuesday.

Gianluca D'Elia may be reached at gdelia@njadvancemedia.comFollow him on Twitter @gianluca_delia. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Wanted man allegedly grabbed cop's tie and dragged him alongside fleeing car

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The unusual incident was reported at 3:45 p.m. in South Brunswick, when motorists called the police after they saw a 2016 grey Kia Sorrento "driving erratically."

Police are searching for a man who grabbed an officer's tie during a traffic stop Tuesday and tried to drive away while dragging him alongside the car.

The unusual incident was reported at 3:45 p.m. in South Brunswick, when motorists called the police after they saw a 2016 grey Kia Sorrento "driving erratically" on Route 32 east near the intersection of Route 535, according to a release from the South Brunswick Police.

SouthBrunswickSolo.jpgAlan Fratello Jr, 46 of Monmouth Junction. Photo: South Brunswick Police 

Detectives Eric Tighelaar and Monica Posteraro found the car and stopped it. Tighelaar approached the car and began speaking with the driver, Alan Fratello Jr., 46, of Monmouth Junction.

Fratello grabbed Tighelaar's tie and began driving away, forcing him to run alongside the Kia, police said.

Tighelaar was able to push away from the car break free, and Fratello then drove his vehicle over the center median and headed back toward Route 130, police said.

"It only takes a split second for a routine interaction to turn into a potential deadly situation," South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hauducka said in the release. "All the individuals involved are lucky that this did not end in tragedy."

Fratello is facing several assault charges after today's incident and has also been accused of eluding, police said.

Fratello and his female passenger are wanted by other departments for unrelated offenses and have ties to Edison and Toms River, the release states.

Police asked anyone with information on their whereabouts to call the South Brunswick Police Department at 732-329-4646.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Here's the latest sign top Dems still aren't sold on Phil Murphy's tax and budget plan

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The state Assembly speaker sent a letter to his fellow lawmakers that shows there's still work to be done on a state budget deal.

State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin outlined his state budget priorities in a letter sent to his fellow lawmakers Tuesday that suggested he's still at odds with Gov. Phil Murphy on a budget deal.

According to a copy of the document obtained by NJ Advance Media, Coughlin listed a half-dozen of his "core budget principles." But missing from the letter is any mention of a willingness to agree to Murphy's proposal to reinstate a bump in the state's sales tax.

Rather, Coughlin, D-Middlesex, stressed the need to "protect New Jersey's taxpayers" and preserve "our middle-class priorities," according to the letter.

There's only a little more than two weeks left for Murphy and his fellow Democrats who control the state Legislature to cut a deal on a budget. Without an agreement, the state government shuts down after the June 30 deadline.

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, has been a vocal critic of Murphy's proposal to institute a state's millionaires tax. And privately, both men have told the governor they also oppose his plans to increase the state's sales tax to 7 percent from its current 6.625 percent.

On Tuesday, Coughlin told his members the "Assembly staff has been having daily conversations with our counterparts in the state Senate" and they've "also been speaking to administration representatives about their priorities and concerns."

Murphy may not like this possible counter-offer

Coughlin wrote: "Some of the core budget principles that we have made clear are important to our caucus include a reinstatement of the Homestead Rebate Program, tax amnesty, funding for affordable housing, proper funding of all schools across the state and encouraging efficiencies across state government, while preserving our middle-class priorities."

Coughlin's call for the Homestead property tax credits that Murphy underfunded would cost about $150 million, which could be paid for by revenue from a tax amnesty program Coughlin proposed in April, according to a possible legislative counterproposal to Murphy's budget NJ Advance Media reported on Monday.

Shortly after Coughlin sent Tuesday's letter to his caucus, Murphy traveled to the Assembly speaker's backyard where he addressed a gathering of the Middlesex County Democrats.

"I'm an optimist on the budget," Murphy told the crowd at the Hyatt hotel in New Brunswick, after he acknowledged there's still work to be done.

But, the governor added, "It's going to have to be a responsible budget."

Murphy's comment was subtle but deliberate. As was Coughlin's response when he addressed the room right after the governor.

"The governor alluded to the budget and I share his commitment to doing what is right," Coughlin said. "Reinstate the Homestead rebate because it's so important to the middle class."

He added: "There's still lots of issues to tackle."

The amnesty program pushed by Coughlin is just one of several types of income in the possible counterproposal, which was detailed in the one-page document, considered "one shots." That means they can't be counted on for more than one fiscal year.

The document also included hundreds of millions of dollars in spending cuts and projected savings the lawmakers may want in place of Murphy's proposed taxes, which could pay for Coughlin's other priorities.

It's unclear if the document represented an opening volley or a final offer, or even if it represents the unanimous voice of the state Senate and state Assembly Democrats.

Murphy in March introduced his $37.4 billion spending plan that relied on more than $1.5 billion in new taxes to boost spending for schools, NJ Transit, government worker pensions and other progressive promises.

But Coughlin and Sweeney have pushed back, saying they come at a bad time for an already overtaxed population.

The governor has argued his budget reflects a responsible plan for the state's future. A Murphy spokesman, Dan Bryan, blasted the potential counterproposal as a plan that relies on "one-shots and revenue gimmicks."

NJ Advance Media staff writer Samantha Marcus contributed to this report.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.

 
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