James Broderick, Author at Jersey City Times

About James Broderick

James Broderick is a teacher and writer.

Entries by James Broderick

Lights! Camera! Jersey City!

April 9, 2020 in header, Latest News, Other Fun Stuff, Visual Arts /by James Broderick

Jersey City has been a favorite backdrop of film directors for decades. So, as you hunker down until the “all clear” sounds, why not enjoy a few flicks that were shot in part in Jersey City? It might make you feel a little less disconnected from the life you’re waiting to resume.

Books to Read During the Pandemic

April 1, 2020 in Diversions, header, Latest News, Other Fun Stuff /by James Broderick

The following titles, fiction and non-fiction, for adults and young readers might just help you thrive in the brave new world that’s currently causing all of us so much anxiety.

Jersey City Books: A Buying Guide for the Holidays

December 9, 2019 in Diversions, header, News /by James Broderick

Books have always made great gifts – they’re easy to personalize, relatively inexpensive, and can even flatter the recipient. But did you know how many critically acclaimed books have been written about Jersey City, featuring Jersey City, or by those who call Jersey City home?

News Briefs

Governor Phil Murphy signed the Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations Act into law today. The budget plan reestablishes the millionaires tax that expired in 2010, instituting the existing 10.75% rate on income over $5 million to income earned over $1 million, which is expected to generate $390 million for the nine-month budget. The budget addresses spending for only the nine-month period from October 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The Appropriations Act includes $750 million in revenue derived from new tax policy changes, including:

Restoring the 2.5 percent corporation surtax on corporations with taxable net income in excess of $1 million, which will yield an estimated $210 million during FY 2021; and
Increasing the current annual assessment on net written premiums of HMOs from three percent to five percent, raising an estimated $102.7 million in FY 2021.

The budget also includes a nearly $4.8 billion contribution to bolster the state pension system, which represents the largest percentage of the Actuarially Determined Contribution (ADC) contributed in 25 years. Additionally, it includes $2.5 billion surplus, which represents 6.2 percent of appropriations over the 12-month period. The Appropriations Act also relies on the ability to issue up to $4.5 billion in General Obligation bonds to help address economic fallout created by COVID-19.

New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson announced that applications are now open for the new COVID-19 child care tuition assistance program to help families with child care costs as schools open remotely. The program will provide child care tuition assistance to New Jersey families with incomes up to $75,000 that are in need of either full or part-time child care due to their child’s remote learning schedule. Families can apply for this assistance by completing the online application at www.ChildCareNJ.gov. Those applying will need proof of income and a notice or announcement from their child’s school of a remote learning schedule.

The New Jersey Legislature voted to make New Jersey the first in the country to ban single-use paper bags in supermarkets along with all single-use plastic bags in stores and restaurants. The ban would begin 18 months after the bill goes into effect. A spokesman for Gov. Phil Murphy said that Mr. Murphy intended to sign the bill.

Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order that extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation which requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate the environmental and public health impacts of certain facilities on overburdened communities, defined as communities where 35 percent of the households qualify as low-income according to the U.S. Census, 40 percent of households are minority, or 40 percent of households have limited English proficiency.