Tag:

Legislation

DJs, Dog Walkers, Uber Drivers: See Who May Qualify For 'No Tax On Tips' DJs, Dog Walkers, Uber Drivers: See Who May Qualify For 'No Tax On Tips'
DJs, Dog Walkers, Uber Drivers: See Who May Qualify For 'No Tax On Tips' From bartenders and cooks to podcast hosts and social media influencers, a wide range of jobs are included under a so-called "no tax on tips" rule. The Treasury Department has released a sweeping preliminary list of jobs that may not have to pay federal tax on tip income. The provision is part of the spending law previously named the "One Big Beautiful Bill" that Congressional Republicans passed in July. The draft includes restaurant servers and bartenders, hairdressers, taxi drivers, tour guides, and even digital content creators. To qualify, a job must have "customarily and regu…
Murphy Signs Laws To Investigate Why NJ Electric Bills Are So High Murphy Signs Laws To Investigate Why NJ Electric Bills Are So High
Murphy Signs Laws To Investigate Why NJ Electric Bills Are So High As New Jersey families brace for higher energy costs, Gov. Phil Murphy has signed two new laws aimed at holding regional grid operator PJM Interconnection accountable for what officials call opaque practices that have driven up electricity prices. The new laws — AJR216/SJR154 and A5463/S4363 — direct the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate whether PJM’s pricing system is helping customers by ensuring reliable resources at the lowest possible cost.  The BPU will report back to the Governor and the Legislature within one year. “These bills complement our long-term plan …
Bus Crash That Killed Band Director, Teacher In Hudson Valley Caused By Faulty Tire: NTSB Bus Crash That Killed Band Director, Teacher In Hudson Valley Caused By Faulty Tire: NTSB
Bus Crash That Killed Band Director, Teacher In Hudson Valley Caused By Faulty Tire: NTSB A charter bus crash that killed two Long Island educators on a Hudson Valley highway in 2023 was caused by a damaged tire, according to the final accident report. The report – released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Thursday, July 24 – found that prolonged underinflation and prior impact damage caused the left-front tire to blow. That sent the bus careening through a cable barrier and tumbling down an embankment on I-84 in Wawayanda on Sept. 21, 2023. At the time of the accident, the bus was carrying 40 members of Long Island’s Farmingdale High School marching band – …
Most US Ice Cream Makers Pledge To Remove Artificial Dyes Most US Ice Cream Makers Pledge To Remove Artificial Dyes
Most US Ice Cream Makers Pledge To Remove Artificial Dyes The vast majority of the nation's ice cream makers have agreed to make their treats without artificial food colorings by 2028. The International Dairy Foods Association has pledged to phase out the synthetic dyes by the end of 2027, the trade group announced on Monday, July 14. The IDFA represents dozens of companies that make more than 90% of the nation's ice cream products. The companies will phase out certified artificial colors from ice cream and frozen dairy desserts made with real milk. Those dyes include Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Y…
'Tool For Bribery': Sens. Blumenthal, Warren Want Rules For Trump’s Presidential Library Fund 'Tool For Bribery': Sens. Blumenthal, Warren Want Rules For Trump’s Presidential Library Fund
'Tool For Bribery': Sens. Blumenthal, Warren Want Rules For Trump’s Presidential Library Fund Two high-ranking Senate Democrats have introduced legislation to tighten the rules for how sitting presidents raise and use donations for their presidential libraries, citing practices linked to President Donald Trump. Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren are backing the bill alongside Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), according to CBS News. “Donald Trump is using his presidential library as a tool for bribery while he is still in office,” Warren told CBS. She added, “Many of the donations to Trump's …
Medical Debt Returning To Americans' Credit Reports After Judge Reverses Biden-Era Rule Medical Debt Returning To Americans' Credit Reports After Judge Reverses Biden-Era Rule
Medical Debt Returning To Americans' Credit Reports After Judge Reverses Biden-Era Rule A federal judge in Texas has overturned a Biden-era rule that removed medical debt from Americans' credit reports. Judge Sean Jordan scrapped the regulation in a ruling on Friday, July 11. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized the rule on Tuesday, Jan. 7, about two weeks before former President Joe Biden left office. The decision came exactly a week after President Donald Trump signed the previously named "One Big Beautiful Bill" into law. Experts warn that the Republican-backed budget reconciliation legislation makes sweeping cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, while incr…
Nicotine Poisonings Surge Among Babies, Young Kids: Study Nicotine Poisonings Surge Among Babies, Young Kids: Study
Nicotine Poisonings Surge Among Babies, Young Kids: Study Poisonings among young children have risen sharply as products like nicotine pouches and vaping liquids become more popular, according to a new study. US poison control centers received 134,663 reports of kids six years old and younger ingesting nicotine from 2010 through 2023, according to the study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday, July 14. In a shorter timeframe, the researchers found that nicotine poisonings rose by more than 760% from 2020 to 2023. The study said that two children died from ingesting e-liquids and 39 suffered "major eff…
No More Half-Day Kindergarten In NJ — And What It Means For Parents No More Half-Day Kindergarten In NJ — And What It Means For Parents
No More Half-Day Kindergarten In NJ — And What It Means For Parents New Jersey families are one step closer to guaranteed access to free preschool and full-day kindergarten thanks to three bills signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday, July 9. The sweeping legislation is being hailed as a “landmark” investment in early education, with a goal of making universal, high-quality preschool a reality in every New Jersey school district, and requiring all elementary-serving districts to offer free, full-day kindergarten by 2030. “With today’s bill signing, we are moving forward in making free, universal preschool and free, full-day kindergarten a reality …
Ban On ICE Agent Masks Proposed By NY Lawmaker Ban On ICE Agent Masks Proposed By NY Lawmaker
Ban On ICE Agent Masks Proposed By NY Lawmaker New York lawmakers are considering a bill that would bar federal immigration agents and other police officers from hiding their identities while on duty. The legislation – titled the Mandating End of Lawless Tactics (MELT) Act — was unveiled this week by Democratic Assemblymember Tony Simone. If passed, it would prohibit officers at all levels, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from covering their faces or failing to display identifying information such as a badge number or name while operating within New York state. The measure includes exceptions for protective gear w…
Here's How Many NJ Families May Lose SNAP Benefits Under Trump's 'Big Beautiful' Law: Study Here's How Many NJ Families May Lose SNAP Benefits Under Trump's 'Big Beautiful' Law: Study
Here's How Many NJ Families May Lose SNAP Benefits Under Trump's 'Big Beautiful' Law: Study Northeast families are expected to be among the hardest hit under sweeping federal cuts to food benefits in the Republican-backed law previously named the "One Big Beautiful Bill," according to a new study. President Donald Trump signed the spending bill into law on Friday, July 4, after the GOP narrowly passed it through both chambers of Congress. Among many massive changes, the bill is forecasted to cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding by $186 billion through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The 20% reduction is the largest cut in the history of SNAP be…
M&M's, Skittles Reportedly Resisting Push To End Artificial Food Dye Use: Here's Why M&M's, Skittles Reportedly Resisting Push To End Artificial Food Dye Use: Here's Why
M&M's, Skittles Reportedly Resisting Push To End Artificial Food Dye Use: Here's Why One of the nation's largest candy makers is pushing back on a years-long effort to remove artificial food dyes from its products, according to reports. Mars, the McLean, Virginia-based company behind popular candies like M&M's, is resisting the federal government's effort to remove synthetic food colorings, The New York Times reported on Monday, July 7. This comes as more than a dozen food giants like Kraft Heinz, General Mills, PepsiCo, ConAgra, and Nestlé have agreed to eliminate the artificial dyes from their US products by the end of 2027. Federal agencies have tried for y…
NJ Mansion Tax: Lawmakers Just Quietly Passed A New Bill That Makes Selling Way More Expensive NJ Mansion Tax: Lawmakers Just Quietly Passed A New Bill That Makes Selling Way More Expensive
NJ Mansion Tax: Lawmakers Just Quietly Passed A New Bill That Makes Selling Way More Expensive New Jersey’s luxury real estate market was thrown into turmoil after lawmakers passed a sweeping mansion tax bill on Monday, June 30, shifting the state’s high-end realty transfer fee from buyers to sellers and adding steep new tiers up to 3.5%. Under the new law, Assembly Bill 5804, sellers of homes over $1 million will absorb what had historically been a 1% buyer-paid fee, with significant increases for higher-value properties. The rates for sellers rises to: 2% over $2 million 2.5% over $2.5 million 3% over $3 million 3.5% over $3.5 million That means a seller of a $4 million home will …
Trump Threatens Elon Musk With Deportation After Billionaire Calls GOP 'Porky Pig Party' Trump Threatens Elon Musk With Deportation After Billionaire Calls GOP 'Porky Pig Party'
Trump Threatens Elon Musk With Deportation After Billionaire Calls GOP 'Porky Pig Party' What started as a political breakup has turned into a full-blown war of words, with President Donald Trump now suggesting deporting Elon Musk, the former leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump escalated his increasingly personal feud with Musk on Tuesday morning, July 1, hinting that the South African-born billionaire might face scrutiny — or even deportation — under a government agency Musk once led. “DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump told reporters. He made the remark before boarding Marine One en route to Florida’s “Alligator Al…
'Want To Go Home': PA Sen. Fetterman Slammed After Complaint About Missed Beach Trip Goes Viral 'Want To Go Home': PA Sen. Fetterman Slammed After Complaint About Missed Beach Trip Goes Viral
'Want To Go Home': PA Sen. Fetterman Slammed After Complaint About Missed Beach Trip Goes Viral Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman apparently would rather be building sandcastles than slogging through Senate votes. As the US Senate trudged through a grueling voting marathon on President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending package, Fetterman went viral for saying what many might’ve been thinking. The Democratic lawmaker, while addressing reporters outside the Senate chamber on Monday, June 30, raised eyebrows when asked about possible timing on the bill: “Oh my God, I just want to go home,” Fetterman said, visibly frustrated during the vote-a-rama underway in Washington. “I’ve alrea…
NC Senator Won't Seek Re-Election After Clashing With Trump Over 'Big Beautiful Bill' NC Senator Won't Seek Re-Election After Clashing With Trump Over 'Big Beautiful Bill'
NC Senator Won't Seek Re-Election After Clashing With Trump Over 'Big Beautiful Bill' Sen. Thom Tillis announced he will not seek re-election just hours after voting against President Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” The North Carolina Republican issued a lengthy statement following his vote against the measure, which passed 51-49. “In Washington over the last few years, it’s become increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species,” Tillis said Sunday, June 29. “It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election.” Once a MAGA devotee, Til…
'Utterly Insane': Musk Reignites Trump Feud, Taking Aim At His 'Big Bill' In New Attack 'Utterly Insane': Musk Reignites Trump Feud, Taking Aim At His 'Big Bill' In New Attack
'Utterly Insane': Musk Reignites Trump Feud, Taking Aim At His 'Big Bill' In New Attack Elon Musk has reignited his feud with President Donald Trump after tensions had seemingly simmered, attacking his signature spending proposal just weeks after their public split over the same bill led to a blowout of their bromance. In a post published Saturday, June 28, on X, the 54-year-old billionaire entrepreneur warned that “The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country!” Hours after the post went live, the Senate advanced the tax-and-spend package to general debate following a razor-thin late-night vote of 51-49. …
Legislator Stalked Outside His Long Island Home: Police Legislator Stalked Outside His Long Island Home: Police
Legislator Stalked Outside His Long Island Home: Police A Suffolk County legislator and retired detective was stalked outside his Northport home by a man who repeatedly showed up in a pickup truck to intimidate his family, authorities said. Joshua Smith, 47, of Kings Park, was arrested on Indian Head Road at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025, according to Suffolk County Police. Between Sunday, June 16 and Tuesday, June 18, Smith allegedly parked a white 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck in Legislator Robert Trotta’s driveway multiple times and revved the engine, police said. Trotta reported the unsettling activity to police on Wednesday…
TikTok Ban Delayed Again Despite Doubts About Trump's Legal Power: Reports TikTok Ban Delayed Again Despite Doubts About Trump's Legal Power: Reports
TikTok Ban Delayed Again Despite Doubts About Trump's Legal Power: Reports TikTok will reportedly stay available in the US for at least three more months despite legal questions surrounding President Donald Trump's authority to keep delaying enforcement of the ban. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will sign an executive order to extend a pause on the ban for 90 more days, CNBC reported. An extension would push the Thursday, June 19, deadline to Wednesday, Sept. 17. The divest-or-ban bill became law in April 2024. The ban's enforcement has been postponed for a third time under Trump, who once advocated for banning the popular video app. The …
Deaths Linked To Poppy Seeds, FDA Under Fire Over Hidden Danger In Your Pantry Deaths Linked To Poppy Seeds, FDA Under Fire Over Hidden Danger In Your Pantry
Deaths Linked To Poppy Seeds, FDA Under Fire Over Hidden Danger In Your Pantry Poppy seeds — a staple on bagels and in pastries — are at the center of a stunning public health scare that has already cost lives, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed on Tuesday, April 8. The FDA has extended the public comment period for its Request for Information about poppy seed contamination after reports of adverse events, including respiratory arrest and death, were linked to the presence of opiate alkaloids — toxic substances naturally found in the poppy plant but not supposed to contaminate seeds FDA RFI Extension. The danger is not theoretical: at least 19 death…
NJ Primary Results: Mikie Sherrill To Face Trump-Endorsed Jack Ciattarelli In Gov. Race NJ Primary Results: Mikie Sherrill To Face Trump-Endorsed Jack Ciattarelli In Gov. Race
NJ Primary Results: Mikie Sherrill To Face Trump-Endorsed Jack Ciattarelli In Gov. Race New Jersey voters headed to the polls Tuesday, June 10, for a rescheduled primary election that set the stage for a high-profile battle for governor — and a competitive mayoral race in Atlantic City. The state’s Democratic primary saw Mikie Sherrill clinch a major win, beating out a crowded field that included Ras Baraka, Steven Fulop, Josh Gottheimer, Sean Spiller, and Stephen Sweeney, multiple outlets are projecting. On the Republican side, Jack Ciattarelli secured his party’s nomination, moving one step closer to a second shot at the state’s top job after his narrow loss to Gov. Phil Mur…
Tesla Stock Rebounds As Trump-Musk Feud Hits New Lows Tesla Stock Rebounds As Trump-Musk Feud Hits New Lows
Tesla Stock Rebounds As Trump-Musk Feud Hits New Lows Tesla's stock is recovering after a public feud between CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump fueled a massive selloff. Shares for the electric vehicle giant opened about 5% higher on Friday, June 6. Tesla clawed back some of the 15% lost the day before when the feud between the two billionaires exploded online. The fallout began when Musk, 53, posted on his platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that Trump would have lost the 2024 election without Musk's financial backing.  "Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans …
Trump Hits Back At Musk For Bashing Tax Bill: 'I’m Very Disappointed In Elon' Trump Hits Back At Musk For Bashing Tax Bill: 'I’m Very Disappointed In Elon'
Trump Hits Back At Musk For Bashing Tax Bill: 'I’m Very Disappointed In Elon' Just days after presenting him with a golden key to the White House, President Donald Trump is now firing back after Elon Musk's social-media tirade against Trump's so-called "big, beautiful" tax-and-spending bill back by Trump and Republican lawmakers. Click here for a new, updated story - Gloves Off: Musk Says Trump's In Epstein Files, President Threatens To Cut SpaceX Funding The Tesla CEO and now-former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) blasted Trump’s tax-and-spending package on social media. The bill would make the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, expand the…
Hand-Held Cellphone Ban Goes Into Effect For All Drivers In PA: Here's What You Need To Know Hand-Held Cellphone Ban Goes Into Effect For All Drivers In PA: Here's What You Need To Know
Hand-Held Cellphone Ban Goes Into Effect For All Drivers In PA: Here's What You Need To Know Starting Thursday, June 5, it will be illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving in Pennsylvania — even if you're sitting at a red light. The long-awaited “Paul Miller’s Law” finally goes into effect, banning the use of any hand-held device behind the wheel for all drivers across the state of Pennsylvania. Named after Paul Miller Jr., who was killed in Monroe County in 2010 by a distracted driver, the law aims to eliminate one of the most dangerous behaviors on the road. 📵 What’s banned? Using a phone to text, scroll, or make a call with it in your hand — even while stopped in traf…
Start A Brawl In NJ? You Could Now Face Jail Time Under New Law Signed By Gov. Murphy Start A Brawl In NJ? You Could Now Face Jail Time Under New Law Signed By Gov. Murphy
Start A Brawl In NJ? You Could Now Face Jail Time Under New Law Signed By Gov. Murphy A new law signed this week by Gov. Phil Murphy makes it official: Starting a public brawl in New Jersey can now land you in jail. The bill, S3507/A4652, was signed into law after passing both houses. It makes it a crime to “incite a public brawl”, which means trying to round up four or more people to stir up trouble at a public event. That includes everything from loud, aggressive behavior to full-on fights. If someone starts the drama knowing it’ll likely cause a scene—or does it on purpose—it’s now a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine If it's …
All Aboard The Trump Train? Florida Rep Says Rename DC Metro Or Lose $150M All Aboard The Trump Train? Florida Rep Says Rename DC Metro Or Lose $150M
All Aboard The Trump Train? Florida Rep Says Rename DC Metro Or Lose $150M A Florida congressman wants to slap “Trump Train” on DC’s subway system — and he’s threatening to cut off $150 million in federal funding unless it happens. On Thursday, May 29, Republican Rep. Greg Steube introduced the Make Autorail Great Again Act, a bill that would block all federal funds to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) unless it changes its name and rebrands the Metrorail. Under the proposal, WMATA would become the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA) and the Metrorail system would be renamed the “Trump Train.” This is not a joke. …
Airline CEOs Urge Congress To Overhaul 'Outdated' Air Traffic Control Systems After EWR Issues Airline CEOs Urge Congress To Overhaul 'Outdated' Air Traffic Control Systems After EWR Issues
Airline CEOs Urge Congress To Overhaul 'Outdated' Air Traffic Control Systems After EWR Issues Major airline CEOs are calling on Congressional lawmakers to upgrade the nation's air traffic control systems, especially after recent widespread issues at Newark Liberty International Airport. The top executives sent the open letter to Congress on Wednesday, May 21. The group showed its support for a federal modernization plan to replace decades-old technology and hire thousands of new air traffic controllers. The letter was signed by executives from Alaska Airlines, American, Atlas Air, Delta, FedEx, JetBlue, Southwest, United, and UPS, along with the industry group Airline…
This 'Over-The-Counter Medication' Will Soon Be Allowed In NJ Schools Without Doctor's Note This 'Over-The-Counter Medication' Will Soon Be Allowed In NJ Schools Without Doctor's Note
This 'Over-The-Counter Medication' Will Soon Be Allowed In NJ Schools Without Doctor's Note New Jersey students are finally allowed to use sunscreen, wear hats, and bring sunglasses to school—without needing a doctor’s note. On March 31, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law that requires school districts to permit students to use FDA-approved sunscreen and sun-protective clothing at school and during school-sponsored activities, as long as parents provide written permission, according to a press release from the governor’s office. Previously, sunscreen was classified as an over-the-counter medication, and many districts restricted its use without a medical note. The new law, sp…
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime Gov. Phil Murphy signed into legislation this week a new law that establishes criminal and civil penalties for producing and distributing deceptive audio or visual media, a.k.a. deepfakes. A3540/S2544, which had bipartisan support, makes it a crime in the third degree for anyone who produces deepfake audio or video media for an unlawful purpose or shares deepfakes created for an unlawful purpose. The creator or distributor could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $30,000 if convicted. Francesca Mori, a student at Westfield High School, has become a staunch advocate for legislati…
Bill To Keep Old Criminal Records Off Background Checks Vetoed By Murphy, Offers Another Plan Bill To Keep Old Criminal Records Off Background Checks Vetoed By Murphy, Offers Another Plan
Bill To Keep Old Criminal Records Off Background Checks Vetoed By Murphy, Offers Another Plan A New Jersey bill aimed at preventing outdated criminal records from appearing on background checks, if charges were being expunged, has been vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy. The governor instead proposed an online tracking system and annual reporting requirements to address the state’s expungement backlog. The legislation, Assembly Bill 3881, was introduced on Feb. 27, 2024, by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union) to prohibit the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) from releasing outdated criminal history records while pending expungement orders were still being processed. Under current la…
Senate Joins House In Voting To Avert Government Shutdown Senate Joins House In Voting To Avert Government Shutdown
Senate Joins House In Voting To Avert Government Shutdown With just hours to spare before a midnight deadline, Congress passed a stopgap bill to fund the government through the fall, avoiding a shutdown. The Senate approved the measure early Friday evening, March 14, sending it to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it. The bill will keep the government funded through Tuesday, Sept. 30. The vote followed a tense week of negotiations, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nine other Democrats crossing party lines in a key procedural vote to advance the legislation. The move came despite mounting pressure from within his own…
Steak Your Claim: Texas Wants To Rebrand New York Strip, NY Isn't Biting Steak Your Claim: Texas Wants To Rebrand New York Strip, NY Isn't Biting
Steak Your Claim: Texas Wants To Rebrand New York Strip, NY Isn't Biting A beef between Texas and New York is sizzling. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing to rename the New York strip steak as the "Texas strip" steak. The Republican said the Texas senate will file a resolution to make the name change official for restaurants and supermarkets in the Lone Star State. Lt. Gov. Patrick argues that the large cattle industry in Texas deserves the credit. "Just because a New York restaurant named Texas beef a New York Strip in the 19th century doesn't mean we need to keep doing that," he said in a social media post on Friday, Feb. 28. New York City resta…