(Photo courtesy of Natalie Paterson / NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
There has been political, devastating and informative news this week so let’s get right into it.
Ex-New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez Asks For New Trial
Last year New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was convicted of taking bribes from three New Jersey businessmen.
Attorneys for the former Senator and two businessmen want a federal judge to take away their convictions and order a new trial, after prosecutors recently discovered that nine documents were accidentally uploaded to a computer used by jurors during deliberations.
In a letter to Judge Sidney H. Stein, prosecutors said no action is necessary in light of the error because the defense lawyers did not object the inspected documents on that laptop before handing it to the jurors. The prosecutors also don’t believe the jurors were able to review all of the 3,074 exhibits.
Meanwhile Menendez’s attorneys say the prosecutors’ mistake is “undoubtedly prejudicial” because the documents could have changed a jury’s doubt.
While it’s unclear if the request will be granted, Menendez awaits a sentencing on Jan. 29.
New Jersey Set To Increase Gas Tax
Drivers in New Jersey will be paying more for gas in the new year, state officials announced.
A law was passed earlier this year which permits yearly changes to the tax to support infrastructure projects and NJ Transit until 2029. Rates can be lowered or raised depending on if the yearly revenue goal is met.
This past Monday, the Department of the Treasury announced that the state gas tax rate will go up by 2.6 cents per gallon on Jan. 1, 2025.
The state of New Jersey separates gasoline and diesel fuel on different taxes: the Petroleum Products Gross Receipt Tax (PPGRT) and the Motor Fuels Tax.
The combined tax rates that drivers will pay for gasoline and diesel fuel will be 44.9 cents per gallon and 51.9 cents per gallon because of the new increase to the PPGRT.
“Based on our review of the consumption data, combined with the requirement to meet the new statutory target, we have determined that the new formula dictates a 2.6 cent increase this coming January,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio in a statement.
“We are pleased that this dedicated funding stream continues to provide billions of dollars across the State to support our critical transportation infrastructure needs.”
State officials say that creating the new tax will increase revenue targets for the Highway Fuel Cap to $2.115 billion in 2026, $2.119 billion in 2027, $2.366 billion in 2028 and $2.366 billion in 2029.
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Man Charged With Murder After Father And Son Found Dead In Their Home
Last month, a father and his son were found dead in their home in Guttenberg. Prosecutors said this past Wednesday that one man has been charged with murder.
On Nov. 23, shortly after 10 p.m., the Guttenberg Police Department were called about two unresponsive men inside a home at 209 71st St.
The two men, father and son, were revealed to be Justo Bory, age 87, and Ricardo Bory, age 58.
Police have arrested Lamont Cole, 40, of East Orange in connections to the murder. Cole was first arrested that night for interfering with the investigation.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Guttenberg Police Department are still investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345.
Frank Gilmore Makes Choice For State Governor
Jersey City Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore is backing Ras Baraka for the Democratic nomination for governor. This gives the three-term Newark mayor his elected official endorsement from Hudson County.
Glimore praised Baraka stating, “Mayor Ras Baraka understands what it means to fight for working families. He’s shown time and again that he can build a better future without leaving anyone behind.”
“In Newark, Mayor Baraka has proven that growth and affordability don’t have to be at odds. Whether it’s creating pathways to affordable housing or attracting meaningful development that uplifts communities, Ras knows how to get it done.”
Gilmore was elected to a Ward F council seat back in 2021.
At the time, he defeated Jermaine Robinson with a 56% majority. Robinson had run alongside current Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who is also a candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
“New Jersey needs a governor who doesn’t shy away from working people when fights get tough, and Ras Baraka is that leader,” stated Gilmore. “He has a unique ability to navigate complex challenges, bring people together, and deliver real results for the people who need it most.”
Despite The Recent Rain, North New Jersey Is Still In A Drought
The rainfall last week and this week helped improve streamflows in Jersey and reduced the threat of wildfires. However, the drinking water reservoirs are still much lower than normal for this time of year.
Thanksgiving was raining all day long, but only gave North Jersey a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain, according to the National Weather Service. In simpler terms–it wasn’t enough.
[It]definitely helped a little bit — we need events like this with widespread light to moderate rain to help get out of the drought,” said James Tomasini, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Upton, New York, office. “But it’s not going to get rid of the drought by any means,” he said.
If the region does not get any more rain by the end of Saturday, it will mark the driest on record for the Newark area, Tomasini said.
As for a fire risk, current danger is low for the entire state, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service stated.
