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Is politics to blame for the latest N.J. Turnpike toll hike?

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Is politics to blame for the latest N.J. Turnpike toll hike?


From Camden and Cherry Hill to Trenton and the Jersey Shore, what about life in New Jersey do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know.

Last fall, when every member of the Legislature was up for re-election, Gov. Phil Murphy vetoed the proposed New Jersey Turnpike Authority budget that included a 3% toll increase on the turnpike and the parkway.

Murphy said he needed more information on why the toll hike was necessary.

But yesterday, less than three months after the election, the Turnpike Authority took another vote and passed the same $2.6 billion budget again, which included the same toll increase. This time Murphy immediately approved the rate hike without explaining why.

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It’s the third toll hike on the turnpike and the parkway in four years.

According to N.J. Turnpike Authority spokesman Tom Feeney, the toll increase is scheduled to take effect March 1.

For the average passenger car, this translates to a 15 cent increase on turnpike tolls and a 5 cent bump on parkway tolls.

A trip from Camden (Interchange 4) to Trenton (7A) will increase by 8 cents to $2.47.

Feeney said the rate at toll plazas on the mainline of the Garden State Parkway will increase by 7 cents (to $2.09), and the rate at most of the plazas on Garden State Parkway ramps will increase by 3 cents (to 73 cents). Passenger cars pay a lower E-Z Pass rate during the off-peak travel periods on the turnpike and the parkway. Peak periods are from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday.

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“It’s politics as usual as played here in New Jersey or anywhere else, incumbents and incumbent governors don’t like to vote for or approve toll increases or tax increases right before an election,” said Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan University Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship.



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New Jersey

From taxes to sky-high home prices, here’s why NJ is a retirement nightmare

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From taxes to sky-high home prices, here’s why NJ is a retirement nightmare


According to Retirement Living’s State of Retirement and their study of best and worst states to retire, New Jersey ranks as the fourth worst state in the country to kick back, put your feet up, and retire.

According to the study, 58% of adults over 60 worry they will not have enough to retire comfortably.

A long time ago, they called it a “baby boom,” and they were right. As a result of that “baby boom,” there are more Americans hitting retirement age than ever before, so the lack of necessary monies to be comfortable in retirement is an understandable concern.

SB Arts Media

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Where are the best places to retire?

Good old Wyoming ranks No. 1 in the country as the best state to retire to. If you are retired, you will need $573,800 to live a comfortable retirement. Wyoming has no state income tax and a strong economy. I just cannot see myself high in the saddle scurrying after bison in Wyoming.

West Virginia, Florida, and Montana round out the top 4 best places to retire.

Florida is a favorite of New Jersey retirees. You will need $685,000 to live in a comfortable retirement setting. Be forewarned, the study also points out that with the large influx of retirees headed to Florida, the cost of property and rentals is higher and continues to climb. That real estate will become overpriced and dig into that $685,000 quickly.

Oko_SwanOmurphy

Oko_SwanOmurphy

Where does New Jersey stack up?

You will need close to one million dollars to enjoy a comfortable retirement here in New Jersey, $964,000 to be exact. The Great Garden State ranks low in affordability with high real estate costs, the highest property tax rate in the country, and a high state income tax rate.

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The good news is that New Jersey offers strong healthcare access and, believe it or not, a low violent crime rate. The pristine beaches, boardwalks and walkability are positive factors, but they do not necessarily offset the large amount of revenue you will need to sink into your retirement in New Jersey.

Canva / TSM Illustration

Canva / TSM Illustration

I have my own retirement plan; I want to work and play the hits” till I can’t no more.” Good luck to you.

The 10 best and 10 worst states to retire

Gallery Credit: Bankrate/New Jersey 101.5

LOOK: Best counties to retire to in New Jersey

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in New Jersey using data from Niche.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

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The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own.

Report a correction 👈





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Live updates: Washington Capitals vs New Jersey Devils at Capital One Arena

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Live updates: Washington Capitals vs New Jersey Devils at Capital One Arena


After an unsuccessful 1-3-0 road trip, the Washington Capitals, who are losers of 7 of their last 9, are back home to lick their wounds and try to reverse the course of their season against the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils come into the game without their best player, Jack Hughes, who underwent surgery for a dinner-related injury. Yes, I repeat, Jack Hughes suffered an injury during a team dinner.

Meanwhile, the Capitals, who are still missing one of their best players, Pierre-Luc Dubois, are turning to Justin Sourdif to center the second line. The Capitals will also be without John Carlson due to injury.

Puck drop for tonight’s game is shortly after 7:00 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call on Monumental Sports Network.

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Lines

Washington Capitals

Ovechkin

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Strome

McMichael

Beauvillier

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Lapierre

Leonard

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New Jersey Devils

Lachance

Glendening

Légaré

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Tunnel shenanigans


1st Period

Puck is dropped. Duhaime-Dowd-Frank and Fehervary-TVR get the start.

A notable NHL debut for the Devils.

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Tom Wilson to the box for hooking Dawson Mercer at 1:23. Devils go to their first power play.

Jesper Bratt rings a point shot off the crossbar.

Declan Chisholm to the box for high-sticking, giving the Devils a 5-on-3 power play for 8 seconds.

Caps kill the 5v3. Now 1:52 of a 5v4.

Huge one-timer by Arseny Gritsyuk from the top of the right circle beats Thompson easily. Wow.

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1-0 New Jersey Devils

PPG: Arseny Gritsyuk (4). Assists: L. Hughes (10), P. Cotter (2). Time: 5:05

Anthony Beauvillier hooks Mercer between the legs at 7:02 and hauls him down. The Capitals are going to back to the penalty box. Capitals fans are booing. What a reverse of last year.

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The Caps killed the penalty but the Devils were humming. The Caps need to stay out of the penalty box bad. This team is still great on the man advantage without Jack Hughes.

The Devils are outshooting the Capitals 9-3 with 9:46 into the game.

Martin Fehervary loses his balance and slams hard stomach-first into the end boards after being hooked by Jesper Bratt. Bratt immediately came over and checked on him. Fehervary is being helped off the ice and is leaving the game, at least for now, at 13:18.

Fehervary just returned to the ice with a few minutes to go. Great to see he’s all right.

Alex Ovechkin with a huge hit on Bratt along the end boards. He’s slow off the ice, but staying on the bench.

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Luke Hughes with a pinpoint accurate shot past a screened Logan Thompson. This game is already going the wrong way.

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2-0 New Jersey Devils

Goal: Luke Hughes (1). Assists: B. Dillon (5), J. Bratt (12). Time: 17:46

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At intermission: The Devils lead 2-0. The Devils outshot the Capitals 13 to 8. Just a horrible start when you need to turn things around.


2nd Period

Puck is dropped.

It is QUIET at Capital One Arena. You could hear a pin drop.

Hendrix Lapierre peels down the left wing, fires a shot, it’s stopped, he gets his own rebound, fires again, it’s stopped.

Devils with a rush down the ice, Thompson makes two big saves of his own consecutively on Bratt and then Hischier.

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Brenden Dillon is no longer on the Devils bench.


Comment below. Refresh for live updates during the game. The thread will be closed shortly after the game is completed.



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Devils to Face Capitals Without Jack Hughes | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils

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Devils to Face Capitals Without Jack Hughes | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils


THE SCOOP

Devils

The New Jersey Devils announced on Friday that star forward Jack Hughes will be out of the lineup against the Washington Capitals after sustaining a non-hockey-related hand injury. In a corresponding move, the Devils also placed forward Connor Brown on Injured Reserve to call up Shane Lachance from Utica. Brown, whose placement on IR is retroactive to Oct. 30, can come off the injured reserve list at any time.

The Devils opened their five-game road trip in Chicago on Wednesday night, defeating the Blackhawks in overtime on the back of Simon Nemec’s first career hat trick, which the overtime winner topped off. The game didn’t come without its own set of roster issues as both Cody Glass and Zack MacEwen were injured in the first period. MacEwen was later placed on IR, and Utica forward Nathan Légaré was recalled from Utica. He joined the team in Chicago on Thursday. Lachance will meet the Devils in Washington.

Capitals

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After an incredible season last year, the Washington Capitals are off to a disappointing start and are currently on a seven-game losing streak.

Special teams have been a struggle for the Capitals, with their power play ranked 29th in a league of 32 teams, good for just 14.8 percent success rate, while their penalty kill is just slightly better than their power play, ranked 27th in the league working at a 73.2 percent rate.

The Capitals are coming off a four game road trip where they went 1-3-0, their most recent loss being a 6-3 final to the Florida Panthers.



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