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Proposed N.J. budget seeks billions in tax relief, higher tax on big corporations

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Proposed N.J. budget seeks billions in tax relief, higher tax on big corporations


The proposed corporate transfer fee did not impress Republican leaders. Assembly Budget Officer Nancy Muñoz described it as “rebranding” the corporate tax surcharge that expired at the end of 2023.

“We applauded ourselves for eliminating the corporate business tax,” she said. “Now, we’ve reinstated the corporate business tax, and what is driving the businesses out of New Jersey is this corporate business tax.”

Muñoz added that there is enough money in the budget to fund NJ Transit, suggesting that the $1.5 billion in legislative add-ons to the current budget could’ve gone toward the transit agency.

Murphy’s spending plan also includes expanded funding for health care for children, investments in pre-k and public schools, a school lunch program and more money for a nursing expansion initiative. Also included in the budget is money for a program to help aspiring teachers, build offshore wind farms, expand the state’s electric grid infrastructure and promote innovation in artificial intelligence.

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“We have crafted this year’s budget, letter by letter, line by line to support the working families who have led New Jersey through hard times,” Murphy said, “Our promise has always been putting the needs of our families ahead of special interests.”

The governor also proposed creating a new program called RetireReady NJ, which will provide nearly all workers, particularly those who do not have a pension or 401(k), an option to invest in a retirement savings plan.

Among other proposed spending is a full payment to the state’s pension system and expanded health insurance options, medical debt relief assistance and more money for affordable housing.

“Together we’re going to continue building that stronger and fairer New Jersey where every family, especially those who worry that they’ve been forgotten, has a fair shot at a brighter future,” he said.



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Garden State Equality director resigns amid child endangerment, assault charges

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Garden State Equality director resigns amid child endangerment, assault charges


Christian Fuscarino resigned Tuesday as executive director of Garden State Equality amid charges of child endangerment and assault after an incident last month with a child in his Neptune City home.

“I resigned from Garden State Equality to ensure that the organization’s work is not impacted by a private family matter,” Fuscarino, a nationally recognized advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, said in a statement on social media.

“While my loved ones and I have been working through this moment together with care and love, the press has turned a deeply personal situation into a public headline,” Fuscarino said.

“Everyone involved is safe and navigating this situation responsibly,” he added.

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Fuscarino asked that the matter “be seen for what it is: a private family moment, not a public spectacle.”

Fuscarino, 35, is charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child by a caretaker and two counts of simple assault, according to court documents.

An affidavit of probable cause alleges Fuscarino pulled the child from bed about 8 p.m. on Nov. 9 and struck the victim multiple times in the face with an open hand, pushing the child into a wall during the encounter.

The incident was captured on a home security video system, according to the affidavit.

The child was later taken to the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center in Freehold for a forensic interview. The child made no disclosure of physical abuse, the affidavit states.

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However, another person living in the home told investigators they witnessed Fuscarino strike the child and intervened.

The state Division of Child Protection and Permanency obtained the video and notified the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office on Nov. 20.

A Neptune City police detective arrested Fuscarino on Nov. 21. The case has since been referred to the prosecutor’s office, court records show.

In a statement Tuesday, Garden State Equality said they had placed Fuscarino on leave after learning of the charges.

By Wednesday, Fuscarino’s bio on the Garden State Equality website had been removed.

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“Garden State Equality takes allegations against our staff seriously and we oppose violence of any kind,” the agency said. “We respect the courts and will allow that process to be handled by them.”

Fuscarino had served since 2016 as the executive director of Garden State Equality, the largest LGBTQ+ organization in New Jersey, which is based in Asbury Park.

With 20 years of experience in LGBTQ+ advocacy, Fuscarino had been at the forefront of efforts to protect transgender rights, combat hate violence, and implement groundbreaking healthcare and education policies.

In a July 2018 story posted to NJ.com, Fuscarino said he wanted to dedicate his life to helping New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ community so that others would not have to suffer the indignities that he endured in adolescence.



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10 hospitalized, including some students, after crash involving school bus in New Jersey

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10 hospitalized, including some students, after crash involving school bus in New Jersey


MOORESTOWN, N.J. (WPVI) — Ten people, including several students, were hospitalized Tuesday after a school bus crash in Burlington County, New Jersey.

The collision happened around 3 p.m. at Borton Landing and Hartford roads in Moorestown.

Township officials said in a Facebook post that a car and school bus collided at the intersection, injuring six students, the bus driver and three occupants of the passenger vehicle. All injuries appear to be minor, officials said.

“We have been made aware of a bus accident on one of our routes. There are no significant injuries for our students,” Moorestown Township Public Schools said in a statement.

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The remaining students on the bus were taken to a nearby school, where they were picked up by family members.

School counselors will be available this week to provide additional support to students.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Wrong-way driver charged in I-80 crash that injured N.J. State Police trooper

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Wrong-way driver charged in I-80 crash that injured N.J. State Police trooper


An alleged drunk, wrong-way driver was arrested following a crash on Interstate 80 in Warren County, officials said.

Robert Felegi was driving a pickup truck west in the eastbound lanes in Knowlton when he crashed head-on into a New Jersey State Trooper’s vehicle near milepost 1.4 around midnight Tuesday, State Police said.

The trooper had emergency lights and sirens activated while trying to alert motorists of a hazard ahead, authorities said.

The trooper suffered minor injuries, while Felegi was not hurt.

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Felegi, 67, of Middleport, Pennsylvania, was charged with assault by auto and driving under the influence.

He was brought to the Warren County jail ahead of a detention hearing. An attorney for Felegi is not listed in court records.

investigation, and no additional information is available.



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