MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) has been made aware of emails and text messages circulating that are asking individuals to “validate” their driver’s license information for a “REAL ID system upgrade or “Driver’s License Verification.”

“These emails and texts do not originate from the NJMVC and may be part of a scam,” the NJMVC said.

The NJMVC does not ask individuals to conduct motor vehicle services unsolicited by email or text.

Individuals should always exercise caution when receiving unsolicited communication (emails, texts, or phone calls)- especially those that ask you to click on a link or provide personal information.

Anyone with questions regarding communications from the NJMVC, contact them directly.

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblyman Brian Bergen was irate after discovering veterans in state-run facilities are begging for soap and other basic necessities while lawmakers spent lavishly on last-minute pork projects in the state budget passed in June.

“This is a stark and shameful reflection of skewed priorities and neglect,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “When the state is spending at historic levels, veterans in its care shouldn’t have to resort to panhandling to meet their basic needs.”

Bergen, a U.S. Army combat veteran, took issue with three wish lists posted on the state-run websites of the state veteran homes in Menlo Park, Vineland, and Paramus, which currently house 574 veterans. Donations of soap, deodorant, bed linens, denture care supplies, t-shirts, and tissues, among other basic care items, are being sought.

In September, The U.S Department of Justice and State Commission of Investigation issued reports documenting insufficient controls and medical care at the Menlo Park and Paramus facilities during the pandemic, which killed at least 200 residents.

“You’d think that after back-to-back scathing reports, there would be a better effort by the Murphy administration,” he continued.  “None of this would break the bank for the state to provide.”

Bergen emphasized that the disparity between the lavish state spending and the distressing plea for donations at the state homes was not just a failure but an outrage.

“Democrats hailed the state budget as a ‘statement of their values,’” said Bergen. “But in a state where historic expenditure seems to be the norm, the neglect and dire situation faced by those who have bravely served their country is an unconscionable travesty.”

Bergen emphasized that more than $1.5 billion was directed to Democrat legislative pet projects in the final weeks before the $54.3 billion state budget was adopted. The list includes $12 million for a French museum in Jersey City, $4 million for the Sewaren marina in Woodbridge, and a $500,000 dog park in Rahway.

Shortly after Gov. Phil Murphy signed the budget, Woodbridge officials announced that a 215-seat tiki bar would be part of the Sewaren marina project, which would largely be funded with state grants.

“All you have to do is look at the Democrats’ checkbook to figure out their priorities,” continued Bergen.  “While our soldiers beg for sweatpants, the state is constructing a tiki bar catering exclusively to yacht owners. That certainly doesn’t make New Jersey stronger or fairer.”

For now, Bergen is urging immediate intervention.

“It’s high time we honor our commitment to those who have selflessly served our nation,” Bergen concluded.  “I implore the state to swiftly reevaluate its priorities and ensure our veterans receive the dignity and care they have rightfully earned.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) introduced an amendment to the FY 2024 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill prohibiting the Internal Revenue Service from interfering in state and local tax (SALT) relief programs for hard-working, middle-class families. New Jersey was among the first states to provide such tax relief before their initiative was struck down by the IRS in 2019.

“The SALT cap is an unfair double tax on middle-class families that imposes billions of dollars in additional costs on New Jersey residents and makes it harder for our state to invest in critical services, such as public education and law enforcement,” said Rep. Sherrill. “I have consistently fought to make New Jersey a more affordable place to live and my amendment will allow states and localities to develop innovative policies that provide SALT relief and cut taxes for families by preventing the IRS from unjustly interfering in state-level SALT legislation.”

The House Republican majority abruptly pulled the FSGG appropriations bill from consideration Thursday morning.

In 2017, the GOP’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act imposed a harmful double tax and one of the largest marriage penalties in the tax code by capping the state and local tax deductions at $10,000 per household. In response, states such as New Jersey developed policies to provide tax relief to families by expanding access to the federal charitable deduction and helping small business owners to deduct their full SALT at the entity level. However, the IRS issued new regulatory guidance in 2019 restricting states from implementing these policies.

In May 2022, Rep. Sherrill led several of her House colleagues in a letter urging the House Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2023 Appropriations bill prohibiting the IRS from putting restrictions on SALT relief delivered by state and local governments. In July 2022, she also introduced an amendment to the House appropriations package preventing the IRS from restricting the ability of state and local governments to enact SALT relief. As part of her Jersey STRONG agenda, she also introduced the bipartisan Middle-Class Tax Relief Act in January 2023, which substantially raises the SALT deduction cap and fully eliminates the cap for 99% of NJ-11 families.

MORRIS COUNTY — A Morris County resident was apprehended on Tuesday afternoon for allegedly stealing items from the Acme Supermarket in Denville Township, as reported by the local authorities.

On November 7, at approximately 4:22 p.m., the police received a shoplifting report at the Acme Supermarket.

Upon arrival, they found that the suspect had left the scene. After a brief search of the vicinity, they located the suspect, identified as Evangelos Moutafis, 43, of Morristown, at the Denville Train Station.

Police arrested Moutafis after discovering stolen merchandise from the Acme Supermarket and drug paraphernalia in his possession.

He faced charges of shoplifting and possession of drug paraphernalia and was subsequently released on his own recognizance, pending a court appearance.

However, due to an active warrant for his arrest from the Wharton Borough Municipal Court and his inability to post bail, he was handed over to the Wharton Borough Police Department upon release from the headquarters.

MORRIS COUNTY — In Morris County, Republicans continued their winning streak, maintaining a half-century record where Democrats have not secured a countywide election victory.

In the county commissioner race, incumbent Republican Tayfun Selen emerged victorious over Democrat Jonathan Sackett, albeit with a narrower margin. Selen secured 54% of the votes, compared to Sackett’s 46%.

Tayfun Selen initially joined the Morris County Commissioners in 2020 to fill a one-year unexpired term and subsequently won re-election for a full term in 2021. This year, he encountered a challenging primary from Paul DeGroot, who had bested him in a 2022 congressional primary. However, with support from the county GOP, Selen triumphed with a 54% to 46% vote margin.

On the other side, Jonathan Sackett is serving his second term on the Rockaway Township Council and holds the position of chair for the Rockaway Democratic Committee.