TRENTON — For the second time in a month, the Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to ban the leasing of dogs and cats. With today’s vote, the Assembly accepted Senate amendments exempting purebred cats and dogs leased for breeding and animals trained as police K-9s and guide dogs.

Sponsored by Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney, the legislation (A4552/A4385) addresses deceitful leasing, which has become increasingly popular. As pet stores and breeders scramble to sell expensive puppies while they are young and most attractive to buyers, some resort to leasing contracts to place animals.

“You’re not buying a dog, you are renting it,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “The lease can double or triple the cost, and with some dogs going as high as $5,000, it can add up fast. Families can suffer a serious financial hit, and if they miss a payment, the family pet can be repossessed.”

When the lease is up, typically in three years, there can still be a final payment that must be made before ownership of the pet is transferred, explained Rooney, who first introduced the measure as A3970 on May 17, 2018.

“Families looking to bring a pet into the home can easily fall in love with a dog or cat they can’t afford,” Rooney noted. “Breeders sign them up for a payment plan, but usually the offer is too good to be true. Buyers end up signing a lease without understanding the fine print or knowing the total cost.”

Rooney’s bill establishes a penalty of $10,000 for leasing a dog or cat, and $30,000 each for additional violations.

New Jersey would be the fourth state to prohibit the predatory practice. California, Nevada and New York recently passed bans, and bills have been introduced in several other states.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Heritage Commission, in cooperation with the Daughters of the American Revolution, are presenting a special display on the history of the American Flag at the Morris County Library through July 15.

The display is timed to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day.

The legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776 took place when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence declaring the United States free from Great Britain’s rule.

The Flag Resolution of June 1777 was the first recorded meeting, discussion, or debate by Congress about a national flag.  It simply stated, “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”

Flags that few during times of war and national crises from the colonial era through the mid-twentieth century are on display in the lobby and second floor at the County Library.

These flags not only marked important periods in American history but through the symbolism show the nation’s development.

Included in the exhibit are period photographs and other materials related to the stars and stripes.

The Heritage Commission staff and members of the Morristown Chapter of the DAR worked together to bring this exhibit to the public. The goal is to give visitors to the library a better appreciation of the changes to our flag and the history that is symbolically represented in the stars and stripes.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1946, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. The National Flag Day Foundation holds an annual observance for Flag Day on the second Sunday in June.

The Morris County Library is located at 30 East Hanover Avenue, Whippany directly across the street from the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.

For more information on the Morris County Heritage Commission click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Department of Environmental Protection is advising the public to avoid swimming in or contact with Lake Hopatcong water due to an extensive Harmful Algal Bloom, or HAB, confirmed this week by aerial surveillance.

Using highly specialized sensors, the DEP’s Division of Water Monitoring and Standards’ aerial surveillance on Wednesday confirmed that large areas of Lake Hopatcong are experiencing cyanobacteria blooms. The rapid spread of the bloom may be the result of heavy rainfall carrying nutrient-laden stormwater into the lake, followed by periods of warm weather. The DEP will monitor cyanobacteria levels until the lake is determined to be safe for recreational contact. Based on the widespread nature of the HAB, the recreational advisory may be in place for weeks, if not longer. The duration of a Harmful Algal Bloom is unpredictable and may be influenced by availability of nutrients and weather conditions. In many cases in 2018, HAB was observed on water bodies well into the fall season. Often referred to as blue-green algae, cyanobacteria are not true algae but are capable of excessive growth through photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria blooms are usually a bright green, but can also appear as spilled paint, “pea soup,” or as having a thick coating or “mat” on the surface. These blooms can often be confused for typical algae blooms. Exposure can cause a range of health effects, including rashes, allergy-like reactions, flu-like symptoms, gastroenteritis, respiratory irritation, skin rashes and eye irritation.

As a precaution, the DEP is recommending that local health authorities close all public swimming beaches along the lake due to the widespread nature of the bloom. Straddled by Sussex, Passaic and Morris counties, Lake Hopatcong is New Jersey’s largest lake and is a popular tourist and vacation destination. The DEP is working through the Lake Hopatcong Commission to notify municipal governments and local health agencies of the advisory. Recreational exposure can occur while swimming, wading and during watersport activities such as jet skiing, kayaking, wind-surfing and paddle-boarding. The DEP is advising the public to avoid these activities and all contact with water from Lake Hopatcong until further notice. People also should not eat fish caught in the lake or allow pets to come in contact with lake water or drink the water. Limited blooms were reported and responded to by the DEP in Lake Hopatcong beginning on June 17. In recent days, the DEP has received more than 30 reports of HABs on Lake Hopatcong, including reports of people experiencing mild skin rashes after coming in contact with lake water.

Because monitoring indicated the blooms were becoming more widespread, the DEP conducted aerial surveillance using a highly specialized sensor to estimate cell counts. Estimated cell counts in many areas of the lake exceeded health guidance levels. The DEP is conducting ongoing water sampling to confirm levels. Cyanobacteria are naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers. Under suitable environmental conditions – sunlight, high nutrients, warm temperatures and calm water – dense cyanobacterial blooms can form. In recent years, the DEP and the New Jersey Department of Health have been enhancing Harmful Algal Bloom surveillance and response efforts across the state. In 2017, the DEP launched a campaign to educate the public about these blooms and provide resources on how to report them to the DEP. The “Avoid It and Report It” campaign advises the public to take the following steps when a suspicious bloom is observed:

• Avoid contact with water in the vicinity of the bloom, especially in areas where the bloom is dense and forms scum;
• Do not drink or consume the water;
• Do not eat fish from the waterbody;
• Keep pets and livestock away from the water;
• Do not allow animals to drink the water, eat dried algae, or groom themselves after coming into contact with the water;
• People, pets and livestock that come into contact with a bloom should rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible;
• Seek medical attention or a veterinarian if a person or animal is experiencing adverse health effects after exposure to a bloom;
• Report a suspected HAB by calling the DEP Hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337) send a mobile alert through the WARN NJDEP mobile app (available via iTunes, Google Play or Windows Phone) or report via the DEP’s HAB website by clicking here.

The state’s response strategy covers freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams with potential public access, recreational use, and freshwater bathing beaches (including licensed beaches). While these waterbodies may also be sources of drinking water in New Jersey, the focus of the response strategy is recreational use. DEP works closely with drinking water systems to plan for HABs as well as all other drinking water emergencies. The DEP’s HAB website is available by clicking here.

contains information on both freshwater cyanobacterial HABs, and a variety of marine water HABs. Highlights include an electronic cyanobacterial HAB Reporting Form, downloadable Advisory signs and flyers for use for HAB events, a general cyanobacterial fact sheet, and a more detailed fact sheet on recreational exposure and health effects related to cyanobacterial HABs. General information about cyanobacterial HABs, what to do if people or pets are exposed, links to the EPA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s HABs websites and other resources, as well as a gallery of both HAB and non-HAB photos of lakes and streams, are also provided. For questions regarding the freshwater harmful algal bloom strategy, call DEP’s Bureau of Freshwater and Biological Monitoring at (609) 292-0427 or email [email protected].

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) appeared in front of the Committee on Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on Select Revenue to urge passage of her bipartisan SALT Relief and Marriage Penalty Elimination Act, H.R. 2624. Representative Sherrill’s bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Peter King (R-NY), and Gil Cisneros (D-CA), and endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers and National Association of Realtors.

Full text below:
Thank you, Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Smith, and Members of the Committee for the opportunity to testify today.

The 2017 tax bill’s cap on the state and local tax deduction, known as “SALT,” is the number one issue I hear about in North Jersey.  Since 1913, the SALT deduction has protected many taxpayers from double taxation by allowing them to deduct all state and local taxes from their federal tax liability. That all changed in 2017, when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act imposed a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction.

The SALT cap calls into question the very notion of federalism that underpins our government. Let’s be clear: this policy is unprecedented. It violates 150 years of settled federal tax law. And as my friend and New Jersey colleague, Rep. Pascrell, noted earlier: this is a double-tax, and it is punitive.

New Jersey is one of four states challenging the SALT cap in federal court because this is a direct, targeted assault on particular states and particular communities. By capping deductions on state and local taxes, the 2017 tax law imposes a penalty on taxpayers based solely on the circumstances of where they live. It interferes with cities and states’ authority to make their own choices about how to invest in and govern themselves.

Mr. Chairman, nothing is more important to peoples’ daily lives than the ability to afford to live and work in safe communities with good schools and strong public and private resources. Congress made that much harder for tens of thousands of New Jersey families, the ones I represent. There is a misconception that the SALT deduction does not help the middle class, or working families. That is certainly not true in New Jersey

In 2016, every county in New Jersey – except one – had an average SALT deduction above $10,000. In Morris County, the average SALT deduction in 2016 was more than $23,500. As Mr. Pascrell has pointed out, the vast majority of New Jersey residents affected by the SALT are households with middle incomes between $75,000 to $200,000. Just think what that does for teachers in my district. Families in my community have seen their taxes go up because of the SALT deduction cap and, as a result, they are questioning whether or not they can afford to live in New Jersey.

Don’t take my word for it. A recent survey from the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants showed that 60-percent of respondents said that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increased the number of clients they would advise to leave the state.

This highlights the failure of the 2017 tax bill. The non-partisan Congressional Research Service recently released a report on economic effects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Let me quote it: “On the whole, the growth effects show a relatively small (if any) first-year effect on the economy.”

This trillion-dollar tax law hurt small New Jersey businesses without helping the economy. It increased the deficit instead of increasing wages. It penalized married couples filing jointly. And in a state like New Jersey, it only further penalizes my neighbors who send more money to Washington in federal tax dollars – and get back less – than residents of almost any other state.

Here’s a message I received from Mayor Bruce Harris of Chatham Borough in my district: “The story for Chatham Borough is pretty simple.  The average property tax bill is about $14,100, so 40% is no longer deductible. Obviously that impacts people’s pockets; it also impacts housing values.  NJ is a ‘payer’ state – it sends much more to the federal government than it receives back. New produce a good share of the nation’s wealth, but are being penalized for that. And, need I mention that we can’t even get decent funding from the feds for infrastructure repairs such as the Gateway Tunnel?”

I understand why my constituents do not feel Washington is working for them. The SALT cap is simply taking money out of the pockets of New Jerseyans and rewarding mostly-wealthy residents in states that don’t share our commitment to invest in quality schools and public services.

What’s more, the SALT tax cap is an active threat to penalize any state or local government that decides to invest in its future. That is why New Jersey and three other states are challenging it in federal court.<

This administration, unfortunately, is arguing that the SALT cap is not a “gun to the head” of states. That may be true. But, as a federal judge pointed out in a hearing just last week,”  …it’s a rope to the neck with a gradual squeezing over time.”

While I am committed to full repeal, I also owe it to the people of New Jersey to offer proposals that can garner bipartisan support.

That’s why I recently introduced the bipartisan SALT Relief and Marriage Penalty Act with Representatives Stefanik, King, and Cisneros. My bill, H.R. 2624, would make the SALT deduction equal to the standard deduction taken by taxpayers: $12,000 for individual filers; $18,000 for Head of Households; and $24,000 for joint filers

Mr. Chairman, these are the hardworking people across this country being hurt. We owe them a solution and we owe them a vote. Thank you.

MORRIS COUNTY — What goes better with a hot summer day than the cold taste of a delicious ice cream treat! On Sunday, August 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., take the family to Bamboo Brook OEC in Chester Township to enjoy an old-fashioned summer day filled with games, such as hoops and sticks, croquet, a yo-yo contest, and more. Watch the duck races as entries float through the site’s water features among historic gardens. Bring your camera along for a scenic guided tour. Plan on relaxing? Take your favorite lawn chair and blanket, and even a picnic basket, and enjoy an ice cream treat.

Bamboo Brook’s gardens were designed by Martha Brookes Hutcheson, one of the first women landscape architects in the United States. These gardens were designed for cool fun on hot summer days. So travel back in time to see these gardens in their full summer glory. Cost is $8.00 per person. Pre-registration is required. To register click here or call (973) 326-7601.

The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 20,197 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!