Wealthiest Counties in America
NJ has 3 of the top 10 richest counties in America. See link for article.
http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/04/america-richest-counties-lifestyle-real-estate-wealthy-suburbs.html?boxes=Homepagelighttop
#7 County: Morris County, N.J.
Population: 486,459
Median Household Income: $97,565.00
Percent of Residents 25 or Older with Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 52
matt 
Lori...since '73 As the article alluded to I expect there will be a shift in the NYC area rankings. Both NY and NJ are facing extraordinary budget crisises and the people who can afford to move will move - there is no incentitive for them to stay and pay for the excesses of the past.
BLDI think it's deceiving. Maybe the income is high, but the expense to live in these counties is outrageous. I moved here from Putnam County in NY, which made the article. I can tell you that most people live a middle class life, and the $88K median income doesn't go far when a simple, 1960's 3 bedroom dull ranch house costs 50K more than it would in Warren County.And people I know in Hunterdon don't seem to have much to spare at the end of the month. In NY and NJ at least, money in, money out.
maja The taxes in Hunterdon/Somerset/Morris Counties will kill you. There was a list in the Star-Ledger last week regarding taxes. Mendham Twp.'s AVERAGE real estate tax was listed as 17k per year!!!! Absolute insanity. Even if you only had a 200k mortgage (which most in those areas wouldn't, would be much higher), 17k per year in taxes is like having two mortgages!
To me it's not even the point of if you can afford it, it's why would you pay it? I'm annoyed that my property taxes are over 6k per year. Especially since I don't, and won't ever have any kids using the school system.
Calico696 So Matt, are you indirectly pushing for more pay since you are a teacher in Morris County the last I heard...
Most of us know this report and that Warren and Sussex are a different breed.
Jay Morris County taxes are CRAZY! I grew up in Randolph and my parents sold their house in Randolph in 2001 and their taxes were over 8k for an older house on a small piece of property and when they moved to Blairstown they were half that for a house 2 times the size and 3 acres! If we were still in randolph it would well over 11k in taxes
Mommyof2 I'm with you Calico, No kids and no plans for them yet the bulk of my taxes pays for them!!!!
Jay what in the world are you talking about I do not work in Warren or Sussex County, but Morris. I did not post the link for a political or personal agenda. It is so hilarious how some people just want to dispute fact. Morris County is the 7th richest county in America.
So when people sell their homes for $600,000 in Morris County that they purchased 20 years ago they are not making a prophet? Yes a few who purchased during the boom are hurting because now they owe more then they can sell their home. Tens of thousands more purchased many years before the boom and their homes even during the decline is still much more then when they purchased back in 1990.
If you purchased a home in Hackettstown in the Kenwood section back in 2000 it went give or take for $150,000 now it is $250,000 give or take depending if you have 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Yes some are more and some are less.
If you purchased in 1990 you house has almost tripled. So yes taxes are going to go up because your house is worth more.
Again I provided this info just to show how wealthy Morris County is. You can twist it all you want Morris County is still #7 in the country.
matt -
Apparently, Jay is claivoyant and has the ability to uncover our "hidden agendas".
My FIL lives in Basking Ridge and lives in small townhouse and pays over 10k in taxes and doesn't own the land just the building so figure what taxes would be with land!!!!!
Jay - I really don't think Matt was "pushing" for more pay! In my opinion teachers a WAY under paid for what they do!
Matt - Do you know the difference between profit and prophet? And you're a high school teacher?
1) Aaahh yes mates... when you go up to 200,000 feet and look down is see NJEA zombies.
2) NJ having counties at the top is nothing new, and the disparity between Warren and Sussex are pronounced. I thought you (Matt) live in Warren and work in Morris. Once expects to be paid at the rate of where you work be it public or private (although there are few high paying private sector jobs in Warren and Sussex).
3) In a taxable location (i.e. Hackettstown) how much your house changes in valuation means nothing until it is compared with other property in town. Hackettstown has a budget and it is paid by taking total valuations and then doing some math to get a tax rate and then you pay off that. Taxes go up because the town budget goes up every year. The only time this changes is during reassessment, when some go up, some down, some more or less the same, and every in between. What is this? Property in Hackettstown constantly change in valuation like any other location. An example of this in action (hypothetical and extreme) would be if the M & M plant closed and stayed closed for years with tall grass, etc. The homes across the street would be "valued" less during the next appraisal, and thus be paying less than better parts of town.
Sorry, my example is rambling but Matt's statement "So yes taxes are going to go up because your house is worth more." is incomplete. You HAVE to take into account the changes in valuation of specific areas of a town. Has the Kenwood become more desirable over time than other parts of town? I don't know the area well, but if it did, part of the increase was due to this relative increase, the REST is just annual budget increase (Town, county, ...).
Mommy02, one could argue that we are all underpaid. We all could use more money and most of us think positively and feel we are worth more. But we have to stick with a budget, and I can't see paying a teacher 100k plus benefits that raise the total compensation to 140k compared to work performed in the private sector.
My friends that are teachers need to go where Jay's figure is coming from. They are no where near 100,000K plus benefits. Is that figure after many years of teaching or straight out of college and with what degree? I need to point them in a different direction where the big bucks are. They are obviously missing the boat.
Bessie http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/acting_school_commissioner_war.html
How can we cut state aid when we have some of the "Wealthiest Counties in America" LOL!
Jay -
A question for you:
Do you feel that it is justified that professional athletes and Hollywood celebrities earn tens of millions per year, and that we, the public, must bear that expense through the cost of things like cable TV and the like? I don't watch any sports channels, yet I am forced to pay for them if I want to be able to watch others.
Will you take your campaign to lobby to lower those outrageous salaries??
But do you have to buy Nike clothing and support Tiger, no. Do you have to cough up $200 for NBA tickets, no. The list goes on...
Oh, you are not forced. Just downgrade to broadcast basic with your cable subscriber and you will not have any specialty channels (just 2 to 13 more or less in HD too).
Also, it is a small percentage that make it to the top. Most boxers live a very poor life and to compensate "The best of the best" like Mike Tyson was was ok, because he was the best at that time. Problem with the public sector is that all of the average cockroaches start crawling in and since their allies will vouch for them, they can get compensation that is out-of-range on the high side.
Two wrongs don't make a right. Look at the actors guild. Only a very small percentage a full time actors, most are struggling PT actors with low paid jobs.
Pensions and cadillac medical plans have left the private sector for the most part years ago. Why do taxpayers have to fund something that is excessive. Teachers are not grossly underpaid like they were over 20 years ago. The pendulum has swung the opposite way due to unions and their "collective bargaining" process. When you talk compensation, you have to speak in terms of total compensation. To discuss salary without benefits is to engage in a shell game. Why has the UAW taken a 50% salary cut after GM came back? Could it be that they were overcompensated, god no!!!
We all should be in unions and then this country could be socialist like France where people picket if they have to work 5 minutes more a week.
Jay get a grip my man. Seriously you need to let it go. You twist everything and make it a negative against anything you do not agree with. Seriously you need to maybe consider a life change if you hate it here so much. I am sure you’re a nice person, but you are so angry. Maybe you should run for office.
I get it you generally hate anything the Democrats stand for. I get it you feel teachers are overpaid and under worked and you blame the NJEA for high property taxes.
I understand and I do believe that education in NJ does need to be funded differently. I am a property owner I feel it also. I also see things from the inside of the education system and you are fooling yourself. (No reason needed to support the statement.)
As for spelling profit incorrect it happens. It makes me a terrible person. The banker or the stock broker never makes a mistake?
Jay again I am sure you have a good heart. No matter what topic I bring up you bring it back to $ and teaching. If I predict a snow storm and it does not happen blame the NJEA.
Here are more stats to support New Jerseys incredible wealth. Not an opinion and I know people struggle in our great state.
Affluence
Its Per Capita personal income in 2008 was $54,699, 2nd in the U.S. and above the national average of $46,588.[36] Its per-capita income is the third highest in the nation with $51,358.[36] The state also has the highest percentage of millionaire households.[37] It is ranked 2nd in the nation by the number of places with per capita incomes above national average with 76.4%. Nine of New Jersey's counties are in the wealthiest 100 of the country.
Is someone who makes $125,000 a year but pays $4,000/month for a mortgage and another $1,500 per month on property tax really "wealthier" than someone who lives in an area of the country where the *same house* costs $1,200 per month for the mortgage and property taxes are only 200 per month, even though the second guy only makes $50,000 per year? I would assume that the day-to-day struggles of both people would be pretty similar, with the only difference being if the guy with the $600k house ever paid it off, he would obviously have more equity for retirement, when he sold the house and moved south. However, many people take out loans every time they build up equity and wouldn't even have that nest egg at the end of the rainbow to look forward to.
This study looks at "wealth" as an absolute number without comparing income to regional cost of living, so it's really a flawed study in documenting actual affluence. Hell, you could make $150,000 per year living in Manhattan and be two months from homelessness if you lost your job. That doesn't sound all that "wealthy" to me.
ianimal Very true ianimal. These days many people live way above their means. Like you said, taking out loans whenever equity increases. Many people have nice homes and drive nice cars, but do not have one cent in the bank for an emergency. They have mortgage, car and credit card payments that pretty much use up every dollar earned per month.
Matt, I voted for Obama and Clinton twice. I voted for Christie, but I voted for Corzine the first time around. I regret voting for James M. but I did. As usual, you have come to the wrong conclusion just like your infamous Republican gas prices theory.
SMP and Calico, regardless of if you guys ever have kids, don't forget, someone paid for you to go. (Even if you went to a private school, someone, somewhere paid for your education). Think of it as a circle of life kind of thing.
Sandy Sandy, let's also not forget that when we went to school, school taxes didn't make up 75% of your total property tax obligation, nor was it anywhere near in the neighborhood of 10% of net income for some people.
Sandy - Yes, my parents paid taxes when I went to public school. I'm not looking to be exempt from school tax, but I just don't think that somebody who has no children should pay at the same rate as someone who has five.
Jay -
You really need to not allow your emotions to get the better of you, and READ the post before you respond to it.
WHAT I WROTE: I DO NOT buy designer anything, nor have I EVER purchased a ticket for ANY sporting evern, EVER. I am NOT a hypocrite.
I contribute to the property tax in Mtn Lakes and feel that, as long as it excels the way it is, and my son is getting the kind of education I could have only dreamed of before, I am happy to contribute to the superintendent's salary. At least I can SEE something coming of it.
Sandy
I'm all for the circle of life thing and the community thing and all the other arguments that have been brought up, BUT people without children as well as seniors (IMO) should not have to contribute so much. I do not oppose paying my FAIR share but when $4000.00 goes toward the school system and $2000.00 toward everything else it seems a bit unbalanced to me.
YKW, I'm curious... after your son graduates from Mountain Lakes, will you continue to live there and happily pay exorbitant rent so that others can benefit from the wonderful things the school district has to offer? Or, are you there merely so your son can get what he might not otherwise have gotten, kind of like Homer Simpson living in the closet-sized apartment so Lisa could go to Capital City High?
I would love to know what teachers get paid over 100K, because no one i know makes that kind of money. The ones I know of who make those salaries in the education (elementary and secondary) are principals or someone higher up,not your English or History teacher.
YKW is covering virtually next to nothing of the cost of her son's MLHS cost, let's be real. My parents put two kids through a top ten school and have been paying taxes with no children in the schools for over 3 decades; living in the town for over 4 decades.
ianimal,
As usual, you make quite the assumptions. In fact, I rent probably the only SLUM in the town, I'm guessing. I pay $2000/month, all the plumbing leaks everywhere (only one bathroom in the house), the windows are broken and leaking, the basement floods constantly, and the list goes on. My landlords are scum, bottom-feeding slumlords who haven't paid the water/sewer bil in 2 1/2 years, don't pay their bills to anyone I have come to learn, but just keep cashing my rent checks while refusing to fix anything. The dirty little secret about ML is: there is no Housing Authority in ML. Quote: "We don't need one in ML because people are so wealthy it is assumed that they take very good care of their homes".
So, this Friday, I'm headed to court, after a year of living in squalor, water, mold, intermittent lack of heat and hot water, having paid for all emergency repair work myself. I have not been allowed to enjoy even ONE DAY of my right to Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment and Warranty of Habiltability.
So, in answer to your question, ianimal, NO. I have no intention of staying beyond his graduation. We live one day at a time, and are making the best of a disgusting situation.
Jay - What I am doing for his education is what any parent would do if he/she cared enough to sacrifice. "Helicopter parent". I hardly think so. I pay my share in so many other ways for the community and the school. You are talking out of ignorance.
So, be careful what you say, inamial, contrary to you belief, you don't know EVERYTHING.
You confirmed EXACTLY what I'm talking about... you're renting a sh*thole for an exorbitant sum in order to put your kid into Mountain Lakes High School. When I was in high school, some kid from Randolph had his father rent a place in P'burg just so he could be part of P'burg's wrestling program; it's essentially the same thing. You're a leech on the school district and a leech on all the people who continuously pay property taxes within that school district. Perhaps your living conditions are appropriate...
Mountain Lakes should tear down the slum homes and apartments if they don't want to have anyone living in town except for the wealthy. It is their prerogative, for sure. Just not sure how COAH will feel about it though... ;)
So Ian, how do you feel about Boonton Township students attending ML High? Would moving to Boonton Twp make one a leech as well?
Sacrificing one's present for a better future *used* to be how things were done in the USA. Instead of easy credit to satisfy the needs of the present, hard work and sacrifice used to be the answer. Sounds to me like ML is sacrificing by doing what's best for his/her child. And unless it's illegal, I can't fault anyone for making the tough choices. And in this case, taxes are being paid into the school system, so it seems legit to me.
justintime A student in Mountain Lakes costs about 12k per year. Your landlord is not paying 50% of your rent (24k x 50% = 12k??????) towards school taxes. Maybe YOU are the one who is ignorant, not me.
ianimal,
I have no guilt, nor do I feel like a "leech on society" ($2000/month is not an exorbitant amount of money for rent; PV cost the same when I owned there). I will continue to work for my son's education. He wants it, he appreciates the sacrifice, and he is making the most of it, and that's all that matters to me. Sue me.
Jay -
Ditto above. I don't care how you view it. A child gets only get one shot at an education. I'm giving my son the shot he wants, , all your math notwithstanding. Sorry your folks weren't as passionate.
Jay, the cost per pupil is spread out amongst the population of ML (as well as Boonton Twp), not just the families who have students enrolled. $12k would be unrealistic for any one in the town.
Mommyof2 - Here is a link with the salaries of Hackettstown's teachers from 2008-2009. You also need to factor in the fact that these salaries are paid for 180 days of work. I would guess your husband works approx. 250 days a year for his salary. http://php.dailyrecord.com/tsals0809/tresults09.php?pageNum_Recordset1=0&totalRows_Recordset1=207&county=WARREN&district=HACKETTSTOWN&last=&Submit=Submit
What is the kid really being taught? That instead of constantly working to improve the school system in which you raised your child, you should wait until he's of high school age and then move to a district where *other people* have already improved theirs to an elite level.... yeah, that's a great lesson. I'll bet the kid winds up in politics, LOL.
YKW, I went to a top 10 high school and my parents still live there over 3 decades after my brother and I graduated. Their current taxes are about 13k with a couple back from the state as long as the senior program is around.
It will be interested to see what YKW does after her son graduates. Likely a move to a cheaper town?
justintime,
Actually, if I were to have enrolled him out of the district, which many people do to get the ML education, it would cost a little over $12,000/school year. I thought of that option, to rent nearby, maybe Denville, Rockaway, Parsippany, etc. The rents are all comparable, though I don't think there would be quite the housing violations! lol
It should be noted that our teachers are not the highest paid in the county. In fact, they are on the bottom end of the scale, conversely proportional to the achievement scores (I know how much folks hate to hear about *those scores!*) But, they are the most passionate group of teachers I have ever experienced, and they LOVE teaching our kids, and equally LOVE teaching where they do, in a strongly supported academic environment.
I LOVE that my son is getting this shot; I LOVE that HE loves it there (and NOT just for the sports; he badly injured his shoulder, had major surgery and has been out of commission since Sept); I LOVE that when we happen to go to eat, he starts chatting away about "my Human Development teacher is the bomb!"; "my US Gov teacher is 'the man'!" Not since 3rd grade have I seen that spark for school, despite his being an A student. I LOVE that I will go to my grave knowing I gave him the best possible opportunity to drink from the well, satisfy his thirst, and do something that just might benefit humanity.
So screw all of you who think that I should sacrifice my kid for the good of your property taxes! I spent 13 years paying into the Rockaway Township district without making one minute's use! Sacrificial lambs went out of fashion a long time ago!!
ianimal,
LOL, that's exactly where he's headed - He's History, Philosophy, Poly-Sci and English.
Law School ---> Politics!! I think he'd make a great lobbyist!!
Jay, LMAO!! of course! Why would I stay?? My lease ends in June of 2012!! I'm no idiot, lol. I couldn't afford to buy in ML on my BEST day (and frankly wouldn't if I could). I am self-proclaimed poser and all my friends know it... and love me anyway!!
Do you KNOW how many people BUY there, for the exact reason I rent? It's no secret!
Duh......
LOL... in one post you say he's hopefully going to wind up doing something to benefit humanity and in the next he's going to be a lawyer/politician. Talk about mutually exclusive concepts... (-;
"I think he'd make a great lobbyist!!"
Uh oh. Is it too late to retract my (supporting) comments? ;)
Just kidding ML, although I wish you would steer him toward something that's actually productive instead of something, well, leech-like!
Ian, I don't know if you and sheanimal had looked into the schools prior to buying your new home but it is certainly something that almost *every* family with kids would do - make sure the school system is appropriate and meets your needs. Is that a bad lesson to teach your kids too? Look, I fully get your point but, as a parent, I see ML's point as well. It's funny, but when you have kids your outlook on things change and if you and sheanimal ever decide to go there you will know what I mean.
Not all lawyers are politicians, ianimal. And not all of us are a bad lawyer joke waiting to happen.
Tracy So now we are getting somewhere YKW. Now you fully admit your tactic. You are not covering your "burden" and it is ok. I really hope you did it all for something. This topic reminds me of a neighborhood friend whose parents sent him to an expensive private school when the public school was in the top 10. I ran into this guy 10 years out of college and he was working at Wegmans in the produce section.
Jay, whatever gets you through your own issues. ROTFLMAO!
Never claimed anything different! (Reading Comprehension 101)
And you're right, he "could" wind up a failure. At least I can die in peace, knowing I provided the best opportunity. ;>
(Jay's preparing a voo doo doll as we speak!) LOL!!!
I know, Tracy... it's the 99% of them that are that give the rest of you a bad name (-;
ROTFLMAO at you YKW. You chimed in and said "I contribute to the property tax in Mtn Lakes". This is like someone who owes 10k in credit card debt and only pays the minimum charge every month and states "I pay me credit card bills".
Jay -
I don't have credit card debt. Sorry. You'll have to find another simile for why YOU think MY child can't have the education he has chosen.
once again ykw has totally hijacked this thread started by Matt about wealthy counties in NJ, and turned it into an obessive non-apologetic rant about how mch work and effort it takes to keep her son sucessfull in school.
say ykw, there is a thread on here about Bergy's tv, why don't you start pontificating endlessly over there about how great your son is doing and all of your sacrifices to keep him in school in a town that you can't really afford? and admittedly are getting him a free ride since you don't pay property taxes. (which on avg in mountain lakes has got to be well over what you can afford)
i got to hand it to you though, none of the rest of us here has ever made any sacrifices for our own kids. that has to be why your son is doing well, it's all because of you, right?
geesh, what a bore!
BrotherDog A good question that the Warren County Visitors Bureau should pose to the community is "how can Warren County benefit from that wealth"? We should try to attract Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris County residents to Warren County to use our services and buy our products. We have s slightly slower pace of life that most of us enjoy, but I know that we can offer more than just parks and rivers to our neighbors to the east. I know that the new(er) Tourism group in the county is trying hard to get more visitors to golf, camp, and dine in our area, but we should all try to attract friends and family from east of here to enjoy our county.
MB Brother Dog - Let he who is free from hijacking a thread call the first forum member a bore. ;-)
GC -
you are so right and i should be wearing sack colth on that issue, couldn't stop myself, (must be bad impulse control!)
but your right, it takes one to know one.
Thanks, jit ;) I know you get it.
Truthfully, I don't know where he's headed. His passions are (and have always been) History, English, Government , not necessarily Politics, and Philosophy. That adds up to law school in my book, though he's not the type of guy who will allow me to 'choose' his future. I've had to back off the law shool push for a bit. I really think he should be a DA! His talents are: he's really, REALLY smart, one of those naturally smart types, and he LOVES to ARGUE!!! Lawyer!!! lol
so sue me, i make typos all te time, nobody's perfect, not even your kid
btw, what about the wealthiest counties in amercia subject, does anyone have something to add about the the topic title here?
it is a shame that some posers who can't afford to live in a certain area are getting a free ride on the backs of real resident property tax payers. like the illegal immigrants, they should be sent home.
YKW stated "You'll have to find another simile for why YOU think MY child can't have the education he has chosen."
You need to see a shrink. At no time did I ever tell you not to do anything, in fact I commend your involvement in your son's education and following your gut feeling.
That being said... you can't do something that, to be blunt, is essentially a self-centered action and then expect others to see no problem with it. Run your story in a Mountain Lakes forum (if one exists) and I doubt you will get any positive replies.
This strand has gone a little off topic. I was just providing some interesting info on neighboring Morris County. No hidden agenda.
As for taxes yes houses in NJ on average are around $7000 a year. You can live in Tenn and spend a $1000 a year, but you will make half as much. NJ salaries are among the highest in the nation. In the end when you sell your house for $400,000 the same house in Tenn would go for $150,000. So these arguments can go on and on.
Morris County is a fantastic County which ranks top 10 in wealth in the nation. I grew up their and work there. I also love Hackettstown and Warren County. This is also a great place to live. Hackettstown is very similar to some of the towns of Morris County.
You started this topic with these "impressive" numbers, so? Please continue...
I guess it is just a coincidence that the current administration has public workers in their crosshair.
Jay.
At no time have I ever NOT explained my decision to move to ML. I put it in writing to HHS when I asked for his transcipts to be transferred, I put it in my application for the school district, it was in my paperwork filed with the school. Do you KNOW how many parents do this for their kids here? So many, it requires notarized documentation from landlords, notarized copies of leases or house deeds, driver's license, two utility bills in your name with a district address, and more, all to verify that you actually live in the district. So many people attempt to lie about their address in hopes of getting their kids educated at MLHS. The amount of legal documentation and paperwork was shocking. Apparently I am not the only one who has ever chosen to move into this town just for this reason.
So, Jay, no, there is no forum, we just keep meeting at school all the time for one reason or another relating to our kids, their education, their sports and their future. EVERY SINGLE PARENT whom I have met since joining the school has heard how and why we are here. It's how I introduced myself at our initial back-to-school night. I have never hidden it; I couldn't possibly. And NO ONE, TO A PERSON (except YOU) holds it against me, or calls me a leech on society, or a poser, or an immigrant, or any of your lovely adjectives (I named MYSELF a poser as a joke, and you're the only one attempting to turn it into something sinister), and you don't even live here. The response I get is, "Welcome! And good for you and your son!! It's a great school and he's going to get the best education!"
So. If my neighbors and fellow parents don't feel as you do, I question who needs the shrink, Jay.
Let it go now. This is my last response. No need to continue this nonsense. You're just going to have to keep seething, and maybe you could start an anti-poser tea party to make people like me move outa ML. lol Have a nice life.
I stand by my statements, you are all over the place.
Anyway, keep up the good work. I am sure it has to be difficult as a single parent. If your son is happy with the move to ML then it was the right decision for you and your son.
Matt, I guess we are in very good shape compared to some states:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-01-04-state-budgets-shortfalls-cuts_N.htm?obref=obinsite
Budget cuts shouldn't occur in "rich" counties like Morris, there is plenty of money to tap from its residents :)
Jay I am sure you can find some justification for Christie giving tax cuts to people making $400,000 or more. The guy takes from the middle class and the poor and gives back to the rich. Same old politics. He will not be in office after this term. He has now galvanized the Democrats, many in the middle and lower classes, state workers and families who rely on town services.
After this Tuesday many NJ residents are going to want blood. Already there is a rally against him. Thousands will be there protesting including the police. You cut aid to education, police and fireman and towns cut programs to make up the loss of funds. Property taxes remain the same or grow and residents just get less.
This will be a very hard lesson on all sides. Need to change the formula in how programs get funded then maybe we can all start paying less.
Wrong. Rewind to Florio. He faced similar problems and chose to tax his way to a budget. Now we have serious job and real estate problems. Many people owe more than their house is worth. Fiscal responsibility has to prevail at some point, and I believe we are approaching that point.
There have been to many games being played. Your pension is for one. When they created the teachers pension it was calculated using 7 to 8% annual investment return; this is ridiculous. A more realistic figure in the 4 to 5% range should have been used. If they had done this you 5.5% annual pension payment would have to more than double.
You talk high level BS. BTW, it seems with your 400k or more statement above you did make this post with the intention to further your public education compensation cause.
But you know why you will get nowhere. Not because of people like Jay that can afford the current mess, it is because of those out of work with no savings, the elderly on a fixed income, etc. You are blinded by your NJEA cause.
Looking forward to Tuesday...
Matt, just because Jay is anti-union doesn't make him a Republican who advocates lowering taxes for the wealthy. I've read his opinions on other issues and he's certainly not the way you're portraying him. He just happens to think that people should be paid what they can negotiate in a free market, not the absolute maximum that some cabal can extort for them.
You also realize there is a huge budget DEFICIT, right? Of course Christie needs to cut services without lowering taxes. He needs to cut something like 11 bilion from the budget just to get to ZERO before he can THINK of lowering taxes; that's what a deficit IS. Do you not understand that? The State is currently spending billions more than it has... thus, we need to CUT expenditures or RAISE taxes. I know you think that he should just raise taxes on corporations and make them pay for it, but then who will everyone work for, when they take their companies to PA or SC? Should we all get government jobs?
getting rid of the excessive number of state , county , municpal emplyees is a good start
raising classs sizes to 1 to 25 student teacher ratio is another,
freezing wage and benifit increases for those that remain employed is also a way to get control of the deficit spending.
the easy and good times are over Matt. you need to see it for what it really is
if you spend more money than you have it is a irresponsible way to conduct your life
I would just like to point out that no teacher only works 180 days per year. The students are only in school 180 days per year, but when you have teacher inservice days, and days before the school year starts, and days after school year ends, and extended school years etc, yes, teachers have lots of time off, no one will dispute that, but hardly only working 180 days.
njchia yes we know that!
they work 183 days per, stop trying to self-anggrandize the poor abused teachers three extra days of work.
what a joke!!
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