4-Year University Tuitions Jumped 34 Percent in PA and 35 Percent in NJ

The Center Square

Pennsylvania four-year public university tuition and fees went from $11,175 in 2004-05 to $14,937 in 2019-20, the 10th smallest increase among the 50 states and the District of

CNBNews image files

Columbia, the College Board said in

a new report.

That 15-year change represented a tuition and fee hike of 33.7 percent. Between the 2018-19 and the 2019-20 academic years, four-year tuition and fees in the state decreased 1 percent, according to the College Board numbers.

The analysis found that average tuition and fee amounts at four-year universities in five states dropped over the past five years when the costs are adjusted for inflation. And in nine states, those tuition costs rose by at least 15 percent over the same time period, the College Board reported.

The average out-of-state tuition and fee amounts in 10 states are more than three times that of the in-state tuition and fee numbers, according to the analysis.

—

Changes in Tuition and Fees at Public 4-Year Universities

State

2004-05

2018-19

2019-20

1-Year % Change

15-Year % Change

District of Columbia

$3,414

$8,401

$8,444

147.33%

Hawaii

$4,587

$10,997

$10,978

139.33%

Colorado

$5,057

$11,360

$11,380

125.03%

Arizona

$5,524

$11,754

$11,921

115.80%

Nevada

$3,893

$7,805

$7,953

104.29%

Louisiana

$4,787

$9,678

$9,614

-1%

100.84%

Georgia

$4,621

$8,698

$8,719

88.68%

Oklahoma

$4,789

$8,960

$8,919

86.24%

Virginia

$7,558

$13,735

$13,627

-1%

80.30%

Kentucky

$6,063

$10,909

$10,902

79.81%

Alabama

$6,109

$10,972

$10,918

78.72%

Alaska

$4,653

$7,962

$8,233

76.94%

Tennessee

$5,833

$10,158

$10,255

75.81%

California

$5,683

$10,054

$9,966

-1%

75.37%

West Virginia

$4,919

$8,445

$8,487

72.54%

Idaho

$4,865

$7,729

$7,999

64.42%

Rhode Island

$8,037

$12,793

$13,060

62.50%

Michigan

$8,526

$13,690

$13,771

61.52%

Utah

$4,435

$7,114

$7,162

61.49%

Illinois

$8,797

$14,254

$14,166

-1%

61.03%

Kansas

$5,746

$9,255

$9,196

-1%

60.04%

Connecticut

$8,583

$12,974

$13,664

59.20%

Mississippi

$5,406

$8,568

$8,596

59.01%

Oregon

$7,073

$10,800

$11,220

58.63%

New Hampshire

$10,952

$16,859

$16,916

54.46%

Florida

$4,137

$6,468

$6,352

-2%

53.54%

South Dakota

$5,890

$8,841

$8,977

52.41%

Texas

$6,875

$10,347

$10,468

52.26%

Washington

$6,657

$10,023

$10,077

51.37%

North Carolina

$4,831

$7,359

$7,281

-1%

50.71%

North Dakota

$6,240

$8,826

$9,289

48.86%

Delaware

$8,980

$12,957

$13,292

48.02%

Vermont

$11,898

$17,306

$17,474

46.87%

South Carolina

$8,956

$13,201

$13,057

-1%

45.79%

Arkansas

$6,206

$8,859

$9,033

45.55%

Massachusetts

$9,529

$13,458

$13,641

43.15%

New Mexico

$5,295

$7,256

$7,432

40.36%

Maine

$7,587

$10,396

$10,478

38.10%

Nebraska

$6,394

$8,682

$8,745

36.77%

Minnesota

$8,755

$11,740

$11,834

35.17%

New Jersey

$10,809

$14,441

$14,536

34.48%

Pennsylvania

$11,175

$15,082

$14,937

-1%

33.66%

Wisconsin

$7,069

$9,178

$9,104

-1%

28.79%

Iowa

$7,325

$9,245

$9,364

27.84%

Wyoming

$4,393

$5,498

$5,581

27.04%

New York

$6,703

$8,307

$8,434

25.82%

Indiana

$7,921

$9,659

$9,675

22.14%

Montana

$6,053

$7,230

$7,204

19.02%

Missouri

$8,039

$8,806

$9,022

12.23%

Maryland

$9,171

$10,087

$10,115

10.29%

Ohio

$11,157

$11,001

$11,330

1.55%

Source: College Board

Another NJ-Base Pharmaceutical Co. Admits to Price Fixing

Rising Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Pay Over $3 Million in Criminal Penalty, Restitution, and Civil Damages Related to Hypertension Drug

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain and the Department of Justice announced that Rising Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Rising), a generic pharmaceutical company headquartered in New Jersey, was criminally charged for conspiring to fix prices and allocate customers for a generic hypertension drug, and in a related enforcement action, reached a civil settlement for violations of the False Claims Act, subject to bankruptcy court approval.

According to a one-count felony charge filed today in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, from about April 2014 until at least September 2015, Rising participated in a criminal antitrust conspiracy with a competing manufacturer of generic drugs and its executives to fix prices and allocate customers for Benazepril HCTZ, a medicine used to treat hypertension. This charge is the fourth in the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division’s ongoing criminal investigation into the generic pharmaceuticals industry; previously, two executives were charged and pleaded guilty to criminal antitrust violations, and a corporation, Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc., was charged and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Antitrust Division in May 2019.

U.S. Attorney McSwain and the Antitrust Division also announced a deferred prosecution agreement resolving the charge against Rising, under which the company admits that it conspired to fix prices and allocate customers for Benazepril HCTZ. Under the deferred prosecution agreement, Rising agrees that $1,543,207 is the appropriate amount of restitution it owes to victims of the Benazepril HCTZ conspiracy. To account for Rising’s separate agreement with the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, which requires Rising to pay approximately $1.1 million in civil damages for False Claims Act violations predicated on Rising’s antitrust conduct, the deferred prosecution agreement calls for an offset of Rising’s restitution, to $438,066. The deferred prosecution agreement also requires Rising to pay a $1.5 million criminal penalty, reduced from the fine of approximately $3.6 million called for under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, as a result of Rising’s inability to pay a larger fine without impeding its ability to pay restitution and in light of its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings that will result in liquidation. Both the deferred prosecution agreement and civil settlement agreement are pending approval in the bankruptcy court. Once approved, the deferred prosecution agreement will be filed in district court.

In addition, under the deferred prosecution agreement, Rising has agreed to cooperate fully with the Antitrust Division’s ongoing criminal investigation. To allow Rising to comply with the agreement’s terms, the United States will defer prosecuting Rising for three years, or until its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings become final, whichever comes first. The agreement will not be final until accepted by the court.

The Antitrust Division entered into this deferred prosecution agreement with Rising based on the individual facts and circumstances of this case. Among those facts and circumstances, the agreement specifically identifies the company’s substantial and ongoing cooperation with the investigation to date, including its disclosure of information regarding criminal antitrust violations involving drugs other than those identified in the criminal charge and the agreement. According to the agreement, this cooperation has allowed the United States to advance its investigation into criminal antitrust conspiracies among other manufacturers of generic pharmaceuticals. Other facts and circumstances identified in the agreement include Rising’s agreement to pay restitution, and the fact that a conviction (including a guilty plea) would result in substantial delay to Rising’s ongoing bankruptcy proceeding and liquidation. The agreement ensures that Rising is held accountable for its criminal conduct and preserves the United States’ ability to prosecute the company should material breaches occur.

In the separate civil resolution, Rising has agreed to pay $1.1 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act related to the price-fixing conspiracy, subject to bankruptcy court approval. The government alleged that between 2013 and 2016, Rising paid and received remuneration through arrangements on price, supply, and allocation of customers with another pharmaceutical manufacturer for certain generic drugs in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and that its sale of these drugs resulted in claims submitted to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

“My Office is proud to announce our next round of enforcement actions in this criminal and civil investigation with the Antitrust Division and the Civil Division,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “We and our partners at the Antitrust and Civil Divisions remain heavily focused on price-fixing and market allocation in generic drugs and addressing the impact on federal healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. These criminal and civil resolutions with Rising, if approved by the bankruptcy court, are yet another important accomplishment in that area.”

“Hypertension medicines are vital for patient health, and engaging in schemes to price fix these generic medicines is illegal and could potentially be dangerous, as some patients may have an inability to pay for the medicines they need,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Regional Office of the Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of companies engaging in actions that put the public and the Medicare program at risk.”

“Today’s charge, like the previous corporate and individual charges announced in this investigation, publicly affirms the Antitrust Division’s steadfast commitment to prosecuting the companies and executives who fixed prices of generic pharmaceuticals,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “Rising and its co-conspirators exploited patients that rely on Benazepril HCTZ as a low-cost alternative to brand-name medications to treat high blood pressure. The deferred prosecution agreement is an important step in restoring integrity to the generics industry. It will require from Rising not only an admission of guilt, a criminal penalty and cooperation in the ongoing investigation, but also restitution to the direct purchasers that bought Benazepril HCTZ at artificially inflated prices.”

“The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General appreciates the opportunity to assist in these critical generics industry antitrust investigations,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott Pierce. “Aggressively pursuing those companies and executives who foster behavior related to price fixing, bid rigging and market allocation helps to ensure an open process by which generic pharmaceuticals can be competitively priced and sold. Working closely with the Department of Justice and our counterparts at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General stands ready to support these vital efforts going forward.”

“The FBI is proud to join our partners in this effort to uncover companies and individuals who attempt to exploit necessary medicines to cheat the economic system and illegally amass wealth,” said Timothy R. Slater, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “Today’s announcement shows the FBI’s level of commitment to investigating allegations of antitrust violations and illuminating criminal behavior so that the perpetrators can be held accountable.”

The criminal charge is the result of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into price fixing, bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct in the generic pharmaceutical industry, which is being conducted by the Antitrust Division with the assistance of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Anyone with information on market allocation, price fixing, bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct related to the generic pharmaceutical industry should contact the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at

1-888-647-3258

or visit www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html.

The civil settlement was handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with support from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. Except for those facts admitted to in the deferred prosecution agreement, the claims resolved by the civil settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Bills Up in Assembly Environment Committee and Senate Monday:

New Jersey Sierra Club press release

TRENTON, NJ–The following pieces of legislation are up in the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on Monday, December 9

A4330 (Pinkin):

Prohibits use of plastic carryout bags, expanded polystyrene, and single-use plastic straws. The bill would prohibit the use of single-use plastic carryout bags in stores and food service businesses, and would ban food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws. It would also ban the sale of polystyrene and would prohibit food service businesses from selling or providing food packaged in polystyrene containers.

“This bill is a major step forward in dealing with plastics and plastic pollution. Plastics are a menace and an existential threat to our drinking water, beaches, and wildlife. Microplastics have already been found near our drinking water supply, so we could literally be drinking plastic. Animals like fish and birds can ingest plastic, and plastic bags have been known to clog storm drains and fill up detention basins, affecting our water quality,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This bill is important because it will ban single-use plastic bags and polystyrene containers. It also should not allow fake reusable bags. It will also allow paper bags during the transition before phasing them out slowly.”

The bill would prohibit the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and paper bags in stores and food service businesses, and would ban food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws. It would also ban the sale of polystyrene and would prohibit food service businesses from selling or providing food packaged in polystyrene containers.

“We need this legislation because it not only bans plastic bags, but also polystyrene and the offering of plastic straws. Polystyrene is dangerous to human health because it contains carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene and styrene, and it has been found in breast milk. It is harmful to the environment because it is not recyclable and does not degrade. Plastic straws pollute our oceans and beaches. Last year, New Jersey found that more than 80% of their trash is plastic and found an increase in plastic straw waste by 59%,”

said Tittel.

“By reducing how much plastic we use, we can also reduce fracking and fossil fuel use. Plastics are made from natural gas, which means more fossil fuel use, more pipelines, and more fracking.”

A4267 (McKeon):

Concerns regulations of solid waste, hazardous waste, and soil and debris recycling industries.

“This bill is important because it addresses New Jersey’s ongoing problems with illegal dumping of contaminated materials. The Special Commission of Investigation’s first “Dirty Dirt” report in 2016 exposed the rampant problem of soil brokers and dirty dirt. Since that report the illegal dumping is still happening, risking the environment and public health. That’s because there hasn’t been any action by DEP and the Legislature to stop it. The industry has ties to the mob, and there are serious pollution and health impacts,”

said Tittel.

In June, the Special Commission of Investigation released their latest “Dirty Dirt” report detailing illegal dumping in Marlboro. SCI reported that New Jersey currently “lacks the authority to properly oversee elements of its recycling program”. This bill would help tighten regulations by expanding the requirement for background checks to a broader range of persons involved in the solid waste industry, such as sales persons, consultants, and brokers. But the overriding problem continues to be DEP’s lack of enforcement.

“The Assembly bill is an important step forward; however, we need to go further. New Jersey needs tighter regulations and restrictions on how our waste is handled. We have a long history of contaminated materials coming into our state, in part because DEP chooses not to regulate these chemicals. DEP needs to set and enforce standards for toxic materials to prevent any more possible dumping,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“The Assembly needs to act quickly and get this bill to the governor’s desk before the end of the year.”

A5583 (Pinkin):

Prohibits sale, lease, rent or installation of certain equipment products containing hydroflourocarbons or other greenhouse gases.

“This bill is step in the right direction when it comes to reducing GHG’s from the products we use every day. Hydrofluorocarbons represent around 1% of total greenhouse gases but their impact on global warming can be hundreds to thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide. They can be found in cooling products like refrigerators, air conditioning for our homes and cars, aerosols, and more,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“It is important that we prohibit and phase out all products containing HCF’s and greenhouse gases so that we can mitigate our impact to global warming.”

A5681 (Pinkin):

Establishes task force to study recycling streams in NJ and challenges faced by local governments in running recycling programs.

“Given the serious problems with recycling in New Jersey, we need to change everything we do when it comes to solid waste. We need to first reduce, reuse, repurpose and then recycle. Our recycling and solid waste programs are decades out of date. Some towns are moving to single-stream recycling, which means more waste gets collected but results in a dirtier product. Establishing a recycling task force will help streamline New Jersey’s recycling,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“We also need legislation to reduce plastic wastes and solids. The less we recycle, the more greenhouse gases and pollution we have from emissions from landfills and new product manufacturing.”

A5682 (Pinkin):

Establishes Recycling Market Development Council. The Council would look at existing recycling markets and recommend ways to stimulate recycling and how to reduce contamination of collected recyclables.

“We’re seeing a major drop in recycling in New Jersey. In the early 1990’s, we recycled over half of municipal and household waste. Now we are down to 37%. China’s decision to no longer import plastic waste has caused the recycling market to collapse. Some towns are no longer taking plastics. Recycling facilities are closing, or opening only once or twice a month. This bill says that New Jersey needs to develop new recycling markets. Rutgers has invented the first plastic lumber that uses recycled plastics, and more innovation needs to encouraged,”

said Tittel.

“We need to focus on coming up with more markets for recycling, and establishing a Recycling Market Development Council is a step in the right direction.”

A5854 (Pintor Marin):

Allows municipalities to adopt an ordinance to enter properties to perform lead service line replacements.

“This legislation will help us replace lead service lines. This legislation is needed because lead in drinking water has become an ongoing issue in New Jersey. In order to find out if people are being exposed to lead or to get rid of existing lead service lines, you need to have access to the properties. Many times, landlords or property owners will not allow access to municipalities to check for lead,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“Our water is at risk and we need to be able to replace old lead pipes. This legislation will help municipalities protect residents from being exposed to lead in their water.”

A6014 (Vainieri Huttle/Pinkin):

Establishes NJ Climate Change Resource Center at Rutgers University, appropriates $2 million.

“Establishing a Climate Change Resource Center is a good step forward when it comes to being prepared and stronger than the next storm. Climate impacts are getting worse. A recent study found that much of New Jersey, including inland counties, are more vulnerable to climate impacts now than before Sandy. We must start taking real actions to fight climate change now. We are in a climate crisis, and New Jersey is the only state on the east coast that does not have any kind of sea level rise climate adaptation plan,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“This Resource Center will help use the latest science to put climate and sea level rise in DEP rules and state legislation. DEP also need to update our adaptation for sea level mitigation program, our shore protection plan, and fix CAFRA loopholes.”

A4020 (Mazzeo):

Changes title of DEP “conservation officer” to “Conservation police officer”.

“We feel that this title change is incorrect and unnecessary,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Bills Up in Senate Committees Monday

The following pieces of legislation are up in various committees on Monday, December 9

Senate Environment and Energy Committee:

S4275 (Smith)

: Allows BPU to increase cost to customers of Class I renewable energy requirements for energy years 2022 through 2024, under certain conditions.

“We are heading into a crisis for solar energy. We support this bill because it will prevent the collapse of the solar market, but our concern is that this is a temporary fix. We need to do something about the cost cap before the cap is exceeded and the solar program ends,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This bill raises the cost to 9% instead of 7%, but if the costs exceed that limit the BPU is still required to set aside the Renewable Portfolio Standard for that year.”

The bill would allow the BPU to increase the cost cap on Class I renewable energy requirements if the total energy costs during energy years 2019 through 2021 is less than 9%. The cap would then return to the original 7% from energy year 2022 through 2024. Since the solar program went into effect about 10 years ago, solar has become 29 percent more efficient and gone down in price by 25 percent.

“This bill is just kicking the can down the road for a few more years. What we need is a real fix, not a Band-Aid. We should be completely getting rid of the cap. We don’t have caps on energy from coal, nuclear, oil, or gas. Having a cap on solar energy makes no sense. You also have to factor in legacy SRECs as well as transition SRECs. Our concern is that even with this change in the law it will not allow us to have a robust solar program,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“We need to remove the cost cap, but we also need to come up with a new solar program that is more cost effective and works for all of New Jersey. This includes looking at other funding mechanisms and regulations to push for solar programs to get done.”

S3965 (Ruiz/Cryan)

: Requires DEP, DOH, DCA, owners or operators of public water systems, and owners or operators of certain buildings to take certain actions to prevent and control cases of Legionnaires’ disease.

“It is important for the Legislature to make sure our water companies, cities, and state agencies are held accountable when it comes to the water we drink. There are too many problems in New Jersey from one county to the next, whether it is PFOAs, volatile organic chemicals, cyanobacteria, or legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease. For too long, New Jersey has failed to adequately protect its drinking water and is putting the public at risk. This is mainly due to DEP’s failure to enforce the Clean Water Act, “

said Jeff Tittel.

“We have serious water problems throughout the state when it comes to our drinking water. That is why we need to make sure that different water purveyors take actions to identify their problems and correct them.”

S3974 (Ruiz):

Authorizes common law public nuisance suits regarding lead paint under State law; exempts Attorney General from certain aspects of public nuisance claims when pursuing lead paint actions.

“It is good that this bill would allow the Attorney General to pursue public nuisance claims against lead paint manufacturers. We have a serious problem with lead in New Jersey that we have been dealing with for far too long. Some places in the state are at crisis level, especially in areas that are poorer and urban. There are a lot of hazardous chemicals in lead paint like VOCs and other flammable substances, and it is important for the Attorney General to have the ability to hold lead paint manufacturers accountable”

said Tittel.

S4162 (Smith):

Appropriates $2 million to establish NJ Climate Change Resource Center at Rutgers University.

“Establishing a Climate Change Resource Center is a good step forward when it comes to being prepared and stronger than the next storm. A recent study found that much of New Jersey, including inland counties, are more vulnerable to climate impacts now than before Sandy. We must start taking real actions to fight climate change now. We are in a climate crisis, and New Jersey is the only state on the east coast that does not have any kind of sea level rise climate adaptation plan,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“This Resource Center will help use the latest science to put climate and sea level rise in DEP rules and state legislation.”

S4276 (Corrado):

Appropriates $32,153,936 to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes.

S4277 (Greenstein):

Appropriates $5,000,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

S4278 (Greenstein):

Appropriates $21 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

S4279 (Greenstein):

Appropriates $1,350,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes.

“We need to make sure that there is capital set aside for state parks, parks in urban areas, open space, and improvements. For years, state parks and parks in urban areas have been significantly underfunded. We wanted the new money to fix that problem. We need these funds because there are massive backlogs and parks are falling apart without improvement for years. Over the last decade the parks budget is down 40%, despite us adding 40% more open space,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“We would like to see 40% of open space money dedicated to urban space areas. We are concerned because the definition of stewardship in these bills allows for logging and other things. Stewardship money should be going towards wetlands restoration and stream corridors.

Senate Economic Growth Committee:

S1212 (Ruiz)

requires lead paint inspection prior to home purchases and tenant turnover; establishes educational program on lead hazards. Lead is incredibly dangerous, and can cause illness and even in small amounts can lead to brain damage and learning disabilities. It can also lead to childhood development problems and other serious health issues. Thousands of children are diagnosed with lead poisoning in our state each year; over 3,000 in 2015 alone. Many of these children are exposed to lead through paint in their homes and other structures.

“It’s important to have these pieces of legislation to find lead in homes and stop children from being exposed to it in the first place. We need a long-term solution that will help remove lead from our schools and especially the older homes. We must work on removing lead from homes but also from our drinking water through old infrastructure. This is the beginning of dealing with a systemic problem that’s going to take years to solve and lot of work and funding to get done,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Lower Township Rotary Christmas Parade December 14

On Saturday, December 14, 2019, the Lower Township Rotary will be hosting their 38th Annual Christmas Parade along Bayshore Road. The parade is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. from Breakwater Plaza, at Breakwater and Bayshore Roads. From there, it will proceed southbound onto Bayshore Road, to Rosehill Parkway in North Cape May and end at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Motorists are advised to avoid this area for the duration of the parade, if they are not participating in it or traveling to the area to enjoy the festivities. Motorists can expect delays and detours. Bayshore Road will be closed along the parade route from 5:30 p.m. until approximately 10:00 p.m. Breakwater Road, between Bayshore Road and Fishing Creek Road, will be closed to through traffic from 4:30 p.m. until approximately 8:00 p.m.

Pedestrians and motorists should use caution along the parade route. Although the road may be closed, it does not mean there will not be authorized, and in some instances unauthorized vehicles traveling on the roadway. Pedestrians should utilize sidewalks and if there is none, they should stand and remain several feet behind the white fog line that divides the travel portion of the roadway with the shoulder. Please also utilize caution when crossing the road. Parents should be mindful of their children and ensure they too stay out of the roadway. Enjoy the parade and have a Merry Christmas!

Address/Location

Lower Township Police Department

405 Breakwater Rd

Cape May, NJ 08204

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 609-886-1619

Delaware to extend popular Clean Transportation Incentive Program

Governor John Carney joins DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin and EV car owner Dean Dey at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover today, at event highlighting the extension of the Clean Transportation Incentive Program through 2020, through which rebates help reduce cost of purchasing environmentally-friendly vehicles.

Rebates help reduce cost of purchasing environmentally-friendly vehicles

DOVER (Dec. 6, 2019) – In response to Delawareans’ growing demand for cleaner fuel and electric vehicles, DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy announced today that Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program will continue to offer rebates to drivers and businesses statewide toward the purchase or lease of electric and alternative fuel vehicles and charging stations through Dec. 31, 2020.

“Reducing transportation-related emissions is key to reaching our greenhouse gas reduction goal,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Electric vehicles are a smart choice for citizens and businesses alike, and the Clean Transportation Incentive Program is helping Delaware drivers change from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives that reduce air pollution.”

Since 2015, the program has provided rebates totaling $4.6 million to more than 1,500 purchasers of electric vehicles, propane and natural gas-fueled vehicles, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Electric vehicle charging station rebates cover between 75 to 90 percent of the cost of a Level 2 charging station. These rebates apply to businesses, workplaces, and publicly-accessible charging locations and multi-family residences, including apartment complexes, townhomes and condominiums operated by a commercial entity, and government or nonprofit organizations. In 2020, the program will no longer offer rebates for single-family home charging stations.

Rebate amounts for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, updated for 2020, include $2,500 for battery-electric vehicles, and $1,000 for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Rebates for electric vehicles are available only to battery and plug-in hybrids with a purchase price of $60,000 or less.

The program also offers rebates for the purchase or lease of propane or natural gas vehicles. Rebates include $1,500 for dedicated propane or natural gas vehicles, $1,350 for bi-fuel propane or natural gas vehicles, and $20,000 for heavy duty dedicated natural gas trucks.

Funding for the Clean Transportation Incentive Program is made possible through Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The program was designed to help with the initial cost of transitioning to lower-carbon, lower-pollution vehicles, making it easier for Delaware drivers to choose vehicles that produce less or no tailpipe emissions, reducing both unhealthy pollution and the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Delaware has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 28 percent by 2025 from 2005’s baseline. Transportation is now the largest single source of emissions in Delaware, responsible for 35 percent of our carbon emissions in 2016, the latest year for which data is available.

For more information on Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program, contact Breanne Preisen, Clean Transportation Project Specialist, at 302-735-3366, or visit

de.gov/cleantransportation

FBI Seeking Person of Interest

December 4, 2019

Who May Have Information Regarding the Identity of a Child Sexual Assault Victim

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking the public’s assistance with obtaining identifying information regarding an unknown female who may have critical information pertaining to the identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation. Photographs and an

informational poster

depicting the unknown individual, known only as

Jane Doe 37, are being disseminated to the public.

Initial videos of the unidentified female, Jane Doe 37, shown with a child were first recorded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in June 2014. The EXIF data embedded within the video files also indicated that the files were produced in April 2012. In addition, audio from the animated film

The Land Before Time

can be heard in the background of the videos.

Jane Doe 37 is described as a white female with brown hair and wearing dark-framed glasses. Due to the age of the images, it is possible that the individual’s appearance may have changed over the years.

Information regarding this individual was originally released in late 2016 under a John Doe title. However, further investigation has led the FBI to determine the gender of this individual is female and not male. Therefore, this individual is now known as Jane Doe 37.

UNKNOWN INDIVIDUAL – JANE DOE 37

Anyone with information to provide should

submit a tip online

or call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The public is reminded no charges have been filed in this case and that the pictured individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This individual is being sought as part of the FBI’s Operation Rescue Me and Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) initiatives, both of which represent strategic partnerships between the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Operation Rescue Me focuses on utilizing clues obtained through in-depth image analysis to identify the child victims depicted in child exploitation material, while ECAP seeks national and international media exposure of unknown adults (referred to as John/Jane Does) who visibly display their faces and/or other distinguishing characteristics in association with child pornography images.

CNB Hunting/Fishing Delaware: Rules on using bait while hunting in Delaware

Reminder for the week:

DOVER (Dec. 6, 2019) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers

between Nov. 25 – Dec. 1 made 1,172 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 31 citations. Officers responded to 47 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

On Nov. 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a Toys for Tots donation event with DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, State Parks Natural Resources Police, and Environmental Crimes Natural Resources Police at the Brandywine Zoo as reported in a

DNREC press release

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation:

Hunting migratory waterfowl over illegal bait (1), possession of unlawfully taken waterfowl (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (3), possess/transport unlawfully taken game – antlerless deer (6), trespass to hunt (1), and hunting on a refuge (2).

Boating & Boating Safety:

Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1).

Public Safety:

Possession, purchase, ownership, or control of a firearm, deadly weapon, or ammunition by a person prohibited (5), possession of marijuana – civil (1)*, possession of marijuana – aggravating factor other than for personal use (1), possession of a controlled substance – tier 5 methamphetamines (1), manufacture, deliver, or possession of LSD (1), possession of human growth hormones without prescription (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Other:

Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4)* and wildlife area map violation – parked in an area designated no stopping, standing, or parking (1).

Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The Public are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to

http://de.gov/ogt

, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?

Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that it is illegal to use bait to hunt game, except for hunting deer on privately-owned lands. Bait is defined in Delaware law as any nontoxic food material, compound, or mixture of ingredients which wildlife is able to consume.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on

2019-2020 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide

.Printed copies of the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide are available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. The printed guide also is available from license agents throughout the state.

STUDY: PA Spends More Per Prisoner Than Most States

By Todd DeFeo |

The Center Square

Pennsylvania spends $286 for every resident to incarcerate prisoners, 11th most among the 50 states, and the commonwealth imprisons 473 people for every 100,000 residents, 26th most, according to a new examination of incarceration nationwide.

CNBNews.net Graphic files

The

analysis from HowMuch.net

found Pennsylvania incarcerates fewer people than the nearby states of Ohio (567 per 100,000), West Virginia (492) and Virginia (560). However, it imprisons more than New York (314 per 100,000), New Jersey (278) and Maryland (407).

The site’s review also found the Keystone state spends less than New York ($335 per capita), Virginia ($310) and Maryland ($317). However, Pennsylvania’s spending outpaces Ohio ($181 per capita), New Jersey ($227) and West Virginia ($195).

The state’s Department of Corrections’ 2018-19 fiscal year budget was about $2.3 billion, according to its website. That is up slightly from the nearly $2.2 billion in 2013-14, and it is also lower than the $3.7 billion budget

HowMuch.net

used in its analysis.

In 2016, the state spent $42,700 per inmate for incarceration, which was more than the $35,300 per inmate the state spent in 2006, according to state numbers. While that was less than the national average of $45,400 per inmate, it was more than Ohio ($33,700) and West Virginia ($42,000) spend.

Pennsylvania’s prison population stands at approximately 47,300 inmates, which represents a decrease of more than 4,300 inmates over the past 6½ years, according to state numbers. The prison population peaked in June 2012, when the population reached 51,757.

Pennsylvania officials also point to declining crime rates for the reduction in the state’s prison population. The state’s crime rate dropped by 4.7 percent in 2017, the most recent numbers available, which was 1.4 percentage points more than the nationwide crime drop.

In generating its analysis,

HowMuch.net

incorporated data from the U.S. Census for 2017 and numbers from the U.S. Department of Justice. The study found that Southern states tend to have higher rates of incarceration, while those in the northeast tend to put fewer people in prison on a per capita basis.

Nationally, Louisiana incarcerates the most people per capita (942 per 100,000), followed by Oklahoma (931) and Mississippi (812). Alaska spends the most on prisons per capita ($436), followed by California ($370) and New Mexico ($346).

Meanwhile,

a recent poll

from Gallup revealed a majority of Americans (52 percent) say crime is an “extremely” or “very serious” problem. While that is up slightly from

48 percent a year earlier

, the rate is down from 2015-2017 when the numbers ranged between 59 percent and 60 percent, according to Gallup.

published here with permission

ELECTION 2020: Norcross Receives More Endorsements

CAMDEN CITY new jersey—It\’s not even 2020 but that hasn\’t stopped organizations and leaders from stepping up and endorsing Congressman Donald Norcross\’ re-election! This week, Congressman Norcross earned the support of the Sierra Club, Parenthood Action Fund, and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

In addition to the Speaker’s endorsement, came an astounding explanation as to why she supports Congressman Norcross. Here’s what Speaker Pelosi had to say about our Congressman:

\”From working tirelessly to provide our children with a high-quality education to protecting our national security and advocating for lower drug costs, Congressman Norcross always ensures that the issues of his constituents are at the forefront,” said Speaker Pelosi. “Congressman Norcross is a relentless champion for labor and progressive issues who is fighting to increase Americans’ paychecks at a time when the wages of our workers are falling further and further behind. His patriotic service in the Congress is respected throughout

Acenda receives $25,000 from Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group

GLASSBORO, NJ (December 6, 2019)

–

Acenda

is the recipient of a $25,000 donation from the Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group in Mullica Hill, NJ. This contribution will benefit the organization’s more than 100 health and social service programs that impact the lives of children, teens, adults, families, and the community at large. Funds were raised by taking a small portion of every real estate transaction Nancy Kowalik’s brokerage settled throughout 2019.

\”It is so rewarding to be able to make a difference in the lives of those that need us the most,” said Nancy Kowalik, who was named the 2019 Outstanding Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals New Jersey, Southern Chapter and was nominated by

Acenda

for this honor. “My team is honored to be a part of such a great organization driven by love and compassion for the community it serves.”

“Since the early 2000s, Nancy and her team have increasingly supported

Acenda’s

mission by volunteering at Community Care Day, collecting items for our Backpack Drive and

Spirit of the Holidays

initiatives

sponsoring the fall gala, and consistently building awareness of our programs and services.” said Mari Considine, Chief Development & Marketing Officer,

Acenda

. “

This gift

means so much to those we serve

throughout

New Jersey and truly

amplifies our impact i

n help

ing

individuals that need us most.”

About Acenda

Acenda is a nonprofit organization

dedicated to industry-leading prevention, treatment and wellness services compassionately delivered to ensure that every individual, family and community achieves their greatest potential. Acenda is at the forefront of community-based services,

providing over 100 health and social service programs at 56 locations throughout a 10-county region in New Jersey. For more information visit

acendahealth.org