NJLP in New Jersey Law Journal
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- Written by John Paff
- Category: Open Government Advocacy Project
Court Says OPRA Request Is Valid Even If Identifying Data Is Minimal
By Maria Vogel-Short
New Jersey Law Journal
May 12, 2008An Open Public Records Act request specific enough to identify a dossier must be granted, even if the requester provides only a bare-bones description and some research by the responding agency is required, a Mercer County judge says.
Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg ruled that a request giving only a party's initials — since the name was not known — was limited in scope, sufficiently detailed and not unfairly burdensome.
Feinberg gave the state 10 days to produce the document and awarded counsel fees to the requester, John Paff of the New Jersey Libertarian Party's Open Government Advocacy Project.
For the full story, click HERE (requires subscription!).
Sunshine compliance sought in Roselle Borough
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- Written by John Paff
- Category: Open Government Advocacy Project
Today, on the NJLP's behalf, I asked the Union County Prosecutor's office to investigate Open Public Meetings Act violations committed by the Roselle Borough Mayor and Council. My letter to the Prosecutor starts at page 13 of the file that can be downloaded here.
There Is Still No Such Thing As a Fair Tax
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- Written by Webmaster
- Category: Selected Blogs
Although I believe that taxation is theft, I would gladly support any tax reform plan as long as it substantially lowered tax rates or the total amount of taxes collected. I am not a critic of the FairTax because it doesn't do enough; I am a critic of the FairTax because it cannot be considered an incremental step toward lower tax rates or lower overall taxes. It is not even a step in the right direction. The FairTax is a cure worse than our diseased income tax system.
Read the full article on mises.org
Institute for Justice in Trenton on May 14th
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- Written by Chip Mellor
- Category: Events
I'd like to invite you to see IJ in action in a major New Jersey eminent domain case. The case involves homeowners in Long Branch, NJ, who stand to lose their homes to a private developer seeking to build beachfront condos. Because New Jersey continues to be one of the worst abusers of eminent domain, this case is being closely watched across the nation.
UPDATE: Read more about it in a Asbury Park Press article. Say a prayer tonight for these homeowners!
The Republican Dictatorship
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- Written by Webmaster
- Category: Selected Blogs
The following is an excerpt from Glenn Greenwald’s new book, Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics. The excerpt is drawn from Chapter Five entitled "Small-Government Tyrants":
Ever since Ronald Reagan famously declared in his 1980 inaugural address that "government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem," Republicans have masqueraded as the party of limited government. Its leaders reflexively pledge to keep government off the backs of regular, hardworking Americans. Homage is paid to the wisdom and insight of the American people, which, Republicans endlessly insist, is far superior to the judgment of government officials.
Read the entire article on lewrockwell.com.
Is Barr the New Hope for America?
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- Written by Webmaster
- Category: Candidates and Elections
There is much excitement in some libertarian circles over the entrance of Bob Barr into the race for the Libertarian Party's nomination. Even the mainstream media has been reporting his candidacy, as well as that of Mike Gravel. Based on the way these men are covered, you would have thought that the party had previously planned not to run a Presidential candidate, or that it hasn't run a candidate in every Presidential race since it's founding. Nonetheless, many are thrilled with the idea that, if we nominate Bob Barr, this press coverage could continue. Others see the Barr candidacy as an opportunity to continue the energy of the Ron Paul campaign. I believe the excitement over the Barr candidacy is misplaced, will lead to disappointment, and that Barr should not receive the LP's Presidential nomination.
Read the entire article at LewRockwell.com
NJLP Mentioned in Today's Court Decision
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- Written by John Paff
- Category: Open Government Advocacy Project
This is a follow up to an earlier article posted HERE.
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Mercer County Assignment Judge Linda R. Feinberg ruled in my favor today in my Open Public Records Act case against the Division of Law. The NJLP is mentioned on the first page of the Court's opinion, which is on-line HERE
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My case against Edison, originally scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, has been postponed to a date yet to be determined.
The case documents, including briefs, are on-line at the NJLP Open Government Division of Law Page.
I was ably represented by Richard Gutman, Esq. of Montclair and the Division of Law was represented by Deputy Attorney General Sarah B. Campbell, Esq.
Bob Barr Interview
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- Written by Webmaster
- Category: Candidates and Elections
Potential Libertarian Presidential Candidate and former congressman Bob Barr was recently interviewed.
Two upcoming OPRA court hearings
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- Written by John Paff
- Category: Open Government Advocacy Project
UPDATED: Read 5/9/2008 update to this article HERE.
Two Order to Show Cause hearings regarding the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) will be heard during the next few days.
Washington Borough improves OPMA procedure
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- Written by John Paff
- Category: Open Government Advocacy Project
An article concerning the NJLP's Open Government efforts in Washington Borough (Warren County) appeared in today's Express-Times.
The party's letter to the Mayor and Council, the Borough's new form of closed session resolution, and a memorandum by the Borough attorney are all on the NJLP Open Government Website.
Libertarians Need Not Apply
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- Written by Jay Edgar
- Category: Student Rights
In 2000, three principled youths, Shaun Joye, Melissa Greiner, and Anna Zdepski, refused a mandatory government school drug test based on libertarian beliefs. All three believed that they had the right not to be searched without due process. The administrators at Hunterdon cared little about their beliefs. They were thrown out of all school activities. Shaun had been working hard all year on the school play, his part was quickly given to someone else.
The effect of drug testing polices like this is that no libertarian minded youth shall be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities without compromising on their beliefs.
Express Times Writes Editorial in Favor of NJLP's Open Government Activities
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- Written by John Paff
- Category: Open Government Advocacy Project
In a Friday, April 25, 2008 editorial, the Express Times (covering Warren County, New Jersey) wrote favorably about the NJLP's Open Government Advocacy Project's work.
Officials should know laws about open government
Friday, April 25, 2008Shining a light
Most elected officials in New Jersey cringe when John Paff shows up at public meetings. He's been hop-scotching across the state pointing out the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which municipalities and school boards fail the public when it comes to open government. ...
Read the entire story HERE
Reformed Drug Warrior?
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- Written by Jay Boucher
- Category: Latest News
Former Congressman Bob Barr recently appeared on Fox's Hannity & Colmes. At about 3:20 into the clip below, Hannity asks, "Would you vote to legalize heroin and crack?" Barr, agitated by the question, answered, "No, I would not vote to legalize heroin and crack!"
Undoubtedly, Barr supporters will say it is because Barr wants to focus on the bigger issue of getting the federal government out of the drug war. Hopefully, Barr opponents will see that the bigger issue is that Barr has not fully embraced the non-initiation of force principle of the Libertarian Party.
PorcFest 2008
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- Written by Rich Goldman
- Category: Latest News
Libertarians and liberty lovers of all stripes will gather in Gilford, New Hampshire in June for the 5th annual Porcupine Freedom (and Music) Festival (aka PorcFest).
As the premier event of the Free State Project (FSP), PorcFest welcomes pro-liberty activists from across the nation to see why New Hampshire was selected by FSP’s membership to be the destination for those who are willing to work effectively in a concentrated effort towards “Liberty in Our Lifetime.”