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Glassbro

@glassbro.bsky.social

220 followers 82 following 1.7K posts

Posting Czar for the State of NJ, Small Business Owner (you're welcome for my service), Homeowner (yw4ms), Parent (yw4ms). I write about local news: https://glassborogaffer.substack.com/

glassborogaffer.substack.com

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Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · Sep 3

Ya boi wrote a thing. newjerseymonitor.com/2025/09/03/n...

NJ gutted public broadcasting before it was cool • New Jersey Monitor

Democrats attack GOP cuts to public broadcasting nationwide, but back their own cuts to NJ PBS.

newjerseymonitor.com

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

This is fucking horrible.

Under the current system, most residences with up to three units, including single-family homes, are taxed under a complicated equation that begins with their market value, which is determined by the city based on recent sales prices for similar nearby properties.

A property’s assessed value is then calculated at 6 percent of the market value, but it cannot increase more than 6 percent a year or 20 percent in five years. That helps people who own property in neighborhoods like Park Slope where values have surged. Tax exemptions and credits, if they exist, are then applied and that total is multiplied by a variable tax rate that is currently around 21.17 percent.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

I'm trying to imagine the road equivalent. Suppose state highways were privatized. Then NJ Transit wants to establish BRT service to Philly. Would NIMBYs oppose upgrading the private roads bcs their owner & the trucking companies would benefit?

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

I take issue w/ NJ apparently taxing affordable housing units as if they could generate market-rate rent. NYC is doing the reverse w/ co-ops, eh?

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

I was wondering what was up w/ those co-ops I can somehow afford in Queens. If a coop can sell for $X, then yeah, it should be taxed on that amount. If NYC doesn't do this, then it should.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

I'm on a nationalization bender today. Airport security was once done by private firms.

Does anyone think airport security would be better off privatized? I know TSA sucks, but the alternative is prob worse.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

Strong Towns is a useful resource for those of us trying to convince our neighbors & municipal leaders to improve things. But home rule should not be anyone's end goal.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

I find that people generally don't know how to criticize Strong Towns. I do: towns are not the ideal level at which big decisions should be made. Home rule, in fact, sucks. State preemption is better than organizing 565 independent pro-housing/transit movements.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

Zero appreciation from the ghouls who run red states, sure, but the poor people in those states who get the wealth transfers are certainly appreciative! If only they voted, or if those who vote were more tactful.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

Source: thenextsystem.org/history-of-n...

A History of Nationalization in the United States: 1917-2009

The United States has a long and rich tradition of nationalizing private enterprise, especially during times of economic and social crisis.

thenextsystem.org

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 12h

TiL Conrail began as a state-owned enterprise. Reagan privatized it, despite it being profitable.

GCL NIMBYs today insist we "follow the money", that Conrail is the beneficiary of publicly funded freight rail improvements. Let's nationalize it, then.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 16h

First I contacted PBS, thinking they use a centralized payment/membership system. Nope!

They told me to contact NJ PBS, who never got back to me.

The downside of decentralization. Get federalism out of my TV.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 16h

It's time for public media to modernize.

That's right, I can't change the credit card that NJ PBS charges every month, so I had to cancel & restart my membership.

Sad!

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 1d

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 1d

Always funny that a guy who isn't elected to any office holds political debates with elected guys.

Reposted by Glassbro

Better Blocks NJ @betterblocksnj.bsky.social · 1d

ICYMI: Twenty-two candidates running for office in Jersey City completed our questionnaire on housing, transit, street safety, and public parks.

Compare where six mayoral candidates and 16 council candidates stand on the issues before we issue our voter guide next week.

Reposted by Glassbro

3underscores.bsky.social @3underscores.bsky.social · 1d

Consider taking a few minutes today to send an email to County Executive Craig Guy thanking him for constructing the first protected bike lane on a county road in Hudson County.

Email address is: [email protected] (cc: [email protected])

3underscores.bsky.social @3underscores.bsky.social · 4d

Love this protected bike lane being built on River Rd in North Hudson. Unfortunately opponents have gathered 682 signatures for a petition against it.

The good news is that it's too far along to cancel.

Travis Fedschun @travfed.bsky.social · 7d

Running a 10k through Edgewater + North Hudson along a stretch of River Road sums up where North Jersey infrastructure is at.

Reposted by Glassbro

Marxist-Glonzoist @primaryschool.bsky.social · 2d

inshallah NJ next

California YIMBY @cayimby.bsky.social · 2d

[VICTORY ALERT] Governor Newsom has signed SB 79, which will make it legal to build multi-family housing near high quality transit!

Our statement:
cayimby.org/news-events/...

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 2d

The gleaming, golden image of democracy: Constituencies are as small as possible, village-like. You contact your reps who are often your neighbors, engage them in good faith debate, & they consider your args on their merits/demerits.

Reality: unpaid volunteers only doing what's required of them.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 2d

It's hilarious. The NJ SCHOOL BOARD Association recommends that SCHOOL BOARDS do a thing, & my SCHOOL BOARD's response is that they aren't forced to, so they won't.

I'd be fine if they disagreed w/ the rec for a reason. It's more just lack of imagination & laziness.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 2d

For a story, I asked my local super & a school board member if the district reminds parents about safe gun storage at home. The NJ School Board Assoc reccs this.

Their answer: We aren't mandated to do that.

No consideration of the policy on its merits/demerits. No counterarg. Just, "not my job."

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 2d

We need county school districts & to pay school board members bcs, I'm sorry but, volunteers from your tiny borough/township just aren't up to the task. Draw from a bigger candidate pool.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 2d

Chitareli (no, idc how his name is spelled) supports banning phones from schools, but would leave it up to the districts.

Bad idea. School boards & superintendents usually can't imagine doing something unless it's mandated by the state. Go ahead, ask yours if they'd do policy X.

Reposted by Glassbro

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 3d

Help me:

Does anyone know of any school districts that educate students or parents about safe gun storage at home?

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 3d

The hogs want representatives with some tie to their local community. Counties are best, not just the state at large.

Glassbro @glassbro.bsky.social · 3d

Help me:

Does anyone know of any school districts that educate students or parents about safe gun storage at home?