New Jersey braces for another tax hike — NJ Top News

Here are the top New Jersey news stories for Wednesday:

⬛ NJ youth soccer coach charged with sex crimes

https://nj1015.com/nj-youth-soccer-coach-union-beach-sexual-contact-charges-ryan-gunsauls/

Ryan Gunsauls, of Union Beach, was also accused of inappropriately touching two of the children, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Gunsauls was charged with eight counts each of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree distributing obscene materials to a minor.

⬛ Murphy signs bills to help NJ school districts facing cuts

Gov. Phil Murphy signed two bills designed to help school districts facing huge cuts due to decreases in state funding.

Is it enough?

Over 140 districts have prepared budgets that cut programs and staffing to what Toms River Regional School District Superintendent Michael Citta called "rock bottom" levels. His district is looking at cutting 368 positions and increasing class size.

⬛ Top Democrat suggests raising NJ sales tax

The chairman of the Senate Budget Committee is suggesting consumers, not business, pay more to fund New Jersey Transit.

Sen. Paul Sarlo floated the idea of raising the sales from from 6.625% to 7% as an alternative to Gov. Murphy's billion dollar tax hike on businesses.

Murphy had suggested he was open to raising the sales tax, but did not include it in his $55.9 billion budget proposal.

⬛ Monmouth County movie theater is first in area to serve alcohol

RED BANK — Your purchase of popcorn and candy can now be accompanied by beer and wine at Basie Center Cinemas.

The independent cinema on White Street is up and running with alcoholic beverage service for customers aged 21 and older.

“Basie Center Cinemas is now the only area indie movie house that can offer patrons a glass of wine, a local craft beer or a cool, canned cocktail to accompany their feature presentation,” said Izzy Sackowitz, chief operating officer of the Count Basie Center organization.

⬛ Major seafood chain closes locations in NJ

Without any warning for seafood lovers, Red Lobster has closed dozens of locations across the U.S., including a few in New Jersey.

For many locations, the furniture and equipment are being auctioned off online right now.

According to the Red Lobster website and Google listings, the New Jersey locations that are now closed include Bridgewater, East Brunswick, Lawrenceville, and Ledgewood (Roxbury).

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New Jersey's First News with Eric Scott is the longest running news program in New Jersey. Eric Scott began hosting the program in 1991.

It airs live on New Jersey 101.5 each weekday morning from 5:30 - 6 a.m.

New Jersey's First News with Eric Scott is the winner of the prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast.

Eric Scott is the senior political director and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

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