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By Elana Schor The Associated Press Fri., Feb. 1, 2019 WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Cory Booker on Friday declared his bid for the presidency in 2020 with a sweeping call to unite a deeply polarized nation around a “common purpose.” The New Jersey Democrat, who is the second black candidate in a primary field that’s already historically diverse, delivered his message of unity amid an era marked by bitter political division. He announced his run on the first day of Black History Month, underscoring his consequential status as America’s potential second black president after Barack Obama. “I believe that we can build a country where no one is forgotten, no one is left behind; where parents can put food on the table; where there are good-paying jobs with good benefits in every neighbourhood; where our criminal justice system keeps us safe, instead of shuffling more children into cages and coffins; where we see the faces of our leaders on … [Read more...] about New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker launches 2020 bid
New jersey s corporation election
A $2 billion question: Did New York and Virginia overpay for Amazon?
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By Ben Casselman The New York Times Wed., Nov. 14, 2018 Amazon built a retail empire on low prices and free shipping. But for taxpayers, its new headquarters didn’t come cheap. New York and Virginia collectively offered more than $2 billion in tax credits, rebates and other incentives to attract the company. That figure doesn’t include what could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure spending, worker training and other government assistance. Economists have long criticized tax incentives as inefficient and unnecessary, arguing that they pit cities or states against each other and leave less money for education and public works that ultimately do more to lift local economies and improve livelihoods. Research has shown that incentives play at most a small role in corporate decisions, meaning governments often end up paying businesses to do what they would have done anyway. Indeed, in selecting New York and Virginia for its new … [Read more...] about A $2 billion question: Did New York and Virginia overpay for Amazon?
New Jersey lender explores sale as banks consolidate
By Cara Lombardo The Wall Street Journal Rachel Louise Ensign Tues., Nov. 6, 2018 Investors Bancorp Inc. is exploring a possible sale amid an uptick in consolidation among smaller lenders. The Short Hills, N.J., regional bank, which has about 150 branches in the state and in New York, has hired deal adviser Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc., which could start reaching out to potential buyers soon, according to people familiar with the matter. After a sharp decline in its shares as investors sour on bank stocks, the lender had a market value of about $3.3 billion (U.S.) Tuesday morning. A sale at a typical premium would make it the second-biggest bank deal announced in the last two years, after Fifth Third Bancorp’s agreement this year to buy MB Financial Inc. for $4.7 billion. Investors Bank is in the early stages of exploring a sale and there is no guarantee it will move forward with one. While bank deal making has slowed since the megamergers of the 1990s … [Read more...] about New Jersey lender explores sale as banks consolidate
New court filing says the Trump Organization approved $420,000 in reimbursements to Michael Cohen connected to hush-money payments
caption Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer, exits federal court, August 21, 2018 in New York City. Cohen reached an agreement with prosecutors, pleading guilty to charges involving bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance violations. source Drew Angerer/Getty Images Prosecutors said in a Tuesday court filing that the Trump Organization approved $420,000 in reimbursements to Michael Cohen in connection to his efforts to silence women who claimed to have had affairs with Donald Trump. Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts related to tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations. Cohen said he broke campaign finance laws “at the direction” of Trump. The Trump Organization approved $420,000 in reimbursements to Michael Cohen related to his efforts before the 2016 election to silence women who claimed to have had affairs with President Donald Trump, according to new court filings. Cohen pleaded … [Read more...] about New court filing says the Trump Organization approved $420,000 in reimbursements to Michael Cohen connected to hush-money payments
Offshore tax havens set to overtake Canada in corporate transparency
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By Marco Chown Oved Investigative Reporter Robert Cribb Investigative Reporter Sun., May 6, 2018 Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands — notorious offshore tax havens where shell companies shield billions of dollars in illicit money — will soon have more open corporate records than Canada. In a stunning move last week, Britain’s House of Commons passed legislation that will lift generations of corporate secrecy in its offshore territories by compelling company owners registered on the islands to reveal themselves in public databases. That kind of transparency is only an idea in Canada, where corporate owners can mask their identity behind lawyers and “figurehead” directors. There is no requirement for real company owners — or “beneficial” owners — to list their names in provincial or federal registries. Read more: How will governments solve the tax haven riddle? … [Read more...] about Offshore tax havens set to overtake Canada in corporate transparency