Dan Cirucci

• Loudmouth Lagerfeld Disses EVERYBODY!
  
  
  Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has a penchant for stirring up controversy.
  The outspoken fashion diva has now tagged British singer Adele as 'fat', called Russian men 'ugly' and said the Greeks and Italians have 'disgusting habits.' He said all this in an interview with a global newspaper.
  The German-born Lagerfeld also said Britain's Royal Family was 'totally unnecessary, but pleasant' and described the Queen as 'a more smiley version of her grandmother'.
  
  This guy just can't get enough attention -- and he'll do most anything to keep in the spotlight.
  Funny thing is, he doesn't seem to be aging any better than the rest of us.
  
  
  
  
• Kean, Lesniak Lambast NJEA Director, Support OSA
  New Jersey State Senator Tom Kean, Jr. and Senator Raymond Lesniak said today that dismissive comments made by NJEA Executive Director Vincent Giordano about school children in chronically failing districts make a compelling case for school choice.
  When asked about children in failing districts whose families did not have the resources to pay for private education, Mr. Giordano responded, “Life’s not always fair and I’m sorry about that,” (CLICK HERE TO WATCH NJTV's INTERVIEW).
  Kean and Lesniak are prime sponsors of the Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA), which would provide privately funded scholarship grants to children in consistently low performing districts to attend a public or private school of their choice.
  “Mr. Giordano’s remarks in opposition to OSA show a startling contempt for children and parents of limited means who are forced into failing schools by virtue of their zip code,” said Kean (R- Union). “His remarks, however, actually strengthen the argument in favor of the bill: that the educational establishment is not able or interested in providing an immediate remedy for students in these districts.”
  Kean said that OSA does not abandon public education. Rather, it recognizes that long term structural changes are needed to fully address deficiencies in chronically failing schools. “Children should not be condemned to a subpar education while their schools are being improved; a process that will take a great deal of time,” he said.
  "Life is only unfair when we don't have the courage to change the things we can," said Senator Lesniak (D- Union), "And it will continue to be unfair as long as those with the ability to do something to make it fair stand idly by and become resigned to the unfairness. Children from poor families forced to go to chronically failing schools deserve an opportunity to get a quality education. They deserve better from all of us."
  Both Senators plan on reintroducing the legislation, which was not considered by the full Senate last session.
  
  
  
  
• Allen Taxpayer Advocate Law Clears Committee
  A longstanding proposal by New Jersey State Senator Diane Allen (R- Burlington) to create an office within the Treasury Department to improve customer service for taxpayers and streamline compliance issues has been approved by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee.
  
  S-1187 establishes the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, a position appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate that would bear responsibility for improving taxpayers' experience in dealing with Treasury's Division of Taxation and make recommendations to improve tax law so as to ease compliance problems for businesses and individuals.
  
  "The Christie Administration 'gets it' when it comes to easing the burden on taxpayers and improving their interactions with state government, but previous governors have not always been so accommodating to their needs," said Allen. "I submitted this legislation when Jon Corzine was governor because the myriad of tax and fee hikes that had been instituted last decade caused not only a financial hardship on taxpayers, but a bureaucratic nightmare when problems or disputes arose."
  
  Allen said that the Taxpayer Advocate would be an office in, but not of, the Department of Treasury that reports directly to the Governor. The Advocate would be empowered to issue orders to the Division of Taxation and the Department of Revenue to take specific action in order to assist taxpayers who face significant hardship resulting from the administration of tax law.
  
  Significant hardship is defined by the legislation as arising from a deficiency in the law or administrative procedures, rather than personal inconvenience or economic hardship.
  
  "Taxpayers need someone on their side when navigating the complexities of government and the law," Allen said. "This position will be empowered to help individuals and businesses cut through red tape and bureaucratic hurdles when a significant tax problem arises through no fault of his or her own."
  
  
  
  
• Christie, Cuomo Agree On NY/NJ Port Reforms
  New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today released the following statement regarding the Phase 1 Interim Consultant’s Report on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey:
  

  “The interim report released today on operations of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey describes an agency which failed to exercise proper oversight, control costs and budget transparently. The report’s Executive Summary describes an agency that is ‘challenged and dysfunctional,’ and where poor management ‘obscured full awareness of billions of dollars in exposure’ to the Port Authority.
  “Cause for further concern is the report’s conclusion that the WTC gross project costs, last publicly reforecast at $11 billion in 2008, have since grown a staggering $3.8 billion to $14.8 billion, at a minimum. Similarly, the report finds capital planning is plagued by management deficiencies that have resulted in a doubling of debt in 10 years as the agency drifted from its core responsibility as a transportation infrastructure organization. Coupled with the consultant’s assessment of the impact of ‘add-on’ compensation for agency personnel – an institutionalized practice that has contributed to an unacceptable 19 percent increase in gross compensation in just five years – the interim report makes clear that wide-ranging reform is long overdue.
  “This record of historic failure must be reversed. Steps have already been taken in the last two years, but much more must be done to restore the Port Authority to a responsible, highly transparent, well-managed organization focused on its core mission of maintaining and expanding our states’ shared transportation infrastructure for the health and growth of our overlapping economies. We will demand nothing short of the agency’s implementation of comprehensive recommendations and reform to achieve this critical mission.”

  
  
  
  
• Palm Philadelphia Offers Great Dinner Deal!
  

  We stopped by the Philadelphia Palm restaurant this past weekend and enjoyed this fantastic dinner with friends. It was great!:

  Introducing Our Newest Prix-Fixe Menu

  Featuring Filet Mignon with Cognac Lobster Cream Sauce

  $49.95 per person

  Only Available Through March 31st*
  
  Click here to make your reservation.
  Click here for recommended cocktail & wine pairings.
  
  
  FIRST COURSE (Choice Of)
  Classic Caesar Salad Garlic Focaccia Croutons and
  Parmigiano Reggiano
  Lobster Bisque Fresh Lobster Meat, Cream and Brandy
  Mixed Green Salad Romaine, Iceberg, Baby Greens,
  Cucumber, Carrots, Radish, Scallions and Cherry Tomatoes Tossed in a Garlic Vinaigrette
  Wild Mushroom Ravioli Porcini Broth
  
  SECOND COURSE (Choice Of)
  Filet Mignon 9 ounce Cognac Lobster Cream Sauce
  Tamarind Glazed Sea Scallops Grilled Baby Bok Choy with a Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
  Wasabi and Panko Crusted Jumbo Shrimp Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
  
  SIDE DISH (Choice Of)
  Choose any one of our Signature Vegetable or Potato Side Dishes from the á la carte menu
  
  ALSO FEATURING
  Nova Scotia Lobster Mac and Cheese $3 Additional Charge
  
  Hurry -- this offer expires at the end of March! 
  

  * This offer is available January 15-March 31, 2012 at all Palm locations excluding London, Mexico City and the Palm Bar & Grille at JFK Airport. Price does not include beverage, tax, or gratuity. This offer cannot be combined with 837 Club birthday entrée certificates. No substitutions. Dine in only, please