Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 25/09/2026My friend @samjmintz.bsky.social has done yeoman's work in local journalism with Brookline.News. A model to follow! 000
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 10/09/2026NEW: There's a plan to protect the water supply in Passaic County, New Jersey. Can you wait until 2054? www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/nj-w... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgNJ water customers may have 28-year wait for safety upgrades | NJ Spotlight NewsCourt proposal would shield Passaic Valley commission from liability if any customers get sick from supplies stored in open reservoirs 122
Reposted by Benjamin HulacANJEC @anjec.bsky.social · 09/09/2026The Passaic Valley Water Commission provides water to about 800k people has 3 open-air reservoirs in violation of a federal safety regulation. A proposal in NJ federal court would shield it from any liability if customers get sick from tainted water. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/nj-w...njspotlightnews.orgNJ water customers may have 28-year wait for safety upgrades | NJ Spotlight NewsCourt proposal would shield Passaic Valley commission from liability if any customers get sick from supplies stored in open reservoirs 021
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 04/09/2026NEWS: Scientists have worried for decades the North Atlantic right whale could go extinct. Congress just voted to pass an "extinction bill" for the species, as one advocate put it. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/hous... @newenglandaquarium.bsky.social @oceana.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgHouse votes to delay North Atlantic right whale protections | NJ Spotlight NewsFewer than 400 of the animals are believed to exist, and researchers say entanglements with fishing gear may wipe them out 000
Reposted by Benjamin HulacBenjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 02/09/2026NEWS: Federal auditors found a New Jersey electric utility committed a series of financial errors, including "overbilling" of transmission customers. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/powe... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgElectric utility overbilled customers, erred on tax law, audit finds | NJ Spotlight NewsRefunds potentially due after five years of Atlantic City Electric Co. documents show areas of noncompliance while rates soared 012
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 02/09/2026NEWS: Federal auditors found a New Jersey electric utility committed a series of financial errors, including "overbilling" of transmission customers. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/powe... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgElectric utility overbilled customers, erred on tax law, audit finds | NJ Spotlight NewsRefunds potentially due after five years of Atlantic City Electric Co. documents show areas of noncompliance while rates soared 012
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 06/08/2026NEW: Regulators are considering what is likely the biggest railroad merger in U.S. history. If it goes through, it could really mess up passenger rail service in New Jersey. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/08/nj-t... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ #NYC #railnjspotlightnews.orgNJ Transit warns: Commuters at risk in proposed freight rail merger | NJ Spotlight NewsTwo of the nation's biggest haulers, working together, would run more trains and disrupt passenger lines, critics say 032
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 30/07/2026NEW: Two top federal lawyer probing New Jersey's voter registration errors have ties to election conspiracy theorists. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/07/trum...njspotlightnews.orgTrump attorneys in NJ voting probe hold ties to election deniers | NJ Spotlight NewsOne lawyer on the team defended president, staffers after Jan. 6 attack, while another represented a prominent Biden foe 021
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/07/2026NEWS: The Department of Justice is investigating New Jersey over an elections voter glitch. “This is a real oversight issue," said a New Jersey Republican. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/07/fede... @njspotlightnews.org #NJnjspotlightnews.orgFederal investigators launch probe in NJ voter registration errors | NJ Spotlight NewsHouse members say they plan hearings into system that allowed thousands of noncitizens to register, even if they opted out 001
Reposted by Benjamin HulacNJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 23/07/2026The Department of Justice opened an investigation into the voting system problem that registered more than 6,000 noncitizens to vote in New Jersey, according to Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd). 113
Reposted by Benjamin HulacFinTwitter @fintwitter.bsky.social · 09/07/2026U.S. FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY HITS 7-YEAR HIGH U.S. HOUSING STRESS BUILDS AS FORECLOSURES SURGE 12272116
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 26/06/2026NEW: A bipartisan housing bill was about to become federal law. Then Donald Trump got involved. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/bipa... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ #housing🏡🏠njspotlightnews.orgBipartisan housing effort in limbo after Trump sinks popular bill | NJ Spotlight NewsPresident insists that Congress must give him voter-restriction legislation that Senate and House are unlikely to pass 011
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/06/2026NEWS: Congress scrapped all earmarks last year, a move that cost New Jersey more than $200 million. Now, earmarks are back, and New Jersey is poised to reap the benefits. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/afte... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ #Congressnjspotlightnews.orgAfter a year without, more than $250 million in earmarks for NJ | NJ Spotlight NewsFrom military aircraft control tower design to 'not real sexy' recycling bins for Camden, lawmakers in Congress hail federal funding 012
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 19/06/2026The Trump administration bought a Morris County warehouse for $130 million dollars -- double the market value. They wanted to make it an ICE detention center. Now, they are backpedalling... www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/trum... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #NJnjspotlightnews.orgTrump administration looks to back off Roxbury detention center | NJ Spotlight NewsICE warehouse planned for Morris County among several to be sold or transferred, report says 022
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 19/06/2026NEWS: New Jersey's missing congressman may soon be missing no more. BUT...we still have no idea why Tom Kean Jr. has been out for more than 3 months. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/kean... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgKean returning to Congress on June 30 after treatment for illnessNJ Spotlight NewsRepublican congressman from New Jersey's 7th District, running for reelection, will talk about nature of his absence, spokesman says 031
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 18/06/2026The ICE site in Roxbury, New Jersey, is on this list, according to the NYT. The U.S. government -- in other words, the public -- paid nearly double the market rate for that site in Morris County. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/prev... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #NJnjspotlightnews.org‘Prevent public contact’: ICE deportation network comes into focus | NJ Spotlight NewsImmigration enforcement expanding in Jersey and elsewhere on East Coast, adding holding sites, guards with guns 0126
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 18/06/2026A safety complaint drew OSHA inspectors to an ICE detention site in New Jersey. It's unclear at this point what inspectors found. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/safe... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #NJ #DelaneyHallnjspotlightnews.orgSafety complaint draws federal inspectors to Delaney Hall | NJ Spotlight NewsAny of eight conditions can lead to on-site review by U.S. regulators, and case of Newark detention center remains open 022
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 09/06/2026An immigrant detention site in New Jersey has become a Republican tool. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/repu... @njspotlightnews.org #DelaneyHall #Newark #ICEnjspotlightnews.orgRepublicans use Delaney Hall protests as Exhibit A for ICE funding | NJ Spotlight News'These men and women are running out of money,' U.S. senator says as he presses for $70 billion for immigration forces 012
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 08/06/2026NEW: To push their hardline immigration bill, national Republicans are looking to New Jersey. Just not in the way you might think. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/repu... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgRepublicans use Delaney Hall protests as Exhibit A for ICE funding | NJ Spotlight News'These men and women are running out of money,' U.S. senator says as he presses for $70 billion for immigration forces 011
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 04/06/2026NEW: If you're missing from Congress, can you still give a speech in the House chamber? Weirdly, yes. Sort of... www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/the-... @njspotlightnews.org #Kean #NewJerseynjspotlightnews.orgThe missing Rep. Tom Kean Jr. finally speaks … sort of | NJ Spotlight NewsThe Republican congressman hasn't been seen in months -- though his office has found multiple ways to puff up his public 'presence' 031
Reposted by Benjamin HulacDan Kennedy @dankennedy.net · 29/05/2026A Penn State photojournalism student has been documenting the ICE-created chaos at the Delaney Hall protests. @njspotlightnews.org is publishing his work. “I’ve covered hard news before, but this is the first time I’ve ever had tear gas and pepper spray directed toward me.”njspotlightnews.orgClashing night and day: a tense 24 hours outside Delaney HallNJ Spotlight NewsA photojournalism student knows how to shoot hard news. This was something else. 'It was definitely scary,' he says 19037
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 29/05/2026Delaney Hall, an ICE detention center in New Jersey, has been on the national radar this week. Great new great photos here of the protesters, ICE agents & violent clashes ---> www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/clas... @njspotlightnews.org #DelaneyHall #ICE #Newarknjspotlightnews.orgClashing night and day: a tense 24 hours outside Delaney HallNJ Spotlight NewsA photojournalism student knows how to shoot hard news. This was something else. 'It was definitely scary,' he says 0139
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 29/05/2026Trump is bulldozing buildings, planning archways and slapping his name on buildings in the nation's capital city. The latest victim of the Trump-led push to remake Washington? A women's museum. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/wome... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgWomen's museum is latest divide in Trump bid to mold capital | NJ Spotlight NewsNJ Democrats vote against bill to build a Smithsonian space Republicans add an amendment to block inclusion of transgender people 012
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 28/05/2026The clearout of Delaney Hall in New Jersey continues. Detainees are on food and labor strike inside. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/fres... @njspotlightnews.org @eliseondeadline.bsky.social #Delaney #ICEnjspotlightnews.orgFresh funding round set to supercharge ICE as Delaney Hall erupts | NJ Spotlight News'We are being tortured physically and psychologically due to the poor food resources provided,' say those held in Newark 004
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 26/05/2026Sure looks like ICE is moving out detainees from Delaney Hall, where there is an ongoing hunger strike. The next location logged for this plane is Alexandria, La., a massive ICE deportation hub. www.flightaware.com/live/flight/...flightaware.comN966AD Flight Tracking and History - FlightAwareFlight status, tracking, and historical data for N966AD including scheduled, estimated, and actual departure and arrival times. 0115
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 26/05/2026NEW: During the Biden administration, Congress created a national broadband program. New Jersey has yet to see a single new internet connection because of it. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/trum... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgTrump broadband delays stall $264 million in NJ internet funding | NJ Spotlight NewsThe state gets high marks for digital network, though communities of color -- particularly in Newark, Trenton and Camden -- lack same access 003
Reposted by Benjamin HulacNJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 22/05/2026On Thursday, the nonpartisan election analysis newsletter Inside Elections shifted its outlook for NJ's 7th District race from Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and toward Democrats. The Cook Political Report, another nonpartisan handicapper, moved Kean’s race in November to “toss up.” via @bhulac.bsky.socialnjspotlightnews.orgCampaign edge shifts toward Democrats in Kean's 7th District | NJ Spotlight NewsCongressman will return to Washington in June, national Republican official says, as two political reports call the race a toss-up 0102
Reposted by Benjamin HulacJennifer Shutt @jennifershutt.bsky.social · 30/04/2026US House votes to launch process to provide billions for Trump mass deportations www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-h...newsfromthestates.comUS House votes to launch process to provide billions for Trump mass deportationsWASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans adopted their budget resolution Wednesday night, clearing the way for the party to pass a bill in the coming weeks that will provide tens of billions in additional ... 023
Reposted by Benjamin HulacStars and Stripes @starsandstripes.bsky.social · 28/04/2026The Pentagon is asking Congress to codify the Department of War name. A Defense Dept. legislative proposal sent to Capitol Hill estimates the name change to date has cost about $50 million. But the CBO estimated the change could cost as much as $125 million: www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes 8198
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 28/04/2026NEW: A massive week awaits in Congress: Farm Bill, budget bill, vote on spying law and more. One New Jersey lawmaker remains missing and we do not know why. www.njspotlightnews.org/podcast/wher... @njspotlightnews.org @maddiference.bsky.socialnjspotlightnews.orgWhere’s Tom Kean Jr. — and what’s going on with NJ’s missing congressman? - NJ Spotlight NewsWashington correspondent Benjamin J. Hulac breaks down what we know 042
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/04/2026NEWS: A New Jersey congressman has gone off the radar during a busy stretch on Capitol Hill. “They’re keeping this really tight-lipped," said one lawmaker. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/radi... @njspotlightnews.org @genesisobando.bsky.socialnjspotlightnews.orgConcerns over congressman’s health during lengthy absence | NJ Spotlight NewsCalls and text messages to a missing New Jersey congressman have gone unanswered 043
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/04/2026This is what Sen. Kim is talking about: Republicans yesterday started a process that could lead to tens of billions more in funding for ICE & CBP. There is a lot that could change. But for starters, I wrote about it here at @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/immi... #ICE #CBPnjspotlightnews.orgImmigration agencies have funding for years; GOP seeks more | NJ Spotlight NewsInfusion of $140 billion in budget outline would be enough to 'carry us through the Trump presidency,' Graham says 000
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/04/2026NEWS: Members of Congress are worried about Tom Kean. He is not replying to texts or calls and has not voted in the House since early March. "We just haven’t heard a word." www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/radi... @njspotlightnews.org @genesisobando.bsky.social @maddiference.bsky.socialnjspotlightnews.orgConcerns over congressman’s health during lengthy absence | NJ Spotlight NewsCalls and text messages to a missing New Jersey congressman have gone unanswered 226
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 22/04/2026NEW: ICE and CBP have tens of billions of dollars in reserve. Republicans in Congress want to give them more money -- enough at least to "carry us through the Trump presidency." www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/immi... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #CBPnjspotlightnews.orgImmigration agencies have funding for years; GOP seeks more | NJ Spotlight NewsInfusion of $140 billion in budget outline would be enough to 'carry us through the Trump presidency,' Graham says 032
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 16/04/2026NEW: Tom Kean has not voted in Congress since March 5. Why has he been out of Washington? His office has offered zero specifics. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/kean... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgKean out with ‘health matter’ on eve of busy season in Congress | NJ Spotlight NewsOutcomes of crucial bills sometimes rest on NJ representatives , and Republican from 7th District hasn't cast one in more than a month 063
Reposted by Benjamin HulacJohn Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 13/04/2026Inflation is straining the personal finances of many government retirees living in New Jersey. Gov. Sherrill wants the state to make another full pension contribution in FY2027. But COLAs for retirees would stay frozen for at least another year. @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgSherrill wants full pension funding, with retiree COLAs still on hold | NJ Spotlight NewsTreasurer cites $6 billion 'penalty' -- roughly one-tenth of the proposed state budget -- for past skimping on retirement payments 012
Reposted by Benjamin HulacMaddi Ference @maddiference.bsky.social · 06/04/2026we're back and allegedly better than ever: www.njspotlightnews.org/podcast/deco...njspotlightnews.orgDecoding New Jersey's $60.7B budget: Politics, property taxes and the 'deficit' | Hey, NJ - NJ Spotlight NewsBudget and finance writer John Reitmeyer joins to discuss the political process behind budget negotiations 032
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 06/04/2026NEWS: This tax year is going to be more complicated than usual. The IRS is doing it with about 75% the staff it had before Trump. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/mark... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.org‘Markedly different’: IRS tax landscape fits Trump deregulation jag | NJ Spotlight NewsEnforcement, including audits, a lesser priority as shrunken staff turns to mastering code changes ushered by Republicans in Congress 022
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 03/04/2026The Supreme Court heard one of the biggest cases of the Trump era. It could rewrite what it means to be an American. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/expl... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgExplainer: Trump's birthright citizenship case and American identity | NJ Spotlight NewsAttorney general for NJ, where one in four is foreign-born, signs statement: Order violates Constitution, statutes, 150 years of rule 011
Reposted by Benjamin HulacRyan (Ry) Warner @ryanhasaquestion.bsky.social · 31/03/2026SCOTUS: “Colorado’s law banning conversion therapy, as applied to Ms. Chiles’s talk therapy, regulates speech based on viewpoint, and the lower courts erred by failing to apply sufficiently rigorous First Amendment scrutiny.” www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p... 7187
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 30/03/2026NEW: Most Democrats in the Senate would like to change or eliminate the filibuster. Now, it's the one thing blocking the Trump administration from "supercharged" deportations & more. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/in-f... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgIn federal funding fight, filibuster a bulwark against ‘supercharged’ deportation and more | NJ Spotlight NewsSenate rule remains pivotal in GOP fight to boost funding for ICE as Democrats cling to power they once sought to kill 122
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 26/03/2026NEWS: Federal prosecutors put a deal on the table to pay for clean up at a long-contaminated New Jersey site. The public has 60 days to weigh in on the agreement. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/ford... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgFord would pay for Ringwood toxic cleanup, gain legal protection | NJ Spotlight NewsDepartment of Justice estimates $3.4 million to remove residual pollution from former iron mines that became dump for chemicals, heavy metals 011
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 25/03/2026NEW: The North Atlantic Right Whale is near obliteration. Things may soon get worse for the species, if the Trump administration alters a key ocean safety rule. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/noaa... @njspotlightnews.orgnjspotlightnews.orgNOAA mulls weakening rule that protects whale species on brink of extinction | NJ Spotlight NewsAdministration is considering changes to a mandatory speed rule for boats and ships 65 feet or longer 011
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 25/03/2026Here's a good (relatively recent) piece on the fading use of conference committees. rollcall.com/2022/05/24/c... @bobkopp.netrollcall.comConference calls a rare occurrenceCorrected 4:04 p.m. | When 81 members of the House and 26 senators met on May 12 to start negotiating differences between the House and Senate takes on technology competition bills, it was the first t... 100
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 25/03/2026In Congress these days, it's definitely an unusual measure. 100