With the PolitickerNJ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of New Jersey's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.
Budget woes fixed, transportation issues up next
Even though they've struck a deal on a new state budget, Gov. Jon Corzine and lawmakers will likely wait until later this summer to resume discussion on a plan to fund the state's transportation needs, officials said yesterday. (Claire Heninger, The Star Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1213677346131090.xml&coll=1
Congress releases financial information on New Jersey legislators
Congress has released the latest financial records of its members, shedding light on lawmakers' rental properties, credit card debt and investments.
Though the annual report offers a glimpse into the private lives of senators and representatives as well as their families, it is not a complete picture. (Jessica Coomes, Gloucester County Times)
http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1213681220299710.xml&coll=8
The recount continues
WINSLOW — Two weeks after Winslow Township voters went to the polls, a township committee nomination remains unsettled — and will remain so for another week.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/NEWS01/806170365/1001/NEWS
Lending less
WASHINGTON — The winners of New Jersey's primaries for U.S. Senate put some of their own money into their campaigns, and so did one of the losers — but by modern standards the amounts aren't large.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who won the Democratic primary, lent his campaign $1.65 million, according to the most recent Federal Election Commission reports. The Republican nominee, former congressman Dick Zimmer, lent his campaign $300,000. (The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1213677352131090.xml&coll=1
Camden teachers union bashes education plan
A school choice pilot program now under consideration in the state Senate is getting a thumbs down from the Camden Education Association, the union representing the Camden school district's teachers and support staff. (Lisa Grzyboski, The Courier-Post)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/NEWS01/806170362
New Jersey legislators target gas prices
PATERSON — Democratic federal lawmakers from New Jersey on Monday pushed for legislation they said will bring lower gas prices and less dependence on oil.
"We have to ensure that our government is working for the families of this country, not for the oil companies and oil traders who have the power to push gas prices artificially high," said Sen. Robert Menendez. (Associated Press)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/NEWS01/806170373/1001/NEWS
Mayor apologizes for DUI drama
SWEDESBORO Mayor Thomas Fromm apologized Monday night in the form of a letter read by the council president for the negative publicity the borough has received since his arrest in East Greenwich for driving while intoxicated.
Council President David Flaherty read Fromm's letter at the start of the council meeting. He said the mayor was away on business in California and couldn't be present. (Jessica Beym, Gloucester County Times)
http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1213681205299710.xml&coll=8
Bomb (threats) over Bridgeton
BRIDGETON — The court is not in session.
The county courthouse had its eighth and ninth in what has turned into a regular series of bomb scares on Monday, causing morning court proceedings to be cancelled.(Matt Dunn, Bridgeton News)
http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/index.ssf?/base/news-3/121368301627610.xml&coll=10
Obama and Bradley?
Jack Kakolewski of Ridgewood chipped in $250 for Bill Bradley's bid for the presidency, convinced that he was an authentic antidote to a country weary from the Clinton-era scandals.
Nine years later, Kakolewski remains a Backer of Bill — this time as a possible running mate for Barack Obama, the likely Democratic nominee for president. (Charles Stile, The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergenpolitics/20005114.html
Murder trial to begin again
The state Supreme Court yesterday ordered a new trial for a Hillside man convicted of robbing and killing a 65-year-old man outside his home in Newark in 2001.
The court said testimony about a prior crime was improperly introduced at the trial of Tykim Kemp, 37, in state Superior Court in Essex County in 2003. Kemp is serving a 30-year term in New Jersey State Prison in Trenton with no chance of parole for the stabbing death of Manuel Santiago on Brunswick Street. An accomplice, who is sus pected of actually stabbing Santi ago in the back, has never been identified. (Tom Hester Jr., Associated Press)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1213677371131090.xml&coll=1
Knowledge is power
Two state legislators are touring urban schools around the state that had major renovation and expansion projects shelved four years ago to rally support for a proposed $2.5 billion school construction program.
After touring Orange's 1899-built Cleveland Street School, the pair said they were in disbelief at how adequate learning and teaching can take place in such an antiquated and woefully inadequate facility. (Kevin C. Dilworth, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1213677308131090.xml&coll=1
New Jersey legislator likes Webb for VP
PATERSON – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8) didn't hesitate today when asked whom he would like to see presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois choose as his running mate. (PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/max/20832/if-its-not-going-be-clinton-pascrell-likes-webb-veep
Republicans protest tax increase
Gov Jon S. Corzine's administration estimates extending a public utility tax to raise money for health care needs would cost the average household only $10 per year, but Republicans still deem the move a tax increase. (Tom Hester Jr., Associated Press)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/190/story/183842.html
With the PolitickerNJ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of New Jersey's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.