P.A. hikes spending to revive economy
Following the lead of President-elect Barack Obama, Gov. Jon Corzine and others advocating public infrastructure projects as economic stimulus, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will ramp up capital spending in the coming year. (Steve Chambers, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1229060140280100.xml&coll=1
Whitman: Obama EPA pick brings credibility
The former New Jersey governor who led the Environmental Protection Agency during the cleanup at the World Trade Center says the new nominee inherits an agency in disarray. (Associated Press)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/whitman_obamas_epa_pick_brings.html
Pension-skipping bill advances, but its face is uncertain
Gov. Jon Corzine’s plan to let local governments skip more than $500 million in pension payments next year to head off a feared surge in property taxes cleared the Senate budget committee yesterday, but its chairwoman could not predict if it will pass the full house. (Tom Hester, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1229060248280100.xml&coll=1
GOP freeholders look to change county hiring
FREEHOLD — Republican Monmouth County freeholders have proposed rules to effectively strip the county’s governing body of hiring authority just before the incoming Democratic majority takes office in January. (Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/article/20081211/NEWS/81211098
Joe’s still in charge of well-oiled machine
So the High Council of the Bergen County Democratic Organization on Monday night formally ordered Chairman Joe Ferriero to quit by Jan. 15, unless he’s exonerated on federal fraud charges. (Charles Stile, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/politics/Joes_still_in_charge_of_well-oiled_machine.html
Union official, developer may seek Dem leader post
Union leader Richard “Buzzy” Dressel said Thursday that he would like to take over as chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization. (Michael Gartland, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergenpolitics/36032039.html
Bucco says GOP can take back governor’s office
BOONTON – State Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) said he has not yet committed to a gubernatorial candidate to challenge Gov. .Jon Corzine, but said he thinks whoever runs has a good chance of beating the incumbent Democrat – particularly if that person runs on an aggressive smaller government message. (PolitickerNJ.com)
Levine files with ELEC
Franklin Mayor Brian D. Levine, a moderate Republican interested in pursuing a run for governor, this week inched closer to his goal. (PolitickerNJ.com)
http://www.politickernj.com/max/26050/still-probing-run-governor-levine-files-elec
State program targets vets in trouble with law
TRENTON – Military veterans who find themselves in trouble with the law will get special assistance under a pilot program announced yesterday. (Associated Press)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081212_N_J__program_targets_vets_in_trouble_with_law.html
Jobless centers keeping busy
TRENTON — Glenn Gillam was clearly frustrated when he arrived at the county’s One-Stop Career Center to file for unemployment benefits this week. (Lisa Coryell, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1229058310211400.xml&coll=5
Doherty says mayors may not like bill, but public will
When Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Washington Twp.), who’s running for state senate, saw a press release showing 14 Hunterdon County mayors lining up behind Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow (R-Flemington) for the seat yesterday, he assumed there was a reason for it. (PolitickerNJ.com)
http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/26065/doherty-says-mayors-may-not-his-bill-public-will
Bedbug bill clears panel
Legislation sponsored by two state Assembly members from Hudson County to hold landlords responsible for attacking bedbugs passed its first hurdle this week. (Paul Koepp, The Jersey Journal)
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1229066761148550.xml&coll=3
Suit: M’ville cop beat woman
BRIDGETON — A Millville police officer, who resigned from the force for undisclosed reasons in October, is accused in a lawsuit of beating a female suspect earlier this year while at least two other officers allegedly stood by. (Tim Zatzariny Jr., The Daily Journal)
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20081212/NEWS01/812120317