STATE GOVERNMENT
GOP rakes Corzine over financial dealings
With fresh ammunition for their assaults, Republicans today renewed their criticism of Gov. Jon Corzine’s personal financial dealings a day after a confidential settlement with a relative of the governor’s ex-girlfriend became public. (Josh Margolin, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/gop_rakes_corzine_over_persona.html
Plumeri is leading candidate for U.S. Marshal post
Samuel Plumeri, a former Mercer County Sheriff and Democratic County Chairman, is emerging as a leading candidate for U.S. Marshal for New Jersey, according to a report on PolitickerNJ.com. (The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/report_says_samuel_plumeri_is.html
Obama, Corzine head to Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — President-elect Barack Obama is expected to visit here this morning, causing the clo sure of some downtown streets to vehicles and pedestrians. (The Courier-Post)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081202/NEWS01/812020324
Corzine backs business stimulus
TRENTON – With the withering economy putting the squeeze on New Jersey businesses, Gov. Corzine has been pushing legislation that would reward companies for calling the Garden State home. (Associated Press)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081201_Pro-business_bills_pushed_by_Corzine.html
Lesniak anticipates COAH fine tuning
Unlike Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan, Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik doesn’t want Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) obligations scrapped. (PolitickerNJ.com)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Officials upbeat on Obama’s new national secrity team
New Jersey’s elected officials on Monday said Barack Obama’s selection of his national security teamincluding Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State demonstrates an ability in the president-elect to discard partisan politics and political rivalries for the betterment of the country. (Gloucester County Times)
http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1228194628147740.xml&coll=8
GOVERNOR’S RACE
Lonegan announces bid for governor
With withering attacks on Gov. Jon Corzine — and subtler swipes at U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie — conservative activist Steve Lonegan kicked off his campaign for governor today, pledging to dramatically cut the size and scope of state government. (Claire Heininger, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/lonegan_to_announce_bid_for_go.html
U.S. ATTORNEY
Marra will be acting U.S. Attorney
Ralph Marra, Jr., a career federal prosecutor who has been with the Department of Justice since 1985, will become Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey at midnight, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office. U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey approved Christie’s recommendation of Marra last week. Christie will leave office at midnight and is expected to seek the Republican nomination for Governor. (PolitickerNJ.com)
http://www.politickernj.com/editor/25808/marra-will-be-acting-us-attorney
CAMDEN COUNTY
County clerk to fill John Adler’s term
Camden County Democrats plan to select County Clerk James Beach, one of their most popular elected officials, to replace State Sen. John Adler (D., Camden), who was elected to Congress last month. (Cynthia Burton, Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081202_Camden_County_clerk_to_fill_John_Adler_s_term.html
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Burlco GOP spent heavily on lost seats
Burlington County Republicans outspent their opponents 2-1 in their unsuccessful bid for three county-level seats last month, even as they stuck to their traditionally election-winning fund-raising formula of relying on county contractors for campaign cash. (Maya Rao, Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081202_Burlco_GOP_spent_heavily_on_lost_seats.html
HUDSON COUNTY
Chambler saluting Guarini, Pantozzi, Stanton tonight
Two Hudson County business leaders and a former congressman will be honored tonight at the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce’s Legends Ball Gala. (Amy Sara Clark, The Jersey Journal)
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-3/122820271258240.xml&coll=3
MORRIS COUNTY
Election night results stand after two Morris recounts
Frontrunners maintained their leads by razor-thin margins after votes were recounted in two council races in Rockaway Township and Madison. (The Daily Record)
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20081201/UPDATES01/81201039/1005/NEWS01
TRENTON
Pink slips prepares for 69 city workers
TRENTON — The worst national economy in decades is about to get even grimmer for some 70 public employees slated to be laid off as early as Friday, city officials confirmed yesterday. (Lisa Coryell, Trenton Times)
http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1228194374124990.xml&coll=5
BERGEN COUNTY
Firms’ donations challenged
FAIR LAWN — At least four companies doing business in the borough have made tens of thousands of dollars in political contributions that a councilwoman says violate the borough’s pay-to-play ordinance. (The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergenpolitics/35354934.html
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
County official remembers Crabiel as a ‘great public servant’
Middlesex Countyjust issued a statement regarding the death today of Freeholder Director David Crabiel. (PolitickerNJ.com)
http://www.politickernj.com/max/25799/county-official-remembers-crabiel-great-public-servant
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Economy stings local United Way
VINELAND — The trou
bled economy is delivering a double whammy to the United Way of Greater Cumberland County. (Joseph P. Smith, The Daily Journal)
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20081201/NEWS01/812010311
