JCP&L plan: 90 new jobs by next year
MORRISTOWN — In response to Gov. Jon Corzine's call for capital projects to help stimulate the flagging economy, Jersey Central Power & Light is proposing $51 million in infrastructure and energy efficiency projects that could create 90 new jobs between 2009 and 2010. (Bruno, Record)
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090302/COMMUNITIES/903020326/1203
N.J. open space groups oppose bill backing green energy for farms
Farmers in New Jersey have long tried creative methods to stave off bankruptcy, and their latest push to harvest wind and sun for electricity is gathering steam with a boost from state lawmakers. (Chambers, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/nj_open_space_groups_oppose_bi.html
Snow Day: Senate cancels committees & Quorum call
From the Governor's office:
In recognition of the statewide winter storm, Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that all State of New Jersey offices on Monday, March 2, 2009 will delay the start of business by two hours. Governor Corzine directed employees of the State of New Jersey to report to their work stations two hours later than usual. Essential employees, however, are expected to report to their work stations as usual according to their proscribed schedules.
(Springer, Blue Jersey)
http://www.bluejersey.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=10651
New deadline for N.J. man held hostage in Pakistan
QUETTA, Pakistan — A suspected separatist group holding an American U.N. worker with New Jersey ties today it would kill the man being held in Pakistan in four days if the government does not release more than 1,000 prisoners. The threat on the life of John Solecki, who was raised in Demarest, N.J., was made in a letter sent to local news agency Online International News Network that was also read by an Associated Press reporter. (AP)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/new_deadline_for_us_hostage_in.html
If nice guys finish last, why is Dan Levin running for mayor of Jersey City?
The Political Insider has breakfast with long-shot Jersey City mayoral candidate Dan Levin — and Levin's young son — and finds out that, well, Levin's a nice guy. So, what's a nice guy like him doing in a race for City Hall? (Jersey Journal)
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2009/02/political_insider_if_nice_guys.html
Local projects to get boost from earmarks
WASHINGTON South Jersey stands to receive millions of dollars for public safety, scientific research and other local projects in the $410 billion annual spending bill the House passed last week. Members of Congress loaded the bill with $7.7 billion in earmarks, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group. (Coomes, Gloucester County Times)
http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-4/123589592074260.xml&coll=8
Decaying Newark housing complex will get transformed
Tammy Clanton could have said goodbye for good when she moved out of Newark's Baxter Terrace, a decaying housing complex slated for demolition this year, after it became so dilapidated it couldn't be saved. But Clanton shut the door to her apartment for the last time this week, saying she was convinced a new and better complex will replace the old one, and will be worth returning to and calling home again. (Ortega, Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/decaying_newark_housing_comple.html
State's ban on cell phones while driving has meant thousands of fines
New Jersey transportation officials say a year-old state law banning cell phone use while driving has resulted in nearly 109,000 summonses issued in the past 11 months. That's almost double the amount of tickets handed out during the previous five years for the offense. (AP)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/states_ban_on_cell_phones_whil.html
N.J. hospitals may have their errors publicized
New Jersey hospitals may soon be required to make public more detailed information on medical errors. A state Senate committee on Monday will discuss a bill that requires the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to publish how often certain errors occur at each hospital. (AP)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/nj_hospitals_may_have_their_er.html
N.J. may add to the education challenge
President Barack Obama called on Americans last week to not quit on themselves or their country and follow through with a high school education. But a new set of state regulations proposed recently makes graduating from high school a bit more challenging. (Beym, Gloucester County Times)
http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-4/123589592574260.xml&coll=8
Obama proposes to reinstate Superfund tax to collect for polluted N.J. sites
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama seeks to reinstate the Superfund tax, which expired in 1995, to collect cleanup money for severely polluted sites in New Jersey and elsewhere. In a move praised by New Jersey supporters, the White House said Thursday, Feb. 26 that the tax would generate more than $1 billion for cleanup. Businesses wouldn't have to pay the tax until 2011, after the economy improves, the White House said in documents highlighting Obama's $3.55 trillion budget for 2010. (Chebium, Gannett)
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090301/NEWS/903010320&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
Snow buries state transportation conference
Given how public officials preach during snowstorms that drivers should stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, it was probably a relatively easy call to postpone Monday’s planned 6th Annual Governor’s Transportation Conference, hosted by the New Jersey Alliance for Action. Who’s focused on transportation construction today? After all, we’re all shovel-ready right now. (Symons, Asbury Park Press)
http://blogs.app.com/capitolquickies/2009/03/01/snow-buries-state-transportation-conference/
Capital Games
AT FIRST glance, giving the District of Columbia a vote in the House does not have a direct impact on New Jersey. But the political deal to give that vote to heavily Democratic Washington also calls for giving another House seat to the state next in line to get one because of population growth, heavily Republican Utah. If the bill is enacted, the 435-member House will expand to 437 members, which could have a ripple effect on the Garden State. (Jackson, Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/njpolitics/40495642.html
Diversity may factor into marshal pick
Is the competition for the U.S. marshal’s post between Bergen County’s top political lawmen shaping up as a referendum on the politics of race in the Age of Obama? That may be overstating it a bit, but political observers with knowledge of the contest say the jockeying between Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire and Freeholder Tomas Padilla is, to a certain extent, being framed that way. (Stile, Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/njpolitics/40496057.html
Stockton flat-rate plan unfair, students say
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – A plan to switch from per-credit to flat-rate tuition at Richard Stockton College is falling flat with some students, who say the new plan will make them pay for more credits than they need to graduate. College officials say the new plan will benefit students who take more credits. But a nonprofit group that promotes college affordability said flat-rate plans do cost some students more money. (D’Amico, Press of Atlantic City)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/186/story/416689.html
Lifeline to Afghanistan
The green and white lights in the C-17 Globemaster's massive cargo compartment go dark, replaced by the glow from a string of dim red bulbs. It is 1 a.m., 30,000 feet over Afghanistan. No sense making the plane an easy target against the dark sky. "Can I have your attention? We are starting our combat entry," says a voice over a public-address system. (Colimore, Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20090301_Lifeline_to_Afghanistan.html
No easy budget options for Corzine
Gov. Corzine has options on New Jersey's budget, but few of them will sound appealing to residents, mayors, or other state officials who, like him, are up for reelection this year. Corzine is considering raising income taxes on the wealthy, increasing the levies on wine and liquor, and forcing state workers to take 12 days of unpaid furloughs – one per month in the next fiscal year, according to people involved in budget discussions. The ideas were raised in what was described as a "brainstorming" session with lawmakers last week. (Tamari, Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20090301_No_easy_budget_options_for_Corzine.html
