BCIA exec indicted
The going just got worse for Ron O’Malley, former chairman of the Bergen County Improvement Authority. He was hit with a 68-count indictment today by a federal grand jury for mortgage fraud that tied into his job at the county’s financial arm. (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/bcia-exec-indicted-another-weight-around-bergen-dems-neck
McNerney statement on O’Malley indictment
Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney released an official statement late yesterday regarding the indictment against former Bergen County Improvement Authority Ron O’Malley. (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/mcnerney-statement-omalley-indictment
Essex County underground: potential redistricting obstacles for veteran Rice
The potential shrinkage of Essex County Democratic Party representation could mean the loss of an African-American senate seat in a delegation where black numbers have already dwindled. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/essex-county-underground-potential-redistricting-obstacles-veteran-rice
N.J. Senate leaders say Gov. Chris Christie owes President Obama an apology over ‘Race to the Top’ gaffe
Last week, Gov. Chris Christie said President Obama should apologize to New Jersey residents for allowing a “clerical error” in its “Race to the Top” application to cost the state its chance at up to $400 million in federal education funds. (Friedman, The Star Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/nj_senate_leaders_say_gov_chri.html
NJEA, Christie at odds over application for eduction-jobs aid
With the start of the school year just around the corner, New Jersey has not yet filed its application for $268 million in federal aid for education jobs. (Lu, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
N.J. judge dismisses lawsuit over concert-ticket sales
A New Jersey judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by the state against two concert-ticket resellers over their sale of tickets to Bruce Springsteen shows at Giants Stadium last year. (Porter, AP)
N.J. Turnpike Authority director steps down but will be paid through transition
Even though the executive director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority said her goodbyes on Tuesday – her last day in the position – she will continue to work as a consultant for the authority for approximately three months to ensure a smooth transition. (Sudol, The Record)
Mixed emotions in New Jersey after President Obama’s announcement
Too little, too late.
That’s what Mary Kay Ivory of Hamilton thinks about President Obama’s announcement that the combat mission in Iraq is over. (Coryell, The Times)
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2010/08/mixed_emotions_in_new_jersey_a.html
N.J. DEP toughens sulfur rules to improve air quality
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday took what officials describe as an important step toward improving the state’s air quality by adopting rules requiring significant reductions in sulfur content for home heating oil and other types of fuel oil. (Hester Sr., NJnewsroom.com)
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/science-updates/nj-dep-toughens-sulfur-rules-to-improve-air-quality
New Jersey Property Tax Cap Prompts Moody’s Bond-Rating Cut for Westfield
Westfield, a New Jersey suburb where the median family income is more than twice the U.S. average, had its debt rating reduced by Moody’s Investors Service, which cited concerns about the town’s ability to balance its budgets. (Servetah, Bloomberg)
State Retiree Healthcare Costs Could Double Over Next Nine Years
The annual cost of providing healthcare benefits for retired teachers and state government employees will more than double over the next nine years from $1.27 billion to almost $2.75 billion, adding to New Jersey’s long-term budget woes, according to the state’s actuarial consultant. (Magyar, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/0831/2230/
Voters, not aid cuts, kill school construction projects
To paraphrase Bill Clinton: “It’s the economy.”
For school districts at the Jersey Shore, “It’s the economy” is a reminder that needed repairs are neglected, or that projects that could provide future savings — a hedge against further economic downturns — go undone. (Sastrowardoyo, Asbury Park Press)
Race to the Top Consultant Earned $500,000 for Two Failed Bids
Shedding more light on the private side of public education, additional details came out yesterday on New Jersey’s hiring of a Brooklyn consultant in its controversial — and unsuccessful — applications for Race to the Top money. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/0831/2233/
Newark superintendent Clifford Janey’s contract is not renewed
Clifford Janey’s contract as Newark’s school superintendent will not be renewed, school officials informed of the decision said tonight. (Staff, The Star Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/clifford_janey_is_ousted_as_ne.html
From the Back Room
Sources: state won’t renew Janey contract
The rumor out of Newark tonight was that the state Department of Education tomorrow will formally issue a non-renewal notice to Newark Schools Superintendent Clifford Janey.
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/sources-state-wont-renew-janey-contract
Lance withdrawn from CNN’s 100 most vulnerable
The CNN 100, a list of the nation’s 100 most vulnerable House races, has been updated, and U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Lebanon) and the 7th District are no longer included.
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/lance-withdrawn-cnns-100-most-vulnerable
Opinion
N.J.’s fiscal storm must be considered
The Boy Scout motto is “be prepared,” and that’s smart advice for the young and old. (The Daily Journal)
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20100901/OPINION01/9010363
Governor needed to dump Schundler
New Jerseyans couldn’t have faith in Bret Schundler after grant application debacle.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20100901/OPINION/9010301/1046/opinion
Inactive panels deserve to die
Gov. Chris Christie has been hammering for months at waste in independent authorities that have a tangential relationship to state government. (Gloucester County Times)
http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1283327719170060.xml&coll=8
Democrats will include horse racing in next summit
Democrats will hold the second summit on gaming Sept. 10 in the Meadowlands and horse racing will be on the table. (Ingle, Asbury Park Press)
http://blogs.app.com/politicspatrol/2010/09/01/democrats-will-include-horse-racing-in-next-summit/
