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Winners and Losers: Week of Sept. 27th
It might not be as depressing as seeing a new political face branded suddenly with corruption, but watching an old retread resurface and trailing new charges is almost as bad. (Editor, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/41899/winners-and-losers-week-sept-27th
Simpson pulls plug on state-funded transportation projects
Blaming the legislature for not approving routine bond sales, state Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson today halted all state-funded transportation construction projects effective Monday, October 4. (Editor, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/41915/simpson-pulls-plug-state-funded-transportation-projects
Democrats, Christie schedule emergency meeting to address N.J. transportation funding
TRENTON — An emergency meeting in Trenton is scheduled for 10 this morning, but high noon might be a more appropriate time for the showdown between Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Chris Christie’s administration over the fate of $1.7 billion in construction projects. (Frassinelli, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/democrats_christie_schedule_em.html
Regional cape and trade is working—and maligned
New Jersey helped mark a milestone in climate-change policy in 2008 with the launch of a 10-state program to control carbon dioxide emissions from power producers. (Conaboy, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
Old-style campaigning suits Pascrell just fine
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. learned politics at the street level in Paterson, and he sees no need to change as he seeks his eighth term in Congress at age 73. (Jackson, The Record)
Jobs key issue in congressional races
WASHINGTON — Unemployment in New Jersey’s 3rd District stands at nearly 10 percent, but the candidates in that race — the closest congressional contest in the state — seem to be paying less attention to the issue than the voters. (Chebium and Theobald, Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/article/20101003/NEWS03/10030380/Jobs-key-issue-in-congressional-races
Officials to announce N.J.’s third safe-surrender program in Sumerset County
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP (Somerset County) — It had to be a trap, Stacy Northrop thought.
She had heard about a program where people with outstanding warrants could turn themselves in with little risk of jail time, but she was skeptical. (Megerian, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/officials_to_announce_njs_thir.html
Rail advocates: Cut links to NYC’s planned 34th St. Station, save $3B
NEW YORK — Send the trains to Penn Station, save the second Hudson River tunnel project?
That’s the message of a group of rail advocates, including a retired Long Island Railroad executive, who contend that $3 billion can be cut out of the proposed $8.7 million second Hudson River project by doing that, and save it from being scuttled by the Christie administration for fiscal reasons. (Higgs, NJ Press Media)
Gov. Christie advisors want to loosen regs on $3.9 billion Atlantic City casino industry
Policy advisers to Gov. Chris Christie want the state to loosen regulations on the Atlantic City casinos, cutting spending by more than $15 million annually, then steering the money into a new marketing fund.
But chasing after tourists at the expense of reduced policing of the $3.9 billion casino industry is an idea not yet widely embraced. (Jordan, Daily Record)
From the Back Room
The day the bosses died
Thursday’s subpoena resolution in the senate angered Gov. Chris Christie, who felt he could count on Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) and other key Democrats connected to engines of power and reliant on the state’s strong chief executive. (Editor, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/day-bosses-died
Opinion
Bad roads? Blame the Democrats
Today, all state-funded transportation construction projects will be halted. State Transportation Commissioner James Simpson said his hand was forced because the Legislature, especially dim bulb Sen. Paul Sarlo, did not approve a routine bond sale to fund previously approved work, like on Interstate 295, which has been in bad shape for a long time and was finally starting to be redone. (Ingle, Asbury Park Press)
http://blogs.app.com/politicspatrol/2010/10/04/bad-roads-blame-the-democrats/
More on ARC: The Association of Railroad Passengers weighs in
For those interested in more detail on flaws in the current version of the Access to the Region’s Core project, here is Phillip Craig’s testimony to the state legislature on behalf of the state chapter of the Association of Railroad Passengers. (Mulshine, The Star-Ledger)
http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2010/10/more_on_arc_the_association_of.html
Teachers need a fair method for being evaluated
TRENTON — Gov. Christie launched what will be one of his tougher drives, New Jersey public school reform with a goal of teacher efficiency and student achievement. He wants accountability for less money, which is the direct opposite of the teachers’ union, which wants more money and less accountability. (Ingle, Daily Record)
GOP chief lays to rest rumors of county job
Before I could even get my question out, Bergen County Republican Chairman Bob Yudin was ready with his answer: “I am not interested in becoming county clerk.” (Stile, The Record)
