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Webber resigns as state GOP chairman; Raia has governor’s backing to succeed him
Personally selected by Chris Christie for the job, Jay Webber tonight announced his resignation as Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee, five months before the finish line and effective immediately. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/43890/webber-resigns-state-gop-chairman
Codey asks Rivera-Sota to resign, but Christie sits it out
State Sen. Dick Codey (D-Roseland) called for the resignation of state Supreme Court Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto today, following the justice’s announcements to not partake in any decisions and to not seek re-appointment. (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/43872/codey-asks-rivera-soto-resign-christie-sits-it-out
Last minute COAH amendments under wraps
Last-minute amendments to the affordable housing legislation may postpone Thursday’s scheduled vote in the Senate, according to the bill’s sponsor. (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/43889/last-minute-coah-amendments-under-wraps
N.J. court examines schooling
The New Jersey Supreme Court Wednesday grappled with questions fundamental to state support of schools. How much money is enough to educate children? Should the state be allowed to cut back during steep recessions? And which branch of government gets to decide? (Fleisher, The Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704405704576064252806125470.html
Court indicates it has school funding role
State Supreme Court justices on Wednesday indicated they were sympathetic to officials facing New Jersey’s financial problems, but otherwise strongly suggested that the court has a role in determining funding for local schools. (Method, Courier-Post)
Same day, two takes on New Jersey’s education troubles
It was a fitting juxtaposition yesterday morning: two powerful state panels meeting at the same time in Trenton, less than a mile from each other, to discuss New Jersey’s public schools. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0105/2238/
‘Achievement gap’ between rich, poor, among different races persists in N.J. schools
The “achievement gap” between rich and poor students, and among those of different races, persists in New Jersey schools, according to statewide test score data released yesterday by the state Board of Education. (Rundquist, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/achievement_gap_between_rich_p.html
N.J. lawmakers work to alter Capitol Hill rules
The return of the House and Senate to Capitol Hill on Wednesday had some New Jersey lawmakers focusing on arcane rules that would shape how and whether future laws could be considered and passed. (Jackson, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/112991889_N_J__lawmakers_work_to_alter_Capitol_Hill_rules.html
Freshman House member arrives with GOP majority
Rep. Jon Runyan on Wednesday said Republicans’ top priority should be getting Americans back to work — not undermining President Barack Obama’s agenda. (Roh, Courier-Post)
N.J. considers corporate tax break
New Jersey lawmakers will vote Thursday on adopting a corporate tax break that is intended to reward multistate businesses that hire and expand in the state but that would cost millions of dollars in lost revenue. (Rao, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
N.J. Legislature to vote on bills designed to stimulate economy
The New Jersey Senate and Assembly are scheduled to vote on more than a dozen bills designed to jump-start the state’s economy by encouraging job growth and creating a friendlier climate for businesses. (The Associated Press)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/nj_legislature_to_vote_on_bill.html
Public hearings set on reapportionment of New Jersey’s Congressional districts
New Jersey’s Republican and Democratic party leaders have agreed on the dates for four public hearings by the Apportionment Commission on reapportionment of the state’s Congressional districts. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
Gov. Christie approves nation’s strictest limits on fertilizer to protect Barnegat Bay
Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation Wednesday that imposes the nation’s strictest limits on fertilizers and creates soil standards meant to prevent pollution from spilling into Barnegat Bay. (Gibson, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/nations_strictest_limits_on_fe.html
Sweeney: No pension reform unless
NJ pays up
The Legislature’s top Democrat says an overhaul of the New Jersey pension system won’t fly without a guarantee from the governor that the state will begin paying its share. (Delli Santi for The Associated Press)
http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/sweeney-no-pension-reform-unless-nj-pays-up-1.2590031
Christopher Cerf named NJ assistant education commissioner
Christopher Cerf, nominated by Gov. Chris Christie on Dec. 20 to fill the position of state education commissioner, was appointed as an assistant education commissioner at the state board of education meeting Wednesday. (Bradshaw, Asbury Park Press)
DiVincenzo warms of tough financial times ahead
Fresh off an unprecedented third inauguration, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. stopped by Cedar Grove and Verona this week to reassure county employees of their future employment and to deliver some advice to municipalities for hammering out their upcoming budgets. (O’Leary, Verona-Cedar Grove Times)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/112989294_DiVincenzo__towns_need_to_share_services.html
Rothman names new chief of staff
Rep. Steve Rothman said Wednesday that he had tapped a veteran House operative with experience in the New Jersey delegation as his chief of staff. (Jackson, The Record)
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie enacts Atlantic City ‘boutique casinos’ bill
Atlantic City’s next casinos may be small — but they will carry great expectations of success. (Fletcher, Press of Atlantic City)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/alerts_breaking/article_b9c765bc-191b-11e0-b08b-001cc4c03286.html
Atlantic City Council backs mayor in opposing state’s plans for tourism
City Council threw its support behind Mayor Lorenzo Langford’s opposition to a state plan for Atlantic City’s tourism district indicating that little progress has been made since the mayor’s combative news conference last week. (Clark, Press of Atlantic City)
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_53a7b016-192f-11e0-827e-001cc4c002e0.html
NJ municipalities cash in on energy efficiency
With local governments facing another year of belt tightening, many towns and counties are banking on cutting their energy bills by undertaking a wide range of energy efficiency projects. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0105/2028/
NJ lawmakers plan to reintroduce anti-bullying bill
Two New Jersey lawmakers plan to try again this year to win passage of an anti-bullying bill named for a Rutgers University student who committed suicide last fall. (Chebium, Home News Tribune)
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110105/STATE/110105033/1098/POLITICS
Obesity bill will expand school meals, provide for better choices
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-8) recently voted in favor of legislation that would dedicate $4.5 billion over the next 10 years to fighting childhood obesity and hunger. (Winters, Wayne Today)
From the Back Room
In the spirit of nonpartisan inquiry
The Star-Leder reports that State Democratic Party Chairman, er… Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville)… will hold a hearing someday later this month to get to the bottom of the mess that occured last week during the snowstorm, when Gov. Chris Christie skipped the state for sunnier climes. (Staff, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/spirit-nonpartisan-inquiry
Chill alert: Brick City promo
Check out the promo for the second season of Brick City set to premier January 30 on the Sundance Channel. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/chill-alert-brick-city-promo
Opinion
Public merits voice in redistricting plan
One of the most politically important events in the state will occur early this year. Most New Jerseyans are unlikely to hear much about it, though, as it will occur behind closed doors. That is, the meeting of the decennial Legislative Apportionment Commission. (Murray, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/patrick-murray/43882/public-merits-voice-redistricting-plan
Unless Christie’s pension reforms are enacted in 2011, New Jersey faces pension fund bankruptcy in 2018
In 2010, Governor Chris Christie confronted New Jersey’s crisis of affordability by successfully enacting a strengthened property tax cap and a budget with no tax increases. These Christie initiatives were necessary to begin reducing the tax burden on middle class New Jerseyans, a burden contributing to increasing personal bankruptcy in the Garden State.
The scoop on the double-dipping sheriff’s officer
To those who observe Trenton closely, it sometimes seems that the whole and entire purpose of government in New Jersey is to provide the insiders with lifetime financial security at the expense of us losers on the outside. (Mulshine, The Star-Ledger)
http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2011/01/post_59.html
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Christie was elected governor, not mommy of us all
Thursday night’s forecast of snow is a tad iffy, but I fearlessly predict Gov. Christie will not be on vacation. (Riordan, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20110106_Kevin_Riordan__Christie_was_elected_governor__not_mommy_of_us_all.html#ixzz1AFjkdHEA
In 2000, PoliticsNJ.com (now PolitickerNJ.com) entered the political stage, changing how New Jersey’s power elite received its daily political fix. Starting in January 2011, we’re shaking up Trenton once again. Stay tuned for State Street Wire.
