Morning News Digest: April 27, 2011
By Missy Rebovich
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Ruling that he fails NJ residency requirement, Guadagno tosses Lewis off LD 8 ballot
Concluding there is “credible evidence” that he has not lived in New Jersey for the four years required by the state Constitution, Lt. Gov./Secretary of State Kim Guadagno this afternoon decided to throw Carl Lewis off the ballot in the 8th Legislative District. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/node/47092
Ethics committee dismisses bulk of complaint against Rumana
A state ethics committee Tuesday dismissed six of seven complaints filed against Assemblyman Scott Rumana, but tabled an allegation that Rumana’s actions in advocating for an energy corporation he formed presented an appearance of impropriety. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/47096/ethics-committee-dismisses-bulk-complaint-against-rumana
Christie rips Legislature, sees tax threat
Gov. Christie ripped into New Jersey’s judicial and legislative branches at a town hall meeting in Mercer County on Tuesday, saying that if the state Supreme Court ordered him to spend an additional $1.6 billion on education, the Democratic-controlled Legislature might raise taxes to pay for it. (Rao, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/120759069.html
NJ gov critical of Election Day voter registration
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says allowing residents to vote on the same day they register is an invitation to voter fraud. (The Associated Press)
http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=app&sParam=36336567.story
N.J.’s unfunded pension debt still growing
New Jersey’s unfunded pension obligation has grown by 350 percent in just the last five years, accelerating even after a special gubernatorial task force called for reform to be “a top priority.” (Reitmeyer, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/120758574_N_J__s_unfunded_pension_debt_still_growing.html
NJ Democrats’ leader wants pension promises kept
The state’s Democratic Party leader said Tuesday that the state should pay all of its pension obligations and contribute the full $3.5 billion that actuaries say is needed for the state’s pension system. (Method, Gannett)
Voters in 14 N.J. towns to decide whether local governments should exceed property tax cap
How many extra dollars would you absorb on your property tax bill to keep a library open?
Would you pay an extra $68 a year in taxes to keep an ambulance squad afloat?
How much is municipal garbage pick-up worth to you? (DeMarco, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/voters_in_14_nj_towns_to_decid.html
School board, cap votes set for today
Today is a rare Wednesday Election Day for New Jersey voters, who are going to the polls to decide on school tax levies and choose school board members. (Rothschild)
Vote on privatizing toll collection delayed
An announcement Tuesday that the New Jersey Turnpike Authority had postponed today’s much-anticipated vote on toll collector privatization has raised questions among stakeholders. (Rouse, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/120758489_Vote_on_privatizing_toll_collection_delayed.html
College chief’s pay studied
State Comptroller Matthew Boxer will review the compensation packages of community college presidents throughout the state after allegations of misspending that led to the resignations of the leaders of two of the schools. (Alex, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/120758539_College_chiefs__pay_studied.html
The Rev. Al Sharpton in Vineland urges activists to oppose closing of Developmental Center
The Rev. Al Sharpton and national labor leaders joined together Tuesday to send a clear message: Don’t close the Vineland Developmental Center. (Barlas, Press of Atlantic City)
The SDA comes to terms with its real estate shopping spree
The building at the corner of Broadway and 64th Street is a tattered shell of West New York’s industrial past, scaffolding girdling its perimeter and a smokestack and
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0426/2253/
Sierra Club of New Jersey urges rejection of Roxbury mayor for Highlands Council
The Sierra Club of New Jersey wants the state Senate to reject Gov. Chris Christie’s nomination of Roxbury’s mayor to the Highlands
Mediation may save harness racing at Meadowlands
A state labor leader has intervened to help end a dispute between Meadowlands Racetrack pari-mutuel tellers and the track’s prospective manager, bettering the odds that harness racing will continue at the state-owned facility. (Jordan, Gannett)
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Lawmakers plan budget resolutions to combat Medicaid cuts
Three 20th District legislators said Tuesday they will introduce budget resolutions to prevent impending Medicaid cuts targeted to nursing homes in the fiscal year 2012 budget. (Staff, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/47093/lawmakers-plan-budget-resolutions-combat-medicaid-cuts
Doherty urges action on bills that would bar private organization members from state pension participation
Sen. Michael Doherty, (R-23), Warren/Hunterdon, renewed his call Tuesday for legislation that would bar members of private organizations from enrolling in the state pension system. (Staff, State Street Wire)
DEP head to testify against Pa. power plant emissions
The head of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection will weigh in Wednesday in an effort to limit emissions from a Pennsylvania power plant. (Staff, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/47089/dep-head-testify-against-pa-power-plant-emissions
Pennacchio touts his pension bill in wake of Pew study
Following up on a national study that questioned the soundness of the state’s pension system, Sen. Joe Pennacchio, (R-26), Pine Brook, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, reissued a call Tuesday for support of legislation he introduced to address the problem. (Staff, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/47082/pennacchio-touts-his-pension-bill-wake-pew-study
From the Back Room
The Pernell precedent
In the wake of Secretary of State Kim Guadagno’s decision today concluding that Carl Lewis does not constitutionally meet the state’s residency requirement, Newark insiders started buzzing about a local case that could be pertinent precedent. (Staff, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/pernell-precedent
Opinion
Corzine success lead to Christie threat
Former Gov. Jon Corzine is often disparaged as politically inept. Chris Christie does most of the disparaging. No Truth Squads have been organized to defend the man. (Ahearn, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/120758634__Corzine_success_leads__to_Christie_threat.html
Did Guadagno kick the hornet’s nest in Lewis opinion?
This could get fug.
A decision by Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno Tuesday threatened to ignite partisan warfare across New Jersey, as Democrats cried foul over the Republican’s decision to kick Olympian Carl Lewis off the ballot. (Roh, Gannett)
State Supreme Court has politicized itself over more Abbott funding
When Gov. Chris Christie says there must be changes on the state Supreme Court, he is accused of attempting to politicize the body, a laughable contention for people who know in the near past the court has been made up of too many political hacks. (Ingle, Gannett)
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