Morning News Digest: May 2, 2011
By Missy Rebovich
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U.S. DOT orders NJ to repay $271 million in ARC funds
The U.S. Department of Transportation has ordered the state to repay the full $271 million in funds expended on the ARC Tunnel scuttled by Gov. Chris Christie last year. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/47253/us-dot-orders-nj-repay-271-million-arc-funds
Christie files appointments
Governor Chris Christie filed the following nominations and direct appointments with the state senate and secretary of state’s office. The governor’s nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the state senate. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/47245/christie-files-appointments
Winners and Losers: Week of April 25th
In most states, politicans after a time ride into the glorious sunset. Here, they just crawl deeper into the phlegm-colored slime, but no matter, we still always find a way to wrap our arms around that lovable Superfund site called New Jersey. (Staff, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/47233/winners-and-losers-week-april-25th
N.J. set to return presidential primary to June
To save as much as $12 million, plus perhaps half of New Jersey’s delegates to next year’s national political conventions, state lawmakers this week plan to begin moving the state’s presidential primary back to June. (Symons, Gannett)
Christie, Andrews welcome news of bin Laden’s death
Gov. Chris Christie and Rep. Rob Andrews were among the first New Jersey officials to issue statements in response to the news that Osama bin Laden was killed. (Staff, Gannett)
N.J. lawmakers reach to news of bin Laden’s death
New Jersey lawmakers are issuing statements following tonight’s announcement that Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces. (Staff, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/nj_lawmakers_react_to_news_of.html
In a statement, Sen. Menendez calls the killing of Osama bin Laden “a measure of closure”
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, A Democrat from North Bergen, New Jersey, issued a statement following the announcement by President Obama on the killing of Osama bin Laden. (Staff, The Jersey Journal)
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/05/sen_menendez_calls_the_killing.html
Heart test bill goes to Christie
Legislation mandating that all newborns in New Jersey be tested for congenital heart disease has been sent to Gov. Chris Christie’s desk. (Shipkowski, The Associated Press)
Lawmakers prepare to fight for budget to tax rich and aid poor in New Jersey
As Democrats in the state Legislature prepare for a budget fight through May and June, they have flirted with two major tax policies that would affect earners differently on either end of the income spectrum. (Fletcher, Press of Atlantic City)
Standoff stalls confirmation of education chief
The governor in New Jersey is one of the most powerful chief executives in the nation. But even Gov. Chris Christie can’t get his way when pitted against senatorial courtesy. (Jordan, Gannett)
Agenda: N.J. State Board of Education
On the docket for the Board of Education’s monthly public meeting: superintendent certification, key department personnel and teacher evaluations. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0501/2242/
Second questions, like this year’s school budgets, post strong showing at polls
The 80 percent passing rate for school budgets last week appeared to have some coattails: almost three quarters the “second questions” for extra programs or staffing passed as well. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0501/2236/
Assemblyman John Burzichelli details plan for NJSIAA consolidation
A state lawmaker, who introduced legislation seven months ago to disband the 94-year-old NJSIAA, said he believes consolidating the organization as an autonomous subsidiary beneath the New Jersey School Boards Association is now imminent. (Tufaro, Gannett)
Version of New Jersey’s new law to lure businesses had cost Pennsylvania
As Pennsylvania considered overhauling its business taxes in 2004, Air Products & Chemicals Inc. pushed for a change that would give a big break to major companies headquartered in the state. (Rao, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/121070858.html
Rutgers conference predicts slow job growth in New Jersey
The job-market recovery in New Jersey, which started slowly last year, is likely to take five more years to complete and is more muted than in the rest of the country. (Katz, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/121071088.html#ixzz1LBffoiFj
Ex-Governor Codey’s memoir takes aim at some rivals
Accidental Gov. Richard Codey covers the topics familiar to those who know him in his new memoir: family, sports, basketball, the plight of the mentally ill and even more sports. (McAlpin, The Record)
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NRC to meet concerning Salem, Hope Creek nuclear plants
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a meeting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, regarding the agency’s annual assessment of safety performance for the Salem and Hope Creek nuclear power plants during 2010. (Staff, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/47255/nrc-meet-concerning-salem-hope-creek-nuclear-plants
Racing, simulcasting to continue at Meadowlands, Christie says
With ongoing negotiations between real estate developer Jeff Gural and the Meadowlands Racetrack unions, and with a racing schedule kicking off next Saturday, Gov. Chris Christie made it official Friday afternoon: the gates will open on May 7. (Carroll, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/47254/racing-simulcasting-continue-meadowlands-christie-says
Guide, web site for autism issues unveiled
A guide and an accompanying web site to assist families coping with autism have been unveiled. (Staff, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/47251/guide-web-site-autism-issues-unveiled
Former deputy attorney general named to Division of Gaming Enforcement
A veteran lawyer who once served as the state’s deputy attorney general will be in charge of reforming the casino industry. (Staff, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/47249/former-deputy-attorney-general-named-division-gaming-enforcement
From the Back Room
Rep. Smith receives humanitarian award
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (CD-4) Thursday received the American Jewish Committee’s Leadership Award for his work on for his work on anti-Semitism and other humanitarian issues. (Staff, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/rep-smith-receives-humanitarianism-award
Opinion
Bergen GOP seeks majority on tax board
Karen O’Shea, the Bergen County Republican Organization executive director, was nominated to the Bergen County Tax Board, averting an impasse over a 20-name package of gubernatorial nominations. (Stile, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/121044629_County_GOP_seeks_majorityon_Tax_Board.html
Xanadu ‘architect of record’ feels he’s gotten a bad rap
Every disaster needs a scapegoat. But sometimes that label is misplaced.
Such is the plight of David Jansen. (Kelly, The Record)
Christie’s bid to lure jobs looks like a bust
“I know what you are thinking,” Governor Christie told Illinois radio listeners in February. “Move my business to New Jersey? Really? Really.” (Stile, The Record)
Is a failed megamall worth saving?
The $1.9 billion megamall project called Xanadu sits in the New Jersey Meadowlands, half-finished and widely ridiculed as perhaps the ugliest building in the state, if not the country. Now Gov. Chris Christie has reached a deal with a private developer (the third, after the first two developers failed) to pour $1 billion into the project to revive and expand it. (The New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/05/01/is-new-jerseys-xanadu-megamall-worth-saving
Court out of touch on school funding
When Gov. 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)
http://www.app.com/article/20110501/NJCOLUMNIST06/305010013/Court-out-of-touch-on-school-funding
In case you missed it
Gov. Christie nominates six Republicans to the state Pinelands Commission
Gov. Chris Christie has nominated six Republicans to the state Pinelands Commission, the panel that oversees the protection and development of 1,449 square miles of the Pinelands National Preserve that cover seven South Jersey counties or 19 percent of the entire state. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
Christie appoints new Division of Gaming Enforcement head, nominates Mulcahy for CRDA board
Gov. Chris Christie made two nominations Friday to agencies that wield significant power in Atlantic City, naming a new director of the Division of Gaming Enforcement and nominating what could be the most influential member of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. (Clark, Press of Atlantic City)
Gov. Christie signs legislation to protect New Jerseyans in assisted living facilities
Gov. Chris Christie has signed Democratic-sponsored legislation into law that sets over 40 rights for senior and disabled New Jerseyans living in assisted living facilities. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
N.J. plans to seek federal approval to reduce parent eligibility for FamilyCare health insurance
New Jersey plans to seek federal approval to reduce the number of parents eligible for a popular health insurance program aimed at poor working families, officials of the Department of Human Services said today. (Renshaw, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/nj_looking_to_feds_for_permiss.html
N.J. could lose Tunnel money in federal funding
Federal officials rejected arguments by lawyers for New Jersey and demanded repayment of $271 million in early grants for work on the canceled Hudson River rail tunnel project. Or else. (Higgs, Gannett)
N.J. workers earned $227M in overtime pay last year
At $105,209.45, William P. Whartenby, a lieutenant in the juvenile corrections system, had the 3,664th-highest salary in state government last year. (Gibson, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/nj_workers_earned_227m_in_over.html
Analysis shows some N.J. workers are well-compensated, some well below middle class
With her family seated around a small kitchen table in her Newark apartment, Marlene Witter scoops chunks of salmon baked with cabbage and carrots out of a plastic bowl she uses as a serving dish, the dinner she whipped up for her four children after getting home from work. (Gibson, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/analysis_shows_some_nj_workers.html
Bill looks to limit lawsuits on New Jersey towns
It happens all too often.
A municipal employee feels he’s been discriminated at work, wasn’t promoted to a job he deserved, or believes politics were brought into play. (Beym, The Gloucester County Times)
http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1304239218161410.xml&coll=8
Meadowlands Racetrack live racing to open as scheduled next week
Citing the progress of continuing negotiations, Gov. Chris Christie said Friday live racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack will open as scheduled next Saturday. (Spoto, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/gov_christie_grants_meadowland.html
Battle looms on efforts to restore Barnegat Bay
Another battle over Barnegat Bay is taking shape, one that has Ocean County officials and Gov. Chris Christie on opposite sides. In between is a dispute about development, land use and the validity of decades of research that says nitrogen compounds are to blame for the present state of the bay. (Moore, Gannett)
More arguments offered in Lewis case
Legal jousting continued Friday in the fight over Carl Lewis’ bid to run for state Senate. (Staff, Gannett)
Another investigation focuses on Passaic Valley
The state Attorney General’s Office has begun an investigation into the dealings of the Passaic Valley
N.J. utilities official declares battle over energy policy
The state moved ahead last week with plans to subsidize new natural gas power plants despite an unfavorable federal ruling, and Board of Public Utilities President Lee Solomon announced plans for more projects, describing the energy policy disagreement as a battle between the Christie administration and the federal government. (Caroom, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2011/05/nj_utilities_official_declares.html
Judge retires with admiration of peers
In an ornate 1827 courtroom, Superior Court Judge B. Theodore Bozonelis was hearing arguments in a seemingly mundane land-use case. (Horowitz, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/judge_leaves_with_admiration_o.html
N.J. seeks opinions on limiting E-ZPass discount
The first of three hearings on a proposal to eliminate the off-peak toll discount on the turnpike for E-ZPass motorists not enrolled through New Jersey’s system will be held this week. (Rouse, The Record)
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