Morning News Digest: February 1, 2012
By Missy Rebovich
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Fitch: Underfunded pensions to continue
Fitch Ratings said in a report issued today that New Jersey’s pension liability will likely continue to grow in the coming years because the state has no plans to fully fund the plan for another six years.
The ratings agency said the pension deificit stands at $41.8 billion, while the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30 funds just 14 percent of the actuarial requirement, or about $2.9 billion less than the actuarially required amount. Those numbers take into account the sweeping overhaul of the pension system enacted last year. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/54461/fitch-underfunded-pensions-continue
Nominations and appointments filed
On Monday, Gov. Chris Christie filed the following nominations with the State Senate. The Governor’s nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the State Senate. (Staff, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/54458/nominations-and-appointments-filed
In CD 10, Rice supporters say ‘it’s time,’ but candidate has not made final decision
West Ward Councilman Ronald C. Rice delivered a fiery speech to backers last night at the Spot in Newark where sentiment turned into pre-campaign slogan.
“It’s time,” was the Rice mantra.
Son of state Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D-28), the councilman is exploring a run against veteran incumbent U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-10). (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
Assembly Democrats call caucus meeting to discuss same sex marriage
Assembly Democrats have called a caucus meeting for Monday at 3 p.m. to discuss same sex marriage.
The bill, which would allow same sex couples to marry, is up for a committee vote on Thursday and will likley be released. But it’s unknown at this point if the lower chamber has the votes to pass the bill. At least one Democrat connected to the Assembly speculated that the meeting was called to wrangle votes because leadership is unsure if they required 41 are on board. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/54453/assembly-democrats-call-caucus-meeting-discuss-same-sex-marriage
Christie apologizes for his comment on the civil rights movement
Gov. Christie apologized Tuesday night for his highly criticized comment about the civil rights movement.
“To those folks out there who were somehow offended or concerned about the ambiguity in my statement, I apologize,” Christie said during his monthly appearance on the 101.5 FM segment Ask the Governor.
It was a rare moment of contrition for a popular politician known for his colorful, candid use of language and tendency to stand by everything he says. (Katz, the Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/138459524.html
Kyrillos makes US Senate candidacy official
A Republican state lawmaker who Gov. Chris Christie considers a friend and legislative ally is launching his campaign for the GOP’s U.S. Senate nomination.
State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (KIR’-ill-ohs) has kickoff events planned Wednesday in Monmouth County — which he represents — and also in Burlington County.
The 51-year-old legislator announced his intent to run last month when he switched his federal exploratory committee to a campaign account. But he would likely face an uphill battle against Democrat Robert Menendez, the better-known and well-financed incumbent, in a year with President Obama at the top of the ticket. (Associated Press)
http://www.app.com/usatoday/article/38472789?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|NewJerseyNews|s
Attorney Christopher Porrino named to head N.J. Division of Law
Christopher S. Porrino, a lawyer with Lowenstein Sandler PC, on Tuesday was named director of the state Division of Law by Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa.
Porrino, 44, of Union County, is expected to begin his new position by the end of February.
The Division of Law provides legal representation and counsel to state departments and agencies, officials and employees. As part of its mission, the division represents the state in all legal matters including actions to enforce the law, defend state statutes and protect state interests in contractual matters. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/attorney-christopher-porrino-named-to-head-nj-division-of-law
Big changes eyes for Atlantic City in state plan
Atlantic City is getting another makeover, aimed at making it cleaner, safer and more appealing to visitors.
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is expected to approve a plan Wednesday afternoon to revive parts of the struggling seaside resort. The newly empowered agency is tasked with carrying out Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to turn around the nation’s second-largest gambling market. (Parry, Associated Press)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/usatoday/article/38467467?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|State|s
N.J. to begin survey of historic site financial needs, first in 22 years
The first state-run survey in 22 years that is intended to determine the potential costs of the repair, restoration or improvements needs of New Jersey historic sites will begin Wednesday, state Community Affairs Commissioner Richard E. Constable announced Tuesday.
The Capital Needs Survey will be conducted by the state Historic Trust, which encourages all publicly owned and nonprofit-managed sites to participate in the survey. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
A fine thing: Forgotten documents may cost less
A bill released by a state Senate committee Monday would take some of the financial sting out of being stopped by the police if you forget your driver’s license or vehicle registration.
A bill proposed by state Senate Christopher “Kip” Bateman, R-Somerset, would drop the maximum fine for forgetting those documents from $150 to $100, if all the documents are valid at the time of the police stop and if the officer can verify they are current by using a computer database at the scene. The Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously Monday to release the bill for a vote by the Legislature. (Higgs, Gannett)
Newark Special Ed settlement, a decade in the details
Ten years in the courts and with some of its original plaintiffs long out of school, a federal lawsuit contending that Newark effectively cheated thousands of students of special education services has been settled — with promises all around.
But the agreement finalized last week in U.S. District Court between the district, the Christie administration, and the plaintiff families may be more a beginning than an ending, since now the tough work starts in making those promises stick. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0201/0033/
Housing for homeless vets planned in N.J.
With the federal government’s approval, a Parsippany-based community service agency is working with a private developer to build 63 apartments and townhouses exclusively for former servicemen and women now living on New Jersey’s streets. That partnership between Community Hope Inc. and Peabody Properties — approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — is one of many projects under way across the U.S. as the Obama administration moves toward its goal of ending homelessness among military veterans by 2015, advocates say. (Chebium, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/article/20120201/NJNEWS/302010029/Housing-homeless-vets-planned-N-J-
Cap on mandatory overtime, the right rx for nursing care
Hospital nurses — and their patients — are benefitting from laws capping mandatory overtime, according to a new report that found laws in 16 states, including New Jersey, effective.
“Nurses routinely work long shifts, often as long as 12 hours straight. These laws were intended to prevent hospitals from piling mandatory overtime on top of such shifts,” said Carol Brewer professor at the School of Nursing, University at Buffalo, and one of the study’s authors. (Fitzgerald, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0201/0008/
Utilities argue they don’t have to honor no-build option
If the National Park Service blocks a plan to build a high-voltage power line through the Delaware
Public Service Electric & Gas and PPL Electric Utilities argued in comments filed with the federal agency yesterday that their legal rights for an existing right-of-way through the recreation area allow them to maintain utility service on the existing transmission line and make necessary upgrades. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0131/2309/
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Combined heat and power proposal held from committee, will be reworked
A bill that would establish a program for combined heat and power as well as other alternative-energy sources was held from committee Monday and will be worked on, its sponsor said.
The bill, A1384, would follow on the heels of the state’s solar-energy program, and attempt to set up a portfolio requirement for combined heat and power, flywheel energy storage, and paper-derived fuel, according to its sponsor, Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, (D-17), Franklin Township. (Mooney, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/54456/combined-heat-and-power-proposal-held-committee-will-be-reworked
Weinberg introduces laws to update OPRA, public meetings act
Legislation to overhaul the state’s transparency has been reintroduced.
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, (D-37), Teaneck, said in a release that bills she had sponsored in the last legislative session to modernize New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act and Open Public Records Act have been submitted again. (Staff, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/54439/weinberg-reintroduces-laws-update-opra-public-meetings-act
Allen: Anti-bullying law must be saved
Supporters of the anti-bullying law are fighting back after a state organization set the law aside last week.
Sen. Loretta Weinberg, (D-37), Teaneck and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, (D-37), Englewood last week decried a decision by the Council on Local Mandates that struck down the law, and today Sen. Diane Allen, (R-7), Edgewater Park, added her protests to the cause. (Staff, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/54447/allen-anti-bullying-law-must-be-saved
From the Back Room
Romney reimburses NJ for $994 in air travel expenses
It looks like Mitt Romney is taking no chances on his own reenactment of the governor’s infamous and overblown chopper ride heard round the world.
The Republican presidential frontrunner last month paid the state of New Jersey a check for $994.97 with the memo “air travel.”
The check is dated Dec. 19. and there is no further description of the reimbursement, but presumably it’s related to a Dec. 12 fundraiser for Romney hosted by Gov. Chris Christie, where the GOP presidential hopeful raised a reported $1.1 million. The event at the Parsippany Hilton drew a who’s who of the state’s Republican movers and shakers and cost a minimum of $500 to attend. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/romney-reimburses-nj-994-air-travel-expenses
