Morning News Digest: April 30, 2012
By Missy Rebovich
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Winners and Losers: Week of April 23rd
The police blotter once again dominates our Winners and Losers list as not one but two elected offcials found themselves facing charges. The list is filled out by some familiar faces as well as a football star with friends in high places. (Staff, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/56465/winners-and-losers-week-april-23
Atlantic County GOP chairman calls on Curcio to resign if found guilty
Atlantic County Republican Chairman Keith Davis issued the following statement regarding the arrest of County Surrogate Jim Curcio.
“The entire Atlantic County Republican organization is shocked and disappointed in hearing this news. Jim Curcio is entitled to a hearing before any conclusions are reached. But if these charges are proven true, he has an obligation to do the right thing and immediately resign his position as Surrogate. Driving under the influence of alcohol is inexcusable. It has led to so many tragic losses in our area. We remain committed to supporting those critical efforts that draw attention to the dangers of drunken driving, such as those of the County Executive’s Office of Highway Safety and the upcoming HERO Campaign’s ‘Jersey Shore’ initiative.” (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/56457/atlantic-county-gop-chairman-calls-curcio-resign-if-found-guilty
Report: Atlantic County Surrogate Jim Curcio arrested for DUI
Harry Hurley of News Talk 1400 WOND radio’s Hurley in the Afternoon is reporting that Republican Atlantic County Surrogate Jim Curcio was arrested early this morning on chaqrges of driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to Hurley, Curcio was pulled over in Mullica Township and charged with the DUI along with refusal to take a Breathalyzer. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/56453/report-atlantic-county-surrogate-jim-curcio-arrested-dui
Gov. Christie, Cory Booker to deliver addresses at school choice conferene in Jersey City
Gov. Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker are the headliners at a national conference on school choice scheduled for this week in Jersey City.
Both men are scheduled to speak at the American Federation for Children and the Alliance for School Choice’s major meeting. The groups advocate for giving parents more school options for their children.
Christie has been pushing for a tax-credit program that would use public money to send children in some New Jersey communities to private schools. (Associated Press)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/gov_christie_cory_booker_to_he.html
Christie to campaign for controversial Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
A year ago, Gov. Chris Christie emphasized how different his approach to pension and benefit reform was from Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s elimination of collective bargaining rights.
On Tuesday, he will stand shoulder to shoulder with the controversial Walker, who on June 5 will become the first governor in the history of the Badger State to face a recall election.
Christie’s campaign stops in Green Bay and Milwaukee with Walker kick off a spate of conservative events that will take the governor to D.C., Kentucky and Chicago this spring. (Portnoy, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/christie_to_campaign_for_contr.html
An un-Christie for 2013?
Democrats who believe they should be governor of New Jersey are banking their donors’ dollars in the hope that eight years is far too much Chris Christie for the Garden State.
The Republican governor’s approval ratings are still stellar, but voters are also increasingly telling pollsters that he’s “arrogant.” Will there be a tipping point? Will Christie yell at one constituent too many? Will he belittle one legislator too many? Will he deliver one knockout punch too many at a news conference? (Katz, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20120429_An_un-Christie_for_2013_.html
N.J. politicians preserve own retirement packages while limiting new workers’
If state Sen. Nicholas Sacco stepped down today as the assistant school superintendent in North Bergen, his 445 unused sick days would be worth $331,970.
The parting check is so large that each North Bergen property owner would have to come up with $26.68 to cover the bill, among the highest payouts in state history.
Sacco — the acknowledged political boss of his hardscrabble Hudson County township — says that although the payout may be tough for taxpayers to swallow, he works hard and the generous perk is part of his contract. (Renshaw, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/nj_politicnas_preserve_own_ret.html
New Jersey joins a list of states considering privatizing their lotteries
Interested in a piece of New Jersey’s government? With Gov. Christie in office, now’s the time to buy, buy, buy.
In recent months the Republican governor’s administration has amped up efforts to privatize government services, which would generate short-term revenue and cut the number of benefit-receiving employees. State parks, public schools, and Atlantic City Expressway toll booths all have been opened to outside companies. (Katz, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
Norcross: RU merger deal due by July 1
South Jersey’s most influential Democrat predicted Friday that an agreement will be reached by July 1 on a controversial merger proposal for Rutgers-Camden and Rowan University.
George E. Norcross III told the Courier-Post editorial board that the agreement would include the Rutgers board of governors, Rowan administration and state legislators, hinting a union may take a different form than the proposal advanced by Gov. Chris Christie that would eliminate the Rutgers name in South Jersey. (Comegno, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/article/20120428/NJNEWS10/304280017/Norcross-RU-merger-deal-due-by-July-1
Court fees set to increase
While Gov. Chris Christie and lawmakers are jockeying for tax-cut supremacy, that doesn’t mean the public is going to escape paying more for services in the coming year.
Built into Christie’s budget plan is an increase in court fees expected to raise more than $50 million a year from court users.
The money – which amounts to a roughly 70 percent jump in court-fee revenue – won’t pay for the judiciary’s ongoing operations but will be diverted elsewhere in the budget, fund a digital upgrade for the courts and help pay lawyers who represent the poor in civil court. (Symons, Gannett)
Cable TV tax: Money not used as planned
New Jersey residents shell out $5 million a year for a tax that’s supposed to pay for basic cable TV for the elderly and disabled on low incomes. But none of the money has ever been used for that.
Gov. Chris Christie has called the half-percent tax on cable TV bills a “dumb idea” and last year diverted $9.2 million in the funds to help balance the state budget. But there’s been no action since then to repeal the tax. (Jordan, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/article/20120429/NJNEWS1002/304290065/Cable-TV-tax-Money-not-used-planned
Congressmen start bipartisan push for sports wagering
Two congressman from different political parties are planning to partner to legalize sports betting in New Jersey.
The lawmakers, U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-Long Branch) and Frank LoBiondo (R-Mays Landing), have submitted separate bills to overturn the federal government’s ban, but they will work together to gather support of either measure, Pallone’s office said Thursday. The congressman said they have issued a letter to members of the state’s congressional delegation, asking for their backing and co-sponsorships. (Burd, NJBIZ)
Lawmakers split on bill to extend low rates on student loans
New Jersey lawmakers split mostly along party lines over a $5.9 billion bill approved by the House on Friday that would keep interest rates for Stafford student loans from doubling in July by routing a provision of President Barack Obama’s health care law.
The measure passed by a vote of 215-195. Every Republican in New Jersey voted for the bill, except Rep. Scott Garrett. Every Democrat voted against the bill, except Rep. Albio Sires, who did not vote. (Herman, Gannett)
Bill that would put people into foreclosed homes draws heavy flak
Although it still enjoys support from a broad coalition, legislation to turn some foreclosed homes into affordable housing now also faces deep-pockets opposition.
Americans for Prosperity, an economic policy group launched by coal billionaire David Koch, is mounting an advertising campaign on radio and television trying to rally public opinion against the proposal — Senate Bill S-1022.
“A lot of people don’t even know this is happening, or the significant negative impacts this bill will have on our neighborhoods,” said Steve Lonegan, the former Bogota mayor and gubernatorial candidate who is the state director of Americans For Prosperity. (Tyrrell, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0429/2145/
With school choice growing, NJ expands options
With New Jersey’s interdistrict choice program tripling in size the past two years, the Christie administration is tweaking the regulations for the program to make it available to more students.
The new regulations are to be presented to the state Board of Education on Wednesday, opening the program to all ages of children and streamlining the process for school districts to join.
First created as a five-year pilot in 1999, the program has seen big growth since 2010, when the legislature passed amendments to open it up to all school districts that want to participate. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0429/2010/
Value of health insurance hard to determine, experts say
New Jersey consumers will receive an estimated $106 million in health insurance rebates from insurance companies that fail to comply with the Medical Loss Ratio provision of the Affordable Care Act, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report based on insurer filings to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
But health care experts said that amount could change dramatically when final calculations are submitted to the state Department of Banking and Insurance in June, since the state’s MLR calculations differ from those of the federal government — which require individual and small group insurers to reimburse consumers if their annual administrative expenses exceed the governments’ 20 percent cap on their total premium income. (Eder, NJBIZ)
L.A. group a factor in N.J. schools
Two state education officials, expected to play a key role in the future of the city’s school system, share a common background with MBAs and ties to a Los Angeles-based foundation.
One more similarity: Camden’s school board has rebuffed initial requests from their reform programs.
Bing Howell and Rochelle Sinclair are assigned to state Department of Education programs — Hope Act Schools and Regional Achievement Centers — that are intended to upgrade the performance of Camden’s school system. Both are fellows of the Broad (rhymes with road) Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to improve urban schools through “better governance, management, labor relations and competition.” (Shelly, Gannett)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120429/NEWS01/304290019/L-group-factor-N-J-schools
Two top executives at Horizon Blue Cross are stepping down
Two executives at the helms of major divisions of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey are leaving the company, the Newark-based firm confirmed today.
Dr. Richard Popiel, president and chief operating officer of Horizon Healthcare Innovations, will step down in May, a spokesman said. Christy Bell, president and CEO of Horizon Healthcare, the company’s statewide HMO, is retiring in July. (Burd, NJBIZ)
Troopers transferred in probe of high-speed caravan
Three state police commanders have been reassigned as officials continue to probe allegations that a caravan of luxury sports cars received an unauthorized, high-speed police escort down the Garden State Parkway, according to a published report.
Maj. Robert Catullo, the commander of the troop overseeing North Jersey, was among those reassigned late Friday, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported Sunday, citing three unidentified people with knowledge of the moves. Also moved were Catullo’s deputy commander, Capt. Michael Cerisano, and a region commander, Capt. Warren Moore. (Associated Press)
Déjà vu all over again with another challenge to electric breakup
The more than decade-old law breaking up electric monopolies is once again being challenged in the courts, with perhaps too familiar litigants lining up against each other this month before an appellate division court.
In an appeal of a decision by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Joseph Murphy, a resident of Oradell, is contesting the state’s agency ruling to dismiss his case asking it to order Public Service Electric & Gas to refund more than $3 billion in rates it collected from its ratepayers stemming from the deregulation of the sector. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0429/1834/
Reining in readmissions at New Jersey hospitals
Medicare will soon begin penalizing hospitals for readmitting patients within 30 days of their discharge, and New Jersey hospitals are bracing for what could be thousands of dollars in lost revenue. As they have worked over the past few years to get a grip on this issue, hospitals have come to realize that it takes an entire community to reduce readmissions.
For that reason they are increasingly joining forces with nursing homes, home healthcare providers, and physicians to figure out why some patients wind up back in the hospital within a few days or weeks of being discharged. (Fitzgerald, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0429/2056/
Utility tax loss has mayor up in arms
Like the teacher’s union before them, mayors throughout the state are taking aim at the financial tactics of Gov. Chris Christie.
Using a Supreme Court ruling that says state budget law supersedes statuary law, Christie has been holding onto a larger portion of the taxes that utilities are required to pay municipalities for use of land for power lines, transformers and other operations. (Makin, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/article/CN/20120429/NJNEWS/304290015/Utility-tax-loss-has-mayors-up-arms
Mayors: Give us back our energy tax
While governors have been finding ways to skim money from municipalities for years, Gov. Chris Christie has devalued utility rights of way by withholding a larger portion of energy tax receipts than any of his predecessors, Piscataway Mayor Brian C. Wahler said.
Many state officials who claim that municipal governments are trying to circumvent a state-mandated 2 percent cap on budget levies either are unaware or don’t appreciate the extensive requirements of daily municipal operations, Wahler said. They include the governor and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, the mayor said. (Makin, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/article/CN/20120429/NJNEWS/304300009/Mayors-Give-us-back-our-energy-tax
Glo. Twp. sued over petition
Five residents have filed a lawsuit against the township for rejecting a voter petition seeking a stronger pay-to-play reform ordinance.
The residents, who identify themselves as members of the nonpartisan South Jersey Citizens, brought the legal action Wednesday in Superior Court in Camden. They allege township clerk Rosemary DiJosie illegally rejected the petition on the advice of the township solicitor. (Comegno, Gannett)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120428/NEWS01/304280037/Glo-Twp-sued-over-petition
Caffrey to fight to regain Perth Amboy school superintendent post
Janine Walker Caffrey expects to be back to work as superintendent of schools in Perth Amboy very soon.
Caffrey said that because she considers actions at last Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting to place her on paid administrative leave to be illegal.
“The attempt to fire me was done in an illegal and secretive way. I can’t sit back and not fight,” said Caffrey, who has sought legal advice and is exploring her legal options. (Staff, Gannett)
Ringing off the hook: N.J. child abuse hotline calls have soared since Penn State sex scandal
New Jersey’s child abuse hotline has been flooded with phone calls since the Penn State sexual abuse scandal shocked the nation late last year, according to Children and Families Commissioner Allison Blake.
The number of calls soared to as many as 750 a day in November, when a Pennsylvania grand jury indicted former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, said Kristine Brown, spokeswoman for the state Department of Children and Families. It rarely topped 400 a day in the two months before the scandal broke out, she added. (Livio, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/since_penn_state_sex_scandal_n.html
Relationships between teachers and students receive more scrutiny
Schools are forbidding teachers and coaches from befriending students on Facebook and banning them from giving students gifts or rides home to guard against situations that could potentially lead to sexual abuse.
Employee behavior is being more closely scrutinized and staff members are being trained to act as watchdogs as more school officials realize they need to do a better job policing their own. (Diskin, Gannett)
Domestic violence tied to economy
Police are encountering more domestic violence related to the sluggish economy, a national survey of law enforcement agencies finds.
The review, part of a continuing examination of how economic conditions are affecting law enforcement by the Police Executive Research Forum, found that 56 percent of the 700 responding agencies reported that the poor economy is driving an increase in domestic conflict, up from 40 percent of agencies in a similar survey in 2010. (Johnson, USA Today)
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120430/NEWS01/304300019/Domestic-violence-tied-economy
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Weekly Advance: Week of April 30
Weekly Roundup: Week of April 23
Lautenberg may visit Rutgers-Camden
Sen. Frank Lautenberg is said to be planning a visit to Rutgers-Camden next week to discuss college loan interest rates, according to a college official.
Lautenberg, an outspoken opponent of the proposed Rutgers-Camden and Rowan University merger, is expected to address students and faculty on the possibility of subsidized Stafford loans’ interest rates increasing. (Arco, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/56449/lautenberg-may-visit-rutgers-camden
Rutgers report: Economic snapshot of N.J.’s next 10 years
Over the next 10 years, New Jersey residents can expect to see more jobs created in health and education, a smaller manufacturing base, plenty of fast food joints, and smaller vehicles on the road.
Those are just some of the findings in this month’s report from the Rutgers Economic Advisory Service, “New Jersey: The Recovery is Underway,” by Nancy H. Mantell and Michael L. Lahr. (Hassan, Staet Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/56447/rutgers-report-economic-snapshot-njs-next-10-years
Opinion
Dagger eyes on Christie
The race for the Republican nomination for president is all over but for the convention.
Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, has it locked up, so the national attention — in addition to chronicling the horse race — is turning to the question of whom Romney will choose for his running mate.
In nearly every discussion about a vice presidential pick, New Jersey’s own Chris Christie is mentioned. Christie himself has enjoyed that attention, but he may not enjoy the next phase of being front and center in the political scene — the scrutiny. (Schoonejongen, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/article/20120429/NJCOLUMNIST25/304290011/Dagger-eyes-Christie
Bergen GOP’s troubles aren’t putting off state fund-raisers
The Bergen County Republican Organization may have difficulties raising money in Bergen County, but the state GOP still views it as fertile territory.
A dinner-hour special reception “honoring” Governor Christie is scheduled for May 8 at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe. The cocktail party will cost you $250, but if you stick around for dinner, be prepared to fork over $1,500. And if you are really enthused and want to be considered a “host,” you will be expected to raise or contribute $10,000. (Stile, The Record)
Governor, it’s time for an apology
Governor Christie has a way with words. He doesn’t mince them usually – much to the delight of his Republican supporters and his growing YouTube audience. But the time has come to zip the lip.
It’s past time, actually.
This columnist has admired Christie, primarily for his leadership in balancing the state budget and for not backing down from the threatening demands of the state teachers union.
But it’s one thing to take a strong stand on issues, even unpopular ones. It’s something else to make a name for yourself by name-calling. (Kelly, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/kelly/kelly_042912.html
Ellen DeGeneres show pulls video with false claims about Mayor Cory Booker
Before talk show host Ellen DeGeneres presented Newark Mayor Cory Booker with a cape and tights for rescuing his neighbor from a fire, her producers rolled out an introduction for Booker that rivaled any comic book hero.
He reduced crime by 50 percent and lives in the projects, an announcer said during the show, which was taped Monday and aired Tuesday. He fostered an economic recovery and is transforming schools, the announcer continued. (The Auditor, The Star-Ledger)
http://blog.nj.com/njv_auditor/2012/04/ellen_degeneres_show_pulls_vid.html
No excuse for special favors on the road
Few things irk us more than to see people get away with things just because of who they are or who they know. It irritates our sense of fairness and justice. It makes us lose faith in government.
Assemblyman Nelson Albano was stopped by Trooper Randy Pangborn for doing 71 mph in a 55 mph zone. Albano immediately started asking for special privileges. (Ingle, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/article/20120429/NJCOLUMNIST06/304290009/No-excuse-special-favors-road
In Perth Amboy, politics derailing school reform
Janine Caffrey, the superintendent of Perth Amboy schools, has been shut out of her office and sent home.
No one disputes that she works hard and that she was putting in place exactly the reforms she promised when she was hired less than a year ago. No one questions her integrity or her intelligence.
But none of that matters much. Because Caffrey is not a great politician. Her first sin was to tell the truth about tenure — that it protects horrendously bad teachers in her district and hurts kids. Then she refused to make the patronage hires she says board members pressed on her. And then she bucked the all-powerful teachers union by trying to change ancient customs on evaluations, job placements and student suspensions. (Moran, The Star-Ledger)
http://blog.nj.com/njv_tom_moran/2012/04/moran_in_perth_amboy_politics.html
