Morning News Digest: June 29, 2012
By Missy Rebovich
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Senate higher education vote tally
The Senate tonight passed the higher education reorganization plan by a 29 to 10 vote. Sen. Gerald Cardinale did not vote. Below is the tally of the votes. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/58248/senate-higher-education-vote-tally
Senate passes higher ed reorganization
The Senate passed the higher education reorganization bill today by a vote of 29-10. The Assembly had passed it earlier.
The bill, S2063/A3102, is the massive reorganization of higher-education institutions in New Jersey.
Under the plan, the University of Medicine and Dentistry largely is absorbed by Rutgers University, while Rowan University in Glassboro acquires the School of Osteopathic Medicine.
University Hospital in Newark will be separate from the university and become principal teaching hospital of the N.J. Medical School. (Mooney, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/58245/senate-passes-higher-ed-reorganization
Assembly passes higher ed. reorg
The Assembly approved bill A3102< Medial Health Sciences Restructuring Act.
The vote was 60-18.
The following Assembly members voted no on the “Higher Education Restructuring bill. They are: Peter Barnes, Daniel Benson, Marie Caride, Upendra Chivukula, Joseph Cryan, Patrick Diegnan, Tim Eustace, Reed Gusciora, Mila Jasey, John McKeon, Joseph O’Donnell, Gary Schaer, Linda Stender, Cleopatra Tucker, Valarie Vainieri-Huttle, Connie Wagner, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Annette Quijano. (Hassan, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/58237/assembly-passes-higher-ed-reorg
Education bond act passes Assembly
The Assembly passed the “Building Our Future Bond Act” that calls for putting in place a bond referendum to put money toward classrooms, labs, and libraries at the state’s colleges and universities.
The vote was 76-1, with Assemblyman Jay Webber casting the lone no vote.
The bill, A3139/S2500, authorizes the issuance of $750 million in State general obligation bonds. Proceeds from the bonds will be used to provide grants to New Jersey’s public institutions and private institutions of higher education to construct and equip higher education facilities. It would be joined by more than $500 million from the last bond referendum for higher education in 1988. (Hassan, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/58234/education-bond-act-passes-assembly
Gov. Christie says he disagrees with health care law but will meet deadline
For Gov. Chris Christie, the clock is now ticking.
The Supreme Court’s long-anticipated ruling on the nation’s sweeping health care overhaul landed on the desk of every governor in the country Thursday — and with it, a deadline.
Every state must create an “exchange,” or online marketplace, by January 2013 that will help people shop and pay for health insurance. The law expects exchanges to begin enrolling people by Oct. 1, with coverage beginning in January 2014.
Christie, who opposed the health care changes pushed by the Obama administration, vetoed legislation last month that would form an exchange in New Jersey, saying he wanted to wait until the Supreme Court determined whether the Affordable Care Act was constitutional. (Livio, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/gov_christie_says_he_disagrees.html
Gov. Chris Christie: Democrats wrong not to cut taxes
Gov. Chris Christie knows one thing for sure — he’ll take action on the budget before the constitutionally mandated deadline of July 1.
“I’m not done reviewing the budget yet,” he said on NJ 101.5’s monthly call-in show tonight. “I’m keeping every one of my options open to me constitutionally. I’m going to make that decision before midnight Saturday.”
The Republican governor reiterated his plan to go on a “Corzine Democrats holding your taxes hostage tour” this summer. Though the spending plan Democrats sent Christie this week resembles his initial proposal, they won’t agree to a tax cut unless the administration meets his rosy revenue projections. (Portnoy, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/gov_chris_christie_democrats_w.html
Democrats again pass ‘millionaire’s tax’
Lawmakers waiting for Governor Christie’s verdict on their $31.7 billion budget sent several more budget-related bills to him Thursday, including a “millionaire’s tax” he has vetoed twice.
The millionaire’s tax — one in a series of Democratic-sponsored bills designed to highlight vetoes from the Republican governor on the eve of his 2013 reelection — cleared the Senate along party lines after winning approval from the Assembly on Monday.
The measure would increase from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent the tax rate on incomes in excess of $1 million. (Reitmeyer, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/160795085_Democrats_again_pass__millionaire_s_tax_.html
N.J. Senate confirms Paula Dow for judgeship
Despite a few questions about her role in the firing of a prosecutor, Gov. Christie’s former attorney general, Paula Dow, cruised through her judicial confirmation Thursday in the New Jersey Senate.
Dow, who said she recently moved from Essex County to Willingboro, will serve on Superior Court in Burlington County. The Senate voted to confirm her by 38-0 with two abstentions.
Dow originally was nominated by Christie to serve in Essex County, but an apparent dispute between Christie and senators there held up her hearing. She then moved to Willingboro, which upset some attorneys in Burlington County, who had hoped a local lawyer would fill one of the two vacant seats on that court. (Katz, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
What the ACA ruling means for New Jersey
The Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Affordable Care Act could clear the way for New Jersey to extend health coverage to nearly half of the state’s more than one million uninsured. Then again, it is unclear whether state Republicans, including the governor, will try to block the law’s implementation and join the legal argument that members of the national GOP have vowed to continue after learning that the court affirmed the ACA 5-4 on Thursday.
New Jersey healthcare executives, doctors, and Democratic legislators reacted positively — in some cases jubilantly — to the court’s decision and said they would return with renewed vigor to implementing the law. First on the agenda is creating a health insurance exchange, which will allow individuals and small businesses to buy coverage online in a transparent manner. (Fitzgerald and O’Dea, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0629/0010/
N.J.’s health care industry welcomes ruling on health reform
Around New Jersey, business reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act has been mixed, but most in the health care industry were immediately supportive of the ruling.
QualCare Inc., a Piscataway-based self-insurance firm that holds plans for more than 800,000 people in New Jersey and the surrounding area, already has been working on accountable-care organizations — groups of providers coordinating care for entire populations — as outlined in the ACA. (Caliendo, NJBIZ)
Ruling on health care reform has business advocates playing defense
While those in health care generally were supportive of the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the president’s health care reform law, business associations said they have concerns over what insurance will look like — and cost — under the Affordable Care Act.
“Today’s decision removes a great deal of the uncertainty surrounding the federal health care law,” said Philip Kirschner, president of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, in a statement. “But the issue of very high health insurance costs remains, and until it is addressed in a meaningful way, it will continue to be a drag on our economy.” (Caliendo, NJBIZ)
Legislature votes to extend time to use housing funds
In its final scheduled voting session before summer break, the Legislature passed a slew of bills, including measures that would allow the state to borrow more money for transportation projects, give municipalities more time to spend affordable housing funds and mandate that non-violent drug offenders be sentenced to treatment programs instead of prison.
Governor Christie planned to take $200 million earmarked for affordable housing and use it in his budget, but a bill that passed in the Senate on Thursday and in the Assembly on Monday would give municipalities two more years to use that money. (Hayes, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/160795175_Legislature_votes_to_extend_time_to_use_housing_funds.html
Restructuring is reality
A controversial plan to restructure New Jersey’s system of higher education has passed both legislative chambers, albeit in a significantly different form than was originally proposed by Gov. Chris Christie in January. After a full day of last-minute and sometimes contentious negotiations, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 29-9, and the Assembly split at 59-19.
In its final form, the legislation preserves Rutgers-Camden’s permanent and full association with Rutgers University while creating a joint board to govern future voluntary collaborations in health science projects with Rowan University. This provision, arguably the most furiously contested throughout the six-month battle over what was initially conceived as a full merger between Rutgers-Camden and Rowan, marks a significant victory for those who opposed the separation of the Camden campus from its parent institution. (Nurin, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0629/0220/
N.J. Senate passes bill creating mandatory treatment program for nonviolent drug offenders
The state Senate has given final approval to a measure that would create a pilot program requiring nonviolent drug offenders to enter treatment, sending it on to the governor’s desk.
The bill (S881), which passed 36-1, would create a two-year pilot program to be operated in two court vicinages. The Administrative office of the Courts would then evaluate if the mandatory “drug court” sentencing should be offered statewide.
Gov. Chris Christie in March called for the program to be instituted statewide, but Democrats are worried about the cost and think it requires more study. Christie has criticized their piecemeal approach. (Friedman, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/nj_senate_passes_bill_creating.html
NJ OKs handheld gambling devices for casino guests
Unless Gov. Chris Christie objects, Atlantic City casino patrons soon will be able to gamble next to the pool, in their hotel rooms or while waiting in line for the buffet.
The New Jersey Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a bill that enables casino patrons to use hand-held gambling devices, so long as they are located on casino property.
It’s another in a series of new gambling options Atlantic City is rolling out in its attempt to compete with casinos in nearby states that have diverted thousands of customers and millions of dollars from the seaside resort. New Jersey is also moving toward offering Internet gambling and sports betting. (Parry, Associated Press)
N.J. Senate passes tougher driver-cellphone bill
In its final voting session before Saturday’s budget deadline, the Senate on Thursday approved dozens of bills previously passed by the Assembly, including one to stiffen penalties for drivers who have injured or killed others because they were using their cellphones.
Under the bill, which the Senate and Assembly passed unanimously, prosecutors could charge distracted drivers with assault or vehicular manslaughter – a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Currently, those caught texting or talking on a cellphone without a hands-free device – even those involved in a fatal crash – face a maximum of 18 months’ incarceration. (Farrell, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
With funding cut, future of ‘regional achievement centers’ under debate
The Christie administration’s much-touted plans to create seven “regional achievement centers” across the state for turning around low-performing schools was thrown into question this week, with the Democrats’ decision to slice the centers’ funding from the next state budget.
It came at a time when the future of the Department of Education’s already depleted county offices also remain uncertain, with five more executive county superintendents seeing their terms expire on Monday, with little indication what will happen next. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0628/2223/
Making it easier for state, local governments to save energy
Hoping to save taxpayer money by reducing energy use by state and local governments, the Senate yesterday gave final approval to a bill to overhaul a program aimed at spurring energy savings projects.
With no debate, lawmakers passed the bill (A-2313) by a 33-0 vote. Gov. Chris Christie is expected to sign the bill.
Passed with great expectations in 2009, the law has failed to live up to its promise because of procurement-related issues, as well as a lack of clarity in its procedures, according to its sponsors. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0628/2027/
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Tanning bill help in the Senate
The Senate did not vote on the tanning bill today.
The bill, S1172, would ban indoor tanning bed use by those under 16 and allow it for those ages 16-18 so long as a parent is present for the initial consultation. (Arco, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/58247/tanning-bill-held-senate
Senate passes monthly reporting of funds bill
The Senate passed several bills today:
S1832: Passed 24-11. This bill amends the “School Funding Reform Act of 2008” to reflect differences in the cost of providing educational services that are outside the control of the district and consequently leads to increases in state aid in some districts and decreases in others. Sen. Barbara Buono cautioned that this bill was “chipping away” at a funding formula and returning the state to the past. (Mooney, State Street Wire)
http://www.politickernj.com/58222/senate-passes-monthly-reporting-funds-bill
Doherty’s opposition can’t prevent PANYNJ commissioner’s reappointment
Sen. Michael Doherty renewed his criticisms of Raymond Pocino to be reappointed to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on the Senate floor today.
He opposed the reappointment of Commissioner Pocino in the Judiciary Committee in the morning, but his appointment was approved by the Senate by a vote of 33-6. Doherty was the only no vote in the committee this morning. (Mooney, State Street Wire)
From the Back Room
Christie says Benci should resign
Gov. Chris Christie tonight said tonight that indicted Hamilton Township Mayor John Bencivengo should resign from his post.
“If mayor were really putting interests of people of Hamilton first, he would step aside,” Christie said in response to a question.
Bencivengo was indicted earlier this month on charges of bribery and money laundering for allegedly offering a local insurance broker his help in retaining and insurance contract in exchange for $12,400. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/christie-says-benci-should-resign
Opinion
Redistricting leads to dramatic shift in New Jersey Congressional Delegation: How we got here (Part III)
Maybe one of the reasons the Democrats mangled Congressional Redistricting so badly is because it was only the third Congressional Redistricting Commission in New Jersey’s history and they just didn’t know what they didn’t know. (Scarinci for PolitickerNJ)
Christie never smoked weed & doesn’t want you to, either
With the state Assembly’s recent passage of a bill decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, Gov. Christie was asked yesterday on Twitter by a Willie Nelson-inspired pro-pot political party if he ever smoked reefer.
He tweeted his response: The answer is no.
And no means no for you too, potheads. Christie said last week that he would veto the Assembly’s pot legalization bill if it comes to his desk (which now appears unlikely, since the Senate is not planning on voting on the bill soon). (Katz, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
Christie should put down the bat, raise the bar
According to Governor Christie, there will be some serious rear-end kicking this summer. The governor said Tuesday that he intends to aim his foot at the backside of Democrats who are standing between him and his tax cut. But with all due respect, Christie’s foot is presently otherwise engaged inside his own mouth.
There has been no shortage of words these past weeks, but the ones needed to be said remain unspoken. Unspoken by Christie. Unspoken by too many public officials. (Doblin, The Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/columnists/doblin/doblin_062912.html
Obamacare and the tax fight
Give it up for Chief Justice John Roberts for dismissing the idea that Obamacare threatens our freedom and would give Washington the power to force us all to eat broccoli. That noise from right-wing kooks is now a footnote to history.
This is about taxes, as Roberts understood. Right now, about 50 million Americans lack health coverage and there is no way to wrestle that number down without a lot of cash up front. (Moran, The Star-Ledger)
http://blog.nj.com/njv_tom_moran/2012/06/obamacare_and_the_tax_fight.html
