Sweeney denies Norcross ‘backed’ Buono
WALL -Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) told reporters today he didn’t buy the “Norcross backs Buono” narrative. PolitickerNJ
http://www.politickernj.com/62567/sweeney-denies-norcross-backed-buono
National labor pledges support for Codey after D.C. trip
Four people close to former Gov. Dick Codey say the Essex County senator came away from meetings in Washington, D.C., yesterday with assurances that organized labor would aggressively support him should he decide to make a bid for governor. PolitickerNJ
http://www.politickernj.com/62562/national-labor-pledges-support-codey-after-dc-trip
From The Back Room
In LD39, Bidwell announces candidacy against Cardinale
From Mahwah, Democrat Jan Bidwell Wednesday formally launched her state Senate campaign in the 39th Legislative District. PolitickerNJ
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/ld-39-bidwell-announces-candidacy-against-cardinale
Latest from State Street Wire
BPU to launch program for energy-efficient equipment purchases
TRENTON – The Board of Public Utilities will launch a program within the next couple of weeks that will provide various incentives and rebates toward energy-efficient equipment purchases for residents and businesses that suffered losses in Superstorm Sandy. State Street Wire
http://www.politickernj.com/62566/bpu-launch-program-energy-efficient-equipment-purchases
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Clinton defends Libya actions amid GOP criticism
Hillary Clinton’s last solo testimony as secretary of state was an intense cross-examination by Republicans about the deadly attack in Libya that marked the low point in her four-year tenure. Bloomberg
First overwhelmed by hurricane, now struggling to fight off cold
It was too cold for Daniel Choi to stay in his storm-gutted home in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, so he left his two pet turtles, Michelangelo and Leonardo, behind to move in temporarily with friends. But on Wednesday, when he stopped by his home to feed them, he made an upsetting discovery. Plummeting temperatures in the still-heatless house had left the two turtles frozen under a sheet of ice. N.Y. Times
Intent on being first, Cuomo used all means to enact gun limits
ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was in his 39th floor office above Third Avenue in Manhattan, after meeting with corporate executives to ask for help lobbying Congress for federal Hurricane Sandy aid, when he heard the news: A gunman had opened fire in an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., killing 20 children. N.Y. Times
States in tug of war with Washington over health care
Hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans who lack health coverage will be able to buy it online starting in October on a new health insurance exchange created under the Affordable Care Act. Record
Lawsuits seek to speed up medical marijuana program
Lawyers for two South Jersey medical-marijuana patients are expected to ask a Superior Court judge Thursday to order sweeping changes to make the drug more accessible to those in pain. Inquirer
Panetta to lift ban on women in combat roles
The Pentagon is lifting its ban on women in combat roles, opening thousands of previously closed jobs in the most dangerous units in the military, but the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee said it might not mean major changes by the time all is said and done. Politico
GOP electoral votes allocation bids advance
Legislation that would apportion Virginia’s electoral votes by the winner of each congressional district, instead of the current winner-take-all system, emerged from a Senate subcommittee today without a recommendation. Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/virginia-electoral-votes_n_2536561.html
Sandy helps Point Pleasant Beach reach deal with bars
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — A nasty dispute over how much responsibility bars in a popular Jersey Shore town have to keep their patrons quiet and well-behaved after last call has been largely laid to rest — thanks in part to Superstorm Sandy. Associated Press
Union membership lowest since 1930s
WASHINGTON — Union membership plummeted last year to the lowest level since the 1930s as cash-strapped state and local governments shed workers and unions had difficulty organizing new members in the private sector despite signs of an improving economy. Associated Press
Runyan organizing summit in Burlco on gun violence
Congressman Jon Runyan is inviting Burlington County law enforcement officials, mental health experts and residents to attend a special summit to discuss strategies for reducing gun violence. Burlington County Times
Opinion
Grant should exit E. Greenwich mayor’s post
Faced with budget problems that inevitably will involve the township police department, the East Greenwich Township Committee made a regrettable choice in naming Committeeman Fred Grant as mayor again for 2013. South Jersey Times
http://www.nj.com/south-jersey-voices/index.ssf/2013/01/editorial_fred_grant_should_ex.html
Christie getting used to poll numbers, but revenues could be better
Gov. Christie is getting used to his invincible poll numbers, but the good news has components where the numbers have been more somber. Albright, Jersey Journal
http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2013/01/capital_clips_christie_is_ridi.html
