Advisory board votes down Newark schools budget
In an unprecedented move, the Newark Schools Advisory Board tonight voted against approval of a budget submitted by state-appointed Superintendent Cami Anderson. Politicker
http://www.politickernj.com/64327/breaking-advisory-board-votes-down-school-budget-newark
Interview with Maria Rodriguez Gregg in LD 8
It gets ugly, Maria Rodriguez Gregg admitted, when considering New Jersey politics. Politicker
http://www.politickernj.com/64325/politickernjcom-interview-maria-rodriguez-gregg
Latest from State Street Wire
‘Helmets to Hardhats’ bill signed
TRENTON – Gov. Chris Christie signed into law a program to help out-of-work former military service members find jobs in the construction industry. State Street Wire
http://www.politickernj.com/64313/helmets-hardhats-bill-signed
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Amazon, Goodreads in merger
As one of the most contentious couples to ever emerge from the literature world,Amazon and Goodreads are joining forces. “We’re looking forward to inspiring greater literary discussion and helping more readers find great books, whether they read in print or digitally,” Goodreads CEO and co-founder Otis Chandler said in a statement earlier today. Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/amazon-acquires-goodreads_n_2974572.html
Conservatives score victory in tax battle
Here’s one Republican victory that went virtually unnoticed in the slew of budget votes last week: The Senate told the Congressional Budget Office it should give more credit to the economic power of tax cuts. Politico
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/conservatives-score-victory-in-tax-battle-89438.html?hp=l1
Wage rate for laborers complicates immigration rewrite
The AFL-CIO is seeking to exempt industries with high unemployment rates such as construction from a new worker-visa program that is complicating bipartisan talks on a rewrite of the nation’s immigration laws. Bloomberg
Obama presses for gun controls
Almost four months after a mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school stirred calls to curb gun violence, President Barack Obama sought to boost flagging momentum in his drive for stricter firearms controls. Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-28/obama-presses-to-tighten-gun-controls-curb-violence.html
GOP congressman uses racial slur against Latinos
A Republican congressman from Alaska on Thursday used a slur referring to immigrants, particularly Mexicans, in an interview with an Alaska public radio station, NBC News reported. NBC News
Major defense deal in Moorestown for Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin has secured a $100 million contract with the federal government to develop the next generation of Aegis radar defense technology at its facility in Moorestown. 101.5 FM
http://nj1015.com/major-defense-contract-bolsters-south-jersey-economy/
Congressional inaction could cost college students
WASHINGTON — Congressional inaction could end up costing college students an extra $5,000 on their new loans. Associated Press
Americans want sea level rise prep
Sea level rise is happening. In the last century, it’s gone up a foot in Delaware Bay, more along the Atlantic coast of New Jersey. Inquirer
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/greenliving/Americans-want-sea-level-rise-prep-not-reaction.html
IRS says Meadowlands Hospital owes $4.4M in taxes
The federal government has cited Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus for failing to pay at least $4.4 million in taxes it withheld from employee paychecks — a serious violation that can lead to civil and criminal charges. Bergen Record
Rebound expected in N.J. home prices
After a six-year slide, New Jersey’s housing market appears to be at a turning point, with prices expected to rise this year. Bergen Record
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/Rebound_expected_in_NJ_home_prices.html
Assemblywoman’s aide drops out of Trenton mayor’s race
James Gee, the chief of staff to Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman who was exploring a run for Trenton mayor, dropped out of the race today. Trenton Times
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/03/trenton_mayors_race_loses_a_ca.html
Group says detainees being moved from Monmouth County jail
Some detained immigrants at the Monmouth County Jail have been transferred to jails in Hudson County, N.J., and Orange County, N.Y., a sign that more of the 200 Monmouth detainees will be relocated as part the federal sequestration, a human rights group said Thursday. Asbury Park Press
Analysts back off predictions of $4 gas
Filling your gas tank may not hurt as much for the rest of the year.
After surging nearly 60 cents from late December to a $3.79 peak Feb. 27, prices have fallen for 25 of the past 29 days. Nationally, regular-grade gas now averages $3.65 a gallon — about 26 cents below year-ago levels. USA Today
Jersey City council candidate can keep nickname on ballot
A City Council candidate in Jersey City’s May 14 citywide election can use his nickname “Chico” on the ballot, a Hudson County judge ruled yesterday morning. Jersey Journal
http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2013/03/jersey_city_council_candidate_1.html
FEMA warned Christie AshBritt contract could jeopardize funding
The Federal Emergency Management Agency warned the Christie administration just days after Hurricane Sandy that its decision to award a no-bid contract to a politically connected firm to haul away debris could jeopardize maximum federal reimbursement for towns, The Star-Ledger has learned. Star-Ledger
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/03/fema_warned_christie_administr.html
Opinion
Gay marriage’s inevitable march pushes bigotry aside
If Rush Limbaugh is grouchy enough to whine that the “gay mafia” is forcing marriage equality on a hapless nation, then you know it’s been a good week. Moran, Star-Ledger
http://blog.nj.com/njv_tom_moran/2013/03/moran_gay_marriages_inevitable.html
