Abiding undercurrents of hurt in LD 20
ELIZABETH – His detractors say he has a single gear: fighting gear, a characterization Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-20) strenuously resists, preferring those storylines that reveal him to be more a careful maker of moves than blindly wind-milling political pug. Politicker
http://www.politickernj.com/63777/abiding-undercurrents-hurt-ld-20
Pre-emptive strike in the 14th
Moving to solidify her base before her opponent even enters the race, 14th District state Sen. Linda Greenstein this week announced several key union endorsements. Politicker
http://www.politickernj.com/63772/preemptive-strike-14th
Latest from State Street Wire
Lawyer for adult day care centers slams comptroller’s findings
An attorney representing four of the five Adult Medical Day Care centers that the Office of State Comptroller investigated for improper Medicaid billing, among other issues, blasted the state’s findings in a statement Wednesday afternoon. State Street Wire
http://www.politickernj.com/63773/lawyer-representing-amdcs-slams-comptrollers-findings
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NY police pension fund won’t divest gun holdings
New York City’s police pension won’t sell about $10 million in gun-related holdings, the president of the biggest officer union said. Bloomberg
Congress budget cuts damage U.S. economy
President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans have stumbled into an approach todeficit reduction that inflicts the pain of economic austerity without the gain of addressing the long-term budget gap. Bloomberg
Arkansas adopts ban on abortions after 12 weeks
Arkansas adopted what is by far the country’s most restrictive ban onabortion on Wednesday — at 12 weeks of pregnancy, when a fetal heartbeat can typically be detected by abdominal ultrasound. N.Y. Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/us/arkansas-adopts-restrictive-abortion-law.html?ref=us&_r=0
Republicans finally end filibuster
WASHINGTON — A small group of Republicans, led by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, stalled the Senate on Wednesday by waging a nearly 13-hour old-school, speak-until-you-can-speak-no-more filibuster over the government’s use of lethal drone strikes — forcing the Senate to delay the expected confirmation of John O. Brennan to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. N.Y. Times
First wrongful death lawsuit filed in Paulsboro wreck
For the first time, a lawsuit alleges that the derailment of a freight train and subsequent chemical leak Nov. 30 in Paulsboro claimed the life of a resident of the waterfront industrial town. Inquirer
FBI watching Sandy aid in N.J. for fraud
The FBI doesn’t normally come knocking for fraud cases involving a few thousand dollars. But that’s likely to change very soon in New Jersey as federal investigators turn their attention to the billions in federal aid coming into the state to rebuild after superstorm Sandy. Record
http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/FBI_is_watching_Sandy_aid_for_fraud.html
How White House quieted gun groups
President Barack Obama’s gun control agenda is looking more doomed by the day, but gun control advocates still haven’t said a word to complain.
That’s no accident. Politico
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/how-white-house-quieted-gun-control-groups-88546.html?hp=t1_3
U.N. to vote on N. Korea sanctions
(CNN) — With the U.N. Security Council set to vote on a resolution to strengthen sanctions on North Korea, Pyongyang unleashed its latest bout of fiery rhetoric, this time threatening its enemies with the possibility of a “preemptive nuclear attack.” Huffington Post
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/world/asia/un-north-korea-sanctions/index.html
Mount Laurel proposes tax hike, various improvements
MOUNT LAUREL — The Board of Education has proposed a tax increase as it moves forward with new educational programs and a list of capital improvements. Burlington County Times
Sales reflect record rise in state lottery spending
Walk into Cigar Alley @ The News Nook in Merchantville and the aroma of fine tobacco hits you first.
But it is the clipped staccato of the store’s New Jersey Lottery machine that is a constant. Customers are just as apt to buy scratch-off tickets as they are cigars. Camden Courier-Post
Cerf goes public about test scores
The Christie administration yesterday continued to fill in the details of next year’s new teacher evaluation system, including how — and how much — test scores will be used to determine final ratings. NJ Spotlight
Opinion
Sandy scammers hijacked southern hospitality
The good folks of South Carolina deserve a truckload of thanks for their generosity in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. They filled five shipping containers with $1 million worth of clothes, toys, furniture and food. Children scribbled notes on the boxes: “We love you, New Jersey.” Star-Ledger
http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2013/03/nj_sandy_scammers_hijacked_sou.html
Predator vs. intruder
IN THE wake of the shootings inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., parents across New Jersey are debating how best to protect their children in school. While the possibility of an armed intruder entering a school is low, there is another threat to student safety, one already inside schools: sexual predators. Record
http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/195807881_The_Record__Predator_vs__intruder.html