Union County Dem freeholder challengers haul off on DeFilippo
The LD 20 opposition and its countywide connective tissue just very publicly pulled Union County Democratic County Chair Charlotte DeFilippo into its dogfight with state Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-20). Politicker
http://www.politickernj.com/64734/union-county-dem-freeholder-challengers-haul-defilippo
Adelizzi-Schmidt: Van Drew endorsement of Buono going over like ‘lead balloon’
Republican LD1 state senate challenger Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt seized on state Sen. Jeff Van Drew’s (D-1) support for Gov. Chris Christie’s tax cut proposal. Politicker
Lewis, others urge Christie to sign early voting legislation
A group of labor and Democratic Party leaders wants Governor Chris Christie to sign Early Voting legislation (A-3553) into law to improve the democratic system and increase civic engagement. Politicker
http://www.politickernj.com/64732/lewis-others-urge-christie-sign-early-voting-legislation
Latest from The Back Room
Update in Garcia case
The hearing scheduled before Superior Court Assignment Judge Peter Bariso on the voters’ lawsuit challenging the eligibility of Carmelo Garcia to run for General Assembly in LD 33, originally scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow, has been moved to Friday at 2 p.m. Politicker
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/update-garcia-case
Latest from State Street Wire
Revisiting millionaire’s tax pros, cons
The debate on whether or not to award a tax cut has resurfaced again, with virtually the same arguments as last year, and with the millionaire’s tax once again being floated by some Democrats. State Street Wire
http://www.politickernj.com/64723/revisiting-millionaires-tax-pros-cons
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Gun control: Senate to vote Wednesday
The Senate will vote Wednesday afternoon on what could be the biggest changes in U.S. gun laws in nearly 20 years. Politico
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/gun-control-senate-to-vote-wednesday-90183.html?hp=f1
Boston aftermath: No bipartisan moment?
A few hours after the deadly Boston Marathon attack, President Barack Obama made an extraordinary, if understated statement: politicians should suspend their state of perpetual conflict to unite against an unknown and deadly new national threat. Politico
Boston bombs were loaded to maim
BOSTON — The explosives that killed three people and injured more than 170 during the Boston Marathon on Monday were most likely rudimentary devices made from ordinary kitchen pressure cookers, except they were rigged to shoot sharp bits of shrapnel into anyone within reach of their blast and maim them severely, law enforcement officials said Tuesday. Huffington Post
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/us/officials-investigate-boston-explosions.html?hp&_r=0
Obama to visit Boston Thursday
President Barack Obama will travel to Boston on Thursday for an interfaith service for bombing victims, the AP reports.
Obama spoke on the bombings at a Tuesday press conference, calling the incident “heinous and cowardly.” Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/16/obama-boston_n_3095214.html
Republicans to seek concealed weapon amendment
Republicans will offer an amendment to gun legislation that would allow people with concealed-weapon permits to carry hidden firearms into other states, Senator John Cornyn said. Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-16/gun-right-add-ons-to-senate-bill-complicating-passage.html
Twenty-nine odd types of N.J. beach trash
What a mess of trash was collected during two “sweeps” of New Jersey beaches last spring and fall by volunteers and staffers from more than a hundred organizations, including schools, scout troops, churches, civic groups, businesses and government agencies. Inquirer
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillylists/28-odd-types-of-NJ-beach-trash-.html
North Jersey school districts overwhelmingly approve budgets
Voters went to the polls in 23 North Jersey school districts Tuesday, and, in large part, gave approval to proposed tax levies and spending ranging from spending on security to expansion of a gymnasium. Record
Poll: Weiner would enter N.Y. mayoral race in second place
hould he enter this year’s mayoral race, former Congressman Anthony Weiner would start at a decent position–15 percent–according to a newNBC New York-Marist poll released this evening. In the Democratic primary survey, Council Speaker Christine Quinn continues to lead the pack with 26 percent, with Comptroller John Liu, former Comptroller Bill Thompson and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio narrowly behind Mr. Weiner. PolitickerNY
http://politicker.com/2013/04/poll-anthony-weiner-enters-race-in-second-place/
N.J. marathon will go on
“We are on. Are you in?”
That’s the slogan that organizers of the New Jersey Marathon came up in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, but they feel it’s even more fitting today. Burlington County Times
Letter mailed to senator tests positive for ricin
WASHINGTON — A letter sent to a Mississippi senator tested positive for the poison ricin, federal authorities revealed Tuesday, adding to security concerns in the Capitol after the Boston Marathon bombing. N.Y. Times
Raritan Valley Community College names interim president
The Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Board of Trustees appointed a former member of the board, James B. Ventantonio, as interim president on Tuesday. The board also hired a firm to begin the search for a new president. Home News Tribune
Health insurance for addicts may swamp system
CHICAGO — It has been six decades since doctors concluded that addiction was a disease that could be treated, but today the condition still dwells on the fringes of the medical community. Only 1 cent of every health care dollar in the United States goes toward addiction, and few alcoholics and drug addicts receive treatment. One huge barrier, according to many experts, has been a lack of health insurance. Associated Press
Opinion
Bombing jolts sense of security
The Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in North Jerseynext Feb. 2. The Made in America concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Labor Day weekend. The possible visit of Pope Francis to the Philadelphia area in 2015. And all kinds of lesser sporting events, walks, races and street festivals. South Jersey Times