CD3: MacArthur campaign launches first ad of general election race
The campaign of Republican congressional hopeful Tom MacArthur launched its first ad of CD3’s general election race this week. (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/76916/cd3-macarthur-campaign-launches-first-ad-general-election-race
Sweeney, Kyrillos to sponsor bill that would cap unused sick pay
TRENTON – Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Joseph Kyrillos are renewing efforts to cap unused sick pay for public employees, according to a statement released by the state Senate today. (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/76926/sweeney-kyrillos-cap-unused-sick-pay
Mazzeo calls on Division of Investment to pressure equity firms to keep ‘Showboat open for business’
Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo (D-2) has joined fellow Atlantic County lawmakers in the showdown over the Showboat Casino. (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
Christie’s travels help him connect in states key to 2016
Governor Christie has already visited eight states with early presidential contests, and he will be in Iowa this week and South Carolina and Michigan in coming months — crucial trips if he plans to enter the 2016 race. (Hayes/The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/christie-s-travels-help-him-connect-in-states-key-to-2016-1.1050665
Here are the questions Chris Christie doesn’t want to answer
Sometimes the straight-talking governor of New Jersey doesn’t talk all that straight. (Miller/Time)
http://time.com/2978807/chris-christie-national-governors-association/
Christie blames Obama in part for Israeli-Palestinian unrest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Partly blaming unrest in the Middle East on President Barack Obama, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Saturday that Obama has not spoken firmly and forcefully on Israel’s behalf and that the country no longer trusts it has the full support of the United States because of him. (Peoples/The Associated Press)
The perils of pension reform
Still faced with billions of dollars in unfunded obligations, the state’s public pension system could be facing a new round of changes this year. (Schoonejongen/Gannett)
http://www.app.com/story/news/politics/john-schoonejongen/2014/07/12/perils-pension-reform/12548031/
School fight: inside ed board’s dysfunction
Interim schools superintendent Robert Mahon had enough. First, there was the failed superintendent search. The nine-member school board spent the past year in arguments, litigation and division over the selection of a schools chief. (Terry/Gannett)
Chris Christie and America’s poorest city
Gov. Christie has held about two dozen public events in Camden, an extraordinary number — especially for a Republican in a city that went 97 percent for President Barack Obama in 2012. (Katz/NJPR)
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/07/11/chris-christie-and-america-s-poorest-city/
Chris Christie plans to issue executive order on Common Core standards this week
While attending a meeting of the National Governors Association today, Gov. Chris Christie said he plans to issue an executive order this week regarding common education standards that have sparked criticism from parents and educators. (AP)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/christie_common_core_nj.html#incart_river
NJ Supreme Court won’t hear landmark gun case after all
The New Jersey Supreme Court, in an unusual move, has scrapped its plans to hear a challenge to one of New Jersey’s gun-control laws. (Rizzo/The Star-Ledger)
Backroom
Incoming chief of staff to testify on Port Authority Thursday
The New Jersey Legislative Select Committee on Investigations will hear testimony from the front office’s incoming Chief of Staff Regina Egea on Thursday, July 17 at 10:00 AM. (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/incoming-chief-staff-testify-port-authority-thursday
Opinion
Jackson: Booker, Paul find themselves political friends with benefits
Rarely have junior senators received as much attention for obscure legislation as Sens. Cory Booker and Rand Paul did last week when they introduced a bill to make it easier to seal non-violent criminal records, especially of juvenile drug arrests. (Jackson/The Bergen Record)
10 ways Chris Christie’s White House ambition hurts New Jersey: Moran
Gov. Chris Christie last week rejected the notion that his ambitions for the White House are driving his behavior as governor. (Moran/The Star-Ledger)