EXCLUSIVE: Woman at center of Christie judge nominee controversy implies blockage by Hoboken’s Cake Boss
ELIZABETH – The woman at the center of a state judge nomination controversy this week fueled in part by Gov. Chris Christie spoke out to add another unexpected element into the controversy’s already volatile mix: the implication that the famed Hoboken-based baker known as the “Cake Boss” played a role in her ongoing troubles. (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)
Menendez stuns Bergen crowd with declaration that he’ll be voting for Tedesco
It was a small event, just 40 to 50 people in a room honoring Bergen County Democratic Chairman Lou Stellato, but U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) showed up in Edgewater and declared his formal support for Bergen County executive candidate James Tedesco. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/76456/menendez-stuns-bergen-crowd-declaration-hell-be-voting-tedesco
Prieto, Dems, seek to extend financial aid access to undocumented students
TRENTON – Assembly Democrats today proposed new legislation that would extend financial aid access to undocumented students in the state seeking to go to college. (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/76411/prieto-dems-seek-extend-financial-aid-access-undocumented-students
In Fords, Menendez heaps praise on Chivukula at Indian-American event
FORDS – Jim McGreevey used to do a lot of Indian community events here in a place called the Royal Albert’s Palace. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/76416/fords-menendez-heaps-praise-chivukula-indian-american-event
Pennacchio volunteers free services as ‘crisis communicator’ to embattled DRPA
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26), sponsor of comprehensive bi-state legislation to reform the troubled Delaware River Port Authority, reacted to news that the public agency now spends $7,500 per month on a politically connected “crisis communicator” to try to look better, in light of missing emails in a federal probe. (Politicker Staff)
Christie vetoes bill limiting capacity of gun magazines
Governor Christie responded to a gun-control bill born in the national debate that followed a deadly school shooting by rejecting it Wednesday and turning it instead into a proposal to change the state’s mental health laws. (Hayes/The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/christie-vetoes-bill-limiting-capacity-of-gun-magazines-1.1044897
N.J. Senate President Stephen Sweeney opens door to expanding casinos to North Jersey
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, one of the staunchest defenders of Atlantic City’s gambling monopoly, said Wednesday that he has held private discussions with officials in North Jersey for the past year about allowing casinos in the northern part of the state. (Brennan, Phillis/The Bergen Record)
GWB probe: Legislative hearing delayed for Christie staffer
The appearance of a high-ranking member of Governor Christie’s office before a panel of state lawmakers investigating the George Washington Bridge lane closures — initially planned for Tuesday — has been rescheduled to July 17. (Boburg/The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/gwb-probe-legislative-hearing-delayed-for-christie-staffer-1.1044819
Leaked Memo Shows What Democrats Want From Obama On Deportations
Top Latino lawmakers have been lobbying the Obama administration to enact specific executive actions on immigration, according to a memo obtained by BuzzFeed. (Carrasquillo/BuzzFeed)
Bergen County freeholders reinstate Human Services chief, saying county erred in demotion procedures
The Bergen County Freeholders on Wednesday, in an unusual move, ordered former Human Services Director Jane Linter reinstated, deciding that the county administration failed to follow proper procedures in demoting her. (Ensslin/The Bergen Record)
Morris Co. residents tell Frelinghuysen ‘Not One More’
MORRISTOWN – When Richard Martinez’s son was killed May 23 in the Santa Barbara shootings he delivered a brief speech demanding nobody else die from gun violence. Not one more. (Izzo/Gannett)
Bayonne’s new mayor stays busy on his first day on the job
For the first time in nearly three decades, Jimmy Davis woke up to go to work and did not don a police uniform. Rather, Davis arrived at Bayonne City Hall this morning for his first full day on the job as mayor. Instead of working the midnight shift as a captain in the Bayonne Police Department, where he worked until he retired Monday, Davis arrived at his mayoral office shortly after 8 a.m. wearing a suit, white dress shirt, cuff links and a mauve-colored tie. (D’Onofrio/The Jersey Journal)
Sources: Jersey City DPW director under fire for plan to install grill outside office
Has the Jersey City DPW director’s plans for a secret private barbecue grill led to his impending exit as one of the city’s top administration officials? That’s what sources are telling The Jersey Journal about Mike Razzoli, who will soon be out as Jersey City’s public-works director. (McDonald/The Jersey Journal)
Mendham manager caught in political crossfire
MENDHAM TWP. — A former Bedminster mayor who was fired from one post and released for financial reasons from another is the newest Mendham Township administrator. Officials said they were aware of the background of the new administrator, Amey Upchurch, and found that she was the best candidate for the job. (Garber, Cohen/The Observer Tribune)
Critics blast Christie administration’s new NJ affordable housing plan
Housing advocates today took aim at the Christie administration’s long-awaited guidelines for how many affordable homes New Jersey needs, calling the plan inadequate and arguing that it violates a mandate from the state Supreme Court. (Johnson/The Star-Ledger)
Washington, Roosevelt, Lincoln…Howard?
When United States goalkeeper Tim Howard knocked down shot after shot in Tuesday’s game against Belgium — recording 16 saves, the most in a World Cup match since at least 1966 — the viewing experience wasn’t at all like watching LeBron James score 60 points or Peyton Manning drill a pass through three defenders for a last-second touchdown. (The New York Times)
The Backroom
The Murphy Option
In three separate conversations in the last several days, political insiders continue to speculate on the strong hand possessed by jockeying gubernatorial hopeful Phillip Murphy. (Politicker Staff)
