It’s Thursday, and as talk of a Transportation Trust Fund tax hike is set to go before the legislature, the reaction to Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to revamp school funding formulas continues.
Quote of the Day: “When some districts continue to fail decade after decade, it’s clear that money is not the answer,” – Senator Mike Doherty, on his support for Gov. Chris Christie’s new school funding plan.
Christie School Funding Proposal Draws Fire and Praise Along Partisan Lines
A controversial proposal from Governor Chris Christie to change the state’s apportionment of school funding aid is drawing immediate, withering criticism from state Democrats. After unveiling the proposal to standardize state school aid at roughly $6,500 per pupil in every school district Tuesday, Christie also earned plaudits from Republican supporters who say the change would address longstanding inequities in certain suburban districts.
JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more
Doherty Comes on as Senate Sponsor of Christie School Funding Plan
A longtime proponent of changing New Jersey’s school funding formula is coming on as the Senate sponsor of Governor Chris Christie’s plan to change the state’s apportionment of school aid. Senator Mike Doherty (R-23), who has pushed his own plan to change the amount of tax revenue given to certain districts rather than the amount of state aid, will serve as primary sponsor of the governor’s plan in the upper house.
JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more
Sires Joins Lewis in Sit-in to Demand Gun Control Vote
U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) led House Democrats earlier today in a sit-in to shut down the House chamber to demand a vote on gun control legislation.
U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8) was among those who took part.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Politics so Filthy
Long before his curious dismissal as a New Jersey “super-delegate,” much was made of Assemblyman John Wisniewski’s stewardship of Bernie Sander’s New Jersey efforts. As the dust was settling on Hillary Clinton’s historic, nomination-clinching victory, we took a moment to learn what Sanders supports had to say about Wiz’ efforts. PolitickerNJ reached out to readers on social media to learn their thoughts.
Jay Lassiter, PolitickerNJ Read more
Disgruntled Dems Petition for Wisniewski’s DNC Reinstatement
Some Democrats are unhappy with the New Jersey Democratic State Committee’s decision to not reappoint Assemblyman John Wisniewski as a member of New Jersey’s Democratic National Committee (DNC). Now, a petition has been launched in an attempt to reverse that decision.
Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Lonegan Wants Trump Eradicated at GOP Convention
Steve Lonegan, the former mayor of Bogota who backed Ted Cruz’s unsuccessful presidential candidacy, wants to dump Donald Trump as the Republican Party’s nominee, and he thinks he will succeed.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Doherty Says Lonegan is Becoming the ‘Howard Cosell of Politics’
The first Republican elected official in New Jersey to endorse Donald Trump this afternoon slapped away at Steve Lonegan, a Ted Cruz for president backer who continues to oppose Trump.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
5 Questions to Think About After BCRO Names DiGaetano New Chairman
On Tuesday night, members of the Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO) elected former LD36 Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano as their new chairman. That move ousted incumbent chairman Bob Yudin.
Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Frank Lautenberg Scores a Late Victory
President Barack Obama today signed into law the first overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act in 40 years — the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act on June 22.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
NJ Capitol Report: Ciattarelli Says There is No Room for a State Level Estate Tax
Steve Adubato goes on location to the CIANJ Annual Legislative Dinner and speaks with Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R) who says our tax code needs to change if we want to improve our economy. As just one example, Ciattarelli believes we need to eliminate the Estate Tax to keep people in the state.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
History of U.S. Gun Laws
The Orlando massacre has put gun control back in the spotlight. Whether people think that guns should be banned entirely, permitted with restrictions or protected as one of our constitutionally protected liberties is discussed on every news show. Here is a pocket summary of the law and history of key gun laws in America.
Donald Scarinci, PolitickerNJ Read more
Lawrence Township Council Passes Anti-Corruption Resolution
Last night the Lawrence Township Town Council passed an Anti-Corruption Resolution. This was accomplished through the
concerted efforts of RepresentUs Central NJ, the local chapter of Represent.Us and the Lawrence League of Women Voters.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Assembly to weigh road plan hiking gas tax, cutting others
New Jersey legislators are moving forward with a plan to pay for transportation projects by raising a wholesale fuel tax by 23 cents while also cutting retirement and estate taxes.
Associated Press Read more
N.J.’s lone Hispanic GOP lawmaker won’t back Trump, report says
New Jersey’s only Hispanic Republican state lawmaker said she can’t support Donald Trump, her party’s presumptive presidential nominee, according to a report by Politico New Jersey.
Brent Johnson, NJ.com Read more
How Christie’s controversial school aid plan could impact you
Under Gov. Chris Christie’s proposal to introduce a flat $6,599 per-pupil school aid system, what side of the street you live on could mean the difference between whether the plan saves or costs your household thousands of dollars in property taxes.
Stephen Stirling, NJ.com Read more
The 23-cent N.J. gas tax hike plan: 9 facts you need to know
The state Legislature on Thursday will begin to consider bills that would raise taxes on gasoline by 23 cents a gallon while reducing or eliminating taxes on estates and some income, a deal that has support and opposition cross party lines.
Samantha Marcus, NJ.com Read more
Accusations against Booker dismissed in Newark Watershed bankruptcy
A federal judge has dismissed a case against U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) that charged he failed to properly oversee Newark’s now bankrupt watershed corporation when he served as mayor of New Jersey’s largest city.
Ted Sherman, NJ.com Read more
Trump to auction off Chris Christie on eBay?
The Auditor has watched Gov. Chris Christie endure a fair amount of ribbing and outright ridicule over his endorsement of and assistance to Donald Trump’s campaign.
The Auditor, NJ.com Read more
Revived bill would impose new rules on rail companies transporting crude oil through N.J.
Rail companies that transport crude oil through New Jersey would be required to file emergency response plans with state officials under a revived bill that is set for a vote in the state Senate on Thursday.
Scott Fallon, The Record Read more
Christie calculates he has ‘less than 50/50’ odds of school funding plan succeeding
After announcing a drastic proposal to change the state Constitution to overhaul public school funding, Governor Christie calculated he had “less than 50/50” odds of the plan succeeding. But all odds are against him in the Democratic Legislature, the entry point for his plan if it will get on next year’s ballot.
Dustin Racioppi and Hannan Adley Read more
