Morning News Digest: Monday, December 1, 2008

With the PolitickerNJ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of New Jersey's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Corzine goes to video to layout plan

TRENTON - Gov. Corzine has released a video message that explains his proposal to allow local governments to defer half their current pension contributions as a way to avoid steep local property-tax increases. (Associated Press)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081129_Corzine_goes_to_video_to_lay_out_plan.html

To end violence in Newark

Despite a chilling rain, several hundred people marched from City Hall to Lincoln Park in Newark yesterday to denounce crime and violence, and press for change in the state's largest city. (Ralph R. Ortega, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1228109719214210.xml&coll=1

Governors' club: Hard times make good friends

They seem like an unusual pair -- an Illinois farmer's son turned Wall Street titan and a longtime Harlem legislator who has broken barriers for the legally blind. (Claire Heininger, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/122802335268140.xml&coll=1

Corzine makes settlement with Katz relative

To avoid a potentially messy court fight, Gov. Jon Corzine has paid $362,500 to the brother-in-law of labor leader Carla Katz, his former girlfriend. (Josh Margolin, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/corzine_pays_katz_relative_362.html

As Menendez leads Dems charge for Senate seats, could California use up all the money?

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez is wearing a new hat these days. He's replacing New York Sen. Charles Schumer as the leader of the Democratic Party's effort to win more Senate seats. (The Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2008/11/as_menendez_leads_dems_charge.html

Officials certify Burlco, Camco election results

Nearly a month after this fall's historic election, Burlington and Camden counties finally certified official vote totals. Official Gloucester County totals were posted earlier this month. (Deborah Hirsch, The Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081130/NEWS01/811300366

Menendez has big hole to fill

SEN. BOB MENENDEZ'S primary job as the incoming chairman of the Senate Democrats' political arm will be to raise lots of money in a tough economy where the president-elect says he's not going to give lobbyists the usual run of the place. (Herb Jackson, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/Jackson_Capital_Games_for_Nov_30.html

Norcross picks Beach for Adler Senate seat

Camden County Clerk James Beach will replace John Adler in the State Senate, according to a Camden County Democratic source who spoke with George Norcross, the South Jersey Democratic leader who decides who serves in the Legislature.    Beach must still win a special election convention, but he is not expected to face any opposition. (PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/editor/25770/norcross-picks-beach-adler-senate-seat

 

Atlantic City to falter under struggling economy

New Jersey's seaside gambling resorts will likely continue to take a beating through the rest of this year as the economy continues to struggle, experts said.  (Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1228109134175120.xml&coll=8

Cherry Hill goes green to save on taxes

When Cherry Hill sent out its tax bills this summer for the new fiscal year, many property owners went into sticker shock: The municipal-tax portion had gone up 21.5 percent.  (Matt Katz, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081129_Cherry_Hill_goes_green_to_save_on_taxes.html

Dems discuss life after Ferriero

The elected elders of the Bergen County Democratic Organization have started planning for the post-Ferriero era — in secret. (Charles Stile, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/politics/Dems_discuss_what_life_will_be_like_after_Ferriero.html

Did Jersey City mayor have conflict with science center loan?

As Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy pushed for a $2.5 million no-interest loan to bailout the financially faltering Liberty Science Center in recent weeks, he apparently left out a relevant fact as he cultivated support for the idea: He's a member of the center's board of trustees. (Tom Shortell, The Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2008/11/did_jersey_city_mayor_have_con.html

PR exec could receive County Dems blessing for Downtown seat

If Jersey City Ward E Councilman Steve Fulop makes good on his intentions to make a run at the mayor's seat next year, it will create an opening for current Mayor Jerramiah Healy -- who is seeking another term -- to back a candidate for Fulop's vacated seat. (Earl Morgan, The Jersey Journal)

State lawmakers calls for prison probe

TRENTON -- A Monmouth County lawmaker called Friday for legislative hearings into security problems in state prisons identified by the State Commission of Investigation, which says street gangs are thriving in state penitentiaries. (Gannett)

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20081129/NEWS01/811290316

State hospitals struggle with economy

Though health care may be a necessity even in trying times, local hospitals say they are not immune to the strains of the reeling economy. (Ryan Tracy, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-5/12280215439560.xml&coll=5

Corzine helps serve free lunch

TRENTON -- Gov. Jon S. Cor zine helped to hand out food at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen yesterday, but the sight of the state's top elected official caused some locals to ask for more than just a slice of pumpkin pie. (Ryan Tracy, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-5/122793517443890.xml&coll=5

Transportation chief had eventful tenure

Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri leaves his post to oversee the state's Schools Development Authority on Monday. He leaves a legacy of tackling the growing list of deteriorating roads and bridges and having been the point man to help the governor sell his plan to "monetize" the state's toll roads and the latest toll hike. (Larry Higgs, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20081130/NEWS/811300366&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

With the PolitickerNJ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of New Jersey's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.