Morning News Digest: February 10, 2012

By Missy Rebovich

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Hambel: a team player wouldn’t challenge now

On the same day she received a challenge from Kelly Ann Hart, Sussex County GOP Chair Ailish Hambel said she is prepared to fend her off and secure another term. 

"I am very much running again," Hambel told PolitickerNJ.com. "It is my intent to be selected as chairman. I am absolutely running."  

Hambel assumed the chairmanship nearly three years ago when Richard Zeoli left the job to successfully pursue a seat on the freeholder board.  (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/54720/hamlin-team-p...

 

 

Christie submits nominations, including two ethics panel appointments

Governor Chris Christie filed the following direct appointments with the Secretary of State’s Office.  (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/54713/christie-subm...

 

 

Kyrillos engages Menendez on healthcare

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and state Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-13) today engaged in the first big conflagration of their fledgling statewide contest on the issue of healthcare.

A week after he launched his U.S. Senate bid, Kyrillos went on offense, urging the Obama Administration to reverse course on requiring Catholic hospitals to include contraception in staff insurance packages.  (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/54707/kyrillos-enga...

 

 

Elizabeth BOE report unleashes political combatants

A report issued today by former Justice Gary Stein of Pashman Stein on the ethical condition of the embattled Elizabeth Board of Education provided an opportunity for two warring wharf front factions to don their battle gear and clank away.

For the Board of Ed, the document arrives with the imprimatur of unimpeachable truth, as the overseer of the Board review effort is a former state Supreme Court judge.  (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/54704/elizabeth-boe...

 

 

Christie surprised by Romney’s Colorado loss, wants GOP gubernatorial wins in North Carolina and New Hampshire

Gov. Chris Christie said he was not surprised that Mitt Romney lost three primaries this week, other than the loss in Colorado.

“Like I said all along, this is going to be a long process,” Christie said. “I was a little bit surprised at Colorado…That doesn’t shake my confidence.”

Even so, he said he expects Romney to be the Republican candidate at the convention in Tampa in August.  (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/54691/christie-surp...

 

 

More than $100M of Christie’s would-be Medicaid savings in jeopardy

Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to spend $300 million less on Medicaid this year has hit a snag with the federal government that jeopardizes about $107 million of the savings he anticipated in the current state budget.

But if the governor has another move, his administration declined to share it Thursday with Democratic lawmakers who had planned to hold a public hearing on the matter.

Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) said he suspects the administration’s plan B is to propose deeper cuts that could hurt the 1.25 million poor and disabled people who rely on Medicaid for health care, housing, and other services. Prieto said that by now — seven months into the fiscal year — the state should have some answers.  (Livio, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/more_t...

 

 

The Christie pining resumes

Jon Ward accurately captures the growing concerns within the party about the weakness of the GOP field, and fears it could be another long four years, unless a late entrant jumps in, quoting what he describes as an elder statesman:

“He identified New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as the one potential candidate who could possibly overcome the fact that a brokered convention -- where the party's delegates would decide in August who the nominee would be -- would in many ways be the ultimate back-room deal, flying in the face of the entire Tea Party ethos…”(Haberman, Politico)

http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/20...

 

 

Christie taps security director

Gov. Chris Christie appointed Edward Dickson, a former FBI official with whom he worked during his days as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, as director of the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Thursday.

Since 2008, Dickson has been director of investigations in the internal security department at the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., a Wall Street financial services company that settles most stock, bond and derivative transactions in the United States.

Dickson worked in the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1983 to 2008. He was assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Newark division between 2001 and 2004, a stint that coincided with the first three of Christie’s seven years as U.S. Attorney. The governor said that period included “some of the most tense and difficult times that this region’s ever seen” after the 2001 terrorist attacks.  (Symons, Gannett)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/201202...

 

 

Obama relieves New Jersey of No Child Left Behind education standards

President Barack Obama on Thursday declared that New Jersey and nine other states are free from the federal No Child Left Behind education law, allowing them to avoid some of the more unpopular and rigorous mandates.

In exchange, New Jersey and the other states are promising higher standards and more inventive ways to measure what students are learning.

At the White House, Obama said he acted because the Republican-controlled Congress had failed to update the law despite widespread agreement it needs to be fixed.

"We've offered every state the same deal," the president said. "If you're willing to set higher, more honest standards than the one ones that were set by No Child Left Behind, then we're going to give you the flexibility to meet those standards."  (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/obama-re...

 

 

A look at what federal waiver could mean in NJ

The federal government announced Thursday that New Jersey and 10 other states are receiving exemptions from the federal No Child Left Behind education law. The states have proposed other changes designed to improve their schools. Several of the measures are already happening or were being planned before the state applied for the waiver.  (Associated Press)

http://www.app.com/usatoday/article/38538757?od...

 

 

Sen. Bateman proposes bill to let voters decide if N.J. should legalize same-sex marriage

Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset) announced Thursday that he has introduced a resolution that would, if approved by the Legislature and voters would amend the state Constitution to permit same-sex marriage in New Jersey.

The resolution (SCR-88) is supported by Gov. Chris Christie but opposed by the Democrats who control the Legislature. Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) has declared the type of legislation proposed by Bateman will not be considered.

Instead, the Democrats are preparing to approve legislation next week that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. Christie has stated he will not approve the measure.  (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/sen-bate...

 

 

Money issues in gay marriage fight

Advocates heading into an 11th-hour push to legalize gay marriage in New Jersey are facing a vastly altered fund-raising landscape since their original unsuccessful effort in 2009.

This time, gay-rights supporters have more political support but less money on hand. One powerful group, the Gill Action Fund, isn't directly giving money in New Jersey this time around, after having raised $1 million for the 2009 effort, according to people familiar with their spending.  (Haddon, The Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240529702...

 

 

Proposed ban on credit checks in hiring meets resistance from employers

A proposed ban on employers checking the credit records of current or prospective employees met broad resistance from a range of employer groups today.

The Senate Labor Committee advanced a bill, S-455, that would bar the practice, with exemptions if credit history is required as a qualification for a job, such as a financial management position.

Stefanie Riehl, an assistant vice president with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, said the Legislature should wait until the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issues a decision regarding credit checks, which it has been reviewing since 2010.  (Kitcheman, NJBIZ)

http://www.njbiz.com/article/20120209/NJBIZ01/1...

 

 

Fraud crackdown helps N.J. cut unemployment tab

The state has shaved tens of millions of dollars off its unemployment insurance tab to the federal government because of a crackdown on fraud.

The Department of Labor said it’s nabbing each week an average of 2,000 people who return to work but continue to collect benefits. The anti-fraud initiative is expected to save more than $100 million in its first year. Some $60 million in savings had been realized by Dec. 31.

“The program involves tapping the resources of the state and national New Hire databases and cross-matching the names of people getting jobs to our unemployment insurance rolls,” Labor Deputy Commissioner Aaron Fichtner said.  (Delli Santi, Associated Press)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/201202...

 

 

Labor Department: Unemployment insurance fund will be solvent before 2014

State Department of Labor and Workforce Development officials updated the Senate Labor Committee on the status of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund earlier today.

The fund, which peaked at $2.1 billion in loans to the federal government, is scheduled to become solvent again by the end of 2013, officials said.

Labor has imposed new regulations regarding workers who were fired for misconduct that have saved the state roughly $85 million, while an antifraud program is expected to save $100 million by March, according to deputy Commissioner Aaron Fichtner.  (Kitchenman, NJBIZ)

http://www.njbiz.com/article/20120209/NJBIZ01/1...

 

 

New Jersey takes home $838 million from foreclosure settlement

New Jersey and residents damaged by the foreclosure crisis would receive an estimated $838 million from a $26 billion national settlement among the states and five major lenders.

But the individual amounts will be pennies on the dollars -- at most.

The largest chunk would be a projected $660 million for embattled homeowners trying to stave off foreclosure by one of the five big banks: Ally Financial (the former GMAC), Bank of America, Citibank, JP Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.

New Jersey's total is the seventh highest amount among participating states, according to figures released by state Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa. The amount could grow if other lenders sign onto the settlement.  (Tyrrell, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0210/0015/

 

 

Wired MD: NJ plugs into funding to digitize patient records

New Jersey announced a milestone Thursday in the long journey to convert the state’s hospitals and physicians to electronic medical records: Nearly $40 million in federal incentive funds is flowing this week from Medicaid to the first 70 healthcare providers in New Jersey to go digital.

Over the next decade, state officials estimated that 3,000 providers would receive up to $500 million in Medicaid incentive payments to help defray the cost of installing the computers and software that will maintain patient records -- prescription medications, lab tests, exams, surgery -- in digital files that ultimately will be accessible via the Internet, anywhere in the world.  (Fitzgerald, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0210/0029/

 

 

Port Authority promises reforms, but no rollback in toll hikes

It was a meeting of mea culpas and promises of reform, but few specifics were offered when the Port Authority board of commissioners met for the first time Thursday following a scathing audit report accusing the authority of wasting billions of dollars.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman David Sampson took some time to address the first phase of the interim audit report and said senior management has been asked to provide “specific proposals on specific issues raised in the Navigant report.”  (Higgs, Gannett)
http://www.app.com/article/20120209/NJNEWS/3020...

 

 

Revenue numbers may show if AC is back in black

Is Atlantic City really starting a hot streak, or was the surprise uptick in revenue in December just a blip on the radar?

Revenue figures for a warmer-than-usual January will tell the story.

The state Division of Gaming Enforcement is scheduled to release the January numbers on Friday afternoon.

An increase in December marked the first month in 3 years that revenues at Atlantic City's 11 casinos actually increased.  (Parry, Associated Press)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/usatoday/artic...

 

 

Sen. Menendez responds to call to ‘take stand’ on Obama’s contraceptive mandate

State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos today needled U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez over President Obama’s new policy that would require employers — including religious schools and hospitals — to provide health plans with free contraceptives for workers.

Kyrillos (R-Monmouth), who is running for the GOP nomination to challenge Menendez in November, called the measure a “shocking assault on the religious freedom” and challenged Menendez to take a stand on it.  (Friedman, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/us_sen...

 

 

Senator Menendez bill would keep people in their homes

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development, today introduced an innovative bill to keep families in their homes, despite their mortgage being worth more than their home.

“Unfortunately, far too many New Jerseyans are underwater on their mortgages and are all too familiar with the burden this brings. When you owe more than your house is worth through no fault of your own, relief can be hard to come by. More and more people are choosing to walk away, since they feel that’s their only viable option, which only exacerbates the problem,” Senator Menendez said. “My bill aims to break this cycle and give homeowners the relief they are looking for by working with banks to find acceptable solutions for everyone.”  (Staff, Gannett)

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20120209...

 

 

Rothman introduces measure honoring Giants

Reps. Steve Rothman and Bill Pascrell aren’t ending their battle against each other to stay in Congress, but Pascrell did sign on as a cosponsor to a Rothman resolution commending the Giants for their Super Bowl victory.

Only it won’t come up for a vote in this Congress.

The Senate on Tuesday gave unanimous consent to a Giants resolution sponsored by the senators from New Jersey and New York. That same day , Pascrell put a statement in the Congressional Record honoring Paterson native Victor Cruz for his outstanding performance as a record-setting Giants wide receiver.  (Jackson, The Record)
http://blog.northjersey.com/thesource/2238/roth...

 

 

LLC revisions under review in Trenton, while fracking prohibition advances

The largest overhaul of state laws overseeing limited liability corporations could advance today, while another bill banning hydraulic fracturing in the state did advance.

The Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled to discuss the LLC bill, S-742/A-1543, which takes into account nearly two decades of experience with LLCs since the first state law overseeing them was passed in 1993.

The corporations allow partners to report business income as personal income, while offering corporate-style liability protections for their partners.  (Kitchenman, NJBIZ)

http://www.njbiz.com/article/20120209/NJBIZ01/1...

 

 

Beit credits EDA, Urban Transit Hub incentive at Newark groundbreaking

There was no shortage of accolades for developer Ron Beit at a groundbreaking ceremony held today for the mixed-use Teachers Village project, in Newark. But only one of the compliments involved comparisons to both sled racing and a musical icon.

"(Beit is) the Alaskan husky dog of developers, the hardest-working man in all of development," Newark Mayor Cory Booker told attendees before turning to Beit himself. "Yes, I did say it — you are the James Brown of development."  (Burd, NJBIZ)

http://www.njbiz.com/article/20120209/NJBIZ01/1...

 

 

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Cerf interview, Wilson clemency on Senate Judiciary agenda next week

The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled an interview next Thursday with Christopher Cerf to be the Education Commissioner.

Cerf, who has carried the “acting’’ title since he was named to the post by Gov. Chris Christie in January 2011, was blocked from a Judiciary interview by the practice known as senatorial courtesy.  (Mooney, State Street Wire)

http://www.politickernj.com/54721/cerf-intervie...

 

 

Bill to require police notification over mental screening charges advances

The Senate Health Committee released bill S67, which would require formal notification to police about individuals who have been discharged from mental screening services for evaluation and assessment for mental health services.

Police must complete a Human Services Department form when they bring a person to a screening service that provides details on the person's charge and other information which is clinically and administratively relevant.  (Hassan, State Street Wire)

http://www.politickernj.com/54719/bill-require-...

 

 

Bill to ban genital mutilation of girls advances

The Senate Health Committee unanimously released bill S1171, which would prohibit the practice of genital mutilation on girls under age 18.

Officials estimate that more than 228,000 females nationwide are at risk from the mutilation.

The League of American Families opposed the bill because it makes exceptions for the practice for religious reasons, which can be constitutionally challenged.  (Hassan, State Street Wire)

http://www.politickernj.com/54718/bill-ban-geni...

 

 

Assorted Christie: Fracking, Amazon, and foreclosure settlement

Covering a wide range of topics in his press conference today, Gov. Chris Christie spoke in short on a possible fracking ban, the prospects of Amazon.com opening two warehouses in-state, and the state’s entrance into a $25 billion state-and-federal settlement over alleged foreclosure abuses.  (Carroll, State Street Wire)

http://www.politickernj.com/54715/assorted-chri...

 

 

From the Back Room

 

 

Inky Guild goes on offense after story tampering

Jim Romenesko reports that the Newspaper Guild representing employees at the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Daily News filed a grievance with the Philadelphia Media Network over removal of material from stories without the authors’ knowledge, a contract violation.

One of the stories in question concerned interest by a group including former Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell and South Jersey Democratic leader George Norcross III in purchasing the Inky and the Daily News.  (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/inky-guil...

 

 

New Jersey lawmakers among largest beneficiaries of Wall Street cash

Three New Jersey lawmakers were among the nation’s highest recipients of campaign donations from members of the financial services industry, according to federal campaign figures compiled in the wake of the passage of the STOCK Act prohibiting members of Congress from insider trading.

Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, a co-sponsor of the act, which passed in the Senate last week and in the House earlier today, was 18th among all senators, receiving a total of $702,258 between 2005 and last year.  Sen. Frank Lautenberg, another co-sponsor of the bill, was 25th among all senators with a total haul of $538,533 from members of the securities and investment industry.  (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/new-jerse...

 

 

Christie on the possibility of Inky takeover

What is Gov. Chris Christie’s take on the group that includes George Norcross purchasing the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News?

“That would certainly be interesting,” a giggling Christie said. “I would love to have Norcross be (Inquirer scribe Matt) Katz’s new boss. Norcross and Katz: perfect together.”

Media concern has increased over the sale and how the news group is handling coverage of its own sale, with a newspaper guild grievance filed over a website story about a second bidder that was pulled without alerting the writer.  (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/christie-...

 

 

Opinion

 

 

Life’s not fair, and neither is Christie

Governor Christie wants Vincent Giordano, the executive director of the New Jersey Education Association, to quit or be fired for saying, “Life’s not always fair, and I’m sorry about that” on the NJTV public affairs program, “New Jersey Capitol Report.” Giordano was responding to a question regarding urban schoolchildren who may not have access to private or charter schools.

Christie said, “I cannot express how disgusted I am by that statement by the head of the largest teachers union in our state.” Let’s get real. Chris Christie criticizing a public figure for injudicious speaking is like Paula Deen holding a lecture on low-fat cooking.  (Doblin, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/columnists/doblin/do...

 

 

Anti-bullying law needs to feel the love

Next Tuesday is Valentine's Day, or so my significant other has reminded me. It's not something I would have known otherwise, given that there's been so little snow on the ground, and so little chill in the air. And given that Valentine's Day has never been one of my favorites.

You might not be surprised to learn that, down in the grades, I didn't have lots of girlfriends.  (Lowry, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/lowry/...

 

 

Wine, beer belong on same shelf

We figure the wine people are going to have a serious hangover to put behind them once the euphoria of getting their direct shipping bill signed into law has subsided. 

If they'd invite us to the party, we'd be happy to drink to their success and hopes for growing the industry in the Garden State, but we'd also insist on a toast to their brewery brothers, who are now trying to get legislation passed to loosen some of the shackles on beer sales.

The wine bill, which Chris Christie signed into law last month, opened up new sales channels for the state's wineries, but brewers are bitter that they've been left on the shelf, and are now bellying up to the bar with legislation of their own.  (NJBIZ)

http://www.njbiz.com/article/20120206/NJBIZ01/1...