Norcross backs Barbara, bashes Codey

South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross today weighed in on his party's search for a gubernatorial candidate, saying the party should rally around state Sen. Barbara Buono and questioning whether Sen. Dick Codey has the guts to run.

(Darryl Isherwood; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/62424/norcross-back...

In pursuit of Stack’s affections, Bhalla tweets outrage at Trenton Democrats

Pursuing an assembly seat on the LD 33 Stack ticket, Hoboken Councilman Ravi Bhalla bashed establishment Democrats today in a series of tweets targeting the majority party’s treatment of Asian-American minorities.

(Max Pizarro; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/62423/pursuit-stack...

Sandy aid bill shed $400M in pork, Christie says

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP – Gov. Chris Christie said the latest Superstorm Sandy aid relief package that was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives shed roughly $400 million in pork spending.

(Matthew Arco; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/62422/sandy-aid-bil...

In Marlboro, Mazzola switches parties to run with Hornik’s Democratic team

Marlboro Councilwoman Carol Mazzola today joined the Democratic Party and will run for re-election with the Marlboro Democratic team this fall, Municipal Chairman Frank LaRocca announced.

(Max Pizarro; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/62421/marlboro-mazz...

NJ needs to examine violence control’ in wake of Conn. Shootings, Christie says

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP – Gov. Chris Christie announced plans Wednesday to respond in the coming days to the Newtown, Conn., shooting.

(Matthew Arco; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/62416/nj-needs-exam...

Christie campaign good deeds not returned in Sandy vote

When Gov. Chris Christie traversed the country last year campaigning for a host of Republican office-seekers, there's no way he could have anticipated that Superstorm Sandy would very soon trash the state of New Jersey.

(Darryl Isherwood; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/62411/christie-camp...

Latest from State Street Wire

Oliver: Obama’s gun control measures ‘common sense’ approach

TRENTON - Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver today called President Obama’s proposed assault weapons ban a common-sense approach in the wake of the Connecticut shootings.

(State Street Wire staff)

http://www.politickernj.com/62418/oliver-obamas...

Red-light camera bills up for discussion

TRENTON – The contentious issue of red-light cameras – safety enhancements or revenue generators (or both?) – will be up for discussion-only in three bills before the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee Thursday.

(Bill Mooney; State Street Wire)

http://www.politickernj.com/62413/red-light-cam...

Sarlo bill seeks to address Medicaid funding concerns

TRENTON - A bill has been introduced that would enable cities and counties to charge hospitals fees to raise more revenues for themselves and for the state’s share of Medicaid funding.

(Minhaj Hassan; State Street Wire)

http://www.politickernj.com/62412/sarlo-bill-se...

OLS: 12.7 percent revenue jump needed to meet fiscal year targets

TRENTON – The Office of Legislative Services said the state will need revenue increases of about 12.7 percent in order to achieve the year-end targets for fiscal year 2013.

(Politicker Staff)

http://www.politickernj.com/62397/ols-127-reven...

From the Back Room

Bergen exec Donovan goes with Conner, Strong and Buckalew insurance firm

Republican Bergen County Executive Kathe Donovan this year switched county insurance companies from Brown and Brown to Conner, Strong and Buckalew.

(Max Pizarro; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/bergen-ex...

Women’s political caucus of NJ backs Buono for governor

The Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey today endorsed state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-18) for governor.

(Max Pizarro; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/womens-po...

Source: Whelan running again in LD 2

A source told PolickerNJ.com that state Sen. Jim Whelan (D-2) intends to run again.

(Max Pizarro; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/source-wh...

Gov. Christie’s 100^th town hall focuses on the anguish of Sandy recovery

MANAHAWKIN — Buoyed by the knowledge that billions of dollars in Hurricane Sandy aid had cleared the tight-fisted House of Representatives, Gov. Chris Christie said today that the rebuilding could soon begin in earnest.

(Jenna Portnoy; PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/01/go...

NJ state Police detective charged with drunken driving after crash

TRENTON — A State Police detective has been charged with drunken driving after he drove his vehicle off a road in Chatham Borough, crashed through a concrete wall and came to rest on top of a large rock, The Star-Ledger has learned.

(Christopher Baxter; The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/01/nj...

Chris Christie to announce post-Hurricane Sandy building standards

MANAHAWKIN — Gov. Chris Christie today said that he will announce new post-Sandy building standards next week, and committed to building engineered dunes from Sandy Hook to Cape May.

(Jenna Portnoy; the Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/01/go...

Overflow Jersey Shore crowd looks to Christie for some help

STAFFORD — A Beach Haven West woman says her insurance company is shortchanging her. A real estate agent wants to know when the state will set standards for rebuilding. A Little Egg Harbor woman needs to replace a broken bulkhead but says she can’t afford it.

(Melissa Hayes; The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/Overflow_...

Obama gun plan offers hope for curbing gun traffic

Gun-control advocates in New Jersey, which has some of the strictest firearms restrictions in the nation, said the far-reaching proposals to curtail gun violence that President Obama announced Wednesday could make the state safer by promoting a crackdown on the illegal trafficking of deadly weapons.

(Abbott Koloff; The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/nation...

Bergen County exec Donovan unveils $505 million budget that would raise county taxes

Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan proposed a $505 million budget for 2013 on Wednesday that includes millions to operate the new juvenile detention center, more money for Bergen Community College and a $1.4 million payment toward improvements made at Overpeck County Park.

(John Ensslin; The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/Bergen_exec_Don...