TRENTON – Gov. Chris Christie passed bills involving a benefits for spouses of deceased fire and police personnel, liquor licenses, and patient transfers, and vetoed a bill involving issuance of marriage licenses.

The union battling to prevent the state from privatizing parts of the Lottery operation suffered a setback in court today.

Superior Court issued a ruling denying the Communications Workers of America’s bid to stay the implementation of the contract being awarded to the private company the state hired.  The court said the CWA had not shown there would be irreparable harm.

TRENTON – Several companies have agreed to pay the state $130 million to settle some of the claims involving Passaic River contamination, the state announced Tuesday.

Companies including Spain-based Repsol, Argentina-based YPF, as well as other holding  and energy companies agreed to the settlement, according to the Attorney General and the Department of Environmental Protection.

TRENTON – The state Supreme Court reported today it will not consider the attempt by thoroughbred breeders to overturn a veto by Gov. Chris Christie in which he rejected an attempt to approve $15 million in subsidies to augment horse racing purses.

Christie at the time said it was in opposition to his determination that the industry should be self-sustaining.