Morning News Digest: Monday, November 10, 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.

STATE GOVERNMENT
State debt grew 7% despite Corzine's push to cut back

New Jersey taxpayers' state debt grew by $2.1 billion in the last fiscal year despite calls by Gov. Corzine to rein in borrowing. (Jonathan Tamari, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081108_N_J__debt_grew_7__despite_Corzine_s_push_to_cut_back.html

N.J. expects more aid once Obama takes office

While President-elect Barack Obama said in his victory speech Tuesday that some of the changes he promised will take time, New Jersey Democrats expect a lot to happen quickly. (Herb Jackson, The Bergen Record)

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

Two Democrats named as possible replacements for Adler

An assemblywoman from Cherry Hill and a labor leader who heads the Camden County Democrats are leading candidates to replace John Adler in the state Senate, according to two state-level Democrats with knowledge of the party's inner workings. (Jonathan Tamari, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081108_Two_Democrats_named_as_possible_replacements_for_Adler.html

Pennacchio: GOP had no direction in '08

State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville) says that Republicans find themselves with "no message, no money and no direction" going into the 2009 gubernatorial election. (PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/25286/pennacchio-gop-had-no-direction-08-campaign

STEVE LIPSKI
Lipski is No. 1 threat at Washington club

A drunken Jersey City councilman was arrested for urinating on a crowd of concertgoers from the balcony of a Washington nightclub, police and club sources said Saturday. (Rich Shapiro, New York Daily News)

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/11/08/2008-11-08_jersey_city_councilman_steven_lipski_is_.html

THE PRESIDENCY
Princeton panel looks to what lies ahead for Obama

Though acknowledging the historic achievement of President-elect Barack Obama, a panel at Princeton University warned that tremendous challenges remain for race relations, and domestic and foreign policy matters. (Naomi Nix, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-15/122620715337800.xml&coll=5

5th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
5th District again proves impossible for Dems

After blind rabbi/psychologist Dennis Shulman’s impressing fundraising, extensive press coverage and a Democratic wave, U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) still managed to easily hold on to his seat on Tuesday. (PolitickerNJ.com)

http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/25292/5th-district-again-proves-impossible-dems

JIM SAXTON
Saxton leaves Congress with one regret

Twenty-four years and only one regret. Republican Congressman Jim Saxton isn't one to look in hindsight and agonize over what could've been different. (Lisa Rich, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1226293560181190.xml&coll=5

MONMOUTH COUNTY
County jobs at stake if Mallet wins

If Democrats take control of the Monmouth County freeholder board for the first time in 23 years, a handful of well-paying county government jobs will be up for grabs, and party ties will play a role in which people get some of those jobs, according to party and government officials. (Bob Jordan, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20081110/NEWS/811100321

BERGEN COUNTY
Stile: Dems' campaign go-to guy is gone

Bill Maer is stepping down as consultant and spokesman for the Bergen County Democratic Organization to focus on his day job as a Trenton lobbyist. (Charles Stlle, The Bergen Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/politics/Dems_campaign_go-to_guy_is_gone.html

GLOUCESTER COUNTY
County GOP still hopeful

Republican leaders in Gloucester County were certain that at least one freeholder candidate would end the decade-long Democratic stronghold here. (Pete McCarthy, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1226214047227540.xml&coll=8

HUDSON COUNTY
Will state delays mayors' oaths?

Mayors-elect Mark Smith and Gerard Drasheff have made plans to be sworn in Monday night, but there is a chance the state may postpone their celebrations until the end of the week, county officials said yesterday. (Ronald Leir, The Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/bayonne/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1226129156293070.xml&coll=3

OTHER NEWS
Mummers feel the budget pinch

Frank Passio was chatting up a new Mummers campaign yesterday that will promote the one-of-a-kind New Year's Day parade with banners hung across Center City.  (Edward Colimore, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20081108_Mummers_feel_the_budget_pinch.html

More aid for newest vets

One signal of that is the popularity of the new GI Bill, despite congressional skepticism about its long-term costs and some hardheaded warnings that offers to pay full college tuition will make it harder to keep experienced soldiers. Known as the Webb-Hagel bill after its sponsors — Sens. James Webb, D-Va., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. — the law establishes a minimum benefit for veterans who served at least 90 days in the military on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and full tuition at public universities and colleges for those with at least three years in uniform. (Kirk Moore, Asburk Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20081110/NEWS/811100319

Shiloh mayor upset with postmaster

SHILOH -- It has never been a hassle to residents of this little borough to get their mail, they say. Some have their mail delivered to their homes. (Joe Green, Bridgeton News)

http://www.nj.com/bridgeton/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1226293818197370.xml&coll=10

Survey: Not enough stuff to do in M'ville

MILLVILLE -- Some of the Glasstown Arts District's most dedicated patrons say the city's downtown needs more attractions, consistent store hours, increased dining options and a more efficient advertising strategy, according to a new survey. (Joel Landau, The Daily Journal)

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20081110/NEWS01/811100325

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.