State employees tasked with monitoring New Jersey's medical marijuana program, as well as the licensed dispensaries of the drug could face prosecution under federal law, according to a recent letter issued by U.S. Attorneys in Washington State.

The letter, which was written by the U.S. Attorneys after consultation with Attorney General Eric Holder, responds to a request from the Governor of Washington for a blessing of that state’s medical marijuana program.

But instead the U.S. Attorneys lay out in no uncertain terms that the use and distribution of marijuana is a violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act and “as such growing, possessing and distributing marijuana in any capacity other than as part of a federally authorized research program is a violation of federal law regardless of state laws permitting such activities.”

State Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff Friday told New Jersey Chamber of Commerce members that the millionaire’s tax proposed by Democrats will not receive the governor’s signature.

The treasurer called the tax “an excellent strategy for losing jobs and talent.”

Former Rutgers Vice President for Public Affairs Jeannine LaRue has signed on to work at lobbying firm Kaufman Zita Group.

LaRue, who retired last month from her post at Rutgers, will be a Senior Vice President at the Princeton-based lobbying firm.

LaRue is a former Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Jon Corzine.  Prior to that she served 10 years as Sr. Vice President of Governmental Affairs for St. Barnabas Health Care system.

Kaufman Zita is run by principals Adam Kaufman and Patrizia Zita.  Former Republican State Chairman Tom Wilson is a partner at the firm.

Recent reports out of the Election Law Enforcement Commission show that over the past four years, Democratic fundraising totals have plummeted more than 50 percent, while the GOP has seen a remarkable uptick.

A number of factors have contributed to the Democratic slide, including new pay to play rules, a surge in GOP popularity and the recession, which curtailed political giving at all levels.

But in New Jersey, there is an X factor that has played a marked role in the drop in Democratic fundraising - the disappearance of Jon Corzine.

For the last decade, the former New Jersey governor was perhaps the largest individual benefactor of the Democratic cause beginning with his days as chairman of Goldman Sachs and continuing during his single term in the U.S. Senate, and, sadly for Democrats, coming to an abrupt halt with his loss to Gov. Chris Christie in 2009.

In case you're the only one in the state who hasn't read The Star Ledger today.

On his visit last year, the president shook a soiled hand

Former Gov. Jon Corzine was spotted by one of our astute readers recently at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA.

Unanimously re-elected Middlesex County Democratic Chairman on Tuesday night, Joe Spiccuzo anticipates that GOP chest-thumping in the historically Democratic county will subside after the November election.  

"Middlesex is going to be more Democratic than usual," the party chairman told PolitickerNJ.com, acknowledging last year's Chris Christie victory over Jon Corzine on Spicuzzo's home turf. "Don't take this Corzine race as a weakening of the Democratic Party in Middlesex. That was an altogether different situation than what's going on now."

Spicuzzo said he thinks Christie's budget cuts will boomerang badly on the Republican governor. 

"Yes, of course I see the 14th District Senate race as a referendum on Christie, just as the county races and congressional races will all be referendums on Christie," added the chairman. "State government is being run by a bully right now, and there's going to come a time when people will say what they think about him taking away rebates for senior citizens and cutting school aid. Certainly, taxes are going to have to go up as a consequence of his state cuts. Chris Christie's talking a good game but people are going to pay the price, and make Republicans pay in November."

A Democrat in Spicuzzo's stable evidently doesn't agree, as Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz welcomed the governor to her city this week to underscore her support for his 2.5% spending cap.

"I disagreed with Wilda's position but she did say we have to respect the office of the governor - I agree with that but I disagree with her position," the chairman said.

ELIZABETH - Having come through arguably his toughest political fight this week and lost, Rafael Fajardo tonight plans to announce his resignation from the Elizabeth Board of Education, where he served for 17 consecutive years. 

"I have been blessed by God and the people of Elizabeth," Fajardo told PolitickerNJ.com. "There is no more noble service than to sit on a Board of Education and serve the children.

"No doubt about it," he added, "my doctor wants me to slow down."

Running against the Democratic Party establishment, the former president of the Board of Ed and political organizer who built up a 9-0 control of the board, couldn't crack open the wards on Tuesday night.

Most of his City Council candidates ran close races, but ultimately went 1-5 against councill members allied with Mayor Chris Bollwage and state Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Elizabeth).

There was Democratic Party payback in evidence during the campaign.

Registered D's, Fajardo and his Board of Education allies endorsed Republican Gov. Chris Christie over Jon Corzine in last year's election.

TRENTON - The statewide logo premiere of Sen. Barbara Buono appeared headed for lawn signs and placards dominated by the name of one Jon Corzine, but when the doomed Democratic governor chose Sen. Loretta Weinberg over Buono to serve as his running mate last year, Buono prepped another battle plan.
 
Since repackaging herself as the Senate Majority Leader-elect and then Majority Leader, Buono has steadily fortified her rep as a progressive legislator, with early notable emphasis on the environment, gay rights, and government transparency.   

Having already launched her own website, she announced her plans this weekend for a "forward-thinking conversation on how we can pursue a progressive agenda for New Jersey," scheduled for later this month.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Buono told PolitickerNJ.com. "That's what happens to a mother when her children fly the coop."
 
Buono's emergence as a darling of the opposition - not only to Gov. Chris Christie but to the soft center of her own party -assumed a bigger spotlight with the marriage equality vote during last year's lame duck session. 

While Senate President-elect Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) declared his resistance to the gay marriage measure on grounds that the legislature needed to focus on jobs and the economy, Buono championed the cause.

She was one of 13 Democrats to vote for the bill, a show of support celebrated by Steve Goldstein, chair and founder of Garden State Equality.

Sweeney, himself a prospective candidate for governor in 2013, later voiced his regret at not backing the bill.