Morning News Digest: June 29, 2009

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.

Gov. Jon Corzine is expected to sign $29B N.J. state spending plan

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine today is set to sign a new $29 billion state spebding plan into law. (AP)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/gov_jon_corzine_is_expected_to.html

N.J. state courts are closed due to budget furloughs

State courts will be closed today while Judiciary workers are on furlough. (Fuchs, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/state_courts_are_closed_today.html

Private N.J. inspection-station owners are angry about equipment mandate

Taking your car to a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission inspection station has never been anyone's idea of fun, but now it's not just customers who are complaining. (Teigman, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/private_nj_inspection_stations.html

Recession likely to cause New Jersey workers to forgo paid leave

Heralded as a victory for workers' rights and criticized as a potential drain on businesses, a law making New Jersey the second state in the nation to provide paid leave to care for new children or ailing relatives takes effect Wednesday. (Livio, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/recession_likely_to_cause_new.html

Tinton Falls father speaks out after judge in Brazil rules his son must remain with stepfather

A federal judge in Brazil has ruled that New Jersey resident David Goldman's son Sean must remain with his Brazilian stepfather until a final ruling has been made in the five-year, international custody battle, according to local news reports from Sao Paulo. (Giambusso, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/brazilian_judge_rules_son_of_d.html

o leniency despite plea from Jackson

In three decades as a pastor and, more recently, as influential head of the Black Ministers' Council of New Jersey, the Rev. Reginald T. Jackson has met a lot of good and god-fearing people. (Stile, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergenpolitics/49353977.html

Meadowlands Commission members appointed

A New Jersey Meadowlands Commission seat vacated by Republican chieftain Leonard Kaiser amid a federal investigation was filled as one of a series of appointments made by the state Senate early Friday. (Clunn, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergenpolitics/Meadowlands_Commission_members_appointed.html

NJ bill on autism insurance closer to becoming law

A measure that would expand health insurance coverage for autism and other developmental disabilities in New Jersey may soon become law. (AP)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/njpolitics/NJ_bill_on_autism_insurance_closer_to_becoming_law_.html

Colleges in Gloucester County aim to keep budget cuts outside of the classroom

Pressed to find ways to close funding gaps, two local colleges have focused their efforts in making cuts in areas that don't affect the main reason they exist education. (Beym, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1246252221145490.xml&coll=8

South Harrison Township officials form panel to study agricultural issues

As part of measures to make sure the community here retains as much of its rural character as possible, township leaders here have announced the formation of a board to examine agricultural issues facing the township. (Murray, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1246252217145490.xml&coll=8

Money shift from children's relief fund stirs concern

Gov. Corzine, appearing at a luncheon for the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund one day last week, praised the program and touted his support for it. (Tamari, The Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20090629_Money_shift_from_children_s_relief_fund_stirs_concern.html

Algae-to-ethanol proposal a win-win for Woodbine

To Mayor Bill Pikolycky, Woodbine's old landfill has been a big headache. (Colimore, The Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20090629_Algae-to-ethanol_proposal_a_win-win_for_Woodbine.html

Rowan, Cooper to run new medical school in Camden

A newly established four-year medical school in downtown Camden, jointly run by Rowan University and Cooper University Hospital, will expand both the South Jersey medical community and Camden's educational hub, officials said yesterday. (Katz, The Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20090627_Rowan__Cooper_to_run_new_medical_school_in_Camden.html

County to consolidate assessors, though state may pay the tab

Gloucester County is on the verge of shifting tax assessments from its municipal governments to the county level, following Senate and Assembly votes Thursday that also require the state to pay millions for a county-wide revaluation. (Symons, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20090628/NEWS0301/906280330/-1/NEWS10/County+to+consolidate+assessors++though+state+may+pay+the+tab

Asbury Park to get new mayor, deputy

After eight years, the city will get a new mayor Wednesday when the five sitting City. Council members are sworn into new four-year terms at noon and then vote on who should be their leader. (Shields, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20090629/NEWS/906290315/1004/NEWS01/Asbury+Park+to+get+new+mayor++deputy

Former Atlantic City Council candidate dies at 19

Dafiq Rasheed, 19, who ran for City Council in the city's June 2 Democratic primary, died Saturday, family members said. (Gilfillian, Press of Atlantic City)

Connolly president defends company amid complaints

in Plainfield, state investigations David Connolly's palatial Watchung home sits on a high mountain bluff that overlooks many of the very apartment buildings he owns. (Spivey, Courier News)

http://mycentraljersey.com/article/20090628/NEWS/906280319/Connolly+president+defends+company+amid+complaints+in+Plainfield++state+investigations

Businesses commit to Glassboro

Merchants are committing to space along the $300 million Rowan Boulevard retail corridor, attracted by the community's base of college students, office workers and residents within walking distance. (Smith, Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090629/NEWS01/906290325&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Corzine goes retail at St. Stan's in Sayreville

It looked like rain would obliterate this event the second time the crowd scattered, either for the refuge of the main tent or the parking lot. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/max/31033/corzine-goes-retail-st-stans-sayreville

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.