Morning News Digest: July 3, 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.

School voucher advocates rally in Newark for parental choice

A group of educational activists called the state's urban public schools inadequate today and urged legislators to give parents more options. (Mascarenhas, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/school_voucher_advocates_rally.html

Gov. Corzine signs N.J. law allowing developers to challenge age-restricted housing designations

Gov. Jon Corzine today signed a bill that allows developers to challenge towns over the age-restricted status of pending developments. (Fleisher, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/business/nj-real-estate/index.ssf/2009/07/corzine_signs_senior_housing_b.html

Gov. Corzine names acting head of Motor Vehicle Commission

Governor Jon Corzine today named Shawn Sheekey as acting administrator of the state Motor Vehicles Commission. (Megerian, The Sat-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/07/gov_corzines_names_acting_head.html

Gov. Corzine joins legal fight to overturn federal ban on sports betting

Gov. Jon Corzine has formally joined the legal effort to overturn a federal ban on sports betting in New Jersey and 45 other states. (Megerian, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/gov_corzine_joins_legal_fight.html

N.J. lawmakers approve bill requiring 'Made in the U.S.A.' flags only

When it comes to buying United States and New Jersey flags, Garden State lawmakers say "Made in the USA" is the only way. (AP)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/nj_lawmakers_approve_bill_requ.html

City Council fails to elect leader

The City Council deadlocked on its vote to elect a council president Wednesday, angering members of the public who contend city officials can't work together. (Mandell, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/passaicpolitics/49658352.html

Devils cite seat problems at arena

"A substantial portion of the seating" at the two-year-old Prudential Center in Newark fails to meet specifications, the Devils say in response to the seating manufacturer's bid claim that it is owed $1.2 million. (Brennan, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/njpolitics/49791067.html

DRBA sets deputy director's salary

Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor will make $160,000 a year in his new job as deputy executive director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority. (Graber, Gloucester County Times)

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-12/124659511064210.xml&coll=8

Notice filed against facility

A 92-year-old World War II veteran living at the Shady Lane Nursing Home claims he was assaulted last month by a nurse's aide. (McCarthy, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-4/124659511464210.xml&coll=8

2 South Jersey parishes to merge next month

The parishes of St. Mary in Williamstown and St. John Neumann in Sicklerville will merge and a newly formed parish, named Our Lady of Peace, will be established on Aug. 5. The change, announced by Bishop Joseph Galante, will be made in a formal decree, which will be published in today's edition of the Catholic Star Herald, the diocesan newspaper. (The Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20090703_2_South_Jersey_parishes_to_merge_next_month.html

N.J. gubernatorial candidate touts change

Chris Daggett hopped off the River Line in Burlington City yesterday looking for votes in his independent campaign for governor, and ready to listen to what people had on their minds. (Burton, The Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20090703_N_J__gubernatorial_candidate_touts_change.html

Vandals hit Democrats' cars in Delco

Marple Township police in Delaware County are looking for vandals who have poured paint over the cars of Democratic commissioners on several occasions, the latest occurring Wednesday. (The Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20090703_Vandals_hit_Democrats__cars_in_Delco.html?cmpid=41144277

State challenges McGuire defense

The bullets used to kill William McGuire in his Woodbridge apartment in 2004 likely came from the gun purchased by his wife, Melanie McGuire, formerly of Brick, according to a fresh argument made by the state Thursday. (Malwitz, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20090702/NEWS/90702130/-1/NEWS10/State+challenges+McGuire+defense

Back to the boardwalks, a visit to Keansburg

You pace the boardwalk's wooden planks, your steps in time with crashing waves, and the rest of the world is washed away by the spectacle of it all. (Velucci, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20090702/NEWS/90702080/-1/NEWS10/Back+to+the+boardwalks++a+visit+to+Keansburg

Atlantic City casinos swell employment ranks by 800 in June

The job losses that have plagued the resort's casino industry were less severe in June for the first time in nine months. (Ortiz, Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic_city/article_bfe1a860-6772-11de-8858-001cc4c03286.html

Library awarded $20,000 contract

The East Brunswick Public Library, in partnership with the township’s Office on Aging, is the recipient of a $20,000 contract from INFOLINK, the Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, which will go towards the creation of a physical space inside the Library, as well as special programs and materials. (Courier News)

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090703/NEWS/90627121/1003/newsfront/Library+awarded++20+000+contract+

Clinics see more funding as patient rolls swell

Federal stimulus money has been pouring into New Jersey health care clinics in response to increased demand for care. (Stilwell, Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090703/NEWS01/907030348/-1/newsfront2/Clinics-see-more-funding-as-patient-rolls-swell

N.J. board to rule on pension for Cherry Hill fraud convict Saccomanno

A state board is set to decide in September whether to suspend retirement benefits for Anthony Saccomanno, the former Cherry Hill code-enforcement chief who pleaded guilty to a fraud charge. (Smeltz, Courier-Post)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090703/NEWS01/907030347

Christie on Obama visit, budget poll numbers and Albin confirmation

Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie said he doesn’t know for sure whether any of President Obama’s luster will rub off on embattled Gov. Jon Corzine when he visits in support of him later this month, but he doubts it. (Friedman, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/31142/christie-obama-visit-budget-poll-numbers-and-albin-confirmation

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.