Lt. Gov. Guadagno takes on red tape in N.J. 

Gov. Christie Whitman declared New Jersey "open for business" in 1994 and appointed an ombudsman to lead entrepreneurs through "the expanding maze of regulation." Before her, an environmental commissioner under Gov. James Florio urged permit applicants to call him directly if something in the process didn't make sense. (Conaboy, Inquirer) 

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20...

Crowd still assessing candidates for the most part in Trenton mayor's race 

On several occasions at tonight's mayoral forum in the basement of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, plants in the audience try to get a surge of clapping started for their respective candidates, but in each instance can't make it stick. An oceanic response to a candidate's one-line answer from the people might produce an unlikely hero on the night, even pinpoint a frontrunner among the eight men and one woman sitting - and simultaneously jockeying - onstage. They wait for the right moment to take advantage of an emotional turn of phrase and turn it into a sudden shift of power. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ) 

http://www.politickernj.com/max/37687/crowd-sti...

Trenton braces for impact 

Almost everyone here at the Statehouse has a look on his face as though he's bracing for impact. Lawmakers, particularly Republicans, worry about the way Gov. Chris Christie's $29.3 billion budget will hit their suburban towns tomorrow as Christie tries to close an $11 billion deficit. That one figure of $1.3 billion in school funding cuts triggers political panic. Temporary suspension of rebate checks for seniors triggers panic. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ) 

http://www.politickernj.com/max/37685/trenton-b...

Kyrillos endorses Gooch for Congress 

State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Middletown) today endorsed millionaire newspaper publisher Diane Gooch for Congress in the 6th District. "She's a tough, feisty, attractive candidate with real common sense that reflects the views of her district and the country," Kyrillos told PolitickerNJ.com. "She's willing to step up and get in the arena, which is what you have to do if you want to serve." Gooch is vying with Highlands Mayor Anna Little for the backing of the Republican Party to oppose U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch). (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)

http://www.politickernj.com/max/37681/kyrillos-...

Officials: Christie budget plan would slash $820M from schools

Governor Christie Tuesday will propose slashing aid to public schools by $820 million as part of a state budget that will also make major cuts in aid to towns and colleges, officials familiar with the plan said Monday. The word of a pending big loss in aid spurred school district officials yesterday to say they’re making plans for layoffs and program cuts. (Heininger/Margolin, The Record) 

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/politics/...

Senate panel backs Super Bowl for NJ 

The National Football League should hold the 2014 Super Bowl at the new Meadowlands football stadium, a state Senate committee concluded Monday. The Senate Economic Growth Committee, on a 6-0 vote, approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge, and Sen. Thomas Kean Jr., R-Westfield. (Brennan, The Record) 

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/politics/...

Horseracing deal calls for fewer race dates, bigger purses 

State officials released specifics Monday about a recent agreement with the state’s horsemen to cancel thoroughbred racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack this fall while tripling the purse offerings for such races at Monmouth Park this summer. (Brennan, The Record) 

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/politics/...

N.J. corruption probe target says case is tainted 

A defendant in the state's largest corruption probe is alleging that the investigation and dramatically staged arrests were engineered by then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie to boost his campaign for governor. Former Assemblyman Louis Manzo, who ran unsuccessfully for Jersey City mayor, held a news conference Monday to denounce the conduct of the U.S. attorney's office and other agencies. (AP) 

http://www.app.com/article/20100315/NEWS03/1003...

Ingle: Webber to Zeitz – Give the money back 

You may have read Josh Zeitz defending former Gov. Corzine and wondered who he is. He was an adviser to Corzine making $115,000 until Corzine’s last day in office when Zeitz was given a $26,000 raise to be Corzine’s transition spokesman. Since then Zeitz has spent a lot of time defending Corzine. (Ingle, Gannett) 

http://blogs.app.com/politicspatrol/2010/03/15/...

Ingle: Sweeney says NJ losing jobs to (gasp!) Massachusetts 

Gannett New Jersey newspapers had Senate President in for a talk and one of the questions was after the state’s finances are in place, what are the three top legislative priorities for this year. “Jobs, jobs and jobs,” Sweeney said. Then he elaborated in a way that makes one think he actually sees the problem: “The thing that was most alarming to me in the past couple of years was that we actually lost jobs to Massachusetts. (Ingle, Gannett) 

http://blogs.app.com/politicspatrol/2010/03/15/...