Stuart Rabner

Rabner will be next Chief Justice, SEC investigates Trenton, McGreevey asks judge to drop wife’s libel charge, NJGOP messes up publicity, Bush bestows advice on local Republicans, Corzine doesn’t like idea of using one cent sales tax rise for property tax relief, budget talks expected to go smoothly

New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety Photos
Stuart Rabner will be the next Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court and Anne Milgram will replace him as Attorney General, according to several sources close to Gov. Jon Corzine.

Insiders predict an easy confirmation for both, especially Rabner, who has won high praise from leaders of both parties.

Chief Justice James Zazzali must step down in October, when he reaches the mandatory age of seventy. If nominated and confirmed, the 47-year-old Rabner would become the youngest Chief Justice since Pierre Garven in 1973. He could potentially run the state judiciary system for the next 23 years.

New Jersey Lawyer's Bob Seidenstein is reporting that Governor Jon Corzine will elevate Associate Justice Virginia Long to replace James Zazzali as Chief Justice.  Seidenstein lists state Public Advocate Ronald Chen as her replacement.

BURZICHELLI SEEKS INFO, INSIGHT ON CHLORINE TANKER THEFTS

Requests AG, State Police & Homeland Security Review Chlorine Truck Thefts Since 2001, Offer Security Recommendations Following Federal Warnings

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli today called for a status report on New Jersey chlorine truck security following federal warnings to U.S. chemical plants to step-up their defense against potential terrorist use of chlorine tanker trucks as chemical bombs.

There is a general reluctance, perhaps rightfully so, to discuss scenarios under which Jon Corzine has a prolonged inability to discharge his duties as Governor of New Jersey.

According to published reports, Corzine’s staff wants set up a temporary headquarters at Cooper Hospital in Camden, where the Governor is recovering from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Corzine would govern from the hospital as soon as he determines his own fitness to return to work.

In the meantime, Richard Codey has returned as Acting Governor. And the friction between him and the Governors loyalists that began back in August 2004 when Corzine became a candidate for the job Codey was about to get -- worsened last week after Codey and the staff – most specifically, Chief Counsel Kenneth Zimmerman – had a series of key disagreements.

GREENWALD: CHRISTIE APPEARANCE TO BE RESCHEDULED
Budget Chairman Says Homeland Security Panel to Take Testimony
From Christie & Rabner

(TRENTON) - Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis D. Greenwald today announced that U.S. Attorney Chris Christie will be unable to testify at tomorrow's committee hearing due to the funeral of the FBI agent who was killed at a bank robbery stakeout in Readington last week.

COHEN ASKS ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR MORATORIUM ON SUBPRIME MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES

Request Made to Keep Residents in Homes, Stave off Economic Repercussions

(ROSELLE) - Assembly Deputy Speaker Neil M. Cohen today called for a state-imposed moratorium on subprime mortgage loan foreclosures, pending an investigation into the burgeoning problems in the subprime lending market and its effects on New Jersey homeowners.

GREENWALD WELCOMES BUDGET COMMITTEE'S CHANCE
FOR JOINT TESTIMONY FROM RABNER, CHRISTIE
Chairman Excited About Opportunity for 'Broad Bipartisan' Discussion
On State, Federal Cooperation on Homeland Security, Other Issues

(TRENTON) - Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis D. Greenwald today said he welcomes the opportunity for the panel to receive testimony on homeland security issues from state Attorney General Stuart Rabner and US Attorney Chris Christie next month.

COHEN: CORZINE ADMINISTRATION TAKING RIGHT ROAD ON INSPECTIONS CONTRACT RENEWAL
Assemblyman Says Mistakes of Original Parsons Deal Must Not Be Repeated

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Neil M. Cohen today commended the transparency of the Corzine administration's efforts as they seek to renew the state Motor Vehicle Commission's (MVC) auto inspections contract.