In The News
Lawmakers Look to Resolve Forced Returns to NJ of People with Disabilities
Bill would make agreement with administration permanent, allowing some residents to remain at facilities outside the state
The long-running struggle over whether New Jersey’s government will force adults with disabilities who live outside of the state to return to New Jersey is set to come to an end.
A bill (A-4781/S-3117) advancing in the Legislature would make permanent the terms of an agreement reached by lawmakers and Gov. Chris Christie during the summer. The deal prevents state officials from requiring that adults with intellectual disabilities who live in other states transfer to group homes in New Jersey.
Assembly to vote on Christie override
TRENTON — The lame-duck session of the New Jersey Legislature is in full swing and could become a memorable one this week as Assembly Democrats could succeed in overriding one of Gov. Chris Christie's vetoes for the first time.
After Pfizer move, N.J. lawmakers split on response to corporate tax inversion
The Assembly this week will consider a bill to ban inverted companies — U.S. firms that reincorporate abroad to reduce their corporate tax rate — from receiving state contracts or subsidies. The bill would also require the companies to repay any subsidies that have already been doled out.
N.J. gun rights group annoyed at Christie
TRENTON — The head of a New Jersey gun rights group says he's dismayed at the lack of action by Gov. Chris Christie in the five months since the governor announced he was forming a commission to ensure the state's laws and regulations "do not infringe on New Jerseyans' constitutional rights" to bear arms.
EDITORIAL: Is Liberty State Park doomed?
The other shoe is dropping at Liberty State Park. Goodbye, precious parkland. Hello, cheesy entertainment venues.
Gov. Chris Christie has long wanted to plow under a large swath of the park to throw up hotels and amusements and whatever else redevelopers say might generate revenue on the site. It’s all part of Christie’s euphemistic “Sustainable Parks” concept to squeeze more money out of our green spaces by destroying large portions of them.
Obama's defense bill protects N.J.'s Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst from closure
WASHINGTON — President Obama signed into law Friday a revised defense policy bill that protects Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst from cuts and bans the Pentagon from paying sports teams to honor the Armed Forces.
Low turnout shows need for N.J. voting regulation overhaul
In his single-minded pursuit of the White House and the right-wing base he hopes will put him there, Gov. Christie has made decisions that poorly serve New Jersey residents.
Early on, he put the brakes on a tunnel into Manhattan that would have eased congestion for millions of commuters, for example. More recently, he sold out the state by accepting a ridiculously low settlement from Exxon Mobil for befouling our air and water.
Lottery’s Been No Jackpot for New Jersey Since Private Contractor Took Over
Senate panel wonders why sales are up but revenues are down; lottery officials and private vendor blame decline in popularity of big-bucks multistate games
Burlington County affordable housing projects land support
Several affordable housing projects in Burlington County got a financial boost from the government this week.
NJ Lawmakers Advance Legislation to Crack Down on Out-of-Network Bills
TRENTON — New Jersey lawmakers voted Monday to advance two controversial bills intended to rein in surprise medical bills some patients will face if they receive treatment from hospitals or doctors not in their insurer's network.
After several hours of discussion and debate, the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee voted to advance Assembly Bill 4444 and Bill 952, clearing them for potential floor votes by the full chamber next month.