Small Town, Episode 375.7
The state sold $375.7 million in bonds to build those office buildings in Trenton no one seems to want, “brushing off critics who insisted that voters have the right to approve or reject such debt.” Silly critics! In other news, what’s a voter?
In point of fact, only like $215 million will go toward the office buildings. The other $160 million will go toward child prisons.
Also, the law firm of our very own Boardwalk Emperor Jeffrey Chiesa represented the state in the sale. Small town, I know.
Better Pensions For Norcross Allies
The state assembly passed a bill that would “secure a better pension” for Camden Mayor Dana Redd with 41 votes, the minimum needed for approval, Matt Friedman at Politico reports.
I’m sure the bill did some other things too. Wait, I’m reading that “the bill appears to have been written specifically with Redd in mind.” Ok. Thanks, Matt.
Wasn’t pension reform a big part of the Christie political phenomenon, or am I making that up? But Redd is “a close ally of South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross,” Friedman writes, so all bets are off.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and lose his soul…
Alas, Poor Straub
We (hardly) knew you once. Read our take on Glen’s (apparent) AC exit.
Plus! NJTransit hiring problems, details on the Atlantic County aviation district and an update on homicide rates (down statewide, up in Atlantic Co) and all the rest of the day’s news here:
Governor Approves Array Of Healthcare ProgramsEdit”]
End Of An Era: NJSIAA Boss Steve Timko Makes Final Exit From Association–It was perhaps the most dire time ever for the state’s governing body for high school sports. In 2010, the State Commission of Investigation released a blistering report highlighting waste and abuses at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. highschoolsports.nj.com
Homicides Dropped By 7 Percent In 2017–But Atlantic County bucked a statewide trend of lower homicide numbers last year, with a total of 22, up from 20 in 2016. Thirteen of the county's homicides, or just over 60 percent, took place in Atlantic City, according to city police. www.nj.com
Report Urges Major Investment In NJ’s Aging, Leaky Drinking Water Pipes–A state task force approved a report Monday outlining the dire condition of New Jersey’s aging drinking water infrastructure and recommendations to legislators for fixing the problem. The report urges the Legislature to create a new grant program, financed by $400 million in bonds, to begin urgent upgrades to the state’s complex patchwork of drinking water systems, especially smaller systems and those in economically distressed communities. www.northjersey.com
Memo: NJ Transit Couldn’t Fill Critical Jobs Because Low Pay Turned Off Applicants–NJ Transit couldn't fill key positions because the agency wouldn't offer competitive salaries, an internal document from June 2016 shows. The memorandum came up as part of testimony at a legislative oversight hearing in Trenton on Monday. www.northjersey.com
Hundreds Gather To Remember Former NJ Gov. Brendan Byrne–They came from both sides of the aisle to say goodbye to a man who changed New Jersey. Democrats and Republicans. www.nj.com
Ocean City Woman Still Searching For Sister Who Disappeared 24 Years Ago–After 24 years, Margaret LaManna has a simple message she wants to give to her long-lost sister. “I want to tell her, ‘I love you.’” www.pressofatlanticcity.com
NJ Legislature Clears Way For $5 Bln In Amazon Tax Breaks–The state Legislature on Monday embraced Gov. Chris Christie's plan to offer Amazon $100,000 per job it creates should it build its sought-after second headquarters in Newark. New Jersey's offer, which could total $5 billion in tax breaks, rivals some of the largest incentive packages hatched by states looking to land big businesses, and would set a record within the state. www.nj.com
Ice Keeps Cape May Ferry Docked For A Fifth Day — Maybe Longer–As ice conditions along the Delaware Bay worsened, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry remained docked for a fifth day Monday. Officials also canceled four morning crossings for Tuesday, but were hoping to resume some afternoon service, but that seemed unlikely. www.nj.com
With The Delaware Bay Frozen, People Venture Onto The Ice In Cape May–Below freezing temperatures and strong winds have frozen many waterways across New Jersey. One of the areas impacted the most by the ice has been Cape May. www.nj.com
Legislature Passes Tax Break For Aviation District At Atlantic City Airport–A bill designating the area around Atlantic City International Airport as a Garden State Growth Zone passed the state Assembly on Tuesday and now heads to Governor Chris Christie’s desk for final approval. The bill, originally introduced by Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo and the late state Senator Jim Whelan, both D-Atlantic, creates tax incentives for businesses within the “aviation district,” or one mile surrounding the airport, which is a key element in Atlantic County’s pursuit of creating an aviation industry and diversifying its economy away from the gaming market. www.pressofatlanticcity.com