The Jersey City Independent "

- Senate Republicans are criticizing the “Special Municipal Aid” awarded by the state’s Local Finance Board to financially struggling cities. Legislators are singling out Jersey City, which received $5 million, arguing that such support rewards bad management without demanding accountability or improvement. “Jersey City, a town with at least 23 employees who earn more than $141, 000 annually, will not be required to institute furloughs or layoffs to save money as hundreds of other middle class communities must this year and next,” Sens. Steven Oroho and Marcia Karrow say in a release.

- 31st District Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone is the target of an investigation by the state attorney general’s office for allegedly forging checks. He denies any wrongdoing.

- A handful of major projects in Jersey City are among the earmarks requested in the 2010 federal budget by U.S. Reps. Albio Sires, Donald Payne and Steve Rothman, all of whom represent part of the city. They include money for a new North District police station and for a solar energy and conservation project at Liberty Science Center.

- Malqui Tax, a tax preparation firm that has at least one office in Jersey City, has been fined $3.5 million by the state for “unconscionable, deceptive” sales tactics.

- State Sen. Sandra Cunningham officially endorsed Mayor Healy yesterday afternoon. The Insider and Politicker were both there.

- The L. Harvey Smith campaign unveiled its new blog yesterday.

- St. Peter’s College will formally establish its Center for Microplasma Science and Technology on Friday. It will serve as the country’s only center devoted entirely to the emerging field of microplasma research.

- Earl Morgan fondly remembers Capt. Thomas Gerald Taylor, one of the first black Jersey City firefighters. Taylor died last week.

- The group Parents and Communities United for Education will hold a rally tomorrow at noon at City Hall to protest Gov. Corzine’s new education funding formula.

- The state has produced an educational palm card on the signs and resources available for treating postpartum depression (PPD) and other perinatal mood disorders, which can affect women before, during and after pregnancy. The cards are being distributed across the state, including two Jersey City locations: The Pilates Haus (155 2nd St.) and Giggles N Bark (199 Warren St.). For more on the program or on perinatal mood disorders, visit this website.

- Civic activist Yyonne Balcer says that she warned the City Council 18 months ago about the pieces of the 6th Street Embankment that are now falling off.

In statewide news:

- Republican gubernatorial hopeful Chris Christie is attending a campaign fundraiser hosted by a lawyer whose firm got a lucrative no-bid contract when the Republican gubernatorial candidate was U.S. attorney.

- The state hopes to quickly identify uninsured children and enroll them in the FamilyCare program by sending a one-page “Express Lane” application for the program to all residents who indicated on their 2008 state tax forms that they have uninsured children at home.

- Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney is going after companies that pay employees “off the books,” targeting the problem that he says creates an unlevel playing field among NJ businesses.

- Anti-tax “tea parties” are being held today throughout the state. The Jersey City “party” has been cancelled.

- Herb Jackson looks at some of the changes New Jerseyans will see as a result of new federal policies implemented by the Obama administration.

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