The Jersey City Independent "

- Mariano Vega wants to hold on to his position as City Council president, but At-Large councilman Peter Brennan, who made a play for the position four years ago, is trying for it again.

- A former Jersey City building inspector has pleaded guilty in federal court to extorting tens of thousands of dollars, as well as gifts and services, from a contractor in exchange for official help.

- A sendoff for four of the Jersey Journal employees who left the paper as part of concessions the union gave to management to keep the daily alive will be held at O’Hara’s Downtown (172 1st St.) tomorrow at 7 pm.

- To celebrate Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, Liberty Humane Society is waiving adoption fees for cats more than 3 years old for the rest of June.

- In other LHS news, John O’Keefe, CEO of healthcare technology provider ITelagen, Inc., has been named president of the society’s Board of Directors.

- The digital TV switchover is slated for tomorrow at 2 pm — find out more here.

Today’s Best Bets:

- The closing reception for a group show known as PACAS (Pro Arts Contemporary Art Spaces) will be held tonight from 6-8 pm in a storefront in one of the Harborside buildings near Exchange Place. For better directions, check out this link.

- Nimbus Dance Works kicks off its “Jersey City Home Season” with a performance tonight to be followed by a champagne reception. It’s at Grace Church Van Vorst (39 Erie St.), and it gets started at 8 pm. For tickets or more info call 201-377-0718.

- Fresh off their performance in a tent at last week’s JC Fridays/Groove on Grove, the Milwaukees are back in a more intimate setting tonight at Bar Majestic (275 Grove St.). They’re scheduled to start around 9 pm.

In statewide news:

- The Corzine administration’s proposed deal with state workers saves at least $300 million for the budget year that begins July 1, helping the governor sign off on a spending plan that is $4 billion smaller than the one approved last year. But by pledging not to lay off any state workers and delaying a July 1 wage increase until January 2011 — two terms of the tentative agreement — those employee costs are largely pushed forward.

- Environmentalists and activists with the Better Choices Budget Campaign warn that cuts to the Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed 2009-10 budget could have significant adverse effects on New Jersey’s natural resources, slow down the permit process for small businesses, and pose a threat to public safety.

- Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie has been asked to testify before a congressional subcommittee on white-collar crime settlements he brokered as U.S. attorney. Christie says he’s not sure if he will go to the June 25 hearing.

- The state pension director says health insurance premiums for public employees could rise by double digits next year.

- Newly released data from RealtyTrac shows foreclosure filings in New Jersey down a remarkable 41.44 percent in May 2009, compared to May 2008. The 4,408 filings in May also mark a 12.44 reduction from the April 2009 number.

- A national group of Latino evangelical clergy, led by a New Jersey pastor, wants undocumented immigrants to boycott the 2010 Census unless immigration reform is passed this year.

- A newly signed law prohibits the owner of a gas station franchise from selling or transferring any franchise operated by a small business owner for at least three years without first giving the current owner the option to purchase the franchise or the right of first refusal to match any offer made to purchase the franchise. Several Assembly Democrats, including Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, Jr., who represents part of Jersey City, talk about the bill in a YouTube clip.

- A bill that would expand alcoholic-beverage sales to supermarkets is receiving a push from the New Jersey Food Council, which contends it would provide revenue to the state.

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