The Jersey City Independent "

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- The Animal Control Committee, which was the latest compromise version of a measure introduced by Ward E councilman Steven Fulop to provide some oversight of the city’s Animal Control division, is dead on the vine after being not voted on at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

- A 43-year-old man was shot in the stomach and arm with a shotgun as he arrived for work at a garage yesterday in what cops say was a robbery attempt. The man is in critical condition at Jersey City Medical Center.

- A Jersey City dentist allegedly prescribed nearly 1,900 doses of painkillers to his girlfriend and faces possible suspension or revocation of his dentist’s license.

- The JCPD is seeking the public’s help in locating a city man who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and went missing after visiting his wife at Christ Hospital Wednesday afternoon.

In statewide news:

- The vote on the state budget, slated for yesterday, was delayed after it was revealed that the tax amnesty program will bring in $500 million more than officials anticipated. Gov. Corzine and lawmakers say they will use that windfall to reverse cuts in property tax relief.

- Legislation that would give counties the ability to establish grant programs to provide affordable housing and support services for the formerly homeless and those at risk of losing their home was unanimously approved by the Senate yesterday; it will now return to the Assembly for a vote.

- Hospitals may soon have to publicly disclose certain mistakes they made that jeopardized patient health and safety, under a bill that earned final legislative approval yesterday.

- The Department of Environmental Protection has launched the Local Government Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant program to help local government agencies and schools identify and implement plans to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in their communities with $2.5 million in first-round funding available.

- A bill that would put more consumer protection from New Jersey’s motor vehicle lemon law is headed to Gov. Corzine’s desk after gaining final legislative approval yesterday.

- An appeals court has ruled that the New Jersey Prevention of Domestic Violence Act does not violate the state or federal constitution.

- Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie is hunting for votes in heavily Democratic cities where black and Hispanic parents are increasingly running out of patience with public schools.

- The weak economy and poor weather are creating problems for the air-conditioning business, resulting in fewer customers and lost sales.

- The state health agency has announced the death of a second New Jersey resident with swine flu.