Friday Morning News Roundup
By Jon Whiten • Dec 4th, 2009 • Category: Blog
- Teachers at Liberty Academy Charter School in the Heights refused to work yesterday morning; they are upset over a change in health insurance costs that they say was sprung on them without discussion.
- Judge Maurice Gallipoli heard arguments yesterday in Hudson County pay to play case; a contract for medical services at the jail is being questioned because the president of the company had donated money to freeholder Anthony Romano. Gallipoli gave the lawyers until Dec. 11 to submit written summaries and said he would then rule on the case.
- The state Division of Rate Counsel has filed a petition with federal regulators opposing a proposed PSE&G power line that would run through densely populated areas of Somerset, Essex and Hudson counties, including Jersey City.
- A bill approved by the state Senate Environment Committee this week would dedicate $250,000 in park fees to revive educational programs at Liberty State Park, which were essentially gutted by budget cuts before the summer 2009 season.
- A lotto ticket worth $510,317 was bought at a Hutton Street grocery store last week, but the owners still don’t know who purchased it.
- Saturday is the last day to donate gently used winter coats at Metro Honda (540 Route 440) as part of the 14th Annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive, which distributes coats to those in need during the winter.
In statewide news:
- The state Senate Judiciary Committee will vote Monday on legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. If the proposal is approved by the panel, the bill will be considered by the full state Senate on Thursday, Dec. 10. More from the Record.
- New Jersey’s borrowing has increased by nearly 700 percent over the last two decades.
- The state Division of Consumer Affairs is recommending tightening controls on potential conflicts of interest by banning physicians from accepting gifts, fees, travel reimbursement and free meals from pharmaceutical and technology companies, and requiring disclosure of financial ties between doctors and these firms.
- Gov.-elect Chris Christie has announced the appointment of four political confidants who will play key roles in the inner circle of his administration.
- The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s 2010 preliminary budget calls for 150 job cuts and investing $3.1 billion on capital projects including the World Trade Center.
- State officials may expand a refrigerator and freezer recycling program after 5,400 old, energy-draining appliances have been collected in four months.
- The state Hall of Fame introduced its 15 latest inductees Thursday; they include Woodrow Wilson, Judy Blume and Jack Nicholson.
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Jon Whiten is the founding editor of the Jersey City Independent; he now works for a public-policy nonprofit in Trenton.
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