The Jersey City Independent "

- Help for Transit? U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and other elected officials are set to announce this morning plans for a federal recovery act that would help offset the massive cuts that have come recently to NJ Transit, resulting in worker layoffs, fare hikes and service cuts.

- Cuts to UEZ Funds Hurting Cities: More than $10 million in Urban Enterprise Zone revenue slated for Jersey City has been frozen by Gov. Christie since last month, which has stopped the city “from doing planned projects in the pipeline.” We’ve been getting a story together on the UEZ cuts as well; look for more from us on the subject later today.

- Departmental Budget Hearings: Starting today, the City Council is holding a series of departmental budget hearings. The public is invited to attend.

- LeFrak Also Against Gas Pipeline: The gas pipeline proposed by Spectra Energy, which we’ve reported is being fought by Mayor Healy, several City Council members, and U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, is also being opposed by Newport developers the LeFrak Organization. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Albio Sires seems to still be on the fence about the issue, telling the Journal he is “studying the issue closely.”

- Lots of Cities Breaking State Cap on Property Tax Increases: While many residents have cried foul over Jersey City’s proposed property tax levy in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, saying it — among other things — exceeds the state’s cap on raising such a tax, the practice is by no means confined to Jersey City, according to a Star-Ledger review. The paper found that nearly a third of the state’s 566 municipalities raised property taxes above the cap with the state’s permission last year, many because they were able to show they were facing virtual civic dysfunction.

- Teens Shot: Two Jersey City teenage girls, ages 15 and 16, were shot early Saturday along Old Bergen Road. Both are listed in stable condition.

- Road Construction, Delays in Area to Continue: Construction-weary motorists traveling through the Tonnelle Avenue circle have a ways to go before they see visible progress on the exchange that links the busy thoroughfare with the Route 1 & 9 viaduct and the Wittpenn Bridge.

- New Contract for Stop & Shop Workers: Supermarket workers at Stop & Shop have ratified a contract that ends weeks of difficult negotiations about wages and benefits, fending off a potential strike. The contract, which will affect about 40,000 workers, raises hourly wages while maintaining pension and health benefits. The chain operates more than 350 supermarkets in the region, including one on Central Avenue in the Heights.

- NYPD Officers Caught Up in Perfume Heist: A group of would-be armed robbers that included two New York City police officers used their own IDs to rent trucks in Jersey City for a heist of about $1 million worth of expensive perfume from a Carlstadt warehouse, according to a federal criminal complaint released Friday.

- Tenants May Come to 255 Grand Soon: The 348-unit apartment building at 225 Grand, which is part of the massive Liberty Harbor North development, plans to start leasing units in April.

In Statewide News:

- Dropping Immigrants from Low-Income Health Plan: Gov. Christie’s plan to drop nearly 12,000 residents who have had legal immigration status for less than five years from the NJ FamilyCare program for low-income residents has drawn an outcry from critics who warn it might end up being more costly and perilous to public health.

- Less State Aid for Schools: That’s the message being delivered by acting education commissioner Bret Schundler. “The state just does not have the money to fulfill its obligations,” he said at a Saturday meeting of school board members and administrators.

- What the Lack of Health Insurance Means: Families USA, a national group pushing comprehensive health care reform, says the lack of health coverage will indirectly lead to the deaths of 6,500 New Jersey residents over the next decade if things remain as they are currently.

- What’s Next for Marriage Equality? For opponents, the New Jersey vote against legalizing same-sex marriage was a temporary victory. For proponents, the Senate action was seen as a short-term setback as they continue to prepare to go back to court, probably in the next few weeks on the grounds of unequal treatment under the law.

- Concern Over COAH Reform: New Jersey affordable housing advocates are objecting to the new proposed affordable housing bill, saying it would let too many towns off the hook and do little to ensure that more affordable housing will be built.

- Corruption-Connected Charity Can’t Get $ Back Yet: A legal challenge by a Hasidic charity over the seizure of its bank accounts after last summer’s sweeping money laundering and corruption sting has been thrown out by a federal judge, who says a decision on whether the nonprofit’s accounts face forfeiture will depend on how the criminal case plays out.

- Senate May Go Paperless: A resolution recently introduced by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. would eliminate rules that require all official chamber business to be conducted via paper.

- Cabinet Nominees Get Hearings Today: The state Senate Judiciary Committee will consider the following cabinet nominees of Gov. Christie today: Janet F. Rosenzweig to serve as Children and Families commissioner; Gary M. Lanigan to serve as Corrections commissioner, and Jennifer Velez to continue in her post as Human Services commissioner.

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