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- Unions Claim Port Authority is Jeopardizing Security: Police union officials are publicly accusing the Port Authority of jeopardizing security at its Hudson River crossings and spending unnecessarily on overtime by understaffing the department. Agency officials deny the accusations, pointing to billions of dollars spent on security in recent years and staffing levels at the Port Authority Police Department that are about 40 percent higher than pre-9/11 levels.

- More Bad News for Goldman: The Justice Department has reportedly opened a criminal investigation of Goldman Sachs, Jersey City’s second largest employer, about mortgage securities deals it arranged.

- Golden Cicada Owner Gets Amendment to Redevelopment Plan: The City Council has approved an amendment to the Grand and Marin sub-district, in the Tidewater Basin Redevelopment Plan, that will allow Chen “Terry” Tan to build a multi-story, mixed-use senior housing and commercial building in place of his Golden Cicada bar on Grand Street.

- SmartCard Use Continues to Rise: The Port Authority says that SmartCards are now being used by a majority of PATH riders to pay their $1.75 fare, eclipsing MetroCards as the most popular form of payment on the trains.

- LHS Gets Hoboken Contract: Liberty Humane Society will provide animal-control and shelter services to Hoboken starting tomorrow. The contract will bring in $96,000 a year.

- Sires Honored by Commuter Group: Congressman Albio Sires, who represents a chunk of Jersey City in the 13th House District, has received a “Legislator of the Year” award from the Association for Commuter Transportation.

- Fulop to Address Synagogue on Ethics Tonight: Ward E councilman Steve Fulop will discuss ethics and politics tonight at Jersey City’s Congregation B’nai Jacob. He tells the Jewish Standard that when B’nai Jacob’s leadership approached him to discuss Pikei Avot, the Ethics of Fathers, he saw how he could connect Jewish wisdom with current events.

- Amanda Thackaray Talks Art: The Jersey City artist talks to the Journal about her work, Jersey City, and her future.

- Columbus Drive Work: Dislocations says he’s “disgusted” by the changes coming to Columbus Drive in Downtown Jersey City. “Easing the flow of traffic in order to accommodate more cars, what a great idea for everybody — everybody but those who walk around their town,” he writes. “In other words, we who live here.”

In Statewide News:

- No New Taxes? New Jersey property tax bills may rise an average of $600 to make up for Gov. Christie’s proposed cuts in school and municipal aid, according to the state Senate budget committee chairman. Christie’s spokesperson says the projection “would be true” if schools and local government “choose not to do what they need to do in the current fiscal environment — cuts and finding ways to be efficient.”

- Property Tax Cap Still in the Works: Meanwhile, Gov. Christie is continuing his push for a 2.5 percent cap on the growth of property taxes, saying he will propose legislation next week to put a constitutional amendment instituting the cap on the November ballot.

- Christie Vows to Keep Pushing Pension & Benefit Changes: Gov. Christie says he will press ahead with additional pension and health benefits changes despite two lawsuits challenging the reforms he recently signed into law.