Christie to decide if unions to control police and fire pension fund
Despite concerns about possible costs for taxpayers, the Assembly voted 61-4 for a bill ceding control of the police and fire pension funds to a union-controlled panel. Continue reading…
View ArticleNJ lawmaker thinks towering wood-frame buildings are too dangerous
Legislation to improve fire protection and safety in multi-family dwellings has been rolled out by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. Continue reading…
View ArticleHalfway through Christie school-funding challenge, no plan yet
Gov. Chris Christie challenged lawmakers to fix school funding with him in 100 days. Midway through, lawmakers say it's possible -- but there's not yet a plan. Continue reading…
View ArticleNJ details latest plan for paying for retirement: Hit up the lottery
State Treasurer Ford Scudder details plan to boost the value of public-worker pension funds by handing it the New Jersey Lottery for three decades. Continue reading…
View ArticleWe don't know details of NJ's $300M Statehouse renovation plan
Documentation of the Statehouse's structural problems is readily available. Details explaining the nearly $300M restoration project have been tougher to find. Continue reading…
View ArticleSchool funding deadline day arrives with no sign of new formula
Thursday is the 100th day since Gov. Chris Christie gave lawmakers 100 days to work with him to come up with a new school funding formula. What happens next? Continue reading…
View ArticleNJ's top Democrats reach compromise to reallocate school funding
Democratic legislative leaders say they'll add $125 million to school aid and reallocate $46 million more. Any change needs Gov. Chris Christie's cooperation. Continue reading…
View ArticleRepublicans join NJ teachers union to fight 'catastrophic' school aid changes
The idea of cutting promised aid to 126 districts prompts an unusual alliance. The Senate president says it's 'pandering' not to trim where enrollments are down. Continue reading…
View ArticleNJ property taxes up $700M in 2016 — See how your bill compares
Property taxes increased by 2.54% in 2016 across New Jersey, a New Jersey 101.5 analysis finds. The average bill rose $196, or 2.35%, and now exceeds $8,500. Continue reading…
View ArticlePaid leave expansion could mean NJ workers pay higher payroll tax
The Senate is set to give final legislative approval to a plan to expand New Jersey’s paid family leave – more time off, with more pay, for more reasons. Continue reading…
View ArticleNJ on verge of government shutdown over July 4 weekend
The Assembly's failure to pass the budget on the first try Thursday afternoon threw the process into confusion with the prospects of a state government shutdown only a day away if no budget makes it to...
View ArticleShutdown showdown: What's next in state budget impasse?
Unless someone changes his position, it’s difficult to foresee how the budget impasse ends without a temporary shutdown of some government services. Continue reading…
View ArticleShutdown rerun: Assembly vote on budget fails, midnight deadline expires
For the second straight day, a vote on the state budget falls short. A partial shutdown of state government services appears likely. Continue reading…
View ArticleBudget impasse leads to NJ government shutdown – here's what's open & closed
Gov. Chris Christie has directed nonessential state services to be shut down because New Jersey’s new fiscal year began Saturday without an approved budget. Continue reading…
View ArticleNJ government shutdown continues with no end in sight
“It could be infinity. It could go right until I leave office,” Gov. Chris Christie said. “... The cap is when the budget reaches my desk." Continue reading…
View ArticleChristie OK'd posters at government offices blaming speaker for shutdown. Is...
Taxpayer money was used to hang the posters, which opponents say are just political propaganda as the Assembly speaker and governor square off. Continue reading…
View ArticleHorizon 'in the conversation' as shutdown continues, Sweeney says
Senate President Steve Sweeney said he's been trying to meet with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield for over a week with no response. Continue reading…
View ArticleShutdown drags on: 'Look, it's not ending today'
New Jersey’s government shutdown will continue on the Fourth of July, keeping state parks closed, even if progress is made Monday, says the Senate president. Continue reading…
View ArticleHorizon meeting leads to new legislation and optimism
Legislative staffers are writing a new bill that could break the logjam holding up passage of the state budget, following meetings Monday at the Statehouse. Continue reading…
View ArticleFingers crossed – Speaker hints deal to end shutdown could be near
Rumors are swirling of a possible vote in the assembly on Monday night but there is no word on when a potential bill would be sent to Gov. Christie for his signature. Continue reading…
View ArticleBudget deal reached — NJ government (and parks!) will reopen
But new legislation takes away any chance of Christie using Horizon's reserves for opioid programs. Continue reading…
View ArticleWill Horizon changes that held up budget have much impact?
In the end, changes at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield enacted as part of the budget bargain were less sweeping than Gov. Chris Christie or the Senate hoped. Continue reading…
View ArticleWhat's in the 'Democrat budget' Christie signed — and why they're mad anyway
Gov. Chris Christie signed a state budget that includes $325 million added by Democrats, though deletes language in ways that prevent some intended changes. Continue reading…
View ArticleNo, state workers should not be paid for the shutdown
Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto says Gov. Chris Christie already has authority to help Atlantic City but isn't using it, at a Statehouse news conference on March 24, 2016. (Michael Symons/Townsquare...
View ArticleOf course you pay the state workers for the shut down
A deal is a deal and if you shouldn't be penalized if you're ready willing and able to work. Continue reading…
View ArticleShutdown over, but Christie still sniping with Democratic leader over...
While Speaker Prieto said the governor could order state employees to be paid, Christie said it was not within his authority. Continue reading…
View ArticleChristie signs law granting back pay to state workers furloughed in shutdown
Gov. Chris Christie has enacted the law granting back pay to state workers to cover the wages lost during July's three-day partial government shutdown. Continue reading…
View ArticlePlan for opioid treatment — proof 'Christie cannot be trusted?'
Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto blasted Gov. Chris Christie for some of the money being redirected to help provide $200M. Continue reading…
View Article'He's a liar'— Christie feuds with top Democrat over opioid funding
The battle between Gov. Chris Christie and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto didn't end when the state government shutdown did. Continue reading…
View ArticleLame start for lame-duck legislative session in Trenton
Post-election legislative sessions start more slowly when a new governor is elected. But so far, there's not even a schedule. Continue reading…
View ArticleNew Assembly speaker: No word on pot, but yes on gun control
Assembly Democrats made official Monday what had been apparent since early summer: Craig Coughlin of Woodbridge will become speaker in January. Continue reading…
View ArticleTo hook Amazon, NJ lawmakers to OK over $3 billion in tax breaks
New Jersey's biggest-ever tax break offer would kick in at 30,000 jobs — called a more "realistic number" than Amazon's promise of up to 50,000 positions. Continue reading…
View ArticlePaid family leave expansion on table — but how far will NJ go?
Democratic legislative leaders say more people would take paid family leave if the benefit was bigger. But they lack consensus yet on the path forward. Continue reading…
View ArticleNext stage for budget grief starts Monday: Bargaining
The budget stalled over disagreement on whether to exact changes at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. Company officials agreed to meet lawmakers Monday. Continue reading…
View ArticleState shutdown Day 3: Parks, beaches and MVC still closed
State courts and One Stop Career Centers will be closed on the first business day of the state government shutdown. Continue reading…
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