News Round-up for Tuesday, May 16

by: Sharon GR

Tue May 16, 2006 at 07:55:07 AM EDT

• Local migrant workers and some employers are reacting with fear and trepidation to the Bush border enforcement plan. Workers fear for their safety, and agricultural industry employers are concerned about availability of labor in the upcoming summer growing season. 
• Gov. Jon Corzine's advisory group is recommending a special summer session to deal exclusively with property taxes. Corzine wants to wait until the budget is approved, sometime around July 1, before addressing property tax reform.
• A bill proposing restrictions to funeral protests advanced in the Assembly yesterday. Protesters would be banned an hour before and after a funeral service, and must stay 500 ft. away. Assemblyman Jack Conners called the bill "an attempt to respect both the mourners' privacy and the free speech of the demonstrators." but critics such as the ACLU feel the bill overreaches.
• Verizon's bid to provide cable in Our Fair State advanced again yesterday, winning the backing of the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
• Existing-home sales slowed 8.1% in the first quarter, compared to last year. Prices have risen a bit but have not reached the highs of 2005. Wait- did you hear that noise? Sounded like a bubble starting to burst.
• You may have gotten drenched, but it wasn't enough rain to end the drought watch- not yet, anyway. At least, it rinsed the pollen off of everything.
• There's a new BlueJersey podcast! An interview with Tom Wyka, Democratic candidate for NJ-11. Y'know, if you've subscribed, you'll get it automatically.