News Roundup & Open Thread for Thursday, March 1, 2012

Boss Norcross (0.00 / 0)

So many fingers in so many pies.  And pockets.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 14:32:35 PM UTC

One hand washes the other (0.00 / 0)

From the NJ Spotlight piece:

Nine months ago, Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) attempted to insert a provision in pension and healthcare legislation that would have barred the State Health Benefits Plan from accepting any more county or municipal governments or school districts as members. Sweeney pulled the offending clause after the New York Times charged that Sweeney was trying to help Norcross, his political mentor and childhood friend, whose firm was losing business to the low-cost state government competitor.

[T]he $756,450 in broker fees paid over the past two years by Essex County went to Conner Strong, whose general chairman is Norcross. Essex County is run by County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, the political boss who teamed up with Norcross to make Sweeney the Senate president and DiVincenzo's aide, Sheila Oliver, the Assembly speaker.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 14:42:49 PM UTC

I think this a real problem for Christie (0.00 / 0)

I actually find this to be quite interesting...Will Christie stay mum and go with the status quo or ruffle the feathers of the bird that gives him power? If Christie ruffles the Norcross feathers, then what shall Norcross be given in return? There is no way Norcross will lose his public sector accounts without some huge favor being granted in return. Lastly, what knowledge did Christie have of this report? Christie is smart enough to understand the commission/kickback/campaign contribution scheme as it relates to insurance...politically, nothing good would come out of this report for Christie, which is why I question how much he knew about it prior to its release.

"Only a fool would follow a bully"

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by: brendanod @ Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 17:40:12 PM UTC

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