News Roundup & Open Thread for Tuesday, Aug 15

by: Juan Melli

Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 08:56:59 AM EDT

We're excited to report that at a townhall event last night, Senator Menendez indicated he's pro-net neutrality. It's the first time he's announced his position on the issue.

Yesterday's announcement from Zulima Farber that she will resign marked the first time in modern history that a New Jersey attorney general resigned under pressure. The Star Ledger editorial board explains why she had to resign:

When Corzine took office, he vowed he'd run an ethically tight ship, that ethical lapses, missteps and misjudgments would not be tolerated from his Cabinet officers.
Given that standard, Corzine had little choice but to accept Farber's resignation hours after retired Appellate Division Judge Richard Williams concluded that she had violated three ethics provisions governing employees in the Attorney General's Office.

Home sales in New Jersey are down 16.3% during this past quarter compared to a year ago whereas the national average drop in sales was 7%. Still, prices have remained steady.

The state's unemployment rate rose from 4.9% in June to 5.1% in July. The nation as a whole also experienced a 0.2% increase from 4.6% to 4.8%. While nationwide the number of jobs created numbered 113,000, in New Jersey, we actually lost 3,800 jobs. Since December of 2000, the state has lost a quarter of its manufacturing jobs.

Although 96% of New Jersey's teachers are "highly qualified" according to the No Child Left Behind standards, in some urban schools only 50%-60% of teachers meet these standards. Like most other states, New Jersey has asked the government for a one year extension to become fully compliant.

Delta may soon become the second commercial airline offering flights from Trenton-Mercer airport. If the deal goes through, the airline will fly daily to Atlanta and Boston.

Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro) wants to end a different type of "pay-to-play". He wants to ban schools from charging fees for students' participation in sports or other extracurricular activities. The school districts say they have resorted to fees to keep the activities going at a time when school budgets are being cut.

The Philadelphia Inquirer has a great story on Newark mayor Cory Booker's mission to clean up the city and make it safe again in order to attract jobs and residents. Some residents say they're already seeing a change: "You see more police since he's been in," Fuld resident Alicia Sly says. "It's changing. It's not going to happen overnight."

Power 99's Peace on the Street Jam concert series continues on the Camden waterfront tomorrow headlined by Megan Rochell.

This is an open thread. What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

Juan Melli :: News Roundup & Open Thread for Tuesday, Aug 15

Tags: News Roundup, net neutrality, Bob Menendez, Jon Corzine, Zulima Farber, (All Tags)

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News Roundup & Open Thread for Tuesday, Aug 15 | 7 comments

A grunch of ARMS... (0.00 / 0)

Reset in September nationally. I am sure that NJ will be well represented in this reset. That is a time to watch, because the reset bears great potential to strongly affect the housing market and prices.

Downward.

The nom de plume has a long and distinguished history.

by: Tandalayo Scheisskopf @ Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 08:56:07 AM CDT

by: you @ soon

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Burzichelli's bill an example of unfunded mandate (0.00 / 0)

Typical state legislator mindset that leads to high property taxes. Will he provide state money to fund school sports? No, he'll just restrict what locals can or can't do.

Why should the old lady in the Cape Cod pay for Junior's sports program?

Let's not confuse the issue. I understand and get why the old lady in the Cape Cod should pay for Junior's education, but why should that extend to his football coach's salary, liability insurance for games, or his busing to get to games?

myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.blogspot.com

by: underdogdemocrat @ Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 10:49:31 AM CDT

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great idea (0.00 / 0)

The idea is right, but perhaps the bill can be more narrowly tailored.

How unfair that children that come from families that may be going through a rough time may be excluded from participating with their friends in school sports. Rough times hit every town. Divorced households are much more likely to be poor though they might still live in a marital home in a wealthy town...

The bill could instead require that towns that opt to charge students fees for participation subsidze the costs if a student can demonstrate need.

by: morrisdem @ Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 12:35:53 PM CDT

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already done (0.00 / 0)

I assumed this would already be part of any reasonable school systems program, and I was right:
from Nj.com

There will be a waiver option for families who cannot afford the fee, Szabo said, which will be approved by the school board on a case-by- case basis.

Reasonable local government can make these calls. The state does not need to intervene in every situation. Especially when legislators will then turn around and say 'I don't raise property taxes...call your Mayor! call your school board!'

myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.blogspot.com

by: underdogdemocrat @ Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 13:38:43 PM CDT

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