News Round-up and Open Thread for Tuesday, October 17

by: Sharon GR

Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 09:45:28 AM EDT

• The investigation of State Senator Wayne Bryant is expanding, with federal investigators subpoenaing financial records from Department of Children and Families' dealings with Bryant's former employer UMDNJ, and records from the Office of Legislative Services about public agencies' business with Bryant's law firm.
• The Nat'l Republican Senate Committee is pouring more money into Tom Kean JUNIOR's senate run, now to re-run an ad about ethics questions. No comment was made about the irony of JUNIOR redirecting attention with ethics questions.
• Assembly Democrats are hearing updates and ideas from the special committees set up this summer to investigate property tax reform, hoping to meet the deadline they set of one month from now. Meanwhile, state Sen. Bill Gormely has proposed revamping the health insurance program for public employees, which would face strong opposition from the unions.
• Moving forward: Lucile Davy is officially the state education commissioner now, while State Supreme Court Associate Justice James Zazzali has been approved by the State Senate judiciary committee to move to chief justice and Appellate Division Justice Helen Hoens has been approved to move to the high court.
• Mayors are still allowed to collect fees for performing weddings. An ethics violation determination by the Department of Community Affairs has been dropped.
• The Borough Council in Keyport is expected to consider a proposed ordinance that would fine landlords $1000 if they have units rented to illegal immigrants. "This is a racist ordinance with the sole purpose of getting rid of all Latinos in Keyport," said the Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders. "We are ready to file a lawsuit in federal court should it ever be adopted."
• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ has settled a class-action suit brought by 40,000 doctors who said they were shortchanged by Our Fair State's largest HMO. Horizon agreed to "continue significant business practice improvements" and will pay the doctors' lawyer fees.
• Atlantic City's Steel Pier Amusement Park closed its doors this past weekend. Trump Entertainment plans to redevelop the pier, but into what is as yet unknown.
• Feel crowded in this morning? About 7:46AM today, the United States population crossed the 300 million mark.
• Today is the LAST DAY to register to vote to be eligible to vote in the election on Nov. 7th. Go here if you need information, and pass it on! You can also go vote now, if you'd like- no reason is needed to vote absentee in Our Fair State.

Open Thread: What's on your mind today, Blue Jersey?