Monday News Roundup

by: Jay Lassiter

Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 09:35:07 AM EST

New Jersey takes another step towards enacting a policy to provide clean needles to IV drug users to curb the spread of HIV. With today's long-awaited vote, NJ stands to become the very last state in the union to enact a needle exchange program. With HIV transmissions as high as some third world countries, this step is long overdue here in the Garden State. Today's vote will "also would provide $10 million for drug treatment and provide those exchanging needles with information and referrals for HIV testing, drug abuse treatment and health and social service programs."

Also on tap in Trenton, a property tax standoff between Governor Corzine and the Union labor movement in the state. Thousands of union members are expected to descend on the statehouse. Says said Lynn Maher, a spokeswoman for the state's teacher's union, "the message is: We are not the problem. School employees, public employees, did not cause the property tax problem." According the the Star Ledger,

the frustrated Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday fired off a letter to legislative leaders challenging them to send him whatever pension reform measures they can pass, and then he will sort it out with his veto pen.

"I encourage you to the lead the Legislature forward," Corzine wrote to Senate President Codeyand Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. "Make your best judgment and move forward, but do not allow this issue to slow or impede our shared and overarching objectives."

How many people will die in the Darfur region of Sudan today? As heir aparent to lead the Africa subcommittee, Rep. Donald Payne vows to make the ongoing genocide in Sudan his number one priority. Namely, he wants to fly some reconnaissance planes over Darfur to get a lay of the land, then send in unmanned drones to seek and destroy the janjaweed troops with blood on their hand.

In an interview with Blue Jersey, Rep. Payne concedes such action is a bold step but "but someone has to stop this genocide and we have to do something to show (the killers) enough is enough. At some point, enough will have to be enough." Check out the Darfur interview here.

New Jersey continues to face uo to the toxic legacy of its past. Philly Inquirer:

As many as 300 long-closed municipal landfills, including others laden with toxic waste, lurk beneath New Jersey's landscape, closer to homes than many people realize.

Yikes.

According to Pam's House Blend, Lt. Laurel Hester is the obvious favorite for blog-o-sphere's Queer of the Year. (Vote here) Pam also notes that the movie ("Freeheld") about Hester's death-bed struggle for pension benefin for her widow is slated to get some serious attention at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival. Clearly Laurel Hester's struggle and legacy live on.

NJ.com reminds us of the ongoing battle between Gov. Corzine and PA Gov. Rendell over dredging of the Deleware River. Unless the impasse can be overcome, Rob Andrews suggests a Congressional law to dissolve the Deleware River Port Authority (which is led by Rendell) and replacing the agency with an outfit more ammenable to the needs of New Jersey.

Did I miss something? What's on your mind this mild December day??

Jay Lassiter :: Monday News Roundup

Tags: News Roundup, Jon Corzine, Donald Payne, don payne, Rob Andrews, genocide, Darfur, sudan, ed rendell, property taxes, new jersey, Laurel Hester, (All Tags)

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Monday News Roundup | 3 comments

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I found a "Council Vengrow Statement" in the December 4th agenda of the New Providence town council meeting. It took the form of Resolution 2006 - 238.

Basically, it announced that the borough embraces religious and ethnic diversity.

I couldn't find the text of the resolution, though, unless what was posted at the site was it.

http://tinyurl.com/y...

by: SmartyJones @ Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 16:55:56 PM UTC

Kofi Annan (0.00 / 0)

Not exactly New Jersey news, but the Washington Post has a piece by Kofi Annan celled "What I've Learned. I think it's worth reading, and certainly relates to Darfur.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 18:01:24 PM UTC