News Round-up and Open Thread for Tuesday, December 19

by: Sharon GR

Tue Dec 19, 2006 at 08:49:14 AM EST

• Embryonic stem cell research got a push forward in Our Fair State yesterday, with Gov. Corzine announcing $10 million in state funds for research, and he plans to sign a bill tomorrow with $270 million for a stem cell institute. He also plans to sign the needle exchange bill today and the civil union bill Thursday.
  


• Corzine is also "confident" that legislators will meet the revised Feb. 1, 2007 deadline for property tax reform. He also said yesterday that he plans on "serious restructuring" of the health care and pension benefits for state employees. "(Bargaining representatives) are actually hurting the people they represent if we don't come up with steps that actually meet the fundamental structural problems that exist. The money will not be there."
  


• Our Fair State has joined a dozen others yesterday in suing the EPA to lower soot levels from smokestacks in order to improve our respiratory health and save lives. Also in environmental news, yesterday the Bush administration changed the rules on releasing detailed info on the toxic chemicals that companies emit into the air, water and on land, a move Sen. Frank Lautenberg said "puts the interests of corporate polluters ahead of the health and safety of the American people."
• The $75 million that New Jersey and New York Congressional members secured to pay for health care expenses for 9/11 clean-up workers and firefighters will run out in a matter of months. About 32,000 people are enrolled in two treatment programs, which would need closer to $250 million a year to be fully funded.
• Morris County Board of Taxation member Anthony Crecco is under scrutiny for running up more than $40,000 in taxpayer-funded travel bills since 1998. An ongoing review is being conducted by state treasury officials.
• The Atlantic County Women's Center held a rally against violence and a vigil last night for the 4 women who were found dead last month in Egg Harbor Twp. The bodies are expected to be released this week and family members are planning funerals.
• Yesterday was the busiest mail day of the year for the USPS and FedEx. Wednesday is the last day to ship priority mail at the USPS and have your package arive by Dec. 23rd- better finish your shopping today!

Open Thread: What say you, Blue Jersey?