News Round-up and Open Thread for Tuesday, January 23, 2007

by: Sharon GR

Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 09:33:40 AM EST

• The Senate passed a bill to create a commission to study town mergers and a bill to eliminate (at least partially) pensions for elected officials convicted of corruption charges. Action on the proposed 20% propTax cut and the 4% cap on propTax increases stalled. Voting on the comptroller bill also stalled when, according to Senate Pres. Codey, the Republicans refused to vote for it. Sen. Barbara Buono also refused support because it had been too watered down.
• The pot calling the kettle: also in the Star-Ledger article, Sen. Sharpe James, who held the office of mayor of Newark for six of his seven years serving in the Senate, will re-introduce a bill to ban the holding of two elected offices at once.
• A compromise is being proposed so that Atlantic City could ban smoking in casinos but allow up to 25% of the gambling floor to be designated a smoking section, enclosed and with separate ventilation. Councilman Bruce Ward pointed out that there will still have to be people who have to work in the smoking sections.
• The mayor and two councilmen of Logan Twp. left the Republican party and became Democrats due to dissatisfaction with their local party leaders. Apparently the move was a surprise to Gloucester County Dem officials.
• In an effort to improve science education in high schools, tests on specific sciences will be added to the high school graduation requirement, starting with biology in 2008.
• The Corporation for Enterprise Development, an economic development research group, has given Our Fair State a grade of B for quality of life and work for 2006. We ranked high in education, personal income and job quality, but lower in pay growth, income distribution, and the number of people moving away.
• But starting this year, you can get divorced quickly! Irreconcilable differences divorces can be completed in six months, according to a new law signed by Gov. Corzine yesterday. The AP reports that "It was supported by the New Jersey Bar Association and opposed by the New Jersey Catholic Conference." No kidding!
• You're on candid camera: new buses which NJ Transit plans to purchase will come equipped with security cameras. Big Brother is always watching.

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