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Archive of New Jersey on Monday May 05, 2008
Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
Bills seek punishment for use, display of fake weapons
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Concerns that realistic-looking toy weapons are confusing police and threatening safety have led 15 states to take a crack at going beyond gun control to implement fake-gun control. Read More
Clean elections could be victim of budget
The state agency that oversees campaign spending by 6,000 political candidates each year and enforces a growing maze of ethics laws is struggling with the prospect of an 18 percent budget cut. Read More
Corzine fulfills vow to himself
He went out a little fast, but then again, he'd been looking forward to this for a long time. Read More
Workers comp, hospital funding on legislature's agenda
The Legislature returns to Trenton today with a slate of more than a dozen Senate and Assembly committees taking on issues from workers' compensation to monitoring the fiscal health of hospitals. Read More
Overtime for NJ state workers rose $16M last year
Overtime costs for state workers rose $16 million last year, even though the number of New Jersey employees dropped, according to a report in the Courier Post. Read More
McGreeveys' divorce trial set to begin
She claims she was duped into marriage by a closeted gay man who needed the cover of a wife to advance his political career. He says he gave her a child and the coattails she rode to the governor's mansion, thus fulfilling the marriage contract. Read More
State acts silently on smuggled prison gun
It was a major security breach for the state Department of Corrections, with potentially deadly consequences: A loaded .32-caliber semi-automatic handgun was found inside the walls of New Jersey State Prison on Aug. 4, 2006. Read More
School budgets without voters?
The state Department of Education is considering removing voters from the school district budget process so long as the proposed tax increase for a given municipality is below the state-imposed cap. Read More
Newly conceived NJ Hall of Fame inducts 15 of its finest
TRENTON, N.J. - Fifteen prominent New Jerseyans were inducted into the state's new Hall of Fame on Sunday night _ even though the actual hall doesn't exist yet. Read More
Bruce leads first group of inductees into New Jersey Hall of Fame
If you ask the Boss, New Jersey rarely gets the respect it deserves. Read More
Strapped governments revive pension bonds
Pension bonds are making a comeback, as states and cities from Alaska to Philadelphia bet they can use the proceeds to help fill deficits in their retirement funds and still generate a higher return than what they pay in interest. Read More
AARP plans Trenton rally to protect property-tax rebates
AARP New Jersey plans to rally at the Statehouse in Trenton today to oppose reductions in property tax rebates. Read More
McGreevey fireworks set to begin
As Jim and Dina Matos McGreevey's three-and-a-half-year separation approaches the duration of their marriage, they are about to become unhitched - finally - when their divorce trial starts tomorrow. Read More
Corzine shifts to back gas-tax holiday plan
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is shifting gears to support a federal gas tax holiday this summer. Read More
Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More
Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure. Read More
More states offer choice in long-term care
More states are poised to offer a successful alternative to traditional Medicaid plans that allows elders and the disabled to avoid moving to a nursing facility by hiring friends, neighbors or family members to look after them in their own homes. Read More
Credit crunch hits states' college loans
(Updated 11:55 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2008)
The credit crisis has led some state lending agencies to suspend their federal and private student loan programs, forcing thousands of students to search elsewhere for money to pay for college. Read More
Turf wars rage over fake grass
State legislators are used to political turf wars. Now, debates in a handful of states really are about turf, pitting those who back the artificial variety against supporters of natural grass for playgrounds and athletic fields. Read More
'Don't forget us,' PA candidates tell voters
As Pennsylvanians prepare to go to the polls tomorrow to cast ballots in the April 22 presidential primary, experts wonder how the surge in registered voters will affect little-noticed state legislative races, particularly those in the House, where Democrats cling to a one-seat majority. Read More
Partisan mix in R.I., Conn. poses challenges
Read More
Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
Read More
'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. Read More |
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