New Corzine Video: "True"

The latest campaign video put out by the Corzine campaign is titled "True" and it debunks Chris Christie's accusations that the Corzine campaign ads have distorted his record on health care mandates and shows how Christie has been deceitful with the voters of New Jersey.

As the Star-Ledger recently highlighted, Corzine's ad "happens to be true" and Christies own website shows that he would allow insurance companies to drop mammogram coverage. By siding with the health insurance companies over the health of New Jersey women, Christie continues to be wrong when it matters most.

Fair Haven Dems Will Be Holding An Event Oct. 3rd.

Please Join the Fair Haven Democratic Municipal Committee and our neighboring Two River Democratic Clubs for an afternoon of food and drink overlooking the Navesink River with:

Congressman Rush Holt

Candidates:

Fair Haven Council – Matthew Cohen and Margo Tikijian

County Freeholder – Sean Byrnes

State Assembly – Michelle Roth and John Amberg

At the home of Cory and John Hoffman 54 Gillespie Ave Fair Haven
October 3, 2009 4:00-6:00pm

RSVP (732) 784-8008 or info@fhdems.org (Suggested Donation $25 per person)

DNC LAUNCHES NEW WEB AD: "Chris Christie: Bad Temper, Bad Policies"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2009

The DNC today released a new web ad that highlights a testy exchange Chris Christie had with a cancer survivor at the New Jersey Politics forum at Rider University on September 16, 2009 - exposing once again Christie's explosive temper. The exchange highlights Chris Christie’s health care plan which would allow insurance companies to offer “mandate free” policies which would allow insurance providers to drop mammograms and other vital preventive treatments.

Unlike Christie, Governor Corzine stands with President Obama in support of a health insurance reform plan that would provide Americans with security and stability. Chris Christie’s health insurance policies would reduce the quality of care, limit access to coverage and would only serve to pad insurance company profits.

Independent Candidate for NJ State Assembly District 13, Sean Dunne

For the benefit of those who live in New Jersey's 13th Legislative District and in the spirit of being "fair and balanced", I thought that I should let people know that there is a 3rd party candidate seeking to upset Republicans Amy Handlin or Fred Thompson for their seat in the State Assembly.

Holmdel resident Sean Dunne is running as an Independent this year.

Sean sent me an email, reaching out, in hopes that I would give him and his campaign a mention. He said a few nice things about me and the MiddletownMike blog in his email (let's just say he knows how to be politically correct).

I responded back to Mr. Dunne by letting him know upfront that I was a democrat and that I would be supporting his Democratic opponents Jim Grenafege and Bob Brown while I pointing out to him that his positions on the issues weren't that different from Jim's and Bob's.

He responded with some nice words of understanding and goods words for both Jim and Bob and added:

"You and I do have something in common. We both want Handlin out. I personally think Thompson has been there far too long, and I just think that Handlin has done nothing, besides raise fines for underage drinking at the arts center. Here's my point: If Handlin rushed out legislation to punish underage drinking after the unfortunate event at the Arts Center, why has she not done anything meaningful to punish corruption when it happened right under her nose? I have noticed that Democrats do focus on Handlin, and I can understand why...."

So with that, I decided I would thank him for his good words and tell you a little about him and his campaign.

His "bio", which can be read at his website www.votedunne.org states;

"...Sean grew up in Monmouth County, New Jersey. He attended Monmouth County schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. After graduating from James Madison University, Sean moved to Ireland where he lived for nearly ten years. He completed postgraduate work that led to the completion of his Doctorate in Sociology in July, 2008...."

On the issues, Sean would like to see mandatory minimum sentences for corrupt politicians and term limits. He would like to end the careers of political entrepreneurs - those who see public office as a financial opportunity and he feels that members of the State Assembly are over paid for the part-time work that they do. He feels that at $45,000 a year, Assembly members are over paid. Their salaries should be immediately cut to $35,000 which would save the State $800,000 annually.

Sean Dunne also sent along this letter to the editor that he wished for me to post:

As an Independent Candidate for State Assembly in District 13, I have
had the opportunity to speak with many people who live in our area.
Many are disenchanted and disillusioned by the rotten corruption that
sits at the heart of New Jersey politics. No amount of advertising
from Republicans or Democrats is capable of convincing voters that
either party has taken the necessary steps to prevent the corrupt
practices that several members of both parties have engaged in
throughout the years.

Albert Einstein told us that “The world is a dangerous place, not
because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do
nothing”. I’ve asked the people at their doorsteps if Assemblyman
Thompson or Assemblywoman Handlin of this District have done anything
to end the culture of corruption in New Jersey. Their answer has
consistently been, “no”. Voters can do something about the corruption
that raises the already high cost of living in our state. They can
vote for an Independent that will fight the rancid corruption that has
been found within both political parties. I ask all readers who also
believe that Republicans and Democrats “look on and do nothing” about
the issue of corruption to join our fight and vote Sean Dunne for
State Assembly on November 3rd.

Dr. Sean Dunne

I would like to wish my new friend Sean Dunne good luck in his quest for the State Assembly. His positions on issues are not that much different from my own thinking and those of his Democratic opponents. In the future it would be nice if Sean Dunne, Jim Grenafege and Bob Brown could work together to help solve issues that effect the 13th district and New Jersey as a whole.

Rick Bolger Candidate for NJ State Assembly District 11, Op-Ed: An Alternative to School Regionalization

More than two years ago the State legislature enacted a law designed to encourage local school districts to merge, regionalize, consolidate and/or share services. While I agree with the concept, this piece of legislation represents everything that is wrong with our State government.

First, the law created a new level of bureaucracy in an already enormous Department of Education.

Second, it authorized the expenditure of millions of tax dollars in salaries, surveys, studies and other expenses, all in furtherance of an unattainable goal.

Third, the law is vague as to its specific goal, a time table and the consequences of non-compliance.

Finally, this Act and its veiled threat of forced consolidation are divisive and, most of all, smacks of Big Brother.

While denouncing this legislation, I applaud the effort to shine some light on the most fertile ground for tax savings in all single K-8 school districts across New Jersey. Although I could never entertain the notion of forced consolidation, I appreciate the work done thus far by the Monmouth County Superintendent of Schools Carol Morris in identifying natural clusters of potential partners in her effort to promote efficiency in the administration of our Monmouth County schools. However, I am calling for the immediate suspension of any further expenditure of funds in pursuit of the State’s apparent effort to force regionalization and I am hereby proposing an alternative to the current process. Although my plan will be specifically directed toward the southern Monmouth coastal region which includes my hometown of Brielle, I believe the principles of my plan are equally applicable to all school districts involved in the current regionalization effort.

I understand the concerns of the residents of our communities. Some of the concerns are well founded; others are the result of confusion, misunderstanding, hysteria and even direct misrepresentation. Regardless, for purposes of this discussion, my plan is directed to the residents of Avon, Belmar, Spring Lake Heights, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Manasquan and Brielle, a natural grouping of homogenous towns, six of which operate one K-8 elementary school and send their children to Manasquan High School on a tuition paying basis. (Manasquan has one K-8 school and a high school.)

My plan does NOT include the formal regionalization, merger or consolidation of these individual school districts. The plan does NOT include the pooling of grades or the assignment and transportation of students out of the districts in which they reside. My plan preserves the autonomy of the individual Boards of Education, their individual budgets, the identity of each individual school and its place in the heart of each community.

Most importantly, my plan would NOT negatively impact the education of our children.

The purpose of my plan is to effectuate significant savings through a sharing of services throughout this cluster of schools. These seven towns currently employ seven superintendents, seven business administrators, seven attorneys, seven auditors, seven curriculum departments, etc. and all currently bear the burden of special education costs on an individual basis.

My plan also contemplates the establishment of shared services with each school’s respective municipal government involving such things as library services, facilities, engineering and property maintenance.

I am specifically proposing that Mrs. Morris invite a three person committee from each community within the cluster of districts to a meeting at a central site. The three person envoy would include a member of the governing body, a member of the Board of Education and a resident not affiliated with either entity. I am absolutely convinced that a committee of this nature could successfully develop an array of shared services between all or any combination of these seven towns and I am further convinced that once a general philosophy, or “mind set” can be achieved, there are undoubtedly many other areas of duplication within this cluster of schools which can be addressed and result in further savings to everyone involved. There would be no “losers.” If a particular plan does not include tax savings for everyone involved, it would never become a reality. I believe the Department of Education could provide further incentive for this proposal by utilizing whatever funds would have been spent on surveys, studies, etc. as additional State Aid for those school districts which can demonstrate a good faith effort at sharing services.

The work of this committee will be demanding and will require dedication to the concept of sharing services. I am certainly sensitive to the reality of this proposal as it may affect certain individuals. There does not need to be any time table on the total implementation of any program such that all reasonable economic expectations of everyone involved can be met. I am further convinced that a cooperative venture of this sort also carries the potential for the collective improvement of the educational programs and services available to the children of all districts.

It is my belief that we, as individual municipalities, have the ability to better control our escalating property taxes and we do not need Trenton to tell us how to do it, or worse yet, to threaten us with forced consolidation.

Rick Bolger, Candidate
NJ State Assembly District 11

NJPP Monday Minute: 9/28/09

What effect is the decline of the newspaper industry having on New Jersey?
Is there a link between corruption in the state and a media deficit?

These questions and more regarding New Jersey's shrinking media are examined by Scott Weingart in the new NJPP report, Less News Is Bad News: The Media Crisis and New Jersey's News Deficit. The report was made possible with support from the Sandra Starr Foundation.

In his findings, Weingart notes that New Jersey's peculiar geographic and economic conditions have been contributing factors to a chronic news deficit in the state for many years and that the problem has been aggravated in recent years by the financial crisis in the media industry. The evidence of this, he says, is that people in New Jersey know less about their state than people elsewhere in the country. And, he claims, the lack of available information distorts state elections and may be a contributing factor to political corruption.

Weingart will present his findings at Thomas Edison State College on Monday, October 5, 10:00 a.m. TESC is co-sponsoring the report release. Following the presentation there will be a panel discussion with the following experts:

Paul Starr
Paul Starr is professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University and co-founder and co-editor of The American Prospect. He holds the Stuart Chair in Communications and Public Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School. He received the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction and Bancroft Prize in American History for The Social Transformation of American Medicine and the 2005 Goldsmith Book Prize for The Creation of the Media.

Ingrid Reed
Ingrid Reed directs the Eagleton Institute of Politics' New Jersey Project, an initiative to reinforce and expand the contributions of the Institute to the governance and politics of New Jersey. Among its initiatives are programs on campaign and election activity, women and politics, welfare reform, and governance. Ms. Reed is chairwoman of Governor Jon Corzine's government ethics task force.

Charles Layton
Charles Layton is senior contributing writer at American Journalism Review and a former editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer. As managing editor of The Inquirer Sunday Magazine, he supervised three reporting projects that won Pulitzer Prizes.

Chris Christie's 'Macaca Moment' on Health Care

John R. Bohrer - Huffington Post

New Jersey's off-year gubernatorial race has been pretty boring for outsiders, except for maybe the TV ad accusing Chris Christie, the Republican nominee, of "throwing his weight around." (Christie's on the heavy side.)

The ad was supposed to draw attention to the fact that Christie got away with some pretty obscene driving offenses, but really, no one cares about that stuff. New Jersey's race isn't about driving, it isn't about corruption, it isn't about President Obama -- it's about the state economy and taxes. The inability of Governor Jon Corzine, a Democrat, to find his footing on the economy has made him deeply unpopular for a long, long time. Pundits believe he's a surefire loser.

So do national Republicans. According to U.S. News & World Report, GOP strategists in Washington will milk a Corzine loss for all its worth, trying to delay the vote on health care reform in order to "[scare] moderate Democrats away from the Obama plan as they worry about their own re-election in 2010."

But like a lot of other outsiders, the Republicans in Washington haven't been watching this race closely enough.

If they had been, they'd know that the Christie camp is deeply concerned about the health care debate hurting their candidate. A little more than a week ago, while the rest of the country was buzzing about the 'Look At That Fat Guy' ad, Corzine also started airing a TV spot informing voters that Christie supports health insurance companies who deny coverage for mammograms.

The ad must have hurt in the Republicans' polling, because in no time at all, Christie -- long the frontrunner in this race -- was forced to play defense.

In light of Christie's response, the Star-Ledger says Corzine's ad "happens to be true."

Final word on this? No way. Christie, when questioned by a cancer survivor, was emphatic when explaining why insurance companies should deny mammograms to young women. The cancer survivor tells him that in fact she had been diagnosed with cancer in her twenties. To that, Christie continues to defend the health insurance companies -- and even gets nasty and dismissive with the woman -- insisting that dropping mammograms is A-OK because "that's an exception."

This is Christie's 'macaca moment,' unleashing his nasty side to show people what Republicans really think about providing all Americans with decent, quality health care. He's saying that insured or not -- if you're a young woman who wants a mammogram, a health insurance company shouldn't have to pay because "that's an exception."

Christie's nasty attitude and dismissive tone toward the cancer survivor only makes it worse for him. In July, I wrote that Republicans were endangering Christie -- perhaps their only rising star in the Northeast -- by stalling the health care reform vote and carrying the debate into October. That was before the rancor and lies of August. New Jersey is still a very blue state, with many more Democratic-leaning independents than Republican ones. The GOP's angry rhetoric toward the President and his efforts to reform the health care system do not endear Republicans to these voters -- voters Christie needs to win this election.

Now Christie is on film, getting short with someone for daring to question the whims of the health care industry. He's going to have a tough time not looking like just another anti-reform Republican, disdainful for the economic concerns of average citizens just trying to stay healthy.

If Corzine plays his cards right, Christie will have a hell of a time keeping voters focused on the issues he wants. Christie will win this race if GOP opposition to health care reform doesn't become the leading issue; he may even win it if it does. But if Republicans in Washington believe they can continue their antics without paying the price for it, they may soon think again.

Gore urges NJ Dems to help re-elect Corzine

The Associated Press -

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Former Vice President Al Gore touted New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine's economic recovery efforts and his policies on health care and the environment as he urged the state's Democrats to do all they can to help get him re-elected.

"He's the real deal," said Gore. Gore was in Atlantic City Friday to give the keynote address at the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's annual convention.

"You have a man who has the knowledge, the experience, the commitment, the compassion and the record of solid accomplishments fighting every single hour of every single day for New Jersey. Let's re-elect Jon Corzine," Gore said as the crowd of 500 cheered.

Corzine, who faces a tough re-election bid from GOP rival Chris Christie, a federal prosecutor during the Bush administration, promised a victory in November. Corzine has lagged consistently in polls.

"Make no mistake, we are going to win on Nov. 3," Corzine said. "We will hold the Statehouse and the Assembly. We are not turning the keys to the Statehouse over to the people who wrecked the White House."

Gore, who won the popular vote for the presidency in 2000 but lost the electoral college vote to George W. Bush, deadpanned that "elections matter." He reminded the crowd of the differences between Democrats and Republicans on a range of issues including health care before warning them not to permit a Republican victory in the race for New Jersey's top elected post.

Gore referred to Corzine as a friend, and said the governor "has proven his ability to accomplish things that benefit the people of New Jersey."

His 30-minute address contained repeated references to what he called Bush's failed economic policies. At the same time, he praised Corzine's economic recovery efforts , which include the creation of thousands of jobs for government construction and mass-transit projects. Gore said some of Corzine's ideas were later adopted nationally.

He said Corzine also helped secure health insurance for 150,000 uninsured New Jersey residents during his first term and has demonstrated a commitment to the environment dating back to his days in the U.S. Senate. Gore won a Nobel prize in 2007 for his work on global climate change.

"There is no governor who has understood it more clearly or who has been bolder in taking the initiative in making New Jersey one of one of three states out of 50 to have a meaningful program to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem," he said.

Gore dismissed the third candidate in the race , independent Chris Daggett, a former Department of Environmental Protection commissioner who has gotten the Sierra Club's endorsement , as having no chance against the better known and better financed candidates.

"You could also throw your vote away and pretend you're not doing it," said Gore. "Let me tell you how that works out."

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Huckleberry Hound-Two Corny Crows

What better way to enjoy a couple of Corny Crows than with a bowl of Corn Pops?
Pour the milk and breakout the spoon because it's time for a cartoon.

President Obama's Weekly Address: 9/26/09 Progress with the G-20 in Pittsburgh

Recorded literally on his way back from the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, the President uses his Weekly Address to recap the progress made during the intensive discussions with world leaders. From an historic agreement to reform the global financial system, to groundbreaking commitments on reducing subsidies to fossil fuels worldwide, to unity in standing against threats to world peace, engagement produced tangible results in several areas.

Football Friday: Princess Picks The Giants

Week 3 of the NFL season is upon us and Princess the Camel, of Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacy Township has chosen another New York team this week to defeat its opponent.

Last week as everyone should know by now, the great prognosticator of the park, picked the Jets to upset the Patriots. It was a pick that had some scratching their heads but proved to be right on.

This week Princess forecasts the Giants to swashbuckler their way through Tampa and beat the Buccaneers.

"I think coach Coughlin is going to fix that run defense this week, and Eli looks like he is finally living up to the Manning pedigree. Now on to more important things ..." said Princess after picking the Giants this week.

So far this season Princess is 1-1 with her picks.

Christie to Cancer Survivor: "Your Daughter Is An Exception" Not The Norm

Take a look at this amazing video put out by the Corzine campaign, in it Republican challenger Chris Christie argues with a cancer survivor about mandates that the State requires insurance providers to cover.

Christie believes in a mandate free state and he would eliminate all or most mandates proposed or enacted by the state.

The unseen women says to Christie that her daughter is at the same age now, as she was when she had her first cancer surgery. Christie responds to her by saying that her daughter would be an "exception" if she has indeed developed cancer in her 20's.

Obviously Christie must not know a lot about cancer and it's genetic impact on patients and their children, siblings or other family members. Otherwise he would not have talked over this woman or argued about the need for the woman's daughter to be screened for cancer.

Having multiple members of my family diagnosed with cancer over the past few years, I know full well the importance of early detection in the fight against cancer. Many cancers, like breast and colon-rectal cancer, have been found to be genetic in nature, meaning that there are genes that are passed along from parents to children that make the child of a cancer patient more likely to develop the disease than children from non-cancer patients.

Mandating that insurance companies provide genetic testing for cancer patients and survivors saves lives and money in the long run.

Christie should know the facts before he speaks about cancer and its effects on families in the future.

Video: VP Biden Sets the Record Straight on Medicare

Travel with the Vice President as he reminds seniors that those who have always defended Medicare would never do anything to jeopardize the plan or those who rely on it.

New Jersey Governor Race Now a Tie: CHRISTIE HAS NET NEGATIVE FAVORABILITY FOR FIRST TIME

According to the new poll released earlier today be pollsters Democracy Corps, New Jerseys race for Governor is now a dead heat with Republican Chris Christie at 40 percent, Democratic Governor Jon Corzine at 39 percent and independent Chris Daggett receiving 11 percent of the vote.

And now, more New Jerseyans for the first time , rate Christie unfavorably than rate him favorably, 34 percent unfavorable to 32 percent favorable.

"Corzine continues to benefit from the Democratic partisan advantage the Garden State. Democratic candidates for the state legislature hold a 41 to 37 percent lead on the generic ballot and the Democratic Party remains much more popular (42 percent favorable, 38 percent unfavorable) than the Republican Party (31 percent favorable, 40 percent unfavorable). President Barack Obama also remains very popular in the state with 57 percent rating him favorably and just 28 percent rating him unfavorably."

Video: Grenafege For Assembly

State Assembly Candidate for 13th Legislative District, Democrat James Grenafege, released a new campaign video today.

Grenafege, a Middletowntown resident, is running to unseat Republican Amy Handlin from her cushy assembly seat in Trenton.

The video contains a brief biographical profile on Mr. Grenafege and details some of the issues that he feels are important to residents in the 13th district as well as the State.

Job Creation, Leadership, Ethics and the Environment are just a few of the issues that Jim Grenafege cares about.

To find out more about James Grenafege and where he stands on the issues, vist the candidates website www.assembly13.org

Former Middletown Mayor Attacks Committeeman's Patriotism

In response to Middletown’s former Mayor Tom Hall, someone who couldn’t stand to answer questions he didn’t like or take the heat when people demanded answers and finally stepped down from the township governing body because of it, just can’t get over his strange and personally vindictive obsession with Middletown’s Democratic Committeeman Patrick Short.

This obscene obsession seems to resemble a jilted lover’s scorn at being left at the alter or in Hall’s case, at being rejected by Short when Hall offered to take him under his wing soon after being elected to the township committee.

In every letter that Tom Hall seems to write, he wants an apology from Short for something that, in his mind may or may not have happened months or years ago! In his latest letter to the Atlantic Highlands Herald that was published on 9/22/09 however has gone too far and demands a rebuttal.

How on earth does Tom G. Hall, former Mayor of Middletown, get off questioning a West Point graduate and a retired Army Lt. Colonel’s patriotism? How dare he try to insinuate that a man who served his country proudly, so that all who didn’t serve could live free, is anything less than noble in order to score some trivial political points against a man who is seeking re-election, by carelessly writing that Patrick Short will not recite the Pledge of Allegiance before meetings!

I have stood next to Patrick when the pledge is taking place. His hand is on his heart and he looks at our flag; in my opinion, silent prayers are more powerful than those that are spoken - so are pledges. It is his business alone where his heart, mind and soul are, or are not. It definitely is none of my business. His mouth not moving does not mean anything more than his mouth is not moving, nothing more, and nothing less. To judge ones patriotism or love of country on silence during a pledge is a judgment of a petty and shallow person.

A good part of what our country stands for and is deeply rooted in is freedom of expression. Everyone has the right to express their freedom in words, song or silence. Patrick's military service to our country has more substance and expresses more allegiance than a pledge spoken or said in silence.

When one bows ones head in silence in remembrance of others at the begining of Township Committee meetings, or other events, is that any less powerful or meaningful or reverent than speaking in remembrance? I find silence powerful and reverently fulfilling when remembering what our country stands for, especially when in remembrance of others.

Tom Hall is entitled to be a moron; unfortunately he invests a lot of time practicing at being one. This is a childish attempt at a "Got-Cha " moment by a small, frightened member of the opposition, who thinks he is helping… little does he know.

Amy Handlin the "Paper Tiger"

The following letter was sent to my by Jim Grenafege, Democratic Candidate for 13th Legislative State Assembly District.

Jim Grenafege is responding to a letter written by his opponent for the State Assembly seat, incumbent Republican Amy Handlin, which appeared in the Asbury Park Press on July 19th 2009:

An Asbury Park Press editorial, July 19, 2009, “Cut flood risk by fixing levees” focused on Assemblywomen Handlin’s ineffective letter writing effort to get federal and state government agencies to upgrade the levee protection system in the Bayshore area.

June 2008, FEMA held a public meeting for Bayshore residents. Congressman Pallone participated. Ms. Handlin failed to attend. She failed to fulfill her obligation to serve and listen to her constituents. She missed an opportunity to partner with Mr. Pallone -- one of the “regions federal representatives” who could have supported her efforts to improve the levee.

June 2009, Handlin “fired off a letter” to FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers and other officials in an attempt to “rattle some cages”. She waited over a year --just three months before the maps were to be implemented -- before lamely pulling the trigger on her pen. Letters, even if wrapped around bricks, do not rattle bureaucratic cages.

Handlin says, “An insurance policy is a piece of paper. It doesn’t hold back a flood.” Nor will her letters hold back the September 25 flood of new and higher insurance premiums for municipalities and 4300 affected Bayshore area residents.

Upgrading the levees is critical. Requiring property owners to carry the full financial burden of the premiums associated with the revised flood zone maps is unreasonable and unfair, especially in these economic times.

Primary lien holders – usually banks or mortgage companies -- benefit from insurance coverage; they should help pay. Legislation requiring primary lien holders to subsidize insurance premiums, without passing the cost on to the property owners, is needed. Insurance companies collecting the premiums should be required to dedicate a significant portion of the premiums toward flood control management.

James Grenafege

NJ State Legislative District 13, Candidate

Jobs, Jobs and More Jobs; N.J. Gov. Corzine praises project at Port of Paulsboro groundbreaking

Here is some more economic good news for the State and Governor Corzine, it seems that private sector job creation is really picking up steam.

The following article appeared on NJ.com earlier today and touts groundbreaking of the $250 billion Port of Paulsboro expansion project that will create 2,500 jobs and 800 construction jobs for our beleaguered state:


PAULSBORO -- Gov. Jon S. Corzine and other state officials were here this morning for the Port of Paulsboro project's groundbreaking.

The $250 billion port project is expected to create 2,500 jobs and 800 construction jobs and to impact approximately 20,000 other jobs in the area.

"This is just one of the most successful concepts that I have seen put together in a very, very long time for economic development and expansion," Corzine said.

"We are taking the opportunity to build jobs today by building opportunity for tomorrow," the governor said.

"Very few places are we creating the long-term economic opportunities that are being created right here as we break ground on a new port," Corzine said.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks at the former BP site on the Delaware River.

NJPP Monday Minute: 9/21/09

Good news, bad news in new census data

New Jersey's poverty rate is rising while median income is dropping, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Approximately 787,000 New Jersey residents had incomes below the federal poverty level in 2008, an increase of 45,000 from 2007. For a family of three, that means trying to provide children with a roof over their heads, adequate health care and a nutritious diet on an annual income of $17,163. The 2008 figures do not reflect the sharp economic downturn this year, and thus the real numbers today are almost certainly worse.

The state's rising unemployment rate is certainly a contributing factor. New numbers released September 16 show that the rate increased to 9.7% in August, reaching a 33 year high. This large increase is likely to translate to higher poverty numbers for 2009.

The new data also pushed New Jersey from second to fifth in the nation for median income. Between 2006 and 2008 median household income declined by $7,214 (10.1 percent), making it the largest dollar decrease in the nation. Still, the state's current average income ($64,070) is well above the national average of $51,233.

So what's the good news? The number of uninsured in New Jersey declined by 11 percent, according to the Census Bureau. One reason for the drop can be attributed to the state's FamilyCare program, which offers free or subsidized health insurance coverage to children from low-income families and sometimes covers parents as well. While every state uses a combination of federal and state money to cover low-income kids, New Jersey's program offers subsidized coverage to families and children with income up to 3.5 times the federal poverty level.

The new census data clearly show the need for continuing aid to help the unemployed and maintain vital services in the face of growing need. Through investments in health care and education, and by rebuilding communities, New Jersey can create jobs and renew its economy. By failing to act at this critical juncture, more vulnerable people will be consigned to poverty.

Obama on Face The Nation

If you missed today's edition of Face the Nation, you missed President Obama talk about health care reform, CIA interrogations the war in Afghanistan and cancellation of the missile defense system in Europe. The stay tuned to see RNC Chairman Michael Steele respond to the President.

Overall it was a very interesting interview, watch it:

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Felix the Cat

If only I had a bag of tricks that I could call my own, instead i'll take my Trixx in a bowl with some milk.

President Obama's Weekly Address: 9/18/09 Progress in the Global Economy

With the next G20 Summit approaching in Pittsburgh, the President goes over the progress in stemming a global economic crisis. He discusses the impact of the Recovery Act, and pledges that lobbyists for big Wall Street banks will not prevent real reform for the future, including a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

The Record: A small step

The following editorial ran in The Record today. It highlights Governor Corzine's plan to help those who have run out or will be running out of unemployment benefits by encouraging state businesses to hire people whose unemployment benefits have run out, by using money from federal discretionary funds and the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development:

For 79 weeks, laid-off workers can collect unemployment benefits. That means the government will offer some financial help while day after day, week after week, people make cold calls, network, send out résumés, go to job interviews and then start the process over again.

The benefits won't make anyone rich, but they help — 60 percent of a person's average wage, not to exceed $584 a week. Then, after more than a year, after all that searching for work and still no job, unemployment insurance comes to an end.

It has stopped for more than 45,000 workers in New Jersey, at least 3,500 each week. That is scary.

On Tuesday, Governor Corzine announced a plan meant to encourage state businesses to hire people whose unemployment benefits have run out. Using money from federal discretionary funds, the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development will give $2,400 to employers who hire those workers for jobs paying at least $15 an hour. The funds are to help cover the cost of training.

An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people will benefit.

This is a creative and worthwhile course of action. It lets people in desperate circumstances know that state government is aware of their predicament, and is trying to help. It offers hope during an especially bleak period. And it allows companies a cushion with which to take a risk.

"Whatever the governor is doing today is literally a Band-Aid on a hemorrhage," Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie said Tuesday. "This is not going to create sustainable jobs for the people of the state of New Jersey."

Christie called the plan an "election-year photo op."

He may be right that Corzine's effort will not provide jobs to everyone in the same boat, but that is almost beside the point. It will provide jobs for some. And for those people, however many, it will make all the difference. Better to employ several thousand then do nothing at all.

The measure stipulates that the newly hired workers cannot replace other workers, and they must be employed for at least six months. So even if, for some reason, an employee loses the job after half a year, that will have been half a year of earning an income, of going to work each day and of learning a new skill or keeping up with skills. It also means another job to put on the resume.

As for this being an election-year stunt, that seems rather dramatic. Corzine will not win reelection because 3,000 to 4,000 newly employed voters pull the Democratic lever in appreciation.

The federal government has extended unemployment insurance payments twice, and then paid for another stretch, prolonging the state's 26 weeks to the current 79. Yet people still can't find work. Bills go unpaid. A health problem or unforeseen car repair can upset whatever delicate financial equilibrium there was. Families lose homes.

Recent census data reveals that last year citizens in deep poverty — people whose income dropped below half the federal poverty line — reached the highest level in 14 years. That means a family of four earned $11,013 or less. The number of poor was the highest since 1960.

If Christie has a better idea, if he has a way to scoop up even half the workers in New Jersey who have exhausted unemployment benefits and plunk them into new jobs, we are eager to hear it.

Football Friday: Princess Picks The Jets

Princess the Prognosticating Camel of Lacy Township's Popcorn Park Zoo, for her 2nd NFL pick of the season has chosen the New York Jets to beat the New England Patriots in their season home opener at the Meadowlands Sunday afternoon.

This is the second week in a row that Princess has chosen to predict the outcome of a game that has involved the Jets, last week Princess chose the Houston Texans to beat the Jets in Texas.

Fortunately for Jets fans, her first pick of the season turned out to be wrong. The Jets beat the Texans 24 - 7.

Here's what Princess had to say about last weeks failed prediction:

"I knew the Jets and that rookie quarterback were going to be good, but they got good a lot sooner then I thought. Or maybe the Texans graham cracker looked more appealing, or maybe I was just alittle rusty ... it's been 6 months since I've done this. Give me a break."

Lets hope for the Jets sake, that this week Princess returns to her astonishingly accurate predictions

N.J. banks add 38 branches, 3,800 jobs as market widens: Good News For Corzine

For anyone who may doubt that the economy is beginning to turn around, there is some more good news about job creation here in New Jersey. During the past year 3,800 private sector banking jobs have been created due to the easing of credit and more loans being made.

This good, positive news for the Corzine campaign to build on because it shows that dispite recent NJ unemployment numbers hovering around 9% job creation has started to rebound.

From NJ.com:

With auxiliary lending businesses going bust, New Jersey banks were able to expand their reach, opening 38 branches and adding 3,800 jobs over the past year, the state banking department said Wednesday.

The number of bank employees in New Jersey rose from 17,203 in June 2008 to 21,003 in June 2009, and state bank lending increased 11 percent from $88.7 billion to $98.9 billion over that period, the state Department of Banking and Insurance said. Banking employees had been going down for several years.

Bank representatives said they picked up lending business when other avenues for consumers shut down, such as mortgage brokers. The secondary market for buying mortgages dried up over the past year, leaving brokers without a place to sell loans they made.

By contrast, some community banks hold onto some of their loans and do not resell them, said Neil Jasey, commissioner of the banking and insurance department.

The number of employees at New Jersey banks fell from 20,616 in June 2006 to 19,697 in June 2007, before hitting 17,203 last year, the department said.

1 in 3 NJ Conservatives Think Obama May Be The Anti-Christ

Is it possible, could President Barack Hussin Obama be the anti-Christ? According to a recent poll by Public Policy Polling, 1 out of 3 NJ conservatives seem to think so.

To be more exact, 18% of self-identified conservatives say with out a doubt that Obama is the anti-Christ while 17% aren't quite sure.

To make matters seem a little worse 14% of self-identified Republicans think that Obama has the number 666 concealed somewhere underneath his hair. Additionally another 15% aren't quite sure about that either.

Now what I want to know is, if President Obama is a closeted Muslim, like many right-winger conservatives such as the "birthers" and "tenthers" seem to think, how can he be the anti-Christ, after all doesn't one need to be a christian first to qualify as the anti-Christ?

Governor Corzine Announces Nation's First Return-to-Work Program: Incentive for Employers to Grow Business and Hire Unemployed

For Immediate Release:

NEW BRUNSWICK - Governor Jon S. Corzine today unveiled the nation's first statewide effort to provide job creation incentives specifically for those workers who have exhausted all state and federal unemployment insurance benefits. The RETURN-to-Work program is designed to help get long-term unemployed New Jerseyans back on the payroll and into jobs while assisting employers grow their businesses by hiring new workers. Employers would receive up to $2,400 per newly hired employee.

"Nearly a year ago, New Jersey made history by launching the first-in-the-nation economic recovery plan, one that focused on providing a safety net for those hit hardest by the recession, providing for long-term recovery, and creating jobs for the working families of New Jersey," Governor Corzine said. "These are the tools necessary to provide New Jersey families with a strong economic foundation, and the ability to provide their children a stable and secure future. Today, we are once again announcing a first-of-its-kind program, an initiative designed to get the long-term unemployed back to work and provide New Jersey businesses with eager, productive employees to facilitate expansions designed to capitalize on the economic recovery."

The RETURN (Re-Employment Training for Unemployed Residents of New Jersey)-to-Work program will offer "on-the-job" training grants to help employers cover the costs of training newly-hired workers who have been unable to find jobs and who have exhausted all extended unemployment insurance benefits. Private sector employers will be reimbursed for up to $5 per hour to help defray the extraordinary costs of on-the-job training, for up to $2,400 per newly hired employee. The jobs must pay at least $15 per hour and the employer must retain these workers in their jobs for at least six months. Jobs that qualify for RETURN-to-Work grants must increase an employer's total workforce and the new hires cannot displace existing workers.

"Governor Corzine understands that all unemployed workers still need assistance during these difficult times," said Labor Commissioner David J. Socolow. "That is why he is implementing this first-of-its-kind initiative to encourage employers to hire long-term unemployed workers who have run out of all unemployment insurance benefits."

Individuals who exhaust all of their state and federal unemployment insurance benefits are now being informed of their eligibility for RETURN-to-Work by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This week, more than 40,000 New Jerseyans are receiving program notification.

In a letter to Congress last week, Governor Corzine urged the federal government to pass legislation to provide additional extended benefits to workers who have already or soon will run out of all unemployment benefits, as well as continuing the current extended benefits programs for thousands more who are expected to exhaust their benefits in the coming months. Today, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing on this important priority. These benefits have provided vital income support to millions of workers while helping to stabilize the economy.

"By providing for families and for businesses during these challenging economic times, we are balancing the needs of the present with the promise of the future," added Governor Corzine. "I believe this is the right thing to do for New Jersey."

Eligible individuals can find more information about RETURN-to-Work and other programs and services online at www.nj.gov/jobseekers. Employers can access information online at www.nj.gov/labor/employers.

Watch Assembly Candidate Bob Brown Online At Fox News's Strategy Room

State Assembly Candidate for the 13th District, Democrat Bob Brown, will be making another appearance on Fox News's online political talk show "The Strategy Room".

This morning Brown will appear during the segment "Breaking News" at 10:00 am.

Bob has been a regular guest on the show for the past few months and has discussed a wide range of both local and national issues.

Bob will be joining host Heather Nauert and fellow guests Tracy Davis-Former Speech Writer for President Bush 41, AnneMarie McAvoy-Former Federal Prosecutor, Former Co-Chair Women for McCain NY and Jessica Weinstein-Freelance Journalist, Jessicaweinstein.com

Starting at 10:40 am, Yossi Peled, an Israeli Minister will be joining the panel to discuss Middle East foreign policy.

Yossi Peled was recently quoted as saying "the government had no plans to freeze construction in settlements or in Jerusalem…I have heard with my own ears that there is no agreement on freezing construction in settlements". So it should make for an interesting final 20 minutes of the program.

Commentary:In tough times, schools provide hope; Education is the key to economic recovery

BY BARBARA KESHISHIAN
Newjerseynewsroom.com

Labor Day is behind us, the beaches are nearly empty and school buses are on the road in force. It can only mean one thing: class is back in session for nearly 1.4 million public school students in New Jersey. While I'm sure many of them would have opted for just a little more summer vacation, it is time to get down to the business of learning again. And there is no better place to do that than New Jersey.

This summer brought news that New Jersey's schools are leading the nation in closing the achievement gap. The work isn't done, but we are making significant progress. Just a couple of weeks ago, the New Jersey Department of Education released information showing that 99.7 percent of our teachers are rated Highly Qualified according to federal guidelines, with almost no gap remaining between low-poverty and high-poverty districts. And New Jersey still has the nation's best graduation rate, turning out students who are well prepared for both college and work.

That is the kind of good news we've come to expect from our public schools, but it does not happen by accident. It takes a combination of talented teachers and school employees, hard-working students, involved parents and communities committed to public education. Fortunately, New Jersey has all of those in good supply.
We will need all of that and more as we enter a particularly challenging year. Times are tough here, just as they are across the country. The economy is wearing on all of us, and I'm sure that many students feel that stress and carry some of it with them to school.

Fortunately, school remains a place of hope and possibility. Because of our state's commitment to a thorough and efficient free public education, no child will be turned away from a public school this year because his or her parent lost a job or is struggling to make ends meet. In fact, for many children, school is also a place to get a nutritious meal or two along with an education.

Times like these remind us why public education — true public education — is so critical. It has always been the cornerstone of the American Dream, and the ladder that any child could use to rise above his or her circumstances and secure a better future.

That is why I am so proud to live in a place where that ideal still flourishes. Our current economic crisis has only highlighted the depth of New Jersey's commitment to its students. In a year when billions of dollars were slashed from the state budget, Gov. Corzine and the Legislature protected public schools, and even increased funding. When students returned to school, they found the people and programs in place to help them succeed.

It was an act of political courage to protect schools when so many important programs and priorities were on the chopping block, and it proved that our elected leaders have a long-term vision for New Jersey. Gov. Corzine has often repeated his belief that investing in education is an investment in New Jersey's future economic prosperity. He and the Legislature have backed that up with action.

Barbara Keshishian, a mathematics teacher in New Milford, is the elected president of 200,000 teachers, certificated staff, educational support professionals, and retired members of the New Jersey Education Association.

Video: District 11 Assembly Candidate Randy Bishop "Outside the Lines"

NJ State Assembly Candidate for District 11 Randy Bishop, was elected to the Neptune Twp Committee in 2004 and re-elected to his second term in 2007. He served as Mayor in 2008.

Randy has a broad range of experience in both the public and private sector as well as in many volunteer organizations and in the following campaign video he states that "If we are going to solve problems like property tax relief,affordable housing, job creation, we need to change the behavior in Trenton...", by teaching them how to color "Outside the Lines" :

Booker Sits Down With Colbert And Talks About "Brick City"

Last night on the Colbert Report, Newark Mayor Cory Booker sat down with Stephen Colbert and talked the City of Newark and the new documentary " Brick City" which will be presented on the Sundance Channel next Monday at 10 pm.

Colbert asks Booker why he is "docu-bait", Brick City is the second documentary to feature Booker in the past few years. For those who do not know what "Brick City" refers to, Newark has long been call the "Brick City".

The mayor of Newark answered by saying that Brick City wasn't just about him, but about a number of unique, grassroots folks and characters that every day, who fight to make sure that the city reaches it's full potential.

Mayor Booker also discusses the decreasing crime rate within the city and how the quality of life for residents has steadily increased.

At one point during the interview, Colbert points out that as a "Lefty Liberal" the ACLU has given Booker a grade of "C" and asks Booker to remind him, not to visit Newark on St. Patrick's day because they have arrested individuals for public urination.

The mayor answers by giving Colbert permission to pee in Newark... as long as he uses a urinal!

Watch it:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Cory Booker
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Protests

Poll: Among All Registered Voters Corzine has Over taken Christie

In the latest Monmouth University/Gannett Poll released Sunday, Governor Corzine has for the first time overtaken his opponent Chris Christie, in the race for New Jersey's governorship.

Among all registered voters polled, Jon Corzine has a lead of 41% to 40% over Christie. This is significant since Christie had a 4 point lead among registered voters in the August poll and a 6 point lead in July.

"the results also indicate there is a lot of churning in this electorate. Despite the incumbent's continued unpopularity, there is still a sense that anything can happen." said Patrick Murry the poll director .

Amog likely voters however, Christie still holds the leads over Corzine 47% to 39 %, but Christie's lead is down 6 points from the advantage he held in August when he led Corzine 50 percent to 36 percent.

Number of New Jerseyans without health insurance dropped by 11 percent in 2007-08

The newjerseynewsroom.com published an artilce today detailing how the number of New Jerseyan without health insurance dropped more than 11 percent thanks mainly to the efforts of Governor Corzine and the NJ Health Care Reform Act of 2008, which he signed into law in July.

The NJ FamilyCare Program is a free or low-cost program for income-eligible families. A family of four earning up to $77,175 or 350 percent of the federal poverty level, can qualify to insure their children for about $130 a month in the state and federally funded program.

Below is an excerpt from the Tom Hester's column at the newsroom followed by a video released earlier today by the Governor's office which announced the remarkable drop in the number of uninsured New Jerseyans:

"The number of New Jerseyans without health insurance decreased by more than 11 percent or by 147,000 individuals, the second largest reduction in the nation between 2007 and 2008, Gov. Jon Corzine said Monday.

At the same time, the number of uninsured in the United States rose by 1.5 percent, according to a U.S. Census report on the income, poverty and health insurance coverage nationwide in 2008.

Corzine credited what he described as aggressive initiatives aimed at enrolling the uninsured for the declining New Jersey rate. He also credited the decrease to the landmark New Jersey Health Care Reform Act of 2008 that he signed into law in July, which expanded health insurance eligibility and provided more access to affordable health insurance for children.

"Families cannot build a strong economic future for their children without stable, secure and affordable health insurance and that is what our administration has been working to accomplish," Corzine said.

"In New Jersey, we are setting the national standard to ensure our families have secure and affordable health care and our children have a healthy start in life. We have ramped up our enrollment efforts and worked fervently by expanding NJ FamilyCare to include a child mandate. We said, ‘No,' to the Bush administration when it tried to cut 10,000 kids out of New Jersey's Family Care Program and we have implemented a new Express Lane option to reach and enroll every eligible child. Providing access to affordable health insurance and expanding eligibility has and will continue to be a priority of my Administration."..."

Read more >>> Here

Governor Corzine: "He Gets It"

New Jerseyans speak about how Governor Jon Corzine's leadership has made New Jersey one of the best states in the nation on educating our children.

NJPP Monday Minute: 9/14/09

The federal Government Accountability Office is conducting reviews of how New Jersey and some other states are spending funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and making the information available in bimonthly reports. This is a good thing, because New Jersey has not yet figured out how to integrate reporting requirements into its overall fiscal policy.

For example, the state's recovery website lists only a few of the state agencies subject to reporting requirements: the Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation and the Board of Public Utilities.

Although New Jersey is using $1.3 billion of the Act's State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to avoid reductions in education and other essential public services, few concrete answers about how exactly the money is being spent have been provided. The state has instead requested the GAO to provide more guidance on spending.

One thing is for certain: the Recovery Act has helped New Jersey balance its FY 2010 budget and has prevented many cuts to critical programs. But full, accessible disclosure of all spending would bring the openness and accountability needed to ensure the state is spending the money wisely.

With a new GAO report due later this month, more may be known about specific ways New Jersey is spending ARRA funds. Fortunately, the GAO is actively participating in the accountability process. Since transparency is critical, these bimonthly reviews will do much to help that process.

New Jersey's full GAO review can be found here.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: HR. Pufnstuf - The Magic Path

A true Saturday morning blast from the past, I can't wait to settle into the easychair with a bowl of Frankenberry.

"On a walk through the forest, Jimmy and his magic flute Freddy are lured to Living Island and trapped there by Witchiepoo's trickery when she makes the Magic Path disappear."

President Obama's Weekly Address: Losing Insurance Can Happen to Anybody 9/12/09

The President discusses a staggering new report from the Treasury Department indicating that under the status quo around half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage at some point over the next ten years. He pledges not to allow this future to unfold: In the United States of America, no one should have to worry that theyll go without health care not for one year, not for one month, not for one day. And once I sign my health reform plan into law they wont.

Byrnes Supports and Adopts Democratic Ethics Plan: Will Implement Reforms as a Freeholder

September 10, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


FREEHOLD, NJ – Today, Democratic Candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder Sean F. Byrnes issued a statement of support for the ethics plan laid our by Democratic Freeholder John D’Amico at today’s Freeholder meeting:

“The people must have trust in their government,” said Byrnes, “This plan for ethics reform goes a long way to restoring that public trust. I look forward to helping to implement these plans next year if I’m elected Freeholder.”

The Democratic Ethics Plan call for numerous reforms including:
1. The creation and implementation of a Monmouth County Code of Ethics to address:

a. Conflicts of interest
b. Activity that gives the appearance of impropriety
c. Gifts
d. Disclosure and Disqualification
e. Lobbying of local officials
f. Procurement process
g. Permanent Ethics Board or Commission
h. Incompatible employment
i. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential county information
j. Private use of county property
k. Representation of third parties against the county
l. Nepotism
m. Restrictions on employees or officials after they leave county service
n. Penalties
o. Ethics education
p. Financial disclosures

2. The establishment of a Monmouth County Ethics Board to:

a. Receive complaints and hold hearings as to violations of the code or financial disclosure requirements
b. Issue subpoenas
c. Forward appropriate information to law enforcement authorities
d. Render Advisory Opinions as to facts and circumstances that would or would not constitute a violation of any provisions of the County Code of Financial Disclosure requirements
e. Enforce the Code and to impose or recommend penalties for violations
f. Adopt necessary rules and regulations necessary to implement the code

“These fundamental changes in the way the County does business are sorely needed after 23 years of one-party rule,” said Byrnes. “This is just one step in the process of reforming county government after decades of complacency on the issue of ethics.”

The Truth Behind Public Option

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich explains what a public option for healthcare coverage really means for working people.

Watch Assembly Candidate Bob Brown Online At Fox News's Strategy Room

State Assembly Candidate for the 13th District, Democrat Bob Brown, will be making another appearance on Fox News's online political talk show "The Strategy Room" this morning between the hours of 11:00 and 12:00.

Bob has been a regular guest on the show for the past few months and has discussed a wide range of both local and national issues.

Today, Bob will be joining host Kimberly Guilfoyle and fellow guests Trail Lawyer-Sanford Rubenstein and Psychologist - Dr. Kathryn Smelring to discuss the topic of "Cops and Cases"

"Strategy Room is the new frontier for media – a live streaming online program with rotating guests and themes every hour. Our guests are joined by fun and energetic Anchors and Reporters from Fox News Channel, as they host 8 hours a day of news, business, crime, entertainment, sports, and technology. Strategy Room is not your normal broadcast news show…there are no scripts, no commercials-just great panelists and conversation on the biggest topics in today’s news."

If A Democrat Can Come Up With A Property Tax Plan, Why Can't A Republican?

That's the question that Paul Mulshine asked in today's Star-Ledger when he talked about 13th District State Assembly Candidate, Bob Brown.

Mulshine's column today,Sen. Richard Codey and property taxes: Crossing the West Orange line, dealt with property taxes in West Orange and why Senate President/former Governor Richard Cody, decided recently to flee West Orange for Roseland.

What does the West Orange line mean? Mulshine uses the term to define when one's monthly property tax bill is close to or exceeds one's monthly mortgage payment, For most in West Organge that time may be coming soon.

When Mulshine asked Cody why as Senate President and a former Governor he couldn't deliver on property tax relief he didn't have an answer. All Cody could come up with was "Hopefully, you bring back as much money as you can."

Mulshine went on to note that when he asked Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Chris Christie, that same question he pretty much had the same answer. "A governor can't do it by himself," Christie said. "You have to work with municipalities and you have to get citizens to actively say, 'We're going to demand more out of our school districts and towns in terms of reduction of property taxes.' So, we're just telling the truth." And the truth, he said, is that "there's no silver bullet."

Mulshine used that cliche to then talk about Bob Brown and his plan for property tax relief which would cap local costs and:

"I would take the state income tax that is dedicated to only school property tax relief and take that money and distribute it equally per child all over the state of New Jersey, which would reduce your school property taxes by 50 percent," says Brown..

"Brown is a Democrat, by the way. So if a Democrat can come up with a property tax plan, why can't a Republican?" Mulshine concluded.

In his column posted on NJ.com, Mulshine included Bob Brown's recent campaign video for readers to watch. I posted this same video last week, but here it is again:

Pres. Obama's Health Reform Speech

In case anyone missed it and would like to watch, here is the video provided by C-Span, of Presidents Obama's speech on health care reform that he presented to a joint session of Congress last night.

Thanks Governor Corzine!: inVentiv Health expands, moves into new headquarters in Somerset County

Tom Hester, NewJerseyNewsroom.com

More than 500 inVentiv Health employees Wednesday joined business clients and state and local officials in Franklin at the company's new four-story, 154,000-square-foot headquarters to celebrate the firm's decision to remain and attempt to expand in New Jersey.

inVentiv Health, a leading provider of commercialization services to global pharmaceutical and health care industries, recently relocated to new headquarters at 500 Atrium Drive. The location is enabling the company to consolidate several offices in the region.

"inVentiv Health's choice to expand its operations in the Garden State is good news for New Jersey," Gov. Jon Corzine said. "The company's investment here is evidence that even during a global economic recession, this state remains a desirable location for business growth and expansion.''

"Creating and retaining jobs in New Jersey is the major focus of Governor Corzine's comprehensive Economic Growth Strategy," said Jerry Zaro, chief of the Governor's Office of Economic Growth, who attended the event along with Caren S. Franzini, chief executive officer of the state Economic Development Authority. "We applaud inVentiv Health's choice to expand its operations in New Jersey, particularly during this tough economic period as we emerge from a national recession, and we are pleased that some of our state's incentive programs were instrumental in the company's decision to remain in our state."

In support of inVentiv Health's decision to try to grow in New Jersey, the company recently finalized a grant under the state's Business Employment Incentive Program associated with its plans to create 150 new full-time jobs at the location. The company has also been approved for incentives under the state's Business Relocation and Retention Assistance Grant Program for maintaining over 400 jobs in the state.

"inVentiv has been based in New Jersey for the past decade, and we are very pleased to be maintaining our headquarters in the state," said Terry Herring, president of inVentiv Health. "The new building will not only support our continued growth, it also will bring more of our capabilities together under one roof, making it easier for us to share resources and deliver integrated solutions for our clients."

The company currently employs nearly 550 people in New Jersey, including almost 100 temporary workers. It plans to move approximately 50 jobs from Pennsylvania to New Jersey before the end of the year. The new headquarters has enabled inVentiv Health to consolidate operations previously centered in Franklin, Somerville and Newtown, Pa.

The company had considered expanding its Newtown facilities before deciding to secure its future in New Jersey.

inVentiv Health supports over 350 client organizations globally, including all top 20 global pharmaceutical companies as well as emerging and specialty biotech leaders.

Asbury Park Press Editorial: Christie, DMV no strangers

If nothing else, the election of Chris Christie as governor would be a boon to public safety. He would be assigned a driver, keeping him away from behind the wheel of a car.

Christie, it was confirmed this week, has been involved in six automobile accidents, stretching back to 1985 and including one in July 2002 in which he turned the wrong way on a one-way street and struck a motorcyclist, sending him to the hospital.

Christie was never issued a traffic ticket, mentioning to the police on the scene that he was the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. He has received tickets on several other occasions, however. Since 1985, he has had 13 moving violations, including at least five for speeding, good for 25 points.

However, in the eyes of the Motor Vehicle Commission he remains a "driver in good standing."

That's debatable. What isn't is that all of these blemishes give the public a growing sense that, while not exactly using his position as U.S. Attorney to gain special favor, he seems to fully understand that rank has its privileges and has no qualms about using it.

Christie has exhibited signs of sloppy and careless behavior not only on the highways but in his finances. He "forgot" to tell the IRS about his loan to a subordinate, Michele Brown, which ultimately led to her resigning from her job to keep the issue from damaging his election chances.

It's also galling that the Christie campaign doesn't take any of this seriously, tossing off each new revelation as if it existed in a vacuum, rather than continuing an increasingly worrisome pattern.

Christie campaign spokeswoman Maria Comella called the 2002 accident unfortunate and said the candidate "knows he can always be a better driver."

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like he's learned any lessons. Not after the 1989 accident in Cranford, or the 1993 and 1996 accidents in Bloomfield, or the 2002 accident in Elizabeth or the 2007 accident in Netcong. Or after the fifth speeding ticket.

Asked by the Press to provide more details about the accidents, the Christie campaign said it did not plan to do so since all the information is "out there." No it isn't. Details have been provided only about the 2002 accident. And they were first reported by a newspaper.

We can only hope that if Christie becomes governor, this isn't the kind of openness and transparency we can expect from his administration.