New Jersey Government News

Governor Jon S. Corzine today offered the following statement on the State Senate's passage of Paid Family Leave legislation. via State of New Jersey

“In an uncertain economic environment it tends to be those nearing retirement who are most concerned”

Economic woes have New Jerseyans gloomy, a new poll has found.

Forty-nine percent of respondents in the poll issued Monday by Fairleigh Dickinson University's Silberman College of Business said they're worse off financially than they were a year ago. That's up from 41 percent in a January poll.

The new poll also found only 25 percent think they're better off financially.

'The prospect of a broad economic downturn continues to cause discomfort throughout New Jersey,' said William Moore, FDU's Silberman College dean. 'People are ever-hopeful for their personal prospects, but this economy is fragile and things may get worse before they get any better.' Read more

“We need to make sure that only those applicants who qualify for FamilyCare are enrolled in the program”

Audits that found wasteful spending in New Jersey's health-care programs for the poor are raising questions about whether the state could manage a health-insurance program for all residents. via Philly.com

“The Democratic party has always been a champion for the poor and middle class, but, by approving a budget with cuts like this, we will hurt the poorest citizens of New Jersey”

Soaring property taxes. Mounting state debt. Mind-numbing deficits.

That's what New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine's fix-it list looked like when he took office two years ago _ unwelcome housewarming gifts from past governors and lawmakers, Democratic and Republican alike.

The Democratic governor can't seem to make anyone happy as he tries to address these problems.

He has increased property tax relief and is seeking major cuts in government spending, and still he can't catch a break from residents still fuming over steep highway toll increases he pitched to get the state out of debt. Read more

“Closing treasured state parks and cutting the jobs of the hardworking state workers who staff them is a grave injustice and remarkably shortsighted”

One in five New Jersey state parks would be forced to close at the height of the summer season and 80 parks workers would be laid off as part of cost-cutting measures forced by Gov. via WNBC-TV New York

Half of New Jersey voters prefer tackling state budget woes through drastic budget cuts rather than increasing highway tolls or taxes, a new poll has found. via WCBS Newsradio 880

People earning as much as $295,000 are enrolled in a state health care program designed for New Jersey's poor, according to a new audit that found the state failing to check eligibility for all program ... via Wcbs880.com

“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our hospital”

From staff reports VINELAND -- The South Jersey Healthcare Regional Medical Center is the first hospital in the region to be certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the New Jersey Department of Health and ... via Bridgeton-Millville News

NewJersey is to get its first glimpse today of a long-awaited list of 47 recommendations intended to help teenagers become safer drivers. via Home News Tribune

The state Department of Environmental Protection is forcing private marinas to provide 24-hour public access by making it a condition of new waterfront development permits. via Asbury Park Press Online

“It just shouldn't become a rubber stamp”

The state Department of Environmental Protection this week announced the creation of a panel that will review permitting programs and recommend improvements to the process, on the heels of complaints from the ... via Asbury Park Press

“This wasn't as tough (a decision) in some ways. It's pretty clear we've seen a 75 percent decline in red knots.'”

Gov. Corzine signed legislation today imposing a long-term moratorium on horseshoe crab harvests in New Jersey, a long-sought goal of environmental activists who say it's critical to keep as many crabs as ... via Asbury Park Press Online

There's one thing we can all agree on: New Jersey has a budget problem and we are going to need to make sacrifices in order for the state to get its fiscal house in order. via Home News Tribune

“MVC or DMV, as it was called then, had a lot of issues during the 90s. . . . On this issue, we were lagging behind other states.”

New Jersey announced another step Monday in its slow move toward parity with other states when it comes to making it easier to register to vote during everyday interactions at the Motor Vehicle Commission. via Asbury Park Press

“This means affirmatively offering every citizen the opportunity to vote.”

New Jersey is finally coming up to speed on a 15-year-old law aimed at making sure every licensed driver is also a registered voter. via PhillyBurbs.com

“The fact that they put it in this year's budget (resolution) was a little bit of a surprise”

Congress has signaled it's prepared to dramatically expand a children's health insurance program that helps NJ FamilyCare cover nearly 205,000 people and has broad, bipartisan support among Garden State ... via Asbury Park Press Online

“We think out-of-state people are great, but they should pay more. New Jersey people are already subsidizing our colleges”

On Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus, Rocky Brito is a rare find - a student who didn't grow up in New Jersey. via Home News Tribune

Sen. Joseph Vitale, the Democratic Senate health chairman, is architect of the plan. via Courier News

Let me begin by apologizing in advance for this week's column, which the more prudish readers out there may find so salacious they simply have to read it over and over. via Palo Alto Daily News

The taxman is waiting to give money to thousands of New Jerseyans. The Internal Revenue Service says refunds totaling about $42 million have not been claimed. via WABC