Some local officials fume over Atlantic City rescue package
Wealthy casino moguls aren’t the only ones unhappy with deals being cut in New Jersey’s ailing gaming mecca. (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
http://politickernj.com/2014/12/some-county-officials-fume-over-atlantic-city-rescue-package/
Stack furious, says Obama dissed Menendez, Cubans and NJ with foreign policy
State Senator Brian P. Stack (D-33) denounced President Barack Obama’s efforts to restore diplomatic ties with Cuba, and said he intends to closely examine the Democratic Party’s foreign policy positions in advance of the next election to make sure his party undoes what Obama wrought. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)
http://politickernj.com/2014/12/stack-furious-says-obama-dissed-menendez-cubans-and-nj-with-foreign-policy/
Rutgers faculty, lawmakers rally for fair contract negotiations
TRENTON — A coalition of faculty and staff unions from Rutgers University joined forces with Trenton lawmakers on the statehouse steps today to continue their campaign for fair contracts amid ongoing negotiations with the school’s administration. (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
http://politickernj.com/2014/12/rutgers-faculty-lawmakers-rally-for-contract-negotiations/
NJ Assembly honors Watson Coleman
TRENTON — New Jersey’s first African American congresswoman departed the statehouse today amid showers of well-wishing and applause, as Assembly members during their session stood to thank outgoing U.S. Rep.-elect Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) for her years of service in the legislature. (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
http://politickernj.com/2014/12/nj-assembly-honors-watson-coleman/
Two GOP legislators call for fugitive’s return from Cuba in wake of U.S. policy shift
TRENTON – State Sens. Joe Pennacchio (R-26) and Anthony R. Bucco (R-25) introduced a resolution on Thursday calling for the return of a prominent fugitive who escaped to Cuba following her conviction for killing a New Jersey State Trooper in the 1970s. (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)
http://politickernj.com/2014/12/two-gop-legislators-call-for-fugitives-return-from-cuba-in-wake-of-u-s-policy-shift/
Poll: Christie, despite national attention, garnering only ‘lukewarm’ support at home
Gov. Chris Christie’s 2016 presidential ambitions might be earning him national headlines this week, but the Republican’s support at home is continuing a “lukewarm” streak, a new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll finds. (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
http://politickernj.com/2014/12/poll-christie-despite-national-attention-garnering-only-lukewarm-support-at-home/
State Sen. Loretta Weinberg honored for activism, earns Byron Baer award
The citizen activist group Bergen Grassroots gave state Sen. Loretta Weinberg its annual Byron Baer award Thursday night in a ceremony filled with humor and warm anecdotes about the veteran Democratic lawmaker’s political career. (Ensslin/The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/state-sen-loretta-weinberg-honored-for-activism-earns-byron-baer-award-1.1168942
Is the mystique of a Cuban cigar all smoke?
Ridgewood cigar salesman Gary Kolesaire thinks he knows what it is about Cuban cigars and rum that Americans find so alluring, so romantic, so sexy. It’s not their exquisitely cultivated flavors, made for the sophisticated palate and deeply rooted in cultural tradition. (Petrick/The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/cuban-cigars-cut-down-to-size-1.1169683
Senate Judiciary Committee approves nominees to Rutgers Board of Governors
The Senate Judiciary Committee released two nominees to the Rutgers Board of Governors Thursday without interviewing them. (Hayes/The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/senate-judiciary-committee-approves-nominees-to-rutgers-board-of-governors-1.1165921
Clock ticking on Paterson’s chance to fill City Council seat vacated by corruption case
PATERSON – The city’s 1st Ward may go the next 11 months without a representative on the City Council. (Malinconico/Paterson Press)
http://www.northjersey.com/towns/paterson/clock-ticking-on-paterson-s-chance-to-fill-city-council-seat-vacated-by-corruption-case-1.1165282
Obama signs Pallone bill to study infant deaths
TRENTON — President Obama today signed into law legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.) to study the causes of infant deaths. (Salant/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/12/obama_signs_pallone_bill_to_study_infant_deaths.html#incart_river
Chris Christie needles Eagles fans on Twitter, heads to Dallas to root for Cowboys
WOODBRIDGE — Gov. Chris Christie isn’t “backing down” from supporting the Dallas Cowboys. (Arco/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/12/chris_christie_stirring_the_pot_on_twitter_headed_to_dallas_to_root_for_cowboys.html#incart_river
Menendez on Obama Cuba deal: “I think it stinks”
SAYREVILLE — U.S. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) today blasted President Obama’s decision to begin re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba and easing economic restrictions imposed on the communist country. (Salant/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/12/menendez_on_obama_cuba_deal_i_think_it_stinks.html#incart_most-read
Bush, Clinton and the mixed appeal of political dynasties
Considering that the country got its start by shaking off a monarch, America has had a peculiarly strong attraction to political dynasties. (Tumulty/The Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bush-clinton-and-the-mixed-appeal-of-political-dynasties/2014/12/16/6ecfaaac-8545-11e4-9534-f79a23c40e6c_story.html?hpid=z4
Jeb Bush complicates Chris Christie’s potential bid
For New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Jeb Bush might present a bridge too far. (Warren/The Daily News)
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/jeb-bush-possibly-seeking-gop-nom-complicates-chris-christie-article-1.2050744
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