Free Republic

NEWARK - New Jersey political fund raiser David D'Amiano was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for soliciting and accepting $40,000 in cash and political contributions from a Piscataway farm owner to influence state and county officials to offer a favorable price to preserve the farmland, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced. U.S. District Judge William H. Walls also ordered D'Amiano, 45, of Edison, to pay a $15,000 fine to the federal government and to make $1,000 in restitution to the Democratic State Committee. D'Amiano already has paid another $20,000 to the government - money which he took from...

New York Giants fans will watch their team play in a new $750 million stadium with a different name and added high-end seating under an agreement signed Thursday that officials say won't saddle taxpayers with extra debt. The deal, reached by the team and the state after once-contentious negotiations, allows the team to build an 80,000-seat stadium in the Meadowlands. It is slated to open for the 2008 season. The 40-year deal contains options that could extend it to 98 years. "New Jersey is proud to make the Giants our home team today and for years to come," acting Gov....

New Jersey's Acting Gov. Richard Codey just sent me the strangest letter. Indeed, as a Jersey resident, I can say that I've never received official state correspondence so lacking in fact and logic. From the very first sentence, it aroused befuddlement: "I am pleased to report to you that the legislature has passed an increase to the New Jersey minimum wage and I am happy to sign the legislation." Why in the name of Adam Smith would anyone be "pleased" to report such horrific news — particularly someone charged with safeguarding the state's economy and helping to keep folks from...

Insider's Edge . . . Gubernatorial Politics ‘Tis the season of County Conventions, a semi-democratic process that political parties use to award their sometimes valuable organization line to contenders for statewide and local office. Some counties use a truly open process that allows candidates to campaign among party members to gain the organization endorsement; others are criticized as merely a tool to ratify the endorsement of a handful of party leaders. Over the next seven weeks, twelve Republican county organizations will meet to pick one candidate to run on their organization line. Like the presidential primary process, a candidate can...

Republicans pounced yesterday on a report that the Codey administration might seek a partial rollback of income tax cuts to balance the upcoming budget, and a key Democratic legislator said the idea wouldn't fly. The Press of Atlantic City reported yesterday that administration officials trying to close a potential $4 billion gap in the coming year's budget might seek to reverse some of the income tax cuts enacted under Republican Gov. Christie Whitman in the 1990s.

What would you do to combat high property taxes? MURPHY In my first year as governor, I would fight to increase property tax rebates by 50 percent because property taxes are spiraling out of control and taxpayer relief is needed now. Long-term, systemic financial discipline has been sorely missing in New Jersey state government. I will fight to put into place the necessary controls and reforms to ensure 100 percent accountability for our taxpayer dollars. SCHROEDEr Details of my plan, Saving New Jersey Seniors, can be found at www.SavingNJSeniors.com. I encourage everyone to visit the site and learn more about...

Burlington County Screening Committee Unanimously Endorses Forrest er for Governor Leading County Republican Organization Adds Great Strength To Winning Campaign ( West Windsor ) – In the first real test of political and grassroots support in the race for governor, the Burlington County Republican Organization unanimously endorsed Doug Forrest er’s candidacy today. “After a fair and open process, I am happy to announce that Burlington County ’s Republican leaders overwhelmingly selected Doug Forrest er to be the party’s endorsed candidate in Burlington County ,” said Burlington County Republican Chairman Col. Mike Warner . “Doug’s lengthy experience as both a public...

State lawmakers have the governor's back. Less than two weeks after acting Gov. Richard J. Codey said he wanted to challenge a shock jock to a fight for insulting the state's first lady, an Assembly committee voted Monday to reprimand the radio personality. The Telecommunications and Utilities Committee voted 5-0, with two abstentions, to release a resolution denouncing radio host Craig Carton for "cruel, insensitive and highly offensive comments" made about the depression that Mary Jo Codey suffered after the birth of her son 20 years ago. The acting governor confronted Carton on Jan. 25 in a hallway at the...

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey threatened to "take out" a radio talk show host who made dismissive comments about postpartum depression, an ailment that has afflicted first lady Mary Jo Codey, a newspaper reported Wednesday. According to an account in The Star-Ledger of Newark, Codey confronted radio host Craig Carton on Tuesday in a hallway at the Ewing Township studios of NJ 101.5. "I wish I weren't governor, I'd take you out," Codey said off-air, according to a Star-Ledger reporter who witnessed the confrontation. Carton responded: "That's real professional. You want to fight?" Codey and Carton...

TRENTON (AP) - Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey said yesterday he threatened to take a radio show host outside after the shock jock made dismissive comments about postpartum depression, an ailment that has afflicted first lady Mary Jo Codey. "Somebody made disparaging remarks about my wife. I defended my wife like any man or husband would," Codey told a throng of reporters at the State House just after addressing a group of mayors. "I have a right to defend my family and I will."

In the run up to this morning’s unveiling of the latest Quinnipiac University poll, the talk in Democratic circles was what effect the numbers might have on Acting Governor Richard J. Codey’s psyche as he ponders a primary campaign against Senator Jon S. Corzine. For Republicans, many of whom have expressed uneasiness with their party’s two front-runners, the question was whether any of the other contenders, all largely unknown, might be showing signs of catching on. The numbers are now out and the fresh independent data doesn’t seem likely to change the dynamic on either side, at least not immediately....

New Jersey Republicans are taking the Codey administration to task over a proposed idea to lease state toll roads. Acting Governor Codey is exploring the possibility to help plug a looming four (b) billion-dollar budget deficit. Under such a deal, the state would get a one-time payment from a company, which would take over the operation and maintenance of the highway in exchange for keeping toll revenues. But Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, a fiscal conservative, said doing so would allow New Jersey's state government to continue to live beyond its means. A Codey spokeswoman says it's an idea under...

Today I formally announce my candidacy for Governor of the great State of New Jersey. I am running to stop the waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars. I will put an end to Trenton’s institutional acceptance of lying, cheating and the outright stealing of taxpayer money. Reckless borrowing and increased taxes have funded out-of-control spending. There is no accountability to taxpayers and no regard for the future. I will restore the integrity and fiscal responsibility that is missing in Trenton. New Jersey faces some of the toughest problems in its history and the Democrats are committed to the status...

TRENTON, N.J. (Reuters) - New Jersey, home to scores of top drug companies, plans to spend $380 million on stem cell research to stay in the forefront of the politically sensitive field, its acting governor said on Tuesday. Richard Codey told the state Assembly that New Jersey will spend $150 million to build the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey, whose founding was announced last May. Voters in November will be asked to approve a bond issue of $230 million to pay for its operation.

Codey to push stem cells in State of State Acting governor seeking $500 million investment Tuesday, January 04, 2005 Acting Gov. Richard Codey plans to propose investing $500 million in stem cell research as a key component of the State of the State speech he will deliver next week, according to two administration officials and a state lawmaker.Codey, who has long championed stem cell research, believes the move is necessary for New Jersey to stay competitive with California, which approved a $3 billion bond issue for stem cell research last fall.The money would help fund the Stem Cell Institute of...

The Salvation Army's efforts to help the needy will receive a boost from the state of New Jersey this holiday season, acting Gov. Richard J. Codey announced this week. "We are opening up rest areas on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway to the Salvation Army for its annual Red Kettle Campaign, and increasing the number of NJ Transit locations available for the campaign," Codey said. Codey said the Red Kettle Campaign is one the Salvation Army's primary sources of donations, providing Christmas dinners, clothing and toys, as well as financial assistance for families and individuals in need....

TRENTON -- It's hard not to like acting Gov. Dick Codey. He's down-to-earth, funny and anything but a show horse. He acknowledges, as a member of the Legislature for 31 years, he shares responsibility for the way things are screwed up. Refreshing. He has a plain way of speaking reminiscent of President Harry Truman. Former Gov. Jim McGreevey complained New Jersey wasn't getting its share of anti-terrorism money from the feds. Codey says, "We're getting hosed." McGreevey stood behind an oh-so-trendy acrylic podium and bristled if reporters dared defile it with their tape recorders. Codey returned to using the wooden...

N.J. gov. outlines his agenda for the year By Alex Savvides / Correspondent Published: 12/8/2004 New Brunswick Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey outlined his agenda for the next 13 months Monday evening, saying his administration would look into raising minimum wage, getting more homeland security money, and increasing the number of jobs in the state. Codey and State Democratic Committee Chairwoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman addressed the audience of several hundred New Jersey Democrats in the Regency Ballroom of the New Brunswick Hyatt Regency hotel, promising large returns for the Democratic Party in November 2005. Codey added that increasing minimum wage is...

The Insider's Edge Threesomes At this point four years ago, BRET SCHUNDLER was the Mayor of Jersey City running against the longtime Senate President who was about to become the Acting Governor. Establishment Republicans initially dismissed him as a real factor in the gubernatorial candidate selection process, allowing him to spend considerable time quietly working his party's conservative base. It wasn't until the ethical woes of DONALD DIFRANCESCO became front page news that Schundler began to be viewed as a serious contender. When DiFrancesco dropped out and was replaced by former Congressman ROBERT FRANKS, the so-called establishment figured they had...

Senate measure likely to impose two-year hold on executions as death row inmate loses another appeal As one death row inmate moved closer to lethal injection yesterday, acting Gov. Richard Codey endorsed a moratorium on executions until a proposed study commission determines whether the state's death penalty system is just, fair and worth its cost. Codey, who is also Senate president, called for the moratorium yesterday as he stalled a Senate vote on a bill that would have created a 13-member death penalty study commission. Such an action could stop any executions from being carried out for up to two...