Linda Greenstein

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Gov. Jon Corzine is expected to seek re-election to a second term in 2009.

Look for former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie to file papers this month as a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor.   The former federal prosecutor is expected to become the establishment GOP candidate in a primary against former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan, the leader of the conservative wing of the New Jersey GOP.   Two other candidates, Assemblyman Richard Merkt and Franklin Township Mayor Brian D. Levine, are also mulling gubernatorial bids.

Incumbent Jon Corzine is expected to seek a second term as Governor, and is likely to run unopposed in the Democratic primary.  Not since Brendan Byrne faced nine rivals, including two Congressmen and a member of his own cabinet, in 1977 has a sitting Governor faced serious opposition for the nomination of his or her own party.  Corizne has struggled to win the approval of voters, but he's a Democrat in a very blue state, and he is expected to spend a huge amount of money to get re-elected.  It will be hard for any Republican to beat him.

If budget issues or e-mails make it impossible for Corzine to continue his race, look for a spirited Democratic primary with Senate President (and former Governor) Richard Codey as the front runner.

New Jerseyans will elect a Lieutenant Governor for the first time in 2009.  The new state law requires the winners of the major party gubernatorial primaries to pick a running mate, much like vice presidential candidates are designated after a presidential nominee is picked.

ASSEMBLY LEGISLATION HONORING ISRAEL SIGNED INTO LAW

Measures Make Permanent New Jersey Israel Commission, Commemorate Israel’s 60th Anniversary

(TRENTON) – Gov. Jon S. Corzine today signed into law Assembly legislation honoring Israel, including plans to make permanent the New Jersey Israel Commission and to commemorate Israel’s 60th anniversary.

The New Jersey-Israel Commission was established in 1988 to honor Israel’s 40th anniversary and promote trade, science and technology, tourism and cultural and economic exchanges.

An executive order extended the commission to 2012, but legislation (A-3162) sponsored by Assembly members Gordon Johnson, Valerie Vainieri Huttle (both D-Bergen), Gary S. Schaer (D-Passaic) and Cary Rodriguez (D-Hudson) makes it permanent.

“Israel has been a steadfast friend and faithful ally of the United States over the past six decades, all the while showing immense bravery in the face of countless terrorist attacks,” said Johnson.

OLIVER/QUIGLEY/GREENSTEIN BILL TO PROTECT ROADSIDE EMERGENCY WORKERS CLOSER TO LAW

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Sheila Y. Oliver, Joan M. Quigley, and Linda Greenstein that would require motorists to take safety precautions when approaching roadside emergency vehicles is closer to becoming law.

The Assembly recently gave the bill final legislative approval.

“A little bit of courtesy can go a long way towards improving the safety of roadside emergency crews,” said Oliver (D-Essex). “Making drivers and emergency workers alike cognizant of this fact will most assuredly help to save lives.”

ASSEMBLY BILL TO BOOST PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED SIGNED INTO LAW

Measure Increases Income Limits for Property Tax Relief Program

(CLIFFSIDE PARK) – Gov. Jon S. Corzine today signed into law an Assembly bill to help more senior citizens and disabled residents receive property tax relief.

The bill (A-3460) raises the income eligibility limits for senior citizen and disabled homeowners to apply for the Senior Freeze property tax relief program, increasing household income limits from $55,000 to $80,000 over the next three years.

The law is sponsored by Assembly members Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester), Joan Voss (D-Bergen), Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex), Sandi Love (D-Camden/Gloucester), Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) and Patrick J. Diegnan (D-Middlesex).

“Making it easier for senior citizens and disabled homeowners to take advantage of this property tax relief will help ensure the global economic crisis doesn’t force residents on fixed incomes out of their homes,” Moriarty said.

Republicans in the 14th  Legislative District will have to pull together a slate of challengers without former Mercer County GOP Chair Cathy Tramontana, the niece of former Hamilton Mayor Jack Rafferty. 

“I’m absolutely not running for the Assembly,” Tramontana, the Director of Health and Recreation in Hamilton Township,  told PolitickerNJ.com. 

Hamilton Township Councilman Tom Goodwin and Ewing businessman Adam Bushman have already said they don’t intend to run again against Assemblyman Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro) and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-Hamilton).

Hamilton Township Councilman Tom Goodwin sent out a release today announcing he intends to seek re-election to the Hamilton Township Council in 2009, and therefore will not pursue another run for the Assembly in the 14th Legislative District. 

“It has been both flattering and humbling to have received sincere encouragement from present and former elected officials, state political leaders and so many friends and colleagues,” said Goodwin. “But four years ago we set out on a mission to improve Hamilton government and restore stability in our municipal business and that job is not yet completed. 

Goodwin ran on a Republican Assembly ticket with Jamesburg software engineer Adam Goodwin. Both men lost to the Democratic team of Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Monroe) and former Hamilton Councilman Wayne DeAngelo. At the top of the ticket, Goodwin and Bushman’s running mate, state Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer) defeated former ratepayer advocate Seema Singh. 

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS ISSUE MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE ON ENACTMENT OF BILL TO BOOST NJ BUSINESSES

New Law Provides $3,000 for Each New Job

(WOODBRIDGE) - Assembly Democrats today issued a multimedia package on the Tuesday enactment of legislation designed to help New Jersey businesses emerge stronger from the global economic crisis.

The measure (A-3294) is among about 40 advanced by the Assembly to help residents and businesses withstand the financial uncertainty.

Beaten last year in the 14th District Assembly race, Jamesburg software engineer Adam Bushman told PolitickerNJ.com that he is very likely to sit out a 2009 challenge of Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Monroe) and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-Hamilton).

“I don’t think it’s going to happen,” said Bushman, who ran on a Republican ticket with state Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer) and Hamilton Councilman Tom Goodwin in one of the state’s Clean Elections districts, in which candidates raised $10 per donor to qualify for the same amount of state money.

“I’m going to focus on finishing my PhD (in IT management) at this point,” said the former candidate, who has young children.

BILL TO BOOST NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES NOW LAW

Measure Provides $3,000 for Each New Job

(WOODBRIDGE) – Gov. Jon S. Corzine today signed into law a bill designed to help New Jersey businesses emerge stronger from the global economic crisis.

The bill is among about 40 advanced by the Assembly to help residents and businesses withstand the financial uncertainty.

The bill (A-3294) creates the “Invest New Jersey Business Grant Program” program that will help small and mid-size businesses by providing grants of $3,000 for each new job created.

Sponsored by Assembly members Nelson Albano (D-Cumberland), Matt Milam (D-Cumberland), Joseph Vas (D-Middlesex), Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) and Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer), the measure replaces and expands the state’s Business Retention & Relocation Assistance Grants.

WISNIEWSKI/GREENSTEIN/DEANGELO/EVANS BILL TO GIVE TOWNS CONTROL OVER LOCAL TRAFFIC DECISIONS SIGNED INTO LAW

Measure Allows Towns to Move Forward without State DOT Approval

(TRENTON) –Gov. Jon S. Corzine has signed into law legislation sponsored by Assembly members John S. Wisniewski, Linda R. Greenstein, Wayne P. DeAngelo and Elease Evans to allow municipalities to control local traffic patterns by installing new traffic signs without approval from the state Department of Transportation (DOT).

“Local officials should have the ability to make traffic management decisions on local roadways,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.