Gov. Christie told William Brown, 34, a former Navy SEAL and second-year Rutgers-Camden law student on Thursday that his school will definitely merge with Rowan University, sparking a yelling match that led the governor to dismiss him as an “idiot.” Brown, a former candidate for state Assembly who served in Iraq in 2004 and 2005, was removed from the firehouse by Florence police officers. Brown worries that veterans and other non-traditional students won’t get the same kind of educational opportunities once the merger goes through. http://bit.ly/zqMTqk
NJ Dems offer tax-cut plans
The Legislature's Democratic leaders unveiled their counterproposals Tuesday to Christie's plan to cut income taxes 10 percent across the board, an idea he included in his budget proposal in February. Sweeney wants to offer taxpayers the equivalent of a 10 percent property-tax cut: Those who earn $250,000 or less a year can take an income-tax credit of up to $1,000 based on their property-tax bill. http://bit.ly/xmEn8u
NJ Transit eyes rapid-bus system
To reduce traffic congestion and ease commutes from South Jersey to Philadelphia, transit planners want a $46 million "bus rapid transit" system on the heavily traveled corridor that includes Routes 55 and 42, and I-676. The proposed NJ Transit system would allow
Red knot shorebird designated endangered species in N.J.
Wildlife officials said that the new status, a change from threatened, did not add protections. However, it is formal recognition that despite years of efforts to help the bird, its numbers continue to decline. The red knot population on the bay is about 15,000, down from nearly 100,000 two decades ago. http://bit.ly/zeDKlr
Christie backs plan to fund anti-bullying law
A bipartisan agreement has been reached to fix the state's anti-bullying law - considered the toughest in the nation - following complaints by school districts that it was financially burdensome. Gov. Christie announced support Tuesday for an amended bill backed by both parties that will be fast-tracked through the Legislature. It will add $1 million to the Bullying Prevention Fund to help districts meet the law's requirements, and will create a task force to assist with implementation of the measure. http://bit.ly/zWVp9e
Winners and losers under Christie's school budget
The first details are out about Gov. Christie's trumpeted increase in state aid for public schools next year, showing a much more complicated picture that means big increases for some schools and sharp cuts for others. In all, 95 districts would get less, from a cut of 13 percent down to minuscule dips. Jersey City is slated to get a single dollar more. Other districts in for significant cuts include Pemberton Township, Winslow and Washington Township. http://bit.ly/wI5s1S