»Christie Expects Revenue Surge to Fund Budget, Tax Cuts-
Total state spending of $49.5 billion would pass Corzine for highest in NJ history.
»The Politics of the Budget-
Christie got his way on his first two budgets. Will this be the year Democratic leaders say 'No'?
»New Jersey Gets Serious About Sharing Core Services-
Consolidation initiatives are sweeping the state, with governor and legislature adding bipartisan backing.
»Budget Expert: Income Tax Cuts Will Benefit the Rich-
Christie defends cuts in rebate program that led to 20 percent hike in net property taxes.
»Net Property Taxes Up 20 Percent Under Christie-
»Christie Calls for Restructuring of Research Universities-
Governor plans to create N.J. Health Sciences University in Newark, merge Rutgers-Camden into Rowan University.
»Should Christie Be Cutting Property Taxes Instead?-
The highest property taxes in the nation hurt New Jersey's competitiveness more than the income tax burden.
»Revenue Shortfall Fuels Debate Over Tax Cut-
Democrats question how Christie can afford to slash income tax by 10 percent.
»Christie Demands 10 Percent Income Tax Cut-
Democrats: Cut property taxes, not 'taxes on the rich'
»Rothman Challenge to Pascrell Could Dash Minority Hopes-
Bergen Democrat's decision to run in the primary could upset coalition's hopes to eventually elect a minority in the 9th District -- unless a minority runs now.
»Garrett and Rothman Look Like Odd Men Out-
Congressional redistricting commission reportedly focused on New Jersey's 5th and 9th Districts.
»Democrats Vow to Fight, But Who’s the Boss?-
Sweeney and Oliver discount influence of Norcross and DiVincenzo as power brokers.
»Paterson Great Falls National Park: More Than Scenery-
Newly dedicated as a national park, Great Falls also celebrates the city that was the cradle of America's Industrial Revolution and its radical labor movement.
»Election Preview: Tracking the Contests that Matter Most-
Campaign spending records are being set in the two hottest races. The governor is starring in TV ads -- cable and network -- in key districts. So much for a 'status quo' election.
- »Remapping New Jersey's Congressional Districts
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When the redistricting commission completes its complex calculus -- and equally complex compromises -- New Jersey will have lost one congressional district.
»Christie's 'Not My Time' Signals Start of Governor's Race-
Governor says he could have won White House, but work in New Jersey isn’t done. Will the Democrats confront or cooperate?
- »Independent Tie-Breaker Promises Open Mind on Congressional Redistricting
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Swing vote on redistricting panel offers no clues on how he will decide to cut House delegation from 13 to 12.
»Christie and Labor: Ready for the Next Round-
In the coming year, the governor's relationship with public- and private-sector unions will deeply affect New Jersey's politics and its economy.
»Port Authority Toll and Fare Hikes May Be on Fast Track to a Veto-
Questioning past mismanagement and overspending, Governors Christie and Cuomo are not expected to approve the Port Authority's huge increase to pay for a $33 billion capital plan that has yet to be developed.
»Why the Port Authority Wants $1 Billion in Toll and Fare Hikes-
World Trade Center cost overruns, economic downturn lead agency to seek record increases, but Christie and Cuomo are skeptical.
»Sweeney Denied State AFL-CIO Endorsement-
Angry over Senate president's collective bargaining bill, public employee unions manage to block endorsement at stormy convention.
»Budget Override Battle Foreshadows Legislative Election Campaigns-
Veto override efforts fall short as Democrats and Republicans differ over size of surplus and availability of funds to restore Christie's cuts to social programs.
»The Next Budget Battle-
The Democrats got the budget they wanted -- all $30.6 billion of it. Now the Republicans get what they want: a Christie veto. Here's where it gets interesting.
- »Christie Touts Sweeney's "Courage" in Signing Pension and Health Benefits Overhaul
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But the battle is just beginning as Democrats spar over bosses' role, unions file lawsuits, and contract negotiations start anew.
»Handing Christie an Easy Win-
Why did the Democratic leadership line up behind the governor on pension and healthcare reform for public employees?
»Sweeney and Oliver Offer a "Democratic Budget"-
Hammered by the unions for working with Christie on pension and health benefit reform, Democratic leaders propose their own $30.7 billion spending plan, including a millionaire’s tax.
»The Imposition Option: Why Gov. Christie Doesn't Have to Negotiate-
The governor has the power to impose the contract he wants in the event of an impasse -- and union leaders are afraid he will be the first governor to do so.
- »Sweeney Delivers the Senate
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A new majority coalition easily passes the controversial pension reform and healthcare bill and ships it over to the Assembly. Last stop: New Jersey's High Court?
»Amid Jeers and Arrests, Senate Committee Passes "Collective Bargaining" Bill-
Union Leaders Charge Democratic Political Bosses With Cutting Deal With Christie.
»Collective Bargaining a Casualty of the Christie-Sweeney Deal-
On the eve of a mass rally in Trenton, the governor and top Democrats and Republicans move to strip public employees of the right to bargain over health benefits.
