The Morning Briefing - March 20, 2015

BELMAR - While there is grousing of more snow today, there's a telltale sign that spring is here: Belmar wants to double the hourly rate on its 320 parking meters. Nothing says "Welcome to the Shore" like $2-an-hour parking meters on Ocean Avenue, which the town council is considering. The Asbury Park Press says the hike needs to be a buck because the town bought meters that conveniently don't accept coins. Pretty sneaky, sis. 

NEWARK - The man whose name is synonymous with "New Jersey corruption" is already out of jail. Solomon Dwek was at the epicenter of the state's largest federal sting that ensnared politicians, donors and even some rabbis, leading to the arrest of 46 and headlines for months in 2009. It is a movie in the making - and we assume a nice book deal for Dwek - as the story of the scam artist, portraying a corrupt developer, turned a glaring spotlight on the dark corners of New Jersey. Dwek served fewer than 30 months of his six-year sentence and is now on home confinement, likely talking with Hollywood agents. We suggest the first draft of the script be named "King Solomon." (No charge) 

NEWARK - Looks like the national media has rediscovered Newark - and this time it has nothing to do with Cory Booker saving dogs or shoveling out old ladies' driveways. Politico is featuring Newark in its "What Works" series featuring "innovative ideas-and how they spread-from cities across the United States at a time of unprecedented urban reinvention." Among the articles is one written by PolitickerNJ.com reporter Mark Bonamo about Mayor Ras Baraka. Though the new mayor may not be the media darling of his predecessor, Bomamo observes that many are betting he will be a better mayor. Read more here.

TRENTON - It seems like New Jersey is careening toward an administrative nightmare, as the state Assembly is considering a bill that would allow each town in the state to set its own minimum wage, as long as the rates are higher than the state-mandated $8.38 an hour. What a potential mess, especially for companies with locations in various towns, or those deciding where to set up shop. Imagine this scenario: "Well, Mr. Tedeschi, I can offer you a job in Bogota, but there's no way I can afford for you to work in Sayreville. And don't get me started on Monmouth Beach." 

TRENTON - Kids and concussions are big problem. And state lawmakers are now tinkering with the state helmet laws to make sure our kids are covered. A new bill would require kids under 17 to wear helmets while ice skating or riding a non-motorized scooter. (Figure skaters in organized competition would be exempt, as, we guess, the threat of looking unattractive would trump the safety concern.) The bill would also increase the mandatory age for wearing a helmet from 16 to 17 for kids roller skating or riding bikes or skateboards.

SOMEWHERE ELSE - If you are trying to keep track of where our governor is these days, the Wall Street Journal believes he will be somewhere in Florida this weekend, addressing GOP donors at some retreat. Also in attendance will be the big contenders on the Republican side: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Next week, it looks like Gov. Chris Christie will be swinging through Texas to raise money in the heartland, home to other long-shot contenders Sen. Ted Cruz and former Gov. Rick Perry. If Christie's poll numbers can drop further, perhaps he can refocus on New Jersey and focus on his legacy, our only hope for some progress until the next governor is elected. 

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS 

PATNA, India - Cheating on standardized tests has become the national pastime in India, where parents are bribing test supervisors, kids are freely sharing answers and parents are even throwing paper planes into the classrooms with the correct answers, Reuters reports. It's because the Bihar School Examination Board is considered the make-or-break test, with the state government offering 10,000 rupees to lower-caste students who can get at least half the answers correct. Yesterday, the Hindustan Times published photos of men clambering up the wall of a test center, perched on window ledges as they folded answer sheets into paper planes flown into classrooms. "Should we shoot them?" asked Prashant Kumar Shahi, Bihar's education minister, airing the incriminating photo and noting that "four or five persons," on average, are helping each kid cheat. 

THIS DAY IN HISTORY 

Whatever enterprise Disney touches becomes a cash windfall for its shareholders. So it was shocking when Disney announced on this day in 2012 that its movie "John Carter" lost $200 million. Boy, was Mickey ticked. 

WORD OF THE DAY 

Codswallop - noun 

Definition: Nonsense 

Example: "The concept of each of the 565 towns in New Jersey setting its own minimum wage is pure codswallop."