The Morning Briefing - February 22, 2016
TRENTON - Expect invites to many more rubber chicken dinners, as state Republicans are desperate to replenish their kitty. Politico reports the state committee is $354,000 in the red, stemming from all those Bridgegate bills, private jet costs for Gov. Chris Christie's presidential run, and other stuff. Money is needed with a deep bench of strong Republicans ready to compete for governor in 2017. So, Christie needs to hit the circuit and work the same fundraising magic that raked in a record $60 million for the Republican Governors Association in 2014.
TRENTON - In the early years of Gov. Chris Christie's administration, the days following a budget address were chock full of town hall meetings and other opportunities to sell his spending plan to the masses. This year? No public appearances since he delivered his budget message six days ago, Politico notes. While many in New Jersey clamor for vintage Christie - the guy carried across the re-election finish line on voters' shoulders - perhaps there is a new normal that we need to get used to. Kinda like "Shut up and like my budget."
PRINCETON - Perhaps Donald Trump may threaten to build another "great, great wall" - this time around erudite Princeton, if town officials don't stop letting undocumented immigrants know their rights in order to avoid detention and deportation. After the town declared itself a "sanctuary city," the town's website is now offering tip sheets to assist undocumented immigrants who are confronted by immigration agents: Remain silent; ask for a lawyer; and carry a county ID card.
PISCATAWAY - A deal to build 975 lower-cost homes and apartments here over the next decade is being lauded as first major boost for affordable housing since March, when the N.J. Supreme Court gave judges the power to enforce Fair Share housing rules. The Home News Tribune explained a Middlesex County judge must still approve Piscataway's tentative plan, but affordable-housing advocates say it's terrific news for seniors, people with disabilities, and poorer families who need the most bang for their housing buck. The Supreme Court ordered every municipality to draft a reasonable affordable housing plan by the end of the year. So, just 564 towns, give or take, left to go.
TOMS RIVER - Teenage girls aren't exactly rushing to get to the library - except, apparently, in Ocean County. Cash-strapped prom-goers can find some glittery - and free - prom wear at the county's 20-branch library system. For a seventh year, library branches will collect "gently used" prom dresses until April 22. The library system gave away more than 700 of them to eligible girls last year. Great idea. But beware of those bespectacled persnickety librarians, not willing to accept anything too short, too slinky, or too slutty. Sorry, Snooki.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
SYCAMORE, Ohio - Let's all assume staff members at the Mohawk Local School District have no idea who represents them in the state Legislature. No other reason why they were duped by a teenager, who claimed he was a state senator, was given a tour of the school by the superintendent and then addressed a school assembly about the importance of public service. Yes, the Toledo Blade reports, this did happen in December. School officials didn't know they were scammed until weeks later, when the real state senator showed up to speak, as scheduled. The fake state senator told the newspaper his scam was to show lax security, adding "They could easily have Googled me, and they didn't."
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1980 forever known as the "Miracle on Ice," as the U.S. hockey team beat the Russians 4-3 to win the gold.
WORD OF THE DAY
Idoneous - adjective
Definition: Perfectly appropriate
Example: Margie headed to the library branch in Point Pleasant to pick up her idoneous prom dress.