Sweeney loses suit to get back on redistricting panel
February 2, 2022 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey judge has denied the former state Senate president's request to be reinstated on the commission that will redraw legislative districts.
Judge Robert Lougy denied former Senate President Steve Sweeney's petition to be reinstated onto the Apportionment Commission in a brief order on Tuesday.
Sweeney sues Dem chairman over getting tossed from panel
January 27, 2022 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Former New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney sued the Democratic Party's state chairman on Thursday after being removed from the commission that will draw new legislative districts.
Democrats kick ex-Senate president off redistricting panel
January 26, 2022 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey's former Senate president, who lost reelection to a little-known Republican in November, has been booted from the commission charged with redrawing the state's legislative districts.
New legislative session with focus on COVID-19 recovery
January 11, 2022 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey opened a new legislative session Tuesday, with lawmakers picking a new Senate president for the first time in a dozen years and setting their sights on economic and academic recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak as it approaches its second year.
Sweeney era atop NJ Senate ends with gov campaign on horizon
January 10, 2022 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — For the first time in over a decade, New Jersey's state Senate is beginning a new session this week without Senate President Steve Sweeney, the ironworker and union executive who's shepherded major laws through the Legislature including a phased in $15 an hour minimum wage and recreational marijuana legalization.
New Jersey governor signs aid bill for Atlantic City casinos
December 22, 2021 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill Tuesday night that will give tax relief to Atlantic City’s casinos — and possibly prevent the closure of as many as four of them.
The action by the Democratic governor hands the casinos long-sought relief from an existing law that allows them to make payments in lieu of property taxes to Atlantic City, Atlantic County and the school system.
Lawmaker: 4 Atlantic City casinos may close without tax aid
December 6, 2021 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Four of Atlantic City's nine casinos are in danger of closing if the state does not pass a bill giving tax breaks to the casinos, New Jersey’s outgoing state Senate president said Monday.
Officials in no rush to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos
November 18, 2021 GMTATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey's top political leadership is in no hurry to adopt — or even consider — a bill that would permanently ban smoking in Atlantic City's casinos.
On the day when smoking opponents make a national push for people to kick the habit, New Jersey state Senate President Steve Sweeney said there has been no discussion about whether to move forward with a bill pending in the state Legislature to ban smoking in Atlantic City's nine casinos.
Senate Democrats pick Scutari as leader after Sweeney’s loss
November 12, 2021 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Democrats in the New Jersey Senate picked state Sen. Nicholas Scutari on Friday to be their new leader after current President Steve Sweeney lost reelection to a Republican newcomer.
Durr grapples with new post as Sweeney cites ‘red wave’
November 10, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) —
The Republican state senator-elect who works as a furniture store truck driver and whose victory over New Jersey's powerful Senate president made national headlines acknowledged Wednesday how formidable the new role will be for him and added he's focused on thwarting Democratic Gov.
FACT FOCUS: Claim of 12K ‘found’ ballots in NJ is misleading
November 9, 2021 GMTA statement from the New Jersey state Senate president following his election defeat has generated confusion online in recent days after it vaguely asserted that thousands of ballots had been “found.”
Surprise NJ Senate winner says sorry amid scrutiny of posts
November 5, 2021 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A truck driver who ousted the powerful New Jersey Senate president in the election previously posted online calling Islam “a false religion,” comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust and defending rioters at the Capitol.
Spending $2,300, GOP newcomer Ed Durr beats top NJ lawmaker
November 4, 2021 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey's longtime state Senate president, Democrat Steve Sweeney lost reelection, falling to a Republican newcomer who spent little money and underscoring Democratic woes in the Biden era.
NJ residents would see some tax givebacks under budget deal
June 21, 2021 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey residents would get a number of tax benefits under an agreement the state's Democratic governor and Legislature unveiled on Monday.
Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said Monday they had reached a deal on what they’re calling tax relief measures as part of the fiscal year 2022 budget.
NJ lawmakers pass bill to end public health emergency
June 3, 2021 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey's Democrat-led Legislature on Thursday passed a bill to end the public health emergency brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The measure, which passed with Democrats in favor and Republicans against, ends most of the more than 100 executive orders that Democratic Gov.
Bill would extend state takeover of Atlantic City by 4 years
May 10, 2021 GMTATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey's takeover of most of Atlantic City's major decision-making power may be extended for another four years.
Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, a Democrat who says he worked with Gov...
1st Black woman confirmed to be justice on NJ high court
August 27, 2020 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The nomination of the first Black woman to sit on New Jersey's Supreme Court was confirmed Thursday by the state Senate...
Cannabis, tax breaks, lead in water fill legislative agenda
November 20, 2019 GMTATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey’s top legislators said Thursday that they plan to tackle big issues over the next eight weeks, including an election on marijuana, a new business tax break program and lead in drinking water...
NJ lawmakers planning cannabis question for 2020 ballot
November 18, 2019 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey legislative leaders unveiled a proposed ballot question Monday that would ask voters whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana...
NJ lawmakers advance medical cannabis, expungement bills
May 20, 2019 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey lawmakers advanced legislation Monday expanding the state's medical marijuana program and making it easier for certain convicts to clear their records...
New Jersey will ask voters to legalize recreational pot
May 15, 2019 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A measure to legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey fizzled out Wednesday when the state Senate president said he would instead look to voters next year and will pursue separate bills to expand medical cannabis and wipe clean some criminal records...
New Jersey’s push to legalize recreational marijuana stalls
March 25, 2019 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey lawmakers dealt a blow to the prospects of legal recreational marijuana use in the state Monday, when the state Senate president postponed a vote after his and the governor's lobbying campaign failed to muster enough support in the chamber...
New Jersey governor: Push to legalize pot is short on votes
March 21, 2019 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Days ahead of a planned vote in the Legislature that would make New Jersey the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, Gov...
New Jersey takes big step toward legalizing recreational pot
March 12, 2019 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative leaders said Tuesday they've agreed on legislation to legalize recreational marijuana for adults...
Steve Sweeney reelection in N.J. may be most expensive state legislative campaign ever
December 1, 2017 GMTBy Staff
The race between New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney and a little-known candidate backed by the state’s largest teachers’ union was likely the most expensive state legislative election in U.S.
New Jersey senate leader hits brakes on pump-your-own gas
May 19, 2015 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey drivers won't have to pump their own gas any time soon.
Senate President Steve Sweeney said on Tuesday that recently introduced measures to roll back the law requiring gas station attendants to pump gas will not pass as long as he's in charge.