TOP STORIES FROM NJN NEWS

Governor Christie delivers his first Budget Message
Chris Christie presents an austere budget that includes deep cuts to schools, towns, higher education and other groups.

Lawmakers react to the governor's address
Legislators on both side of the aisle speak out on Christie's Budget Message.

A Passaic County town is feeling the impact of flooding
Little Falls is hit particularly hard by the weekend rain storm.

State Fiscal Watchdog Announces Contract Guidelines
The state comptroller issued a report on March 4 to some 1900 units of government in the state on "best practices" in awarding contracts. The 25-page report is aimed at no-bid "professional service" contracts -- like those for lawyers or engineers, for example -- that the comptroller says create opportunities that are ripe for corruption. Under current law, those kinds of contracts are exempt from competitive bidding rules. The report went out to towns, school districts, municipal authorities, and every other unit of government. View the report.

Transportation Authority misfires in Inspector General's review
The state Inspector General’s office put the South Jersey Transportation Authority in its cross-hairs in a scathing report on alleged waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars at the agency that runs the Atlantic City Expressway and Atlantic City International Airport. The IG, Mary Jane Cooper, says in the report that the agency did comply with recommended changes as problems in operations, record-keeping and other areas were found. Access the full report.