Politics & Elections

National & New Jersey political news, local talk & election results

Tuesday is the deadline for New Jersey residents to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election for president, U.S. Senate and House and various county and local offices.

To be eligible to vote in New Jersey you must be a U.S. citizen at least 18 years old and a resident of your county for 30 days before Election Day. Those serving a sentence or on parole or probation as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense are not eligible.

Ed Murray/The Star-LedgerThursday, Rutgers student Ebony Williams, waits patiently assist to students who may not have registered to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

Caps aimed at curbing property taxes are not keeping the rates down for everyone in New Jersey.

So far in 2008, 39 towns have asked the state's Local Finance Board to increase taxes beyond the state's 4 percent limit.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority today is expected to vote on a plan that would raise tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway to bankroll an array of transportation projects.

A public hearing is scheduled for this morning on the proposal, which is the state's third attempt at a toll increase this year. Following the public hearing, the Turnpike Authority plans another special meeting in the afternoon to formally approve the plan. Gov. Jon Corzine has indicated he will sign it.

Matt Rainey/The Star-LedgerEdison resident Zohar Laor addresses Kris Kolluri, Chairman of The New Jersey Turnpike Authority today during its final public hearing on the toll hike proposal.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his advisers are mapping out an aggressive third-term re-election strategy that involves spending $80 million or more, according to a report in the New York Times.

The report said at least $20 million of that money would be used to pound away at the man the advisers believe will be his most likely opponent, Representative Anthony D. Weiner, a Democrat who represents Brooklyn and Queens, the people involved in the talks said. The discussions come as resistance builds to the mayor's efforts to overturn the city's 1993 term limits law, which, if left unchanged, would force him from office in December 2009.

Of the myriad things we wish for in life, from the perfect meal to a financial windfall, all are merely means to a single, intangible end called "happiness."

Lately, it has been the most elusive of emotions. Beset with a failing economy, two protracted wars and roller-coaster gas prices, Americans are floundering. Like looking for silver linings in hand-me-down clothes, we are hard-pressed to find the bright side in depressing current events.

Chart: Who's thinks they're happy?

With federal authorities stepping up immigration enforcement raids across the country, Democratic U.S. Sens. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Robert Menendez of New Jersey have sponsored a bill to protect the rights of U.S. citizens and legal residents who get caught up in them.

The Protect Citizens and Residents from Unlawful Raids and Detention Act was introduced on Sept. 25 to push for more stringent legal procedures to be followed by authorities executing immigration-related searches and warrants.

In a bold move it said would increase efficiency, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has eliminated the chief's position in its police department.

The position was held by Christopher Trucillo, a 22-year police department veteran, at an annual salary of $159,822.

The position of police superintendent, a civilian post held by Samuel Plumeri, will remain, officials at the agency said.

Tim Larsen/Governor OfficeGov. Jon Corzine presents Jets Owner Woody Johnson with a Turnpike Exit Sign for the team's training center in Florham Park.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine said today in Paterson he's prepared to sign a revised proposal to raise tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

Corzine says discussions over the specifics continue, but he anticipates the board voting hours after a public hearing Friday.