TRENTON - Gov. Jon S. Corzine today announced on Tuesday the formation of a blue ribbon advisory panel known as the New Jersey Real Estate Advisory Board. The panel will be comprised of economic development leaders throughout the State, representing a cross-section of New Jersey's major industry sectors.

"New Jersey cannot stand idly by while America's financial crisis continues to evolve," Governor Corzine said. "I look forward to collaborating with these talented industry leaders to craft policies that will help see New Jersey through this current economic crisis and move the State toward a path of recovery."

The advisory panel will support the initiatives outlined in Governor Corzine's Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan, which was announced in October.

Board members will meet regularly and work closely with the Governor's Office of Economic Growth as well as other State Departments to encourage economic development and revitalization across the state, enhance New Jersey's appeal to investors and businesses, and serve as good will "ambassadors" for the State to recruit businesses to locate and expand in New Jersey.

"New Jersey's businesses play an integral role in the continued economic prosperity of our state," said Jerry Zaro, Chief of the Governor's Office of Economic Growth. "The Real Estate Advisory Board will bring together some of the best and brightest in the state's development community to work to create jobs, revenues and economic stability during this national recession."

The new Board, which will serve as an informal advisory commission to the Governor, will be chaired by Joseph Taylor, CEO of Matrix Development Group. The remaining membership will represent the following sectors: Academic, Banking/Lending, Commercial, Construction Management, Housing, Industrial, Law, Office, Trade Organization, Retail, Risk Management, Broker/Dealers and Investors.

New Jersey Real Estate Advisory Board Members
Joseph Taylor (Chair)
Holly Bakke
Mitchell Berkey
Joseph Bonner
Carl Goldberg
Jarrod Grasso
William F. Harrison
Mitchell Hersh
Karen Hudgins
Michael Kasparian
Richard LeFrak
David Listokin
Joseph Marino
Gil Medina
William O'Dea
Joe Plumeri
Steve Pozycki
Joseph Riggs
John Saraceno
Ralph Salerno
Leo Schoffer
Seena Stein
Emmanuel Stern
Paul Teti
Tim Touhey
Gretchen Wilcox
Zgyi Wilf
Eric Witmondt
Ted Zangari

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on Thursday on the latest economic news that 554,000 Americans filed for jobless claims:

“Today’s jobless claims again illustrate the struggles that workers are facing as they search for jobs, worry about layoffs, or fight to make ends meet. It is critical that Democrats and Republicans work together to ensure that the new year is a time of new economic opportunities for all Americans. Congress is working with the incoming Obama Administration to pass at the earliest date an economic recovery plan to provide immediate relief to Americans, to create or save 2.5 million American jobs, and to make long-term investments to strengthen the economy.

“One action the Bush Administration can take immediately to help stabilize the economy is to use its legal authority to provide assistance to prevent the imminent insolvency of the domestic auto industry. With 2 million American jobs riding on the outcome, the Administration should provide this assistance with tough accountability standards and an insistence on shared sacrifice, as was included in the package negotiated between the White House and the Congress and passed by the House.”

TRENTON - In light of President-elect Obama's appointment of Lisa Jackson to head the U.S. Environmental Protecton Agency, Gov. Jon Corzine acted quickly to replace Jackson with Chief Counsel Edward J. McBride Jr. as his chief of staff. McBride is expected to assume his new responsibilities immediately.

"When it comes to selecting a steward of the nation's environmental treasures, President-elect Obama could not have made a better choice than Lisa Jackson," Corzine commented on Jackson's nomination.

McBride will now manage the day-to-day operations of the Governor's Office and has served as chief counsel to Corzine since February 2008 and served as deputy chief counsel the previous two years. William J. Castner Jr. will now serve as chief counsel.

Other Corzine appointments:

• Diane Legreide as deputy chief of staff
• Michellene Davis as chief policy counsel
• Albert J. Alvarez as deputy chief of staff
• Jaimee Gilmartin as director of operations
• Josh Zeitz as senior policy advisor

- Trentonian Online News Team

President-elect Barack Obama announced Monday that Lisa P. Jackson, chief of staff to NJ Gov. Jon S. Corzine, as his nominee to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"I am both humbled and honored by President-elect Obama's selection to lead the Environmental Protection Agency," Jackson said.

"I will always be grateful for the opportunity I was given to steward New Jersey's air, land, water and natural and historic resources. I will forever be grateful to Gov. Corzine and his confidence in me to serve as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, and as his chief of staff. The tremendous strides we have made in New Jersey environmental policy would not have been possible without Gov. Corzine's strong leadership and support."

"For anyone who cares deeply, as I do, about our nation's environment and our citizens' quality of life, this appointment is a dream come true. From fighting climate change globally to preventing pollution locally, we face some of the most challenging and complex environmental issues of our times. The solutions may not be simple or easy, but on behalf of every American, I will work tirelessly to pursue them."

By MICHAEL GORMLEY

Associated Press Writer

ALBANY, N.Y (AP) — Caroline Kennedy has told New York Gov. David Paterson she wants to be the state's next Senator, becoming the highest-profile person to actively lobby for the seat being vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Kennedy has told the Democratic governor she wants the job should Clinton be confirmed as secretary of state for President-elect Barack Obama, according to two people familiar with the conversations between Kennedy and Paterson.

The people spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday because neither Kennedy nor Paterson have acknowledged she is seeking the position.

If appointed by Paterson, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy would hold the seat once occupied by her late uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.

There was no immediate comment from the Kennedy family or from Paterson.
Paterson has sole authority to name a replacement for Clinton, who was first elected in 2000 and re-elected by a wide margin in 2006.

Over the past week, Kennedy has reached out to several prominent New York Democrats to tell them of her interest in the Senate seat. They included Joel Klein, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education; Kennedy worked closely with Klein as executive of Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education, where she raised some $65 million for the city's schools.

Other Democrats who appear to be on Paterson's short list include New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who won't say publicly if he's interested.

One of the early front-runners, Rep. Nydia Velazquez of Brooklyn, took herself out of the running Friday.

Paterson, a Democrat, will appoint someone to fill Clinton's seat for two years if she is confirmed as secretary of state. He is expected to tap someone who can raise a lot of money and help him politically when they run together on the 2010 ticket.

Other names in the mix include Nassau County District Executive Tom Suozzi, who is also a possible choice for lieutenant governor with Paterson in 2010; Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown; Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr.; and Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Steve Israel, Jerrold Nadler, Kirsten Gillibrand and Brian Higgins.

Republicans wasted no time in criticizing Kennedy as unqualified for the job and unfamiliar with the state.

"If anything, it makes me more determined to run," said Rep. Peter King, a Long Island Republican who has already expressed his interest in the seat.

"As far as record of achievement I strongly believe that I'm much more qualified, much more experienced, and have an independent record," said King. "Nothing against Caroline Kennedy but I don't think anyone has a right to a seat."

Rumors continue to fly around Trenton that Mayor Doug Palmer might be getting a job in Washington soon. Though Palmer repeatedly denies that he has been offered a job and is concentrating on the city's needs, political pundits believe otherwise.

Everyone wants to know if he is going to Washington. He was a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton, now slated to be Secretary of State, and those close to the Clinton camp know that Hillary probably made a lot of promises to several politially connected people. Now at the state department, she can make good on a few.

The rumors about Palmer are so intense that even Tony Mack called this newspapeer seeking confirmation of the rumor and if Palmer will in fact hold a press conference announcing his resignation.

But alas it was not true. For now.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

There are several city council members - Paul Pintella, Manny Segura, Annette Lartigue - who are chomping at the bit at the possibility of being annoited as Palmer's replacement. But whoever takes Palmer's place in the future have very big political shoes to fill. Even though the residents don't see it, Trenton has amassed a huge power base because of Palmer and that power base leaves with Palmer and the city will be starting over again.

Palmer's legacy will stand for a long time and those seeking office will seek his blessing down the road. Unlike other urban politicians, Palmer has not just a local political slant but a national one. Having served and continues to serve on the national stage gives him a certain political clout that will take anyone else in the mayor's sport a long time to ascertain.

Political pundits are waiting for the king to be removed, but the king's presence will remain long after the king is gone. Many will disagree with this notion, but a Palmer blessing and connections has a greater and farther reach than those with only local one.

So, is Palmer going soon? Who can tell. But if he does go soon, his presence will be felft for a long time.

Trentonian Online News Team

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the Labor Department’s announcement that the number of Americans continuing to receive unemployment benefits last week topped 4 million, the highest level in nearly 26 years.

“Despite the high level of continuing unemployment, the Bush Administration and Senate Republicans are still opposed to legislation the House passed in September that would create jobs and address urgent nutrition and health needs for those hurt by the recession.

“America needs bipartisan action now to get our economy back on track. Our House-passed legislation would begin the process of economic recovery by investing in job-creating infrastructure projects and helping struggling Americans with emergency food assistance and prevent deep cuts in health care and essential services. At a minimum, President Bush should support providing emergency food assistance and aid to states to maintain health care coverage for millions of Americans this holiday season.

“I again call on President Bush and Senate Republicans to work with us and get our economy moving again.”