Journalism

Clips from my work.

Posted 19 years 3 weeks ago and tagged as Political Diary, The Wall Street Journal, New Jersey, Taxes

Look for the property tax issue to dominate New Jersey's race for governor this year. The state's gubernatorial battles will be closely-watched around the country not just because it's an off-year with few other races -- but because a big win by Senator Jon Corzine, the likely Democratic finalist, would considerably raise his presidential profile.

Posted 19 years 2 months ago and tagged as Political Diary, The Wall Street Journal, Tennessee, Corruption, Harold Ford Jr.

To kick off the 2006 campaign, Washington lawmakers this week are hoisting the "ethics reform" standard. If voters are wondering whether Congress can rally to save itself from temptation, developments in a Tennessee political-corruption scandal that resembles the Abramoff affair aren't encouraging.

Posted 19 years 2 months ago and tagged as Political Diary, The Wall Street Journal, New Jersey, Budget Gap

In his State of the State speech on Tuesday, New Jersey Acting Governor Richard Codey announced new funding for one of his favorite projects, the New Jersey Stem Cell Institute. How will a state that borrowed $2.3 billion to plug this year's budget and faces a $4 billion deficit next year pay for it? Borrow, of course, so that future budgets are obligated to fund it.

The acting governor promised to spend $150 million of unspent bond money to build the research center and plans to ask voters to approve an additional $230 million in new bonds for grants at the institute.

Posted 19 years 5 months ago and tagged as Political Diary, The Wall Street Journal, New Jersey

Used to be that money was the bell cow foretelling a campaign's priorities. Want to know which states are critical for an Electoral College win? Look at where a candidate spends his booty. But in an era of close races and hanging chads, a better indicator is where the lawyers hang out before Election Day.

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