Mark J Magyar

In an unusually stormy meeting, the embattled state Ethics Commission placated protesters by confirming that it is investigating former Port Authority Chairman David Samson. It also confirmed that the commission is dropping a five-year-old ethics complaint against a state union leader.

For Ethics Commission Chairman Andrew Berns, the media scrutiny ...

The state Ethics Commission, which would rule on any ethics complaints against state officials in Bridgegate or other Christie administration scandals, yesterday approved Gov. Chris Christie’s recommendation for its new executive director -- Susana Espasa Guerrero, a former governor’s counsel who served in the governor's office with all nine Christie aides subpoenaed in Bridgegate.

With New Jersey facing a $705 million budget shortfall that could easily double by June, the Senate Democratic budget chairman yesterday called upon the Christie administration to lay out a plan to close the gap before the size of the deficit becomes virtually unmanageable.

New Jersey faces staggering long-term fiscal problems, with pension and health benefit liabilities, infrastructure, and other budget needs adding up to more than $200 billion in future program costs, according to a blue-ribbon budget study released yesterday.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) yesterday scored yet another bipartisan legislative victory when the Senate passed his controversial bill that would force municipalities to share services or face a loss of state aid.