January 10, 2018

January 10, 2018 Sunny with high temperatures in the mid-30s. IN FINAL STATE OF STATE, CHRISTIE PRAISES HIMSELF In his last official address to the Legislature, Gov. Chris Christie highlighted his accomplishments on urban renewal, property taxes and education, John Reitmeyer writes for NJ Spotlight. The governor, whose approval ratings are in the mid-teens, praised his "fighting attitude" and "pro-growth policies" and said the state is better off than it was when he first took office. But Nina Agrawal writes for The Los Angeles Times that many state residents are saying “good riddance” to the combative Republican. GOV.-ELECT MURPHY TAPS OBAMA OFFICIAL FOR LABOR POST Gov.-elect Phil Murphy nominated Robert Asaro-Angelo, a former U.S. Labor Department official in the Obama administration, to be labor commissioner, Samantha Marcus reports for NJ.com. “We must stand for the rights and protections of all New Jersey workers, regardless of background or profession,” Asaro-Angelo said in a statement. He is the third former Obama official Murphy has chosen for his cabinet. DRY WEATHER BRINGS SERIOUS DROP IN WATER RESERVOIR LEVELS Three drinking water reservoirs along the Hackensack River are under 60 percent capacity when they would normally be at nearly 70 percent this time of year, James M. O’Neill writes for The Record. And the Wanaque and Monksville reservoirs combined are just under 50 percent full, when they would normally be 80 percent full. The reservoirs are lower than they were at this time last year, when the region was emerging from its first drought warning in more than 15 years. LAWMAKER RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT MARIJUANA AND DRIVING Senate Republican Whip Joe Pennaccio says he has “major concerns” about what legalizing marijuana would mean for road safety in the state, Jerry Carino reports for Gannett New Jersey. Pennaccio noted that there is not a precise way of gauging impairment with marijuana, like there is with alcohol, and that could diminish the deterrent to drugged driving. Meanwhile, a majority of the Asbury Park City Council said they would be open to allowing licensed businesses to sell marijuana in the city, Austin Bogues reports for the Asbury Park Press.