How ex-Horizon exec kept ties to company AND became Phil Murphy’s gun guru

In May, Bill Castner walked away from a $1.4 million senior executive job at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's largest insurance carrier, to advise Gov. Phil Murphy on gun control issues. Castner has agreed to act as a consultant to Horizon -- a state-regulated company -- while at the same time having the ear of the Democratic governor.

Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblyman Hal Wirths (both R-24) said that …

Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblyman Hal Wirths said that legislation advanced by the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee will weaken New Jersey's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and put employers at risk of future tax increases. “At its worst point, New Jersey's UI Fund was more than $2 billion in the red,” said Oroho.

End of West Milford blood drive hurts region

The Monthly Blood Drive of West Milford will hold its final collection day on June 17, after 19 years in operation. Bergen-based blood bank losing most consistent supplier in West Milford drive The Monthly Blood Drive of West Milford will hold its final collection day on June 17, after 19 years in operation.

New Jersey Reports Show Most Guns Used in Crimes Were Purchased in Other States

More than three-quarters of the firearms used in New Jersey gun crimes this year were purchased in other states, according to a report released Tuesday by the Department of Law and Public Safety. The report, covering the first three months of 2018, found that 77 percent of the 542 traceable guns originated outside New Jersey, in many cases in states with weaker gun laws.

Mike on Murphy’s tax hikes: Expect backlash. Julie: Not terrifying. Plus, tips for the gov

Can Americans still have a sensible and friendly political discussion across the partisan divide? The answer is yes, and we intend to prove it. Julie Roginsky, a Democratic, and Mike DuHaime, a Republican, are consultants who have worked on opposite teams for their entire careers.

NJ Politics Digest: Christie Offers to Help Murphy, Or Else

Gov. Chris Christie said he's here to help Governor-elect Phil Murphy - but only if his successor wants it. "I said to him, 'This can be the first of many conversations, or this can be our first and last, but that's completely up you,'" Christie said Tuesday, recalling his 90-minute meeting with Murphy earlier this month.

Hospital exec who worked for Corzine to head Murphy transition

On an Election Night when the results exactly tracked what public-opinion polls had projected, one of the few surprises was the unexpected appearance at Gov.-elect Phil Murphy's victory party of former Gov. Jon Corzine, who has kept a low profile since leaving office in 2010 - especially after the bankruptcy of his Wall Street brokerage a year later. Then another reminder of the Corzine era surfaced Wednesday, when Murphy made his first appointment as governor-elect in naming Jose Lozano the executive director of his transition committee.

Menendez jurors near deliberations in bribery trial

In this Aug. 17, 2017 file photo, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks during a news conference, in Union Beach, N.J. A jury could begin deliberations Monday, Nov. 6, in the bribery trial of Menendez and a wealthy friend. less FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2017 file photo, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks during a news conference, in Union Beach, N.J. A jury could begin deliberations Monday, Nov. 6, in the bribery trial of Menendez and a ... more NEWARK, N.J. - A jury that has listened to nine weeks of testimony and evidence is expected to begin deliberations Monday in the bribery trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend.

Jury set to hear closing arguments in Menendez bribery trial

The jury in the bribery trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is set to hear closing arguments on Thursday after more than two months of testimony. The New Jersey Democrat is charged with accepting gifts from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen in exchange for using his political influence.

Dollar by dollar, here’s your full breakdown of tax promises by Murphy and Guadagno

The campaign to succeed Gov. Chris Christie centers around the always-important Jersey issue of taxes: who's going to raise them, who's going to lower them, and by how much. Republican gubernatorial nominee Kim Guadagno has said she will lower property taxes for New Jersey homeowners with her plan to replace some of the taxes you're sending directly to schools with $1.5 billion in state aid.

Hackensack Meridian Health Vice President Named to Becker’s Hospital Review: Rising Stars in …

Jose Lozano honored for outstanding efforts in the merger of two major health networks and development of new medical school Edison, NJ- Hackensack Meridian Health, the state's most comprehensive and integrated health care network, announced that Jose Lozano, chief of staff, vice president, corporate services and governance for the network, was named to Becker's Hospital Review: Rising Stars in Healthcare 2017 - 60 under 40. Mr. Lozano played an instrumental role in the merger of Meridian Health and the Hackensack University Health Network last year, which has resulted in a dynamic partnership with 13 hospitals in seven counties and plans to open a new medical school with Seton Hall University next year.

Christie deputy, ex-Goldman Sachs executive win primaries 0:0

A wealthy former Goldman Sachs executive and Republican Gov. Chris Christie's top deputy immediately took aim at each other after winning primaries Tuesday in the race to replace the unpopular governor, continuing campaign attacks that have marked the first statewide primary election since President Donald Trump took office. Democrat Phil Murphy and Republican Lt.

Goldman Sachs vet Murphy wins Democratic governor’s primary

FILE- In this May 18, 2017 file photo, New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno speaks during a Republican gubernatorial primary debate in Newark, N.J. New Jersey voters are heading to the polls to pick their candidates to ... TRENTON, N.J. - A wealthy former Goldman Sachs executive and Obama administration ambassador won the Democratic nomination in the race to replace unpopular term-limited Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday.