The Morning Briefing January 26, 2012

GLASSBORO - It wasn't long ago that Glassboro State College was the ideal safety school for your typical C+ student who had a faint chance of getting admitted to Rutgers. My, how things have changed. This sleepy South Jersey school has since been renamed Rowan University, millions of dollars have been poured in, a Rowan medical school is opening this fall in Camden and the place is absolutely exploding. The Governor is now elevating Rowan as the state's second research university, announcing a restructuring plan in which Rowan basically would take over the Camden campus of Rutgers - even the Rutgers law and business schools there. This is a huge victory for all those Glassboro grads who were repeatedly rejected from Rutgers, but found a home at a small, friendly party school in South Jersey.

VINELAND - Gov. Chris Christie is in Vineland today - his latest whistle stop on the "Jersey Comeback" tour. Lots of talking points to play up - his proposed income tax cut for all residents, his belief that New Jerseyans should decide the thorny issue of gay marriage at the voting booth and the latest - his plan to elevate Rowan University to the same echelon as Rutgers University. Meanwhile, expect him to pipe in some kind words about Mitt Romney. Does the Governor sleep?

NEWARK - The 75th-anniversary of the annual New Jersey Chamber trip to Washington is today; Verizon wants to ensure everyone leaves on a full stomach. Verizon holds its annual breakfast this morning at the Hilton across from Penn Station, a great meeting place to get the mingling started early, as well as an opportunity for those who aren't taking the choo-choo to DC to pass some quick business cards between the bacon and eggs. Verizon is using the crowd as an opportunity to demonstrate some new products in home monitoring and control services. The lobbying firm, Burton Trent, is offering a similar breakfast for those meeting up in Philadelphia for the "Walk to Washington."

TRENTON - While the Governor has become the master at creating headlines every day, apparently the 24/7 news coverage just isn't enough. A non-profit group supporting Christie is gearing up for another $1.5 million TV campaign to highlight all the wonderful and incredible things the Governor is doing for New Jersey. PolitickerNJ reports "The Committee for Our Children's Future" will run an ad over the next four weeks in New York, Philly and New Jersey stations. There is also an online advertising plan - perhaps a "click here" ad if you are ga-ga over Christie. One would wonder why all this money is being blown now, when Christie isn't back on the ballot until November 2013. Is this laying the groundwork for a VP bid?

WASHINGTON - Ensuring the spotlight remains squarely on the Governor, the NJ Chamber of Commerce is breaking from tradition for this year's train ride to DC. Typically, both U.S. senators representing New Jersey, as well as the dean of the congressional delegation, Rep. Chris Smith, are the featured speakers at the dinner, comprising 800 business leaders, lobbyists, politicians and wanna-be politicians. This year, no members of Congress have been asked to speak. Just Christie.

STATEWIDE - You can bet the Governor will not be talking to the state Chamber of Commerce about a new report from the Tax Foundation in Washington that shows the state's businesses have the heaviest tax burden. Gannett reports the survey didn't take into account recent tax changes that the state's business community has supported. But it did show New Jersey is bruising for small business owners, who have to shell out corporate taxes, individual income taxes, sales taxes, unemployment insurance taxes and property taxes. Small business owners are so far underwater; they don't realize they keep getting soaked.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

On this day, Jan. 26, 1995, it was a landmark moment in Gov. Christie Whitman's administration, when she announced she would dedicate a rest stop to "shock jock" Howard Stern on Route 295, south of Trenton. Gov. James McGreevey shut Stern's rest stop down in 2003; thieves quickly stole the plaque honoring Stern.