The Morning Briefing June 13, 2012

NEWARK – It seems if a large company wants a wheelbarrow of cash, it should just threaten to leave Newark. The latest beneficiary of state money is Cablevision, receiving a $37 million Urban Transit Hub tax credit to keep 500 jobs in Newark over the next 10 years, NJ Biz reports. Cablevision has 60,000 square feet of space in the city; the lease is up in 2014, and the company is now eying larger space near the Broad Street train station. Great that Cablevision will remain in Newark. Now, perhaps the company will actually offer cable to all streets in the city.

LOS ANGELES – Media around the world is still reporting on the Game 6 collapse of the Devils. But the focus is not what happened on the ice. Apparently, David Beckham took his three sons to the game, and international media was there to mark every move. Like when Beckham “lovingly” put his arm around his 10-year-old son, named Romeo. Or when he bought ice cream for the kids, as they peered out from their glorious rink-side seats. Or that Beckham’s 13-year-old son, Brooklyn, was wearing a gray hoodie with rainbow colored stripes. My God. This brainless “reporting” of a sporting event goes on and on.

PARSIPPANY – Are the bylaws of a Parsippany condo association stronger than the First Amendment? Perhaps, as the state Supreme Court is set to decide today on the case of a political candidate, Wasim Khan, who dared to put a sign in his window in 2005, urging people to vote for him. The candidate soon met the heavy hand of the condo association, who fined him for violating the rules. The case has bounced through the courts, as the issue of free speech is weighed against strict condo bylaws, and the bored residents who harass others into following them.

TRENTON – While promises of tax cuts certainly win the hearts and minds of voters, the harsh ramifications can be a real downer. The Record believes that either the Republican or Democratic tax cut plan for fiscal 2013 and beyond would ultimately lose New Jersey at least $1 billion annually. The revenue loss would hit year after year as the state would be on the hook to spend for other big-ticket items, such as the proposed university restructuring. Meanwhile, it would be political suicide for lawmakers down the line to eliminate the tax cuts, speeding this unnecessary spiral into bankruptcy. Know of any good real estate deals in South Carolina?

NEWARK – The “ick factor” is at an all-time high this morning, as the alleged leader of a hard-core child porn ring is expected to appear in federal court in one of the largest cases of its kind. The Ukrainian man is charged with operating a string of websites, selling access to sickos worldwide. The Ukraine’s foreign ministry, for some reason, is stepping forward in the man’s defense. Also, his mother has assured media he is innocent. Oh, if she says so, police might as well release him, with their sincere apologies.

SECAUCUS – Yet another out-of-state prison will soon be accommodating a disgraced New Jersey politician, as former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell heads to North Carolina on Monday to begin his 30-month term for taking a $10,000 bribe. The Record reports that Elwell continues to appeal the conviction, and noted he selected to serve in Butner, N.C. because this particular jail offers great health care – better than we can afford – through the prestigious Duke University Hospital.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Expect a very unpleasant reaction to last call, as the town council voted last night to reel in closing times at town bars to midnight. Two heavy hitters - Jenkinson's Boardwalk and Martell's Tiki Bar – are demanding the state intercede and keep the party going until 2 a.m. The ordinance takes effect July 1, just as the summer drinking season heats up. Lots of money is at stake here; interesting to see what happens now that all the lawyers are fully engaged.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

It was one year ago today that Michelle Bachmann made a grand announcement she is running for President. Today, people are asking: “Michelle, who?”