News-pourri

Well, the Health Insurance Marketplace opened up this morning, and it looks like they still have a few bugs to work out in the application system. Personally, I’ve tried to sign up about six times, but always get stuck at the “Security Questions” section. What’s been your experience? Have you been able to register? Share your stories with us in …

Rep. Rush Holt, D-NJ, released the following statement at about 12:30 a.m., some 45 minutes after President Obama ordered the federal government to begin shutting down: “To pass a law, our Constitution says that you need the approval of the House, the Senate, and the President. “The Tea Party doesn’t control the Senate, the presidency, or even a majority of …

It was billed as a debate between the two state Senate candidates for the 17th Legislative District, but it ended up being more of a policy discussion. To be sure, there were differences in the stands taken by Democratic incumbent Sen. Robert Smith and his Republican challenger, township Mayor Brian Levine, but there was none of the fireworks one might …

Two years after it was swept away by the remnants of Hurricane Irene, the D&R Canal Towpath access bridge off DeMott Lane in Somerset is getting some attention. But it’s still going to be nearly another year before the bridge will once again allow access to the towpath. The state Department of Environmental Protection expects to go out to bid …

Rep. Rush Holt, D-NJ, represents the 12th Congressional District of New Jersey. Franklin Township is the largest Somerset County town in that district. This is the first of what we plan to be regular conversations with the Congressman about issues of interest to Franklin residents. This first installment deals with the United States’ reaction to the Syrian civil war, and …

A state Assembly resolution sponsored by Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, D-Somerset, that urges Iran to release imprisoned members of the country’s Baha’i faith and treat them with respect was unanimously adopted Sept. 9 by the state Legislature’s lower house. The resolution, co-sponsored by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, R-Westfield, notes that since the Iranian Revolution of  1979, “more than 200 members of the …

If you’re planning on driving into Hillsborough next week, after the Labor Day holiday, you’ll need to know that the state is planning some road work in the area of the Route 206 bypass that may affect your travel time. According to Somerset County officials: Amwell Road (CR 514): On Wednesday September 4, 2013, Local police will control the traffic …

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-12, joined 98 Republican House members in signing a letter urging President Obama to involve Congress in any decisions on U.S. military action in Syria. Other members of the New Jersey delegation who joined Holt in signing the letter were Rep. Scott Garrett, R-5 and Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2. Holt was one of 18 House Democrats …

A new law that would require the reporting to the state of sudden cardiac events in children is expected to help save children’s lives. The bill, called the “Children’s Sudden Cardiac Events Reporting Act,” was co-sponsored by state Assemblyman Joseph Egan, D-New Brunswick, a member of the 17th Legislative District delegation. In a press release about the bill signing, Egan …