Bob Hennelly

New York, NY —

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's State of the City address is drawing a mix of praise and skepticism from the two other citywide elected officials. Comptroller John Liu says he liked the mayor's tone on supporting immigrants, but he's reserving judgment on the mayor's plan for small ...

New Jersey's 55th governor, Chris Christie, was sworn into office in Trenton this afternoon by State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner.

New York, NY —

New Jersey's 55th governor, Chris Christie, was sworn into office in Trenton this afternoon by State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner.

In his inaugural address, Gov. Christie offered kudos for outgoing Gov. Jon Corzine's push to provide health insurance to New Jersey's children.

Faced ...

New York, NY —

Today, the cities of Newark and Trenton will play prominent roles in the inauguration of New Jersey Governor-elect Chris Christie. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has more.

REPORTER: The day will start with an Inaugural Mass in Newark's Catheral Basilica. Governor-elect Christie, who grew up in nearby Livingston, ...

New York, NY —

Governor-Elect Chris Christie has re-appointed Major General Glenn Reith to continue commanding New Jersey's National Guard. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has more.

REPORTER: In making the announcement, Governor-Elect Christie said that Reith had provided key leadership through a challenging time for the Guard that continues to cope ...

New York, NY —

New Jersey's new state Senate President, Steve Sweeney, has already scored another promotion.

It's been a meteoric rise. This week Sweeney, a former iron worker, is pulling double duty as Senate president and acting governor. Not long after Gov. Jon Corzine delivered his last State of ...

New York, NY —

Gov.-elect Chris Christie has nominated former Jersey City Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Bret Schundler to be New Jersey's education commissioner. Schundler's been an outspoken critic of teachers unions, and a supporter of charter schools and school vouchers. At yesterday's press conference, Christie was asked if ...

New York, NY —

New Jersey Gov.-elect Chris Christie is blasting the outgoing Corzine administration for allowing a last-minute transfer of $120 million dollars to key Democratic cities such as Jersey City.

GOP State Sen. Steve Oraho, a certified public accountant, says the transfer by the state's Local Finance Board ...

New York, NY —

A new legislative session begins in Trenton today, one that will usher in an across-the-board leadership change. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has this report.

REPORTER: When Essex County Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver takes the oath of office to become Speaker, it'll mark the first time in New Jersey ...

New York, NY —

New York, NY —

Former Gov. Mario Cuomo was just one of several well-known Democrats at a party yesterday for supporters of Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. The event drew hundreds of party activists, Democratic House Members and other elected officials including Senator Charles Schumer and comptroller Thomas Di ...

New York, NY —

New Jersey's Assembly and Senate have voted to legalize medical marijuana. Under the bill, people suffering from conditions like cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, or multiple sclerosis would be able to have marijuana prescribed by their physician through a state registry.

The measure passed the Assembly along ...

New York, NY —

New Jersey's State Senate rejected a bill to grant same sex couples the right to marry by a vote of 20 to 14. Now, marriage equality advocates say they will press their case in the state's courts.

Minutes after the Senate roll call Leslie Gabel-Brett, director ...

New York, NY —

While Governor Paterson used his State of the State address to project the image of a strong reformer, fellow Democrats were speculating on his vulnerabilities. WNYC's political reporter Bob Hennelly has more.

REPORTER: Paterson has the job of Governor but his speech was a kind of ...

New York, NY —

The New Jersey state Senate is set to vote today on whether to legalize same-sex marriage. The vote itself is a major coup for gay rights advocates, but getting it passed is another story.

After months of a fullcourt press, gay rights boosters are set to ...

While huge ice chunks float down the nearby mighty Hudson, frigid temperatures keep the construction scaffolding around the Capitol's East Wing empty. An ambitious East Wing project includes plans for a new skylight.

Meanwhile, inside the building, competing ethics reform proposals are the subject ...

New York, NY —

The new city comptroller, John Liu, has made his first round of hires, and they include City Councilman Simcha Felder. Felder is leaving his seat to join Liu's team. Felder, a certified public accountant, will be Liu's Deputy Comptroller for Accounting and Budget. A special ...