John Burzichelli

Overtime costs in the state Department of Corrections have gotten the attention of state lawmakers – growing 4% from last year at a cost of $38 million.

School aid changes made last year to help underfunded districts have a flip side: Some lose funding, and they turned out in force at the first budget hearing.

New Jersey’s pension funds pay $219 million a year in accidental disability pensions to over 5,100 people. That includes 7% of all recipients in the Police & Firemen’s Retirement System.

Legal sports betting could begin in New Jersey at any time, now that legislation allowing it has passed. It might even start before Gov. Phil Murphy signs it.

Terminals at MVC offices are nearly 40 years old and the agency’s servers are near the end of their life. A modernization contract awarded in 2008 wound up being cancelled.

A bill that could significantly expand the number of restaurants that can sell beer, wine, and spirits has finally gotten an initial vote in the Legislature.

State officials appear more worried about an oversupply leaking into the black market than about supply shortages for new medical marijuana patients.

A Supreme Court decision on whether to allow legal sports betting in New Jersey could come within days. Or maybe next month. But certainly by the end of June.

Acting state Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio says 83% of proposed new spending goes toward pensions, health benefits, debt and Medicaid.

Terminally ill patients with less than six months to live would be able to obtain a prescription for medication that, if taken, would end their lives.