News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Is LD25 a sleeper race?

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Is LD25 a sleeper race?

Oct 28, 2020

Presented by Noom

Good Wednesday morning!

You could be forgiven for forgetting that there's a state legislative race on the ballot next week, and a competitive one. State Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) last year won reelection to an Assembly seat he didn't take because he had just been named a state senator.

This year, Bucco is on the ballot for the office he actually holds while Aura Dunn is running to keep the Assembly seat Bucco used to hold. But unlike 2019 — a year with 27 percent turnout — it's a presidential year. And the 25th District, primarily made up of Morris County, is changing.

The candidates are primarily talking about state issues : The government's $4.5 billion in borrowing, budget pork, gun control laws, Planned Parenthood clinics, etc. But can a state legislative election in which a few hundred thousand dollars is being spent rise above the din of a presidential race and two congressional districts that the state legislative district is a part of where the candidates are spending millions?

New Jersey Democrats had a disappointing 2019. But in Bucco's district, with President Trump at the top of the ticket, they have a chance of taking back a district they lost pretty narrowly last year. Read more about it here.

WHERE'S MURPHY?: Making a virtual "announcement on workforce protection" with Rep. Donald Norcross and Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 1,663 newly-diagnosed cases for a total of 231,331. 14 more deaths for a total of 14,517 (not counting 1,789 presumed deaths)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Missed yesterday: Murphy COS George Helmy

QUOTE OF THE DAY : "I did not send in a signed letter to say I was going to resign. I sent an email to [Municipal Clerk Barbara Young] to tell her that I was going to resign … I'll see you in court." — Former (?) Upper Township Committeeman Hobart "Hobie" Young during a virtual committee meeting. Young's resignation stemmed from him posting a sexually suggestive and derogatory photo of Kamala Harris on Facebook.

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

GREEN LIGHT — "Weed could be ready to sell soon after election if N.J. voters approve referendum, top lawmaker says," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio: "Sen. Nick Scutari, D-Union, said Tuesday during an interview broadcast live on NJ.com's Facebook page that he hopes dispensaries are preparing to have more marijuana available and exceed the need of their patients to begin selling to customers over the age of 21. 'The currently operating medical cannabis dispensaries would have an opportunity to sell to the general public for people over 21, if they can certify that they enough product to satisfy their patients that they're already treating,' Scutari said. 'We might be able to flip the switch and people might be able to get marijuana, legally, right after the vote,' he said. That's a big if, because there are 92,000 registered patients, and the dispensaries have long struggled to supply cannabis to the state's registered patients ... Jeff Brown, assistant commissioner of the Department of Health who oversees the medical marijuana program, said logistical concerns remain. 'If it happened tomorrow, I don't think we have an operator that would be ready to start selling adult use,' he said."

BUZZ KILL — "NJ ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana is popular, but not without opposition ," by WNYC's Karen Rouse: "Gregg Edwards heads NoPotNJ.org, a bare-bones operation bearing the slogan, 'Don't Let NJ Go To Pot.' He said he doesn't like that the ballot question does not restrict the amount of THC, the main chemical compound found in cannabis that delivers the high. The referendum's language also doesn't restrict the form the cannabis can be sold in. 'Edibles like candy are permitted under this language,' he said. The No Pot NJ campaign has been overshadowed by the cannabis industry, which has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the state over the last two years to make cannabis legal."

—Mulshine: "Don't light up a doobie, brother: That referendum to legalize marijuana doesn't legalize 'marijuana'"

1 MINUTE PER $700M —"NJ Turnpike Authority budget tops $2B for first time ever. Here's what the toll hike is funding ," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "It took New Jersey Turnpike Authority officials just three minutes to cover a $2.1 billion budget, the largest in the agency's history. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the agency's 2021 budget Tuesday morning, with the only comments coming from a driver who wants them to start all electronic, cash less toll collection quickly and to widen the narrowest part of the N.J. Turnpike. The budget tops the $2 billion mark for the first time in the agency's history, boosted by revenues from a 36% toll increase on the Turnpike and a 27% hike that took effect on the Garden State Parkway on Sept.13. The 2020 budget was $1.8 billion."

IF MASTROS WERE VOTERS, 0.2 OF THEM WOULD HAVE VOTED BY MONDAY — "More than two million people have already voted in NJ and most ballots came from Democrats," by The Record's Terrence T. McDonald: "New Jersey Democrats continue to drive early voting, with nearly half of all 2.1 million ballots cast as of Monday coming from Democrats. Republicans, who are outnumbered in the Garden State by more than 1 million, have handed in 525,421 ballots. Unaffiliated voters account for 553,038. Overall, New Jersey voters have cast more than 50% of the total ballots cast in the November 2016 election with one week to go before Election Day."

NURSING HOMES — " Devastated veterans home in Paramus has first new COVID-19 case in almost 4 months," by The Record's Scott Fallon and Lindy Wasburn : "A resident at the New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus has tested positive for COVID-19, the first case in months following a devastating spring that saw 89 residents die from the virus and 203 other residents and staff infected. At least 60 residents have been tested and are awaiting results to see if there is an outbreak, according to a document obtained by NorthJersey.com. Families were told Monday that all visits have been canceled for at least 28 days along with communal dining and hair cutting services."

NEW SOURCE TO PAY FOR PATRONAGE JOBS DISCOVERED — Port Authority will now fine riders who don't wear masks, by POLITICO's Samantha Maldonado: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will start fining riders who don't wear masks as part of its ongoing effort to combat the spread of Covid-19. Port Authority said commuters who don't wear a face covering could be subject to a $50 fine beginning Monday.

SWAMP DRAINING GOING AS PLANNED — "Chris Christie's lobbying firm got $180K as he lobbies on coronavirus for N.J. health providers," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "Three New Jersey hospital chains paid former Gov. Chris Christie's lobbying firm $180,000 from July to September as he lobbied on coronavirus issues, Senate filings show. Christie's firm, Christie 55 Solutions LLC, was paid $60,000 apiece by Atlantic Health System, Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health during the last three months, filings show. In each case, he reported lobbying on 'regulatory issues in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency' as well as the $2 trillion stimulus law known as the CARES Act and the paycheck protection program for small businesses."

THE PULASKI SKYWAY'S FIXED BUT THE GAS TAX STILL WENT UP — "We could have gotten new rail tunnels to NYC 10 years ago. Here's what happened," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "Tuesday is the tenth anniversary of a decision that dashed the hopes of commuters and transit advocates for new rail tunnels to end the delays blamed on a pair of century-old underpasses between New York and New Jersey. On Oct. 27, 2010, then Gov. Chris Christie announced what was rumored, the $9 billion Access to the Region's Core tunnel project was officially dead. Christie initially killed it on Oct. 7, but gave a two-week stay of execution to see if a funding deal to cover cost overruns could be reached with Federal Transit Administration officials. When the FTA could only offer six figures of additional funding, the axe fell. In the decade that followed, the ARC tunnel's death spawned a successor, the unbuilt Gateway project and many 'what ifs.' Would ARC be completed or near completion if Christie hadn't canceled it? It was scheduled to be finished in 2018."

—"Did N.J. Labor make a mistake with some $300 unemployment payouts?"

—" N.J. business that sued Gov. Murphy over coronavirus restrictions is closing its doors"

—"A solution to save small businesses from a looming tax hike | Opinion"

HAPPENING TODAY - A LOOK AT THE NEW YORK CONGRESSIONAL RACES: After a "Blue Wave" in the 2018 midterm elections, Republicans seek to regain control of the House from Democrats in Congress. More than 20 members of the state's House delegation are running for reelection in New York, and several other seats are open. Join POLITICO for conversations with the leading party candidates in key congressional races in New York. This state has been especially hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, where unemployment has soared, and calls for criminal justice reform have sparked widespread demonstrations. The discussion will also focus on issues particularly relevant to senior voters, such as Medicare, prescription drug costs, and nursing homes. REGISTER HERE.

TRUMP ERA

THE HOUSE OF PAYNE IS IN EFFECT AND ANY ANYONE ELSE WHO STEPS UP FOR THIS SUBCOMMITTEE'S CHAIRMANSHIP IS GETTING WRECKED — Payne vying for rail subcommittee, by POLITICO's Tanya Snyder: Rep. Donald Payne has officially launched his bid to chair the House Transportation Railroads and Pipelines Subcommittee, a position opened up by Rep. Dan Lipinski's primary loss in March. His candidacy is supported by fellow New Jersey Democrats Albio Sires and Tom Malinowski, who also serve on the subcommittee. Sires is ahead of Payne in seniority and would have first dibs on the gavel, but Sires currently chairs the House Foreign Affairs Western Hemisphere, Security and Trade Subcommittee. That panel has jurisdiction over Cuban issues, which are a high priority for the Cuban-born congressman. In a letter expressing his interest to House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Payne noted his state of New Jersey's status as "the major rail corridor of the nation" with the Northeast Corridor running through it and the ongoing Gateway program linking New Jersey to New York.

'TOTALLY MY INTENTION' — Booker, in Senate debate with Mehta, pledges to serve full term if reelected, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) pledged Tuesday to serve out his full term if reelected. "I pledge to finish my full six-year term. That is totally my intention," said Booker, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for president last year prior to the end of his first term and whose name has been floated as a potential cabinet member in a Biden administration. "If [Democrats] are in the majority, as it looks like it's possible and in fact likely, I'm going to be the leader on a lot of critical bills that would do a lot of good for the state of New Jersey." Booker, who is running against Republican Rik Mehta, made the remarks during the first and only debate the two will have before next week's election. The debate was hosted by the website New Jersey Globe.

IMMIGRATION — "Will ICE open other detention facilities in New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania?" by The Record's Monsy Alvarado: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is looking to add other centers that would house immigration detainees in New York and New Jersey as their population in the area and nationwide has declined, due in part to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. ICE is soliciting information for detention sites, which would house up to 900 detainees, within a 60-mile radius of its New York City field office in New York or New Jersey, according to documents posted on a federal contracting site this month. The agency is also requesting information for another site within 60 miles of its Newark office in the Garden State or Pennsylvania … The requests for information worried some immigrant advocates in New Jersey who have been lobbying for years for an end to the existing agreements that allow for federal immigration detainees to be housed at a private facility in Elizabeth, and at jails in Bergen, Hudson and Essex counties in New Jersey, and Orange County, New York."

MURPHY BUCKS — The governor's people say he raised $50,000 on a Zoom fundraiser he headlined for Florida Democrats last night.

— Feds launch investigation into New Jersey veterans homes, seek more info from New York

—"Trump is center stage for N.J. Republican candidates, whether they like him or not"

—" GOP Rep. Jeff Van Drew is working again with a controversial Democratic mail ballot operative"

—"Willingboro war room-alert Singleton on the ground in BurlCo"

—" Paterson mayor — fatigued by Trump tweets about his hometown — hits back"

LOCAL

PATERSON HAS THE OPPOSITE PROBLEM — "What's in a name? Nearby towns try to cash in on Princeton's good name," by News 12's Brian Donohue: " Anyone who has spent any time in the Princeton area may notice that over the years the term 'Princeton' is used a bit more far and wide than the boundaries of the town itself. Businesses and apartment buildings and strip malls within a several-mile radius of the town that's home to the prestigious Princeton University seem to be attempting to associate themselves by using the Princeton name. For example — the Princeton Corporate Center — At South Brunswick. There are similar naming conventions in nearby West Windsor."

BROBOKEN — " Hoboken mayor says he'll sign order that gives bars, restaurants midnight curfew," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla says that given the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases throughout Hudson County and the state, he will be bringing back a citywide curfew for bars and restaurants — effective as of Thursday evening."

CAMDEN RETIRING — " Camden County Police Chief Joseph Wysocki to retire," by The Courier-Post's Jim Walsh: "Camden County Police Department Chief Joseph Wysocki plans to retire after 30 years in law enforcement here, officials said Tuesday. 'I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life moving forward in private industry,' Wysocki said in a statement released by Camden County. Wysocki, who took command of the department in August 2019, will leave at the end of this year, the statement said. Capt. Gabriel Rodriguez will assume command of the department on Jan.1, it said."

EMANUEL'S CAPER — "State education department orders suspension of Paterson BOE member," by The Record's Joe Malinconico : "The state education department has ordered that Paterson school board member Emanuel Capers be suspended for six months for taking a free trip to an Arizona resort from a company looking for a contract from the district. The company Woz U, eventually got a contract from Paterson Public Schools for online courses, but never received any payment from the district for its services, according to public records. The order regarding Capers' suspension was issued by then-interim education commissioner Kevin Dehmer on Oct. 20, his final day in that position before Gov. Phil Murphy announced the selection of a new commissioner."

VENTNOR VENDORS — "Ventnor mayor opposes ice cream vendor fee increase citing concern for veterans," by The Press of Atlantic City's CJ Fairfield: "After a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee proposed raising ice cream vendor fees at last week's commissioner's meeting, Mayor Beth Holtzman spoke out against the increase saying she's "not doing that to the veterans." The city allots for 14 ice cream vendor contracts a year and only awards the contracts to veterans. Until 2019, the annual vendor fee was $50, but was increased to $500 last year."

—" Retired Jersey City police captain brought on as county jail director's chief of staff"

—"Willingboro Township Manager Sharon Rogers has resigned from her position"

—" 2020 election for East Brunswick mayor brings redevelopment, taxes into the forefront"

—"Hamilton power couple was discriminated, roughed up in 2018 child-support raid targeting son"

—" Englewood protest organizer assaulted officer and resisted arrest, complaint says"

—"With Trump on the ticket, Gloucester Republicans hope for freeholder wins"

DONT MISS - NEW EPISODES OF POLITICO'S GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS PODCAST: The world has long been beset by big problems that defy political boundaries, but many of those issues exploded over the past year. Are world leaders and political actors up to the task of solving them? Is the private sector? Our Global Translations podcast, presented by Citi, unpacks the roadblocks to smart policy decisions and examines the long-term costs of the short-term thinking that drives many political and business decisions. Subscribe for Season Two, available now.

EVERYTHING ELSE

EMPTY NEWSROOMS AND DECLINING READERSHIP: STUDENTS LEARN WHAT NEWSPAPER BIZ IS REALLY LIKE — "College newspapers in N.J. have stopped printing, but that doesn't mean the reporting has stopped," by NJ Advance Media's Josh Axelrod: "For TCNJ and New Jersey's other universities that have gone remote for the semester, college newspapers are faced with a quandary: how to cover the hubbub of campus life with no one around. As a result, many have halted their print productions and overhauled their procedures to meet the moment. 'The main reason why we didn't have [a print edition] is because who's going to read it?' Camille Furst, the editor-in-chief of TCNJ's The Signal, told NJ Advance Media. 'There's no one on campus.' 'The main reason why we didn't have [a print edition] is because who's going to read it?' Camille Furst, the editor-in-chief of TCNJ's The Signal, told NJ Advance Media. 'There's no one on campus.'"

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