News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Too much reason for the campaign season: Bramnick not running for gov

Thursday, December 10, 2020

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Too much reason for the campaign season: Bramnick not running for gov

Dec 10, 2020

Presented by AARP New Jersey

On Wednesday morning, a nonprofit released poll data showing that 77 percent of New Jersey Republicans think President Donald Trump won the election even though he lost the election.

Less than two hours later, Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick announced he would not run for governor. Instead, he'll either seek reelection to the Assembly or, if Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. opts not to seek reelection, try to jump to the state Senate.

The timing is probably just a coincidence. But the two things are related.

Bramnick is one of just a few New Jersey Republican lawmakers to acknowledge reality — that Joe Biden will become president on Jan. 20 — and to have criticized Trump. That would probably doom him in a statewide Republican primary,

WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 4,663 newly reported cases for a total of 381,486. 91 more deaths for a total of 15,674 (and 1,868 probable deaths). 3,533 in the hospital, 630 in intensive care.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It's hard for me to believe how they think that terrorizing a neighborhood and threatening my wife and me, are going to produce any of the results they are looking for." — Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise in a Star-Ledger op-ed about why he got a restraining order against protesters who showed up in front of his Jersey City home to demonstrate against the county's renewal of its ICE jail contract. ("Terrorizing" probably wasn't the best word choice the day before the one-year anniversary of a real terror attack in Jersey City.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Merdian Health's Adam Beder, DeAngelo CoS Tyler Honschke, 1868's Idida Rodriguez, Judiciary spox Maryann Spoto, Gibbons' Christine Stearns

A message from AARP New Jersey:

Too many Garden State residents are forced to choose between filling life-saving prescriptions and paying rent, buying food and meeting other critical needs. In 2017, nearly one in four New Jersey residents stopped taking prescription medication as prescribed due to cost. Tell NJ lawmakers to lower prescription drug costs now ! Drugs don't work if people can't afford them.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

CAP CRUNCH — Lesniak: Lawmakers, Murphy agree on caps for new tax incentive program, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan : Top lawmakers and the Murphy administration agree there should be a cap on the amount of tax breaks that are given out under a new incentive program, though what that cap should be is still being negotiated. That's according to former state Sen. Ray Lesniak, who is involved in the negotiations as special counsel for the Senate Democrats. Spokespeople for Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Gov. Phil Murphy declined to comment, citing the ongoing talks. "What's been settled is that there will be a cap," Lesniak said in an interview Wednesday. But Lesniak, a Democrat from Union County who was the main sponsor of the now expired incentive program, said that while all sides are "moving forward," there's still "a ways to go."

CARLY DIDN'T GET THE MEMO THAT WE WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO WRITE ABOUT THIS AFTER NOV. 3 — New Jersey predicts worst- and moderate-case scenarios for Covid spread, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin : With a Covid-19 vaccine "literally days away" from arriving in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday presented predictive models for how the virus could progress across the state. Under a worst-case scenario, the next peak could come from mid-January to early February with hospitalizations at around 8,700, more than 1,600 people in intensive care units and just over 1,000 patients needing ventilators. Under a more moderate scenario, the peak would come around Jan. 13, with hospitalizations ranging from 5,700 to 6,300, more than 1,000 people in the ICU and between 680 and 780 people on ventilators. The models — two worst case scenarios and two moderate-case scenarios — were drawn up by the state Department of Health and Murphy's Office of Innovation.

PENSIONS — "Rising pension payments put a strain on county, local governments," by NJ Spotlight's John Reitmeyer: "County and local governments across New Jersey are being hit with as much as a 10% increase in their mandatory employer pension costs even as most are still reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Department of Treasury officials said the increase in annual pension contributions for fiscal year 2021 that are due early next year reflect technical changes that account for things like longer life expectancies and recent revisions to projected returns from long-term investments. Still, while the impact will vary by location, it's just the latest financial strain for county and local governments as many have seen overall revenues decline during the pandemic. These same governments already rely heavily on local property taxes as a major source of funding, meaning cuts in services or even higher property levies could be needed to offset the increased pension costs. 'For this bill to come at this time, it's certainly concerning to say the least,' said John Donnadio, executive director of the New Jersey Association of Counties."

— Report: Pension plan for NJEA leadership 'vastly superior' to members' benefits, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Leadership of New Jersey's largest teachers union has a stronger, better-funded pension plan than the one in which their members are enrolled, even as New Jersey's teacher pension crisis continues to worsen, according to a new report. The report by Mike Lilley, head of the Sunlight Policy Center and an outspoken critic of the New Jersey Education Association, notes the pension plan for those who work for the union is 'vastly superior.' The plan, the report states, is fully funded and offers better salary contribution rates, a better retirement threshold and better cost-of-living adjustments than the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund for NJEA members, which is partially funded by the state and is on the brink of collapse. Lilley said the differences between the plans are "jaw-dropping."

FRACKING — Federal agency upholds approval of South Jersey LNG terminal despite climate concerns, by POLITICO's Samantha Maldonado: A federal interstate agency on Wednesday approved a liquefied natural gas terminal slated for South Jersey, rejecting an option to first consider the project's climate change implications. The Delaware River Basin Commission voted to uphold its previous approval of a dock associated with an LNG export terminal in Gloucester County known as the Gibbstown Logistics Center, a marine terminal and deep-water seaport located at the former Chemours Repauno industrial site. New Jersey's vote in favor of the project comes a day after Gov. Phil Murphy told POLITICO he didn't support an LNG facility at the port. Representatives for New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the federal government all voted in favor of the project, while the representative from New York abstained, citing questions raised over water quality and climate change impacts.

THIS CALLS FOR AN EMERGENCY FUNDRAISER BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER HOLLEY — "Will N.J. kids need a coronavirus vaccine to attend school? Lawmakers are considering it," by NJ Advance Media's Amanda Hoover: "As New Jersey plans efforts to vaccinate the people most vulnerable to COVID-19, some have begun considering a state vaccine mandate for one of the groups least at risk: school children. Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, said lawmakers have talked about requiring coronavirus vaccines for New Jersey's school children in the future, and potentially putting a requirement into another bill that would eliminate some exemptions that allow parents to avoid vaccinating their kids. 'When it is that a vaccine is appropriate for children, I believe it ought to be included in that list of vaccines that are required for children,' Vitale said. 'I'd like to incorporate it into the other vaccination bill that would require children to get vaccinated as a condition to entering school.'"

85.2 MASTROS IN FEDERAL FUNDING — NJ Transit board approves agreement with FTA to fund Portal North Bridge, by POLITICO's Samantha Maldonado: NJ Transit on Wednesday entered into an agreement with the federal government to finalize funding to construct the new Portal North Bridge. The agreement approved by NJ Transit's board of directors is the last step for the $1.8 billion project to receive $766.6 million in funding through the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grants Program. The Portal North Bridge would replace the 110-year-old, two-track, swing-style Portal Bridge that spans the Hackensack River in Kearny and carries about 450 Amtrak and NJ Transit trains per day on Amtrak's busy Northeast Corridor. The structure often becomes stuck in the open position, delaying trains running in and out of Manhattan.

REMEMBER THIS STATEMENT — "Sanctions looming, NJ Transit says it'll meet safety cutoff," by The AP: "The head of New Jersey Transit said Wednesday the state-run transportation operator will meet a Dec. 31 deadline for installing a required emergency braking system, despite federal regulators' singling the carrier out as the only U.S. railroad at risk of falling short and facing severe sanctions. CEO Kevin Corbett even staked his job on making the cutoff, saying Wednesday if it's not completed, 'you'll be talking to a new CEO.'"

— " COVID, a looming deadline, bridge funds: Here's what made headlines at NJ Transit meeting"

— "NJ Transit will review microgrid RFQ after environmentalists' outcry"

AULD LANG CORZINE — " New Jersey tends to elect a new governor in the year a new president takes office," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Newly elected presidents are almost always followed by new governors of New Jersey. Since 1953, ten new presidents saw New Jersey elect a new governor in their inauguration year, and the president saw a governor of the opposite political party win the gubernatorial race in five of the last six transition years.

COMPACT DISS — " Agency immortalized in 'On the Waterfront' now fights for survival before the U.S. Supreme Court," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: "The bi-state commission that polices the docks of New York and New Jersey has gone to the nation's highest court in an effort to block efforts by the Murphy administration to kill the 67-year-old watchdog agency. In a filing with the U.S. Supreme Court, the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor sought to reverse a federal appeals court ruling that set the clock ticking to essentially dissolve the agency. At issue, said lawyers for the commission, was whether a state could unilaterally withdraw from the interstate compact that created it."

— " N.J.'s models for COVID-19 second wave predict big spike in cases, hospitalizations. How bad could it get?"

TRACK THE TRANSITION & NEW ADMINISTRATION HEADING INTO 2021: President-elect Biden is pushing full steam ahead on putting together his Cabinet and White House staff. These appointments and staffing decisions send clear-cut signals about Biden's priorities. What do these signals foretell? Transition Playbook is the definitive guide to one of the most consequential transfers of power in American history. Written for political insiders, it tracks the appointments, people, and the emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming Biden administration. Subscribe today.

TRUMP ERA

STEVE KORTERBACKI — NBC Sports press release: "Steve Kornacki, NBC News' celebrated political correspondent, returns to FNIA for the remainder of the season to analyze NFL playoff probabilities from the Big Board following the conclusion of the afternoon games. He will also appear at halftime of SNF, including Steelers-Bills this week."

— States, feds file antitrust suits demanding breakup of Facebook

— "Durbin, Pressley, Leahy, Booker to Trump administration: Suspend federal executions during transition period"

— Snowflack: "Sherrill's big decision"

LOCAL

R.I.P. — "Officer down: One year after hate and heroism collided, a N.J. police force still grapples with the loss of a brother," by NJ Advance Medial's Alex Napoliello: "The white van looked abandoned. It sat near a cul-de-sac in a historic Jersey City cemetery, where it caught the eye of Det. Joseph Seals. The police investigator had just met with an informant amid the graves when he noticed the U-Haul rental resembled a cargo van that had been reported stolen in nearby Bayonne. Exactly what happened next in Bayview Cemetery on that unusually warm December day is still a mystery a year later — and will remain that way. The only witnesses would soon be dead. The collision between a decorated plainclothes cop and a hate-fueled couple with an arsenal of firepower and explosives was the start of a murderous rampage on Dec. 10, 2019 that ended with six dead and a city paralyzed. 'If Joe went into that cemetery 100 times, I believe 99 times he would walk out,' Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea told NJ Advance Media. 'I think this time, everything went against him.'"

— Kelly: "Final hours of Joe Seals, the fallen Jersey City detective who almost stopped a murder spree"

— "Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop looks back at the shooting in JC, one year ago"

CARTARET — "N.J. town settles lawsuit for nearly $600K involving mayor's brother," by NJ Advance Media's Joe Atmonavage : "The borough of Carteret has settled a civil lawsuit that alleged the mayor's brother violated a teenager's civil rights when he violently arrested the 16-year-old following a brief car chase in 2017, according to a letter outlining the settlement obtained by NJ Advance Media. Carteret police officer Joseph Reiman, the brother of longtime Mayor Daniel Reiman, was acquitted of criminal charges related to the incident in 2019, but a federal civil lawsuit flied by Monte Stewart and his family moved forward. The lawsuit alleged that Reiman punched Stewart "more than a dozen times until Monte's face was unrecognizable. More than a year after the cop was acquitted, the borough settled the lawsuit for $595,000 in October, according to the letter." tempt

BERGEN COUNTY — "Vandalism to Bergen County Sheriff's home under investigation," by The Record's Nicholas Katzban: "Vandals spray painted the home of Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, according to prosecutors, who are investigating the incident. The phrase "Free them all," was written in black paint across Cureton's garage at some point Tuesday night, investigators believe, along with a splatter of red paint. Reached for comment Wednesday night, Cureton said he believed the writing was related to ongoing protests at the county jail in Hackensack. While he understands people can be passionate in their beliefs, he said, 'Certain things should not cross a point where they become personal.' Prosecutors offered no indication whether the graffiti is part of ongoing protests against the housing of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees at the Bergen County Jail."

— "4 charged with contempt after DeGise wins temporary restraining order against ICE contract protests"

— " Oseguera discusses being arrested for protesting at Hudson County executive's home"

— "Bergen County gets OK for $150M borrowing plan. Here's what it will include"

R.I.P. — " N.J. cop is accidentally shot and killed while deer hunting"

— "New program will educate, train Atlantic County residents unemployed due to COVID-19 pandemic"

— " Effort toward Paterson police using body cameras hits another delay"

— "Montague school board accuses High Point HS officials of interference in lawsuit"

— " Wayne to judge: Reverse affordable-housing ruling — we're not like Englewood Cliffs"

JOIN FRIDAY - A PATH TO CLEANER SKIES: Before the pandemic, increased demand for air travel resulted in rising global emissions. Then, Covid-19 changed everything. As airlines start to recover from the resulting financial fallout, what is happening with the use of cleaner jet fuel, investments in technology, and international pacts to cut the airline industry's carbon footprint? Join POLITICO for a conversation on the future of air travel, climate change, and sustainability, as well as an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

TICKED TOCK — "Tick Tock Diner owner accuses partners of 'freezing' him out, embezzling COVID loans," by The Record's Tom Nobile: "The infighting among owners at Clifton's legendary Tick Tock Diner has escalated into a court battle, with one partner accusing the other two of "freezing" him out of the business while they allegedly embezzled profits and misused a $2.2 million COVID relief loan. Stelios Nicoles, who took over the Route 3 restaurant in 1987, claims he was slowly 'outnumbered and squeezed out' by co-owners Alex Sgourdos and Vasilios Vasilopoulos as their business grew from a single diner to a multimillion-dollar enterprise that now includes a North Jersey strip mall and a ballroom, according to the lawsuit filed last week in state Superior Court … The Tick Tock has remained a beloved North Jersey staple despite changes in ownership, a much-debated face-lift and a new menu — and the fallout from a notorious murder-for-hire plot by former manager Georgios Spyropoulos, who was arrested in 2013 for enlisting a hitman to kill Sgourdos, his uncle."

SPURT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ — "'Magical': whale sightings in Hudson River delight witnesses, worry experts," by NBC New York's Ida Siegel: "Not far from the Intrepid, a Humpback whale burst out of the Hudson River and delighted New Yorkers but experts say they're worried for the whale because of boat traffic. Whale sightings in the Hudson aren't common, but they do happen … More sightings came Tuesday, some by the Statute of Liberty. Gotham Whales, a New York City research and advocacy group, got word of the sightings and said they instantly recognized the humpback by its dorsal fins … There are concerns if the Humpback will be able to find its way back to the ocean."

— " Atlantic's Gragnolati: Health care community can reassure population on vaccines"

A message from AARP New Jersey:

In New Jersey, a large majority of registered voters are impacted by high prescription drug prices, with 79% reporting they or someone in their household have taken prescription drugs in the past two years. Three in five report they are concerned about the price of their medications, according an AARP study . And now, New Jerseyans are facing the one-two punch of skyrocketing drug prices and the pandemic. Our elected officials can no longer stand by as prescription drug prices continue to rise. People of all ages depend on their prescriptions, and outrageous prices are putting their medicines out of reach. Tell NJ lawmakers to lower prescription drug costs now! Drugs don't work if people can't afford them.