News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Biden time

Thursday, January 21, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Biden time

Jan 21, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

For most of the last four years, Gov. Phil Murphy has sought to be the anti-Trump — with the exception of the early part of the pandemic, when the governor was uncharacteristically praiseful of the then-president.

Now, Murphy doesn't have Donald Trump to kick around anymore.

"I honestly haven't thought of it that way," Murphy told me in a brief phone interview Wednesday, after he returned from the inauguration.

But now Murphy has an ally in the White House — and not one borne out of desperation for federal help.

"We know this guy, we know this team. We know what they believe in," Murphy said. "We know what their values and policy positions are and there's a going-in basis of a lot of common ground."

The first three things he'd like to see the new administration address: Vaccine supply, increased state and local aid and transportation infrastructure — the Gateway Project, specifically.

There's no question Murphy has benefited politically from New Jersey's anti-Trump fervor. But he didn't go there. "I'll let the political chips fall where they may," he said.

Read the full(ish) interview, including Murphy's response to criticism that his widening of vaccine eligibility has made it harder for senior citizens to get the shots.

WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule aside from "Ask Governor Murphy" on News 12 at 6 p.m.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 4,582 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 576,720. 122 more deaths for a total of 18,543 (and 2,121 probable deaths). 3,547 hospitalized, 635 in intensive care. 432,220 vaccines administered of 898,550, or 48.1 percent.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — State Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Burlington County Clerk Joanne Schwartz

QUOTE OF THE DAY #1: "Politics doesn't have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement doesn't have to be a cause for total war. And we must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated, and even manufactured." — President Joe Biden

QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: "I'm disgusted. It's no surprise that President Trump granted clemency to Eli Weinstein: it's one huckster commuting the sentence of another. Both men have consumed far more of my professional life than I ever wanted, and I'm not going to spend more time thinking about them now." — New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on Trump's pardon of the Lakewood fraudster

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

NJ's pre-k is now in 150+ school districts, with more beginning in early 2021! Despite this remarkable four-year record of achievement, there are 110+ eligible school districts that still wait. Let's reach a total of 200+ districts with NJ's pre-k in 2021. Fund substantial pre-k expansion THIS YEAR! Visit prekourway.org for more info

WHAT TRENTON MADE

SENIORITIS — "As millions compete for shots, New Jersey seniors struggle with online COVID vaccine system," by The Record's Scott Fallon: "In between caring for her 53-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy, Jennie Nuzzo has spent three to four hours a day for nearly a week trying in vain to make an appointment to get COVID-19 vaccines for her family. Unlike many seniors, Nuzzo, 77, has both the eyesight and computer literacy to use an iPad to navigate the online portals set up by the state and vaccine providers. The problem is she's competing with more than 4 million other New Jerseyans whom Gov. Phil Murphy made immediately eligible last week — despite fewer than 200,000 doses being currently available in the state. 'He created a problem he didn't have,' said Nuzzo, of Butler. 'If there is a shortage, why did he make the demand so much greater?' Many elderly New Jerseyans such as Nuzzo face a frustrating irony: The system created to vaccinate the most vulnerable is almost impossible to navigate by the most vulnerable."

— "'What a mess.' N.J. residents say it's chaos as they search for COVID vaccine"

BRIDGESGATE — New Jersey's top 2 education leaders still awaiting Senate confirmation, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin : New Jersey's top two education leaders are still awaiting Senate confirmation hearings nearly three months after Gov. Phil Murphy nominated them. Acting Commissioner of Education Angelica Allen-McMillan and Acting Secretary of Higher Education Brian Bridges were both nominated in October and have stepped into their roles during a pandemic that has upended the state's much-lauded public school system. Christine Lee, a spokesperson for Murphy, declined to give a reason why the nominations have been held up, but said in an email "the Governor looks forward to working with the Senate to confirm both nominees."

NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWSPAPER THAT ENDORSED CHRISTIE CONSIDERS RUN FOR STATE SENATE — "Union leader considers Senate bid, either against Kean Or Bramnick," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "The head of the state firefighter union is mulling a bid for State Senate in the 21st district, setting up a possible fight for the Democratic nomination with the only announced candidate, Roselle Park Mayor Joseph Signorello. Ed Donnelly, the president of the New Jersey Firefight Mutual Benevolent Association, has approached Democratic leaders in recent weeks seeking support for the seat. Donnelly told the New Jersey Globe that he has serious interest in running for the Senate. Donnelly, a Cranford resident, and a firefighter in Union Township, heads a politically influential labor union that represents over 5,000 career firefighters, EMTs and dispatchers across the state. He has close ties to Gov. Phil Murphy, who named Donnelly as the chairman of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System board that manages first responder pensions. It's still not clear who the Republican nominee will be."

33.3 MASTROS — Report: PSEG nuclear plants may not need full $300M annual subsidy, by POLITICO's Samantha Maldonado: PSEG's three nuclear plants in New Jersey may not require the nearly $1 billion in subsidies over three years for which it applied, according to a series of reports from a consultant hired by the state Board of Public Utilities. The firm Levitan & Associates completed three reports examining the eligibility of PSEG's three Salem County nuclear power plants for zero-emissions certificates, or ZECs. Levitan evaluated economic projections the company used to bolster the argument for its request and made adjustments based on further information. "We note the revenue and cost adjustments ... would significantly reduce PSEG's requested subsidy amounts," each report stated.

— "New Jersey will likely see another mostly mail primary"

— "Future ferry service connecting N.J. and Staten Island gets a $5M boost from the state"

TRACK FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: Track the first 100 Days of the Biden administration. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes the initiatives, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Subscribe today.

BIDEN TIME

SWAMP DRAINED — Gilmore, Melgen among dozens of Trump pardons, by POLITICO'S Matt Friedman: Former Ocean County GOP Chair George Gilmore and Salomon Melgen, the Florida eye doctor convicted of defrauding Medicare out of tens of millions of dollars, and a close friend of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), were among President Donald Trump's dozens of pardons on his last day in office. Gilmore, once one of the most powerful Republicans in New Jersey, received a full pardon from Trump, a month after an appeals court upheld his felony convictions on three federal tax-related counts. He was sentenced to a year in prison in January 2020, nine months after a federal jury found him guilty on two counts of deducting payroll taxes from his law firm's employees but not turning them over to the Internal Revenue Service, and one count of lying on a bank application for a $1.5 million loan. The jury deadlocked on the top charge of tax evasion and acquitted him on two counts of filing false tax returns.

— "Trump pardons Ken Kurson, former Montclair resident accused of cyberstalking"

ACTIVISTS LOOK FORWARD TO BEING DISAPPOINTED INSTEAD OF ENRAGED — "With Trump gone, NJ braces for a bumpy Biden road to post-COVID recovery," by The Record's Charles Stile : "Some New Jersey supporters are counting on Biden to make swift, immediate use of executive authority to reverse some of the Trump policies. He has promised to rejoin the Paris climate accords. He has vowed to formulate a plan for 100% 'clean energy' and zero emissions by 2050, and to preserve up to 30% of American lands and waters by 2030. 'The next few weeks are just gonna be hugely important for the administration to start turning poetry into prose on climate change,' [Doug] O'Malley said. Executive orders may be the easy part, but legislating with a resistant Republican Party still in Trump's grip is a whole other matter. The Trump diehard wing of the GOP in Congress — including the 121 Republicans in the House and six in the Senate who voted against certifying Biden's election — will pose a formidable obstacle. 'I think the president has got to phrase his appeal to unity in a way that appeals to people who voted for Trump but who are not followers of crackpot conspiracy theories,' said Ross Baker, a Rutgers University political science professor and expert on Congress."

SPARE THE RODRIGUEZ — New Jersey's consumer affairs director exits for position with Biden administration, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan: Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday that Paul Rodríguez, director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, will be leaving his job to join President Joe Biden's administration … Rodríguez, who led the state's consumer protection agency since June 2018, will immediately begin in his new role as deputy general counsel to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to the governor's office, Rodríguez has been "integral" to the Murphy administration's coronavirus response, initiating emergency programs to expand the health care workforce, eliminating barriers to telehealth and imposing workplace safety standards, among other things.

JEFF VAN DREW — "Democrats look to target Van Drew over challenge to Biden victory," by NJ Spotlight's Colleen O'Dea: '"I guarantee there will be some kind of vigorous challenge from Democrats,' said Ben Dworkin, founding director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship. 'It's unclear to me whether he will be hurt by it … We don't know in that district if it is going to make that much difference. He switched parties and pledged his undying loyalty to Donald Trump. If that didn't move voters, then I don't know what will.' But Democrats are going to try. 'There is definitely a lot of anger at Van Drew and his vote,' said Kate Delany, president of South Jersey Progressive Democrats. 'There was a lot of energy around Amy Kennedy's race and I think those folks are using this as just a further indication that we need to get a good Dem in there in CD2. I'm not sure if there are moderate Republicans that are rethinking their commitment to him, but I sure hope so.' Van Drew did not respond to requests for comment."

— "N.J. Rep. Van Drew, who sought to overturn the election, acknowledges Biden was 'duly elected'"

— "Biden makes immigration a top priority and N.J.'s Menendez will lead effort in Congress"

— "Inauguration 2021: As Kamala Harris makes history, N.J. women savor achievement as best they can in a pandemic"

— "'You are what you wear': Shanique Speight dresses for historic moment"

— "How promises by Biden on immigration reform are giving hope to these three NJ women"

— Kelly: "Paterson's Main Street has some messages for Joe 'Main Street America' Biden"

— "President Biden's inauguration, immigration plan celebrated by N.J. DACA recipients"

LOCAL

CAMDEN CLOSING — "Camden may have to close some schools, superintendent says," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Melanie Burney: "When the state took over the Camden school system in 2013 after years of poor student performance, the district enrolled more than 11,000 students in more than two dozen buildings. Today, the district, once the largest in South Jersey, has lost about half of those students. The educational landscape has changed as thousands of students fled to other school options in the city. In the latest proposed game-changer for Camden, state-appointed Superintendent Katrina McCombs wants to close several schools and reconfigure grades. Her plan would bring back middle schools — which were eliminated several years ago after performing poorly. The changes would affect hundreds of students and teachers and change the academic structure by separating elementary and middle-school students. One proposal would leave North Camden without a traditional public school."

SHE ABSOLUTELY HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ADVOCATE STRIPPING OTHERS OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS — "N.J. official who participated in pro-Trump protest in D.C. says she will not resign," by NJ Advance Media's Caroline Fassett: "During Tuesday's board meeting, held a day prior to the inauguration of President Joe Biden, protesters calling for [Hunterdon County Commissioner Susan Soloway's] resignation gathered outside the Historic Hunterdon County Courthouse, while both supporters and detractors spoke during the public portion of the meeting … Soloway ... again denounced the violence that took place while defending her choice to attend the protest on Jan. 6. She said she has been a longtime champion of former President Donald Trump, and was exercising her First Amendment right 'to support who I wish to.' 'Some have deemed, in their opinion, the reasons for the rally as wrong, and therefore believe I should be canceled because I exercised my constitutional rights to assemble and freedom of speech,' Soloway said. 'These attacks of me are attacks on all Americans and our constitutional rights. And while some have been most pointed in their constitutionally protected criticism, I have also received hateful, vile, disgusting and sexist personal attacks.'

IRRASHANAL "N.J. woman charged with taking part in attack of U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump mob ," by NJ Advance Media's Kevin Shea: "A New Jersey woman has been charged with taking part in the deadly attack on the U.S Capitol earlier this month after documenting her activities that day on her Facebook page, federal authorities say. Rasha Abual-Ragheb, who goes by Rasha Abu, is charged with three crimes accusing her of unlawful entry and violent behavior in the Capitol. The FBI alleges she's a member of New Jersey's chapter of American Patriot 3%, often collectively called Three Percenters."

SURE, THIS WILL MAKE UP FOR SILENCE ON THE ICE CONTRACT — "7 JCDO members, progressive group, ask Amy DeGise, Stamato not to fund Boggiano's re-election," by The Hudson County View's John Heinis: "Seven members of the Jersey City Democratic Organization, along with the Hudson County Progressive Alliance, are asking two local Dem leaders not to fund the re-election of Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano after he abstained on a resolution denouncing the January 6th insurrection last week. … 'Last Wednesday, Jersey City Councilperson Richard Boggiano was the only council member to abstain on a resolution condemning these attacks and calling for the impeachment of President Trump,' a letter sent to JCDO Chair Barbara Stamato and Hudson County Democratic Organization Chair Amy DeGise ... says .. .At last week's council meeting, Boggiano said that he was 'dead against what happened in Washington,' but felt that the resolution, which specifically condemned the Capitol Hill riots and called for Trump's impeachment, was beyond the council's purview."

— "'They didn't even follow up': Toms River man reported accused Capitol rioter to police"

— " Whoops! Medical marijuana dispensary announces Asbury Park site, without telling city"

— "Paterson welcomes walk-ins for vaccinations"

— " Colts Neck's long-delayed $12.5 million town hall project: What's holding it up?"

— "Montclair elementary teachers skip in-person training. Why it may threaten school reopening"

JOIN TODAY TO HEAR FROM SELECT MAYORS ACROSS THE U.S.: Today, The Fifty: America's Mayors will virtually convene select mayors from across the U.S. for back-to-back interviews during inauguration week to discuss bold ideas and policy proposals for their cities to move forward post-COVID-19. The mayors will also discuss their cities' needs from state and federal government to recover from the economic and public health crises and how they'd like to work with President Biden as he begins in the White House. This virtual program will feature an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and Microsoft's President of U.S. Regulated Industries Toni Townes-Whitley. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

ATILIS THE DUMB —"Fight over COVID-19 restrictions takes financial toll on Atilis Gym of Bellmawr," by The Courier-Post's Jim Walsh: "According to Ian Smith, a partner in the Browning Road gym, Gov. Phil Murphy 'took it upon himself to empty our bank account entirely, to the tune of $165,000.' In two Facebook posts seeking financial support for the gym, Smith alleged the governor acted 'without warning and without permission' and 'in the middle of ongoing litigation' … But the Attorney General's Office on Monday said the state has taken no money from the gym. Instead, agency spokesman Lee Moore said, the gym's bank has frozen funds of almost $134,500 after the state obtained a court-entered judgment for that amount in August 2020. The funds are frozen pending the resolution of a dispute over the judgment, he said."

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

In four years, there has been statewide, bipartisan support for funding pre-k expansion. NJ's pre-k is now in 150+ school districts, with more beginning in early 2021! Despite this remarkable record of achievement, there are 110+ eligible school districts that still wait.

There are eligible districts in every county. They're in rural, suburban and urban communities, and they're located across New Jersey, from east to west – and north to south. You either live in an eligible school district or you live near at least one. There are 3- and 4-year-olds still waiting for NJ's pre-k in each of these 110+ communities.

Substantial funding for NJ's pre-k will provide a strong start to a lifetime of learning for more of our children – and immediate support for their working families.

Let's reach a total of 200+ districts with NJ's pre-k – there are 110+ communities waiting. Fund substantial pre-k expansion THIS YEAR!

Visit prekourway.org for more info

CORRECTION: Yesterday's quote of the day from GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli joking about term limits in reference to Ocean County Commissioner Joe Vicari, while accurate, was four years old. I misread the article and thought Ciattarelli said it this year, which took the joke out of its proper context.

Follow us on Twitter