News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Loretta Weinberg's virtual retirement party

Thursday, January 14, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Loretta Weinberg's virtual retirement party

Jan 14, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Former Gov. Jon Corzine years ago called her the "conscience of the Legislature." Gov. Phil Murphy yesterday said she may be "the most consequential legislator in the history of our state." Former Gov. Chris Christie wanted to "take the bat out on her."

A lot of lawmakers have been around for ages. Few have marked the state the way Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg has. Yesterday, the 85-year-old "feisty Jewish grandmother" announced she will retire after serving out the final year of her term.

I describe Weinberg as a progressive. But really, mainstream Democratic politics have caught up to her. She was out front on LGBTQ rights, attacking the culture of misogyny in New Jersey politics. On other issues, she was also prescient, like pointing out NJ Transit's decline.

And nobody could symbolically gut their opponents quite like Weinberg. And when they'd come back at her, they were attacking a grandmother. Who wants to do that? Democrats aren't just losing their "conscience," as Corzine put it. They're losing one of their most effective messengers.

Read more about her career here .

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Trenton at 3 p.m. to "celebrate" Portal Bridge funding with several dignitaries. Media: Q104.3 at 8:10 a.m. and Fox 29 at 8:30 a.m.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 6,922 newly-reported PCR tests for a total of 534,974. 95 more deaths for a total of 18,070 confirmed and 2,091 probable Covid deaths. 3,725 in the hospital, 648 in the ICU. 264,681 vaccines administered of 654,900 distributed, or 40.4 percent.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — I've got nothing. Blame your friends for not telling me.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Though I know you are maligned in some circles, and though I know every so often you earned that, if it were not for you we would not have passed paid sick leave or banning non-disclosure agreements or the strongest pay equity bill in the country or the funding of women's health. It was only your support and your ability that got these bills to the floor and did the work necessary to get the votes there." — Loretta Weinberg on Senate President Steve Sweeney, whom she took several loving jabs at Wednesday.

IRONIC QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Nearly half the country supports our current president - this takes their voice away." — Rep. Jeff Van Drew speaking against the impeachment resolution. Van Drew last week voted against certifying an electoral college result that reflected more than half the voters in the country.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: New Jersey Playbook will not publish on Monday Jan 18, which is Martin Luther King Day. I'll be back on the normal schedule on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

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

MURPHY RECEIVES PLAUDITS FOR RESISTING TEMPTATION TO MAKE IT 69 OR OLDER — Murphy announces expansion of eligibility for Covid-19 vaccine, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan: Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that any New Jersey resident age 65 and older — along with those between the ages of 16 and 64 who have certain underlying medical conditions — will be eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine starting Thursday. Murphy first teased the announcement during an interview Wednesday morning on CNBC after the Trump administration on Tuesday advised states to begin expanding vaccination eligibility. "We are now ready to begin to ramp up our vaccination efforts exponentially," Murphy said during his regular briefing in Trenton later Wednesday. "But I want to remind folks — please be patient. We are taking this step in advance of what we not just anticipate we will have, but will likely have in terms of increased vaccine dosage supply."

FLUGAZI — "COVID vaccine 'isn't the flu shot': Vaccinators explain why NJ rollout is slow," by The Record's Lindy Washburn: "There are many answers, but the first is the most obvious: Demand far outstrips supply currently. The state has been allocated far fewer doses than the number of people who want them. More than a million have registered for the vaccine at covidvaccine.nj.gov, while about 600,000 vaccine doses have been received and 233,000 doses have been used. But a second reason for the slow rollout is that the COVID vaccines are different from any vaccines given before. The data-tracking required for each dose is daunting. Storage and preparation of the vaccine require special equipment and handling. 'This isn't the flu shot,' said Michael Maron, CEO of Holy Name Medical Center. 'This is a very valuable, complex drug, and the preparation of it is a complex process.'"

SUNDAY — "'No known specific or credible threat' to Trenton ahead of planned protests, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan: The director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness said Wednesday that while "there is no known specific or credible threat" to Trenton, law enforcement is continuing to prepare for planned protests this week in the state capital. "We are preparing for the worst, and making sure that no violence occurs," Homeland Security Director Jared Maples said during Gov. Phil Murphy's regular briefing. New Jersey is bracing for the possibility of protests in Trenton later this week in the aftermath of last week's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. Protests are planned at all 50 state capitols.

'YOU CAN'T FIRE ME! I QUIT!' — "Holley to challenge Cryan in LD20 Democratic primary," by InsiderNJ: "Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-20) will compete off the line against incumbent state Senator Joe Cryan (D-20) for Cryan's senate seat in the June primary this year, according to sources. If he were to prevail against the odds, Holley would be the first African American to hold the seat. A formal announcement is expected during Black History Month, sources say. Holley would be the third Democratic candidate in the race. Last month, Jason Krychiw announced he is challenging Cryan for State Senate in New Jersey's 20th Legislative District."

HE WENT FROM LITERAL DEEP SHIT TO FIGURATIVE DEEP SHIT — "Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission employee bribed senior official, AG says," by The Record's Steve Janoski: "Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission employee allegedly bribed a senior official at the agency to help him climb the commission's ranks and rise in politics more broadly, state authorities said Wednesday. Omid Bayati, 39, of Hillsdale, was working for the commission in Newark when he gave the unnamed official $1,200 in checks and cash in return for what New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal called 'special consideration and assistance' in procuring promotions, according to Grewal's office. Authorities charged him Jan. 7 with bribery in official and political matters and with offering an unlawful benefit to a public servant for official behavior, both second degree crimes. If convicted, Bayati could face five to 10 years in state prison and a $150,000 fine."

NEVERMIND — "NJ Transit pulls plug on plans for gas power plant, a win for those opposing it," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "NJ Transit has withdrawn an air permit to build a natural gas-fueled 'TransitGri' power plant after being directed to do so by Gov. Phil Murphy, marking a major victory for environmentalists and municipalities that fought it. A Jan. 11 letter from Murphy to Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scacetti said 'while the state intends to build the project' the air permit pending with the state Department of Environmental Protection 'should be withdrawn at this time.' In the letter he reminded the commissioner of the 'clean energy commitments advanced by my administration.'"

NURSING HOMES — "Musician Nils Lofgren pushes proposed nursing home reform bill in NJ Senate," by The Record's Abbott Koloff: "Nils Lofgren, a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, and Lofgren's wife, Amy, are promoting a bill in the New Jersey Senate that would require infection control plans for nursing homes, which were the site of thousands of deaths last year during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lofgren's mother-in-law, Patricia Landers, who suffers from dementia, was able to escape from Brookdale at Florham Park, an assisted living facility, four times last year, according to her family"

JACK WON'T HAVE TO RUN OFF THE LINE, DEPRIVING PLAYBOOK AUTHORS OF TAWDRY JOKES INVOLVING TWO OF THOSE WORDS — "Ocean GOP Chairman Frank Holman endorses Ciattarelli," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Ocean County Republican Chairman Frank Holman, whose county casts the largest number of votes in a statewide Republican primary, today issued a personal endorsement of Jack Ciattarelli for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. 'Jack has demonstrated that he has what it takes to not only unite our Party, but to attract independents and Democrats to join our coalition and fix New Jersey,' Holman said. 'Jack shares our values and understands our struggles. Phil Murphy does not.' Since Doug Steinhardt exited the race on Monday, Ciattarelli has won endorsements from GOP county chairs in Essex, Passaic, Gloucester and Salem counties. He already had county chairman support in Atlantic, Burlington and Somerset."

— Stile: "NJ voters, take notice. Here are 5 reelection themes outlined in Murphy's State of the State"

ENVIRONMENT — "LGBTQ man makes history in promotion to N.J. environmental leader ," by NJ Advance Media's Michael Sol Warren: "There's a new environmental boss in the Garden State. Shawn LaTourette has been named Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Wednesday. LaTourette is currently serving as deputy commissioner and chief of staff of the DEP. LaTourette replaces current commissioner Catherine McCabe, who is retiring after her last day at DEP on Friday."

— " Vainieri Huttle enters senate race to succeed Weinberg"

— "Johnson kicks off bid to succeed Weinberg as LD37 senator"

— " Chair of new trade group representing N.J. cannabis grower-dispensers, talks legalization, medical marijuana and more"

HAPPENING TODAY - THE COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT: What are the logistical challenges facing the coronavirus immunization campaign? Who is overseeing the process and working to overcome obstacles to ensure that vulnerable groups have access to the vaccine? Join POLITICO for a virtual discussion on the outgoing Trump administration's plan to prioritize lower-income, rural, and communities of color for vaccine distribution and what the Biden administration can do to streamline plans and fill in any gaps. REGISTER HERE.

TRUMP ERA

FOR CHRIS SMITH, LYING UNDER OATH ABOUT SEX IS IMPEACHABLE. INCITING INSURRECTION IS NOT — "Trump impeachment: NJ delegation sticks to party lines on 'incitement of insurrection,'" by The Record's Stacey Barchenger and Dustin Racioppi: "The 10 Democrats in New Jersey's 12-member congressional delegation cast votes for the impeachment of President Donald Trump on Wednesday as the U.S. House made Trump the first president in history to be impeached twice. The Garden State's two Republican representatives, Jefferson Van Drew and Chris Smith, opposed impeaching the president on an article of 'incitement of insurrection' related to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol."

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP… ERR, SHASHED WINDOW — "Dems demand details of 'suspicious' Capitol visitors day before attack," by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Sarah Ferris: More than 30 House Democrats are demanding information from Capitol security officials about "suspicious" visitors at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 5 — a day before violent insurrectionists swarmed the building — that would only have been permitted entry by a member of Congress or a staffer. "Many of the Members who signed this letter ... witnessed an extremely high number of outside groups in the complex on Tuesday, January 5,'" wrote the lawmakers, led by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), in a letter to the acting House and Senate sergeants-at-arms, as well as the acting head of the Capitol Police."

GOOD LUCK GETTING A JOB EVER AGAIN — "N.J. man in Capitol siege news video arrested by the FBI," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: "Thomas Baranyi, a 28-year-old New Jersey man who was standing next to the woman who died in last week's storming of the Capitol, was arrested by the FBI Tuesday evening and charged with disorderly or disruptive conduct. In a brief video hearing before U.S. District Judge Cathy Waldor in Newark on Tuesday, the former Peace Corps member was charged with relatively minor offenses, but more serious charges may be pending. Bail was set at $100,000 and the matter moved to Washington, D.C., where all the cases involving the Capitol rampage are being handled. He was released on an unsecured bond."

— "Keansburg native named to Joe Biden White House staff"

— "Sherrill wants probe of her allegation that members of Congress led 'reconnaissance' tours before Capitol riot"

— "4 ways advocates hope the Biden administration will improve N.J. infrastructure"

— "The Biden-Harris inauguration show will feature Jon Bon Jovi and Willingboro's Ant Clemons"

— "NJ gun rights groups not behind idea for armed protest in Trenton"

LOCAL

DON'T WORRY, THIS WILL BE FIXED BY LIMITING PUBLIC COMMENT AT COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETINGS — "Hudson County detainees had 23.5-hour daily lockdowns, no soap in isolation, report says," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "The Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny allegedly initiated 23-and-a-half hour lockdowns, with no soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, or mattresses available for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees during the pandemic, a report says. 'They put us in cells with one other person out of fear that we would infect each other. We were kept there for 23.5 hours a day,' a 36-year-old detainee in Kearny, one of 50 across the country interviewed by the Physicians for Human Rights, said over the phone. PHR had their research team conduct interviews between July 13th and October 3rd of last year following outreach to immigration attorneys that had clients being held in ICE detention facilities nationwide. To that end, a 31-year-old man also detained in Kearny mentioned 'spending 12 hours with no soap, no hand sanitizer, no toilet paper … not even a mattress pad to sleep on,' according to the PHR analysis."

DE… JESUS CHRIST! — "Sheriff's officers guarding county executive's house cost taxpayers nearly $20K overtime in a month," by The Jersey Journal's Peter D'Auria: "Sheriff's officers stationed outside the Hudson County executive's home in the wake of protests there have cost taxpayers nearly $20,000 in overtime in one month, according to records obtained by The Jersey Journal. The Hudson County sheriff's officers have been stationed at Tom DeGise's house in the Jersey City Heights since demonstrations protesting the renewal of a county jail contract to detain illegal immigrants began early last month."

PREMATURE EJECTION — " Mazzeo, Armato rescind call for Atlantic County clerk resignation," by The Press of Atlantic City's Michelle Brunetti Post: "After calling for the immediate resignation of Atlantic County Clerk Ed McGettigan on Wednesday morning over his office sending the wrong ballots to 554 voters in the District 3 commissioner race, Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato, both D-Atlantic, said they were reconsidering their position. 'Perhaps it was a little premature,' Mazzeo said Wednesday afternoon, after having a long talk with McGettigan. 'Now we're going to get to the table and talk it over.' The ballot mistake is forcing a costly special election for the county, set for April. Mazzeo said he was frustrated that he wasn't getting information about what happened from the clerk's office, and now he feels the communication is beginning."

COP CAUGHT ON VIDEO PHYSICALLY ASSAULTING GIRLFRIEND APPEARS IS STILL A COP — "Cop's domestic assault charges could be tossed if he completes intervention programs," by NJ Advance Media's Matt Gray: "An off-duty police officer charged with assaulting a woman at the Jersey Shore during a domestic incident in September could see his charges dismissed if he completes intervention programs intended to address alcohol and violence issues, a judge said. Deptford Police Lt. David Grogan appeared in municipal court Tuesday afternoon to face charges of simple assault and resisting arrest … Officials with the Deptford Township Police Department, where Grogan has served for 13 years, have not responded to requests for information about his status."

R.I.P. — "Frank Caputo, former Barnegat mayor and NJ school board member, dies from COVID"

— "Mom of Paterson man viciously beaten by cops sues the city after his death"

— "'You are going to respect me': Suit accuses Asbury Park cop of excessive force"

KEEP UP WITH THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WITH TRANSITION PLAYBOOK: It was a dark week in American history, and a new administration will have to pick up the pieces. Transition Playbook brings you inside the last days of this crucial transfer of power, tracking the latest from President-elect Biden and his growing administration. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes 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.

EVERYTHING ELSE

— "N.J. appellate court overrules lower court dismissal of a sex abuse lawsuit against the Philadelphia Archdiocese"

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