News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Top Democratic state Senate recruit has a problem

Friday, January 29, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Top Democratic state Senate recruit has a problem

Jan 29, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Friday morning!

New Jersey FMBA President Ed Donnelly seems like a formidable potential candidate for state Senate in the 21st District. He's a powerful guy as both head of one of the state's big public workers unions and chair of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System. And it's another one of those once-safely Republican districts that got a lot friendlier-looking to Democrats in the Trump era.

But while the Trump era is over, the #MeToo era is here to stay , and there's a big problem for Donnelly. About four and a half months ago, a former FMBA employee — Jessica Bagniewski, the only full-timer on staff — filed a lawsuit alleging she was fired by Donnelly after speaking up about harassment and intimidation from the union's treasurer, Troy Powell. It also alleges Donnelly tolerated the harassment, teased the employee about her run-ins with Powell and ultimately fired her over it.

Donnelly denies the allegations and didn't want to get into specifics about ongoing litigation. He said it hasn't factored into his plans on whether to run.

But this much is clear: As Trenton grapples with a long culture of misogyny in state politics, Democrats aren't eager to run a candidate with this kind of thing hanging over him. As one powerful Union County Democrat texted me: "Haven't talked to (Donnelly), but… it's over."

Read more about it here.

WHERE'S MURPHY? East Rutherford for a vaccine event at 10 a.m. with Sen. Menendez, Congressman Gottheimer and others, then in Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 3,962 newly reported positive PCR tests for a total of 610,324. 82 more deaths for a total of 19,172 (and 2,129 probable deaths). 3,121 hospitalized, 563 in intensive care.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Optimus Partners' Karin Elkis, Former Hamilton Mayor Glen Gilmore, CNN's Lauren Dezenski. Saturday for Assemblymember Herb Conaway, NJDOL's Nataly Espinosa . Sunday for Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, MWWPR's Michael Kempner, Hoboken Strategies' Antonia Spano, Camden County Commissioner Jeff Nash

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "How did they know we were going to vote on it in a positive way? It could have been a negative vote. And to see the details published in advance of us taking action I found disconcerting. This particular publication calls us a lot for information. And it's been kind of our rule that until the board acts on something it's not publicized, and the details of that are not publicized. So who gave them that information? I have no idea." — Board of Private, I mean Public Utilities President Joe Fiordaliso on a report by POLITICO's Samantha Maldonado that detailed an agreement between the board and PSEG on a scaled-back electric vehicles program.

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

HOPELESS HICKS — "N.J. prison leader should be removed in aftermath of alleged beatings, Senate Dems tell governor " by NJ Advance Media's Blake Nelson and Joe Atmonavaage : "New Jersey officials defended the head of the prison system as a growing bipartisan chorus on Wednesday demanded a change in leadership amid reports that officers severely beat women inmates earlier this month. All of the state's 25 Democratic Senators signed a letter demanding that Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks lose his job, the caucus announced Thursday … The lawmakers also asked the federal government to take over the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton and demanded women inmates ultimately be moved to a safer prison. The commissioner 'has demonstrated time and again that he is not up to the task of running the Department of Corrections,' the lawmakers wrote to Gov. Phil Murphy … Hicks first reviewed an initial investigation of the incident Jan. 14, three days after the incident, according to a spokeswoman. The commissioner then suspended staff who 'may have had involvement' within '24 hours' and initiated an ongoing criminal investigation, prison spokeswoman Liz Velez wrote in an email. Thirty staff total have been suspended, according to a union official."

I'VE LOST TRACK OF THE NUMBER OF DEALS THERE HAVE BEEN — Deal in the works to revise penalties for underage possession of marijuana, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: Lawmakers and the Murphy administration are working out a deal on a new bill that would revise penalties for underage possession of cannabis that are included in legislation that was sent to the governor's desk last month. The Assembly has scheduled a hearing for Friday afternoon on a bill, NJ A5342 (20R), that is being drafted to satisfy the administration's concerns over the underage penalties language while addressing issues flagged by Black and Latino lawmakers during an earlier attempt at compromise. Text of the bill hadn't been posted as of Thursday evening, but it's scheduled to be heard at a 2:30 p.m. meeting of the Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee. In the upper house, Sen. Nicholas Scutari — a primary sponsor of bills to legalize the adult use market for cannabis, NJ A21 (20R), and decriminalize possession of the drug, NJ A1897 (20R) — said in an interview Thursday evening that the Senate could post another bill as soon as Friday.

—"Sweeney: Senate won't concur with marijuana vetoes"

MARQUIS DE FRAUD —"Sex-for-money scheme: Two in Toms River and Edison man accused of bilking state fund," by The Asbury Park Press' Ken Serrano: "An Edison man who managed a state fund for traumatic brain injury patients sent more than $4.5 million to a Toms River man and woman and others to forward a romantic relationship with her and have sex with other women, federal authorities said. FBI and IRS agents Thursday arrested Harry Pizutelli, 62, of Edison and C.R. Kraus, 55, and Maritza Flores, 43, of Toms River. A complaint charges them with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, Pizutelli sent Kraus $3.25 million to Kraus and $940,000 to Flores over a more than 10-year period for work they falsely claimed was done to help patients with brain injuries, authorities said. Pizutelli also forwarded $400,000 to other women in order to have sexual and romantic relationships with them, authorities said. The work was never done."

SALMON WON'T SWIM UPSTREAM — "Salmon considering bid for 21st District Assembly seat," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein : "Scott Salmon, who has emerged as one of New Jersey's top election lawyers over the last few years, is under consideration for the Democratic nomination for State Assembly in the 21st district. 'I am very interested in running,' Salmon said. 'I'm a proud Democrat and I would not want to run without my party's support, so it is something that I am currently discussing with party leaders, elected officials, and activist groups.' Salmon won headlines — and praise from Democrats — in 2020 after challenging nominating petitions filed by entertainer Kanye West as an independent presidential candidate … Salmon said the future of his candidacy depends on whether party leaders in Union, Somerset and Morris counties will back him for the Assembly."

ELEC TO GET SOMETHING ELSE TO DO — Bill would create state government unit to investigate sexual misconduct in politics," by POLITICO's Matt Friedman : Political campaigns for every state, county and municipal office in New Jersey would be required to develop anti-harassment policies under newly-proposed legislation. The bill was introduced Thursday by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) in response to a series of New Jersey political scandals involving alleged sexual assault or misogyny. Under the legislation, NJ S3389, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, which handles campaign finance issues, would have a new unit dedicated to investigating sexual misconduct complaints in politics. Campaigns would be required to have anti-harassment policies, training and a designated person to handle confidential sexual misconduct complaints. Gopal said ELEC will get $2 million and that allegations deemed substantiated will be public records.

MURPHY RESPONDS: 'SHHH!' — "NJ COVID vaccine plan has library staff in Group 1C, but workers are pushing back," by The Record's Ricardo Kaulessar: "Should library workers be treated like police and firefighters when it comes to coronavirus vaccines? The New Jersey Library Association says yes and is requesting that the state include public library workers in its 1B category of people eligible to receive the vaccine. Those classified in 1B under the state's vaccination plan include police officers, firefighters, and individuals aged 65 and older, and those from ages 16 to 64 with medical conditions who have a high health risk."

— New Jersey moving ahead with spring standardized testing

—Murphy signs order to set health care affordability benchmarks

—" NJ Health commissioner quarantines after staff member tests positive for COVID-19"

—"N.J. public worker pension fund's investment returns surged in 2nd half of 2020"

—" He was kicked out of public housing during N.J.'s eviction moratorium, and he's not alone" '

—"N.J. vaccine mega-site deals with 'catastrophe' as appointments are double booked due to computer glitch"

— New Jersey launches first community solar project

—"The Fair Auto Insurance Rates Act could end a part of systemic racism in NJ. Pass it now | Opinion"

TRACK THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: A new president occupies the White House and he is already making changes. What are some of the key moments from Biden's first week in office? Find out in Transition Playbook, our scoop-filled newsletter tracking the appointments, people, and emerging power centers of the first 100 days of the new administration. Subscribe today.

BIDEN TIME

SALT — "There's new push to restore your property tax break, and Senate's top lawmaker is leading the charge," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York is the lead sponsor of legislation to repeal the Republican tax law's $10,000 cap. The provision disproportionately affected New Jersey and other high-tax states, most of which send billions of dollars more to Washington than they get back. Democratic U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker of New Jersey, the state with the nation's highest property taxes, are co-sponsors, along with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., chairman of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee. The bill was introduced Thursday."

LOCAL

ONE DAY PER $2,900 STOLEN FROM CHILDREN — "Former Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam gets 30 days in prison for fraud," by The Press of Atlantic City's Michelle Brunetti Post: "Former Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam Jr. was sentenced Thursday to 30 days in prison followed by three years' probation and 200 hours of community service, more than a year after pleading guilty to wire fraud and admitting to taking about $87,000 from a youth sports program. He also must be on home detention for 11 months following incarceration, when he will be restricted to his residence except for travel for work, education, religious services and medical care. And he must pay $86,790 in restitution to his victims who had donated to the AC Starz basketball program."

HACKENSACKED — "Hackensack deputy mayor loses support after COVID incident at City Hall," by The Record's Isaiah McCall: "David Sims' tenure as deputy mayor appears to be nearing an end as he faces fallout from escorting a COVID-positive relative into City Hall last month. Several employees were in the building at the time he brought his adult daughter into the building on Dec. 29, aware that she had tested positive for the coronavirus a few days before. … Now, Sims' fellow council members say they will remove him from their ticket, five months before the city's May municipal election, when all five council seats are up for grabs. 'Deputy Mayor Sims' actions were reckless, irresponsible and put people at risk,' said a campaign official for LaBrosse."

NO CURETON IN SIGHT — "ICE: Bergen County Jail detention center is over capacity," by WNYC's Matt Katz: "Immigration and Customs Enforcement says its detention center at the Bergen County Jail in New Jersey is about 50 percent over capacity, raising concerns about the spread of the coronavirus as lawyers seek to get high-risk immigrants out of detention. The document from ICE, submitted by immigration attorneys to a judge as part of a national class-action lawsuit to release people from detention, indicates that the facility was 71 percent over capacity in November and 41 percent over capacity last month."

HOMELESSNESS — " NJ's one-day homeless count uncovers a grim reality in Bergen County amid pandemic," by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak: "Even in Bergen County, one of the 25 wealthiest counties in the country, the homeless can die alone, outside, in the cold. Bergen is also one of the few communities in the country to have 'ended' chronic and veteran homelessness, meaning that, according to a formula, the county has the resources to quickly house someone who needs it. Yet even here, in a county where the median household income was $108,000 according to 2019 U.S. Census estimates, people fall through the cracks. Surveyors counted 352 people without a permanent place to live in 2020, including six people sleeping somewhere other than a shelter. Statewide, volunteers counted 1,786 people living on the street, in a public building, in a makeshift campsite, or in another situation, and 9,663 homeless people in total, including those in shelters and transitional houses."

SHE CAN HOPE FOR A GILLIAM-ESQUE SENTENCE — "Montville union president embezzled $600,000 to pay credit card debt, authorities say," by The Record's Steve Janowski: "A Montville woman allegedly embezzled more than $600,000 from her union's pension and health care funds to pay credit card debts run up at high-end stores like Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus, federal authorities said Thursday. Dorothy McBride, 74, of Montville, was charged with embezzlement of labor union assets and embezzlement from employee benefit plans, acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig said in a statement. McBride appeared Thursday via videoconference before a federal magistrate judge in Newark and was released on a $250,000 unsecured bond, Honig said. If convicted, McBride faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000."

—"NJ cuts Ocean County's weekly COVID-19 vaccine shipments by 40%"

—Stile: "Bonuses for Bergen Democratic appointees? Not a good look during a pandemic"

—"Hudson County officials OK reducing public comment at meeting where no residents spoke"

—"Atlantic City police report serious crimes down 33% in 2020"

—" Pleasantville no longer contesting Absecon bid to leave school district"

—"Toms River councilman will sleep outside Saturday night: What's he trying to prove?"

—" Trenton clerk Matthew Conlon demands $3M in tort claim alleging city-led conspiracy"

—"Jersey City Council adopts new salary ranges for the top directors and administrators"

GET THE SCOOP ON CONGRESS IN 2021 : Get the inside scoop on the Schumer/McConnell dynamic, the new Senate Bipartisan Group, and what is really happening inside the House Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference. From Schumer to Pelosi, McConnell to McCarthy and everyone in between, our new Huddle author Olivia Beavers brings the latest from Capitol Hill with assists from POLITICO's deeply sourced Congress team. Subscribe to Huddle, the indispensable guide to Congress.

EVERYTHING ELSE

ANNA WINTOUR LOOKS FORWARD TO JOINING BRIDGE AND TUNNEL CLUB — "Condé Nast eyes shift to New Jersey, trimming Manhattan offices," by Bloomberg: "Condé Nast is exploring taking office space in New Jersey and reducing its presence in Manhattan as part of a bid to cut costs, according to people familiar with the matter. The magazine publisher, a high-profile tenant at One World Trade Center, is looking for roughly 400,000 square feet of office space split between Manhattan and the northern New Jersey waterfront, the people said, asking not to be named because the matter is private."

11.1 MASTROS — "N .J. man pleads guilty in $100M Ponzi scheme, feds say," by NJ Advance Media's Noah Cohen: "A West Orange man admitted Thursday to defrauding investors in a more than $100 million Ponzi-scheme over ten years, according to federal authorities. David Hu, who was a managing partner and chief investment officer of the investment advisory firm International Investment Group, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to charges including investment adviser fraud, securities fraud and wire fraud."

—"Acme supermarket in N.J. fired new mom for pumping breast milk at work, suit says"

—"Company kept details on new 'forever chemicals' hidden for years, advocacy group tells EPA"

—"Respected chain of 14 weekly newspapers moving to non-profit status"

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