News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Veto looking increasingly likely on weed bills

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Veto looking increasingly likely on weed bills

Jan 27, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Wednesday morning!

We're about two weeks from the deadline for Gov. Murphy to act on the weed legalization and decriminalization bills on his desk, and negotiations to date haven't gotten far.

Feb. 8 is the drop dead date, as that's the first quorum in the Assembly — where both bills originated — after the bill has been on Murphy's desk for 45 days.

The administration has held conference calls with lawmakers, most recently the Assembly's Black members. But they haven't been fruitful.

One of the weirdest things about this fight is that Sens. Ronald Rice and Nia Gill (both D-Essex) killed the "clean-up" bill Murphy and the Legislature had settled on because of "stationhouse adjustments" for underage users they say would basically lead to stop-and-frisk. But both are urging the governor to sign the bills on his desk, one of which allows underage users to be charged with disorderly persons offenses — a significantly harsher penalty than bringing kids into the station to warn them off weed. But the disorderly persons offense would only apply to those caught with weed that originates from the legal market. How would authorities determine the weed's provenance without a receipt or obvious packaging? Your guess is as good as mine.

A deal is possible, but It's looking increasingly likely that the governor will conditionally veto the legislation. Read more about it here.

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference. Media: CNN at 8:15 a.m., "Ask Govenror Murphy" at 7 p.m. on your local NPR affiliate

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 4,117 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 602,660. 133 more deaths for a total of 18,984 (and 2,121 probable deaths). 3,251 hospitalized, 572 in intensive care. 605,397 vaccine shots administered, 55 percent of supply.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Murphy spox Alex Altman, attorney Ryan Goodwin, NJDCF's Vinny Napolitano, PR guru Karen Kessler, Conaway aide Mitch Zupko

QUOTE OF THE DAY : "In reality, the doctor was prosecuted for one simple reason: He was a thief who ripped off taxpayers year after year. The evidence against him was mountainous. Because Trump never acts out of the sheer shining goodness of his heart, the Melgen clemency order raises the obvious questions of why, and what's in it for the ex-president." — Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiassen on Trump's commutation of Sal Melgen's sentence.

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

HOLLY WAR — "Schepisi mulling GOP primary challenge against Cardinale," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale) is seeking support to challenge 86-year-old State Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Demarest) for the Bergen County Organization line at the party's convention in March. 'Over the past few weeks, I have had multiple conversations with friends, family, local residents, political and community leaders across my district about my political future and the direction of our party,' Schepisi said. 'I've been heartened by the broad support I have received and the strong encouragement to consider running for the state Senate this November. While I have not made any final decisions, it is something I am seriously considering.' The filing deadline to participate in the GOP screening process and be on the ballot for the convention is Sunday, creating a narrow window for Schepisi to make a final decision about taking on Cardinale or seeking re-election to her 39th district State Assembly seat. Cardinale says he is aware of the potential challenge from Schepisi, 49, a five-term assemblywoman and his running mate for the last decade. 'Holly is personally ambitious, and she sees time going by,' Cardinale said. 'She's going to take the plunge.'"

—" Monmouth GOP mulls dropping DiMaso from organization line"

VACCINES — "More slipups: NJ officials promise to help those who didn't get COVID vaccine second appointment," by The Record's Scott Fallon : "Gail Plumeri was relieved after receiving her first COVID-19 vaccine shot at a Middlesex County senior center on Friday, considering she is 65, a cancer survivor and on immunosuppressants, all of which make her particularly susceptible to the virus. But relief turned to concern when she was told she had to book her second appointment on her own, despite state health officials' saying that the follow-up appointment should be made immediately at the site of a person's first dose. 'So I, too, will be spending hours on the computer and phone trying to find somewhere to get my second dose,' Plumeri said Monday as she searched in vain for a coveted appointment. Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli acknowledged Monday that workers at several vaccination sites did not automatically book second appointments for those receiving their first dose despite instructions that they should."

NO HOPE FOR HICKS — "Demands for suspension of N.J. corrections commissioner grow after women inmates report beatings," by NJ Advance Media's Blake Nelson and Joe Atmonavage: "Pressure mounted Tuesday for the head of the prison system to step down while law enforcement investigates alleged beatings at the state's only women's prison. Five more New Jersey lawmakers on Tuesday demanded Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks be placed on leave the day after an NJ.com story revealed that dozens of staff at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton were suspended after women inmates said they were attacked by officers earlier this month. Two other lawmakers said the same late Monday. 'We are outraged by the allegations of physical assault perpetrated by correctional personnel,' state Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, D-Middlesex, and three colleagues wrote to Gov. Phil Murphy. A total of 30 people have been suspended at the prison, according to William Sullivan, president of NJ PBA Local 105, the state's largest corrections union."

SUPER BOWL HOUSE PARTY ATTENDEES URGED TO NOT DOUBLE DIP CHIPS, ATTEND PARTIES —"Gov. Murphy says no to request to keep bars, restaurants open late for Super Bowl," by The Daily Record's William Westhoven: "In New Jersey, Republican Sen. Anthony M. Bucco called on Gov. Phil Murphy to call a one-day audible on the 10 p.m. curfew dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most important days of the year for bars and restaurants and all of their workers,' Bucco said. 'Under current restrictions, indoor establishments could be put in the difficult position of having to kick out their customers before the Super Bowl is over to comply with the governor's executive orders. Gov. Murphy should do the right thing and give them a reprieve from the arbitrary 10 p.m. closing time for this important event.' Murphy's office flagged the request as out-of-bounds."

PSEG: 'WOULD A CHECK TO YOUR FAVORED DARK MONEY GROUP ADVANCE STATE GOALS?' — Environmentalists: Proposed PSE&G electric vehicle settlement won't advance state's goals, by POLITICO's Samantha Maldonado: A group of environmental organizations say a scaled-back version of an electric vehicle program from New Jersey's largest utility doesn't go far enough to ensure the advancement of related state goals. The state Board of Public Utilities, the Rate Counsel and other stakeholders reached an agreement with Public Service Electric & Gas Company for a program that — according to a letter obtained by POLITICO written on behalf of Environment New Jersey, the Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club — nearly halves the company's spending on charging infrastructure and eliminates an energy storage component. "The proposed stipulation under-invests in charging infrastructure, and fails to set timelines — let alone deadlines — for needed action on storage and medium- and heavy-duty vehicle charging infrastructure," the letter states. The BPU is scheduled to vote on the proposed agreement during its meeting Wednesday.

—"Thousands of NJ DWI convictions in limbo after 'substantial doubts' about breath test results"

—"Halvorsen leaving N.J. Restaurant & Hospitality Association"

—"NJ bill aims at eliminating caretaker discrimination against LGBTQ seniors"

—" Medical marijuana patients just want to grow their own weed. Why lawmakers won't allow it"

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

GOT A REQUEST HEIMER — New Jersey lawmaker asks Yellen for regulatory break on SALT limit, by POLITICO's Aaron Lorenzo: A prominent supporter of the state and local tax deduction is urging Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to roll back a regulation aimed at preventing taxpayers from circumventing the cap on the deduction. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) asked Yellen to restore a related write-off for taxpayers making charitable donations to their state or other local governments, which was limited by a rule Treasury finalized in 2019. That regulation was put in place to prevent taxpayers from getting around the $10,000 ceiling on federal deductions for state and local taxes, or SALT, enacted in 2017. Gottheimer, who's fought against the underlying SALT limit, has also bemoaned the follow-up rule as regulatory overreach.

WAIT, WHAT? — "Kellyanne Conway investigated by cops after nude photo of daughter Claudia posted," by The New York Post's Stephen Yang, Craig McCarthy and Lia Eustachewich: "Police have launched an investigation into a topless photo of Kellyanne Conway's 16-year-old daughter, Claudia — which the teen says was posted on her mom's Twitter — and cops paid a visit to the family's New Jersey mansion Tuesday. Just before noon, four officers with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and Alpine Police Department showed up with papers in hand at the Conways' brick-faced home in tony Alpine and spent about an hour inside before leaving. Alpine Police Chief Christopher Belcolle confirmed that a probe was underway. 'An investigation is being conducted. No additional information can be released,' Belcolle said, noting that records regarding juveniles are not made public. On Monday, Claudia Conway took to her TikTok account to address a topless photo of herself that apparently was tweeted on her mother's Twitter Fleets — which automatically deletes posts after 24 hours. Claudia said she believed either her mom 'accidentally' posted the pic or her account was hacked."

HOUSE OF PAYNE — "Payne gets Railroad Subcommittee chairmanship," by New Jersey Globe's Nikita Biryukov: "Rep. Donald Payne Jr. will chair the House subcommittee tasked with overseeing the nation's railways, further adding to the Gateway Project's prospects in the new administration."

—"Man in NJ federal prison dies from COVID after being denied compassionate release"

—" The O'Toole Chronicles: A tribute to Craig Carpenito"

—Steinberg: "Jack Ciattarelli, meet Charlie Sandman"

—Mulshine: " Why did Republican Donald Trump give clemency to Democratic senator's pal?"

—"'We took over this ****ing Capitol:' Jersey City Trump supporter charged in Jan. 6 siege"

—" These are the 10 people from N.J. charged with crimes during the pro-Trump riot at U.S. Capitol"

LOCAL

THE WORLD IS HOLTEC'S OYSTER CREEK — "Oyster Creek: Out with the old nuclear plant, in with a new one? The choices ahead," by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby: "For more than a half-century, the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant energized the region and local pocketbooks before shutting down three years ago, the start of what was expected to be a tedious, unremarkable and costly mothballing. Now the path forward for Lacey doesn't seem so clear or unremarkable. While Oyster Creek wraps up one chapter in energy generation, it seems poised to start another — with development of a smaller, cheaper nuclear prototype plant. Proposed by plant owner Holtec International in an grant application to the U.S. Department of Energy, the prototype under consideration could bring new efficiency, economic rewards and environmental benefits — for Lacey, the site owner, and like-situated communities closing down old reactors, analysts say."

NOT NEW JERSEY. MONTCLAIR. — "Schools were set to reopen. Then the teachers' union stepped in," by The New York Times' Tracey Tulley: "After several false starts over the last two months, public schools in Montclair, N.J., an affluent New York City suburb, were finally set to reopen Monday for the first time since the pandemic shut them down in March. Students, sorted into two groups, the Mounties and the Bulldogs, would attend school in person two days a week and log in remotely the other three — a hybrid model of instruction that has enabled a majority of districts in New Jersey and the country's largest public school system, New York City, to reopen. Then the township's powerful teachers' union stepped in, and the plan was abruptly scrapped. 'We are so sad,' Heather Weiss, a mother of two Montclair public school students."

0.9 MASTROS IN DEBT — "Gillian's Wonderland Pier ordered to be put up for auction," by The Press of Atlantic City's Ahmad Austin: The Cape May County sheriff on Thursday ordered Gillian's Wonderland Pier to be put up for auction, according to a report from NBC10. The Ocean City boardwalk amusement pier, owned by city Mayor Jay Gillian, has defaulted on $8 million in loans, according to the report. Gillian said he has secured financing for the property, however, and it will not be put up for auction. 'I want to reassure our loyal guests that Wonderland Pier will be open for business, as usual, for the 2021 season,' Gillian said in the report."

BOEZO — " Ringwood BOE member apologized for offensive comments, said he won't resign," by The Record's David M. Zimmer: "Despite a raft of calls for his resignation in response to demeaning and offensive comments made on the social media platform Parler, father of three Andrew Burgoyne is expected to endure his first month on the town's Board of Education. At the onset of the school board's Monday meeting, Burgoyne apologized for comments disparaging politicians with profane insults and likening college instruction to brainwashing in response to a post about diversity training ... Screenshots from the @Burgoyneandsons Parler account show posts calling 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams a 'fat pos,' the governors of New York and New Jersey 'f---ing jerkoffs' and for leaders in the tech industry to be 'erased.' Screenshots from the Ringwood School Board's Jan. 25, 2021 meeting show trustee Andrew Burgoyne, who has been asked to resign by some community members. 'I now realize how divisive and hurtful words could be until I became on the receiving end of them,' Burgoyne said."

—"Newark Public Safety Director Ambrose expected to announce Wednesday of step down from role"

—"Judge says Wayne 'woke' up, restores its housing immunity. But, conditions apply"

—"Made-to-order food from a locker? Jersey City to open country's first automat since 1991"

—Politi: "A school board denies a hoop star's desire to support Black Lives Matter, but she's not done fighting"

—"Project could bring jobs to [Millville], but legal battle and $350M lawsuit threat stand in the way"

—"Man who attempted to torch Trenton police car during George Floyd protest pleads guilty"

—"Retired Cherry Hill officer files age-discrimination lawsuit"

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

—"Jazz station WBGO, a 'labor of love' in Newark, celebrated in new documentary"

—"Oldest woman at Jersey Shore beats COVID, turns 110 "

—"NJPAC receives $20M gift from Betty Wold Johnson"

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