| | | | | |  | | By Katherine Landergan and Daniel Han | Presented by Pre-K Our Way | Good Wednesday morning! Who could have possibly seen this coming? Committee Chair state Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D -Union) pulled the cannabis bill from the Senate Judiciary committee at the last minute yesterday, a signal that the Legislature and Murphy administration still can't agree over penalties for underage possession of cannabis. "I think it's more about continuing to discuss underage possession and use," Scutari told POLITICO's Sam Sutton Tuesday evening. "It's just overall, in terms of what type of immunity police continue to have." Voters approved the constitutional amendment overwhelmingly last November. But thousands are still being arrested for possession as lawmakers and Murphy struggle to iron out the final details. The committee will hold a remote meeting today at 3 p.m. on the bill. The Senate and Assembly have scheduled voting sessions for Friday. When Nikita Biryukov of The New Jersey Globe asked Scutari if he "feels good" about Friday, the response wasn't exactly encouraging. "No. No, I'm not," Scutari said. Read more from Sam Sutton here. WHERE'S MURPHY? In Camden at 10:00 a.m. for an "infrastructure announcement," regular coronavirus briefing at the Trenton War Memorial at 1:00 p.m. CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 3,114 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 669,481. 31 more deaths for a total of 20,251 (and 2,246 probable deaths). 2,411 hospitalized, 494 in intensive care. 386,490 fully vaccinated. TWEET OF THE DAY: "Going forward every public meeting should have a Zoom (or similar video conference app) component that you can watch, and participate in, remotely. You would triple attendance. Agree or not?" — @DavidCruzNJ | | | | 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 | | NJ RUNS ON CORRUPTION — 4 former New Jersey elected officials indicted in corruption bust, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Four former New Jersey elected officials — including the former president of the Jersey City Board of Education and a former state assemblymember — have been indicted by a state grand jury for allegedly taking thousands of dollars in bribes. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said the four — including former school board President Sudhan Thomas and former Assemblymember Jason O'Donnell — have been charged with taking bribes from a cooperating witness in the form of illegal campaign contributions in a "major investigation of political corruption," conducted by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. Thomas and O'Donnell, along with former Morris County Freeholder John Cesaro and former Mount Arlington Council member John Windish are accused of accepting paper bags and envelopes filled with cash, campaign checks from straw donors and even a coffee cup stuffed with $10,000 in $100 bills. — NJ Advance Media: "Former N.J. mayor going to prison for stealing over $75K from local campaigns." MANDATORY MINIMUMS — Senate panel clears bill to end mandatory minimum sentences — even for official misconduct, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday unanimously advanced legislation that would eliminate mandatory minimum prison sentences for non-violent crimes, including official misconduct. The bill that advanced Tuesday, NJ S3456 (20R) , is more wide ranging than the original legislation that was introduced over the summer. The original legislation prospectively and retroactively eliminated mandatory minimum sentences mainly for drug and property crimes in an effort to reduce racial disparities in prison. It was based entirely on the recommendations included in a 2019 report from a state-appointed commission. The report did not recommend eliminating mandatory minimums for official misconduct. MASK UP — "Gov. Murphy exits second COVID quarantine with new look — two masks, instead of one," by The Record's Dustin Racioppi: "Gov. Phil Murphy emerged from his self-imposed quarantine Tuesday, less than a week after a family member tested positive for COVID-19. He did not address the fact that he was back in public, but Murphy did appear with a noticeable alteration: Two masks over his mouth and nose. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended 'double masking' earlier this month to increase protection against the coronavirus and its variants." PAID LEAVE — Temporary rule change will grant state workers coronavirus-related paid leave, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan: The New Jersey Civil Service Commission announced Tuesday that it will provide paid sick leave to state employees who contract coronavirus. The temporary rule change provides state employees with two new types of paid leave for Covid-19 on top of the state's existing sick leave and family leave laws. It grants workers an unlimited amount of paid leave if they are sick with coronavirus and allows for 10 days of paid family leave if they have a child whose school or day care is unable to operate due to Covid-19. State employees will also be given an extra day of paid leave so they get the Covid-19 vaccination. The rule is retroactive to Jan. 1, and is intended to be a stopgap for a temporary federal benefit that expired at the end of 2020. BUT I THOUGHT THERE AIN'T NO LAWS WHEN DRINKING CLAWS? — Sweeney bill would cut tax rate for low-alcohol beverages, by Katherine: Senate President Steve Sweeney has introduced legislation that would reduce the alcoholic beverage tax rate on hard cider and other low-alcohol beverages. The bill, NJ S3452 (20R), would cut the alcohol tax on hard cider so that it matches the tax rate for beer. Cider is currently taxed at 15 cents a gallon, while beer is taxed at 12 cents a gallon. The bill would also slash the tax rate for low-alcohol liquor, such as canned cocktails. These drinks are currently taxed at the rate for hard liquor, which is $5.50 a gallon. According to the bill, liquors with less than 8 percent alcohol by volume would be taxed at the beer tax rate of 12 cents a gallon. There's no fiscal estimate attached to the bill, but the Senate Democrats office says the changes won't result in a loss of revenue for the state because the low-alcohol industry is a burgeoning one. | | | | GET TRANSITION PLAYBOOK TO 100K: In three months, our scoop-filled Transition Playbook newsletter has grown from zero to more than 90,000 subscribers. Find out what's really happening inside the West Wing, who really has the ear of the president, and what's about to happen, before it occurs. Transition Playbook chronicles the people, policies, and emerging power centers of the Biden administration. Don't miss out, subscribe today. And once you do, we'd be grateful if you could spread the word to your friends and colleagues, or, even better, post about Transition Playbook on Facebook or Twitter using this link: politico.com/newsletters/transition-playbook | | | | |
| | BIDEN TIME | | REPRESENTATION IN POLITICS — "The Trump bump? With a surge of election wins, Muslims make their mark on NJ politics," by The Record's Hannan Adely: "Awwad is one of at least 35 Muslims serving in elected office in New Jersey, two-thirds of whom were elected in the past four years — part of a surge in activism and civic involvement in the era of Trump. These leaders include the children and grandchildren of immigrants who are winning seats on school boards and municipal councils. Many say they were drawn to elected office in response to growing bias and discrimination against Muslims. But their involvement also reflects a sense among the younger generation, who have strong local roots and professional success in New Jersey, that it's time to lead, to help their communities and be part of decision making." GATEWAY — FTA's rescinding of Trump-era funding policy may help move Gateway forward, by POLITICO's Samantha Maldonado: Backers of the Gateway Program say a federal funding policy change will remove a key obstacle that has held up the multi-billion-dollar transit project. The Federal Transit Administration's plan to rescind 2018 guidance that treats federal loans as part of the federal share rather than as the local match for Capital Investment Grant purposes means the long-stalled tunnel portion of the Gateway Program is more likely to move forward. "Today's new information from DOT confirms what I've believed all along: that under a Biden administration, Gateway will be judged on its merits and not used as political leverage," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told POLITICO. "That's going to mean it's going to go forward because it is so important for our New York economy, our northeast economy and our national economy." CAPITOL ATTACK — "Father of Capitol attack suspect from N.J. wishes he could have talked son out of D.C. trip," by NJ Advance Media's Kevin Shea: "The father, a longtime Mercer County resident, has been doing a lot of soul searching the past month about what led his son to the Capitol. He's unsure of a lot of things and said he hasn't been in touch with Tommy, as he calls him, for about a year. What he does know is that despite what anyone thinks of his son and his statements on Jan. 6, Thomas has never been the type to hide or turn tail from something he believes in. Tommy's an 'all in' type of guy. Drake said he does not condone the violence, and speaks only about his son, he cautioned. He is sure about one thing, though. If he knew Thomas was traveling to Washington, 'I would have talked him out of it.'" FROM THE OPINION PAGES — "Reports of the Republican Party's death are greatly exaggerated," by The Star Ledger's Paul Mulshine: "Christie argued that every party faces some divisions after a loss at the polls, but 'part of those divisions are driven by Donald Trump's personality and his behavior.' Once Trump is out of the news, the Grand Old Party will actually be grander, said Christie. 'I've had to come on this show for four years and your first question to me always is about something Donald Trump said, did or tweeted,' he said. 'That's not going to be the case over the next couple years.' I agree with our ex-governor. No matter how much the Democrats would like to keep running against The Donald, Trump's a goner." | | | |   | | |
| | LOCAL | | LAW ENFORCEMENT — "In lawsuit, Cliffside Park cop says he was punished for reporting misconduct," by NorthJersey.com's Katie Sobko: "A police officer who describes himself as a longtime whistleblower is alleging discrimination by the borough, a former police chief and the business administrator in a lawsuit filed last week in Superior Court in Bergen County. Sgt. Michael Gardenier alleges that the borough and former Police Chief Richard Gaito and Business Administrator Joseph Rutch violated his civil rights and discriminated against him in the claim filed Feb. 10. He says he has spoken out numerous times about misconduct in the Police Department, including by Gaito's son. Gardenier alleges that he was denied simple accommodations to assist in caring for his young son, who has autism, while Gaito's son has remained on the department payroll by utilizing his father's accrued time off." JERSEY CITY — "Jersey City payroll tax is constitutional, but will head back to court over 'commerce clause,'" by The Hudson County View's John Heinis: "The Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division ruled that the one percent payroll tax implemented in Jersey City is constitutional, but will still head back to court to address if the 'commerce clause' was violated. A group of nearly two dozen plaintiffs, led by developers Mack-Cali and Lefrak, appealed Hudson County Superior Court Assignment Judge Peter Bariso's March 2019 decision that said having city businesses pay a one percent payroll tax that goes towards the public schools is legal. The tax, implemented shortly after a city council vote on November 20th, 2018, still faces questions in relation to the constitutionality 'common clause,' in other words, how to ensure that two taxing entities don't both impose a payroll tax on the same employee." | | | | TUNE IN TO GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS: Our Global Translations podcast, presented by Citi, examines the long-term costs of the short-term thinking that drives many political and business decisions. The world has long been beset by big problems that defy political boundaries, and these issues have exploded over the past year amid a global pandemic. This podcast helps to identify and understand the impediments to smart policymaking. Subscribe and start listening today. | | | | |
| | EVERYTHING ELSE | | HIGHER ED — Acting higher education secretary gains Senate committee approval, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: The state Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Brian Bridges' nomination for secretary of higher education. Bridges used his testimony time to address the impacts the pandemic has had on higher education finances and on widening the equity gap between communities. "We know that Covid-19 exacerbated the inequities that already existed among minority and underserved communities," Bridges told lawmakers. "We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that while New Jersey post-secondary attainment rate is currently 57 percent — which exceeds the national average of 51 percent — when you break it down by race, ethnicity and geography, equity gaps paint a different picture." EDNA MAHAN — "Outraged by abuse at women's prison, Democratic senators call for creation of public advocate," by NJ Spotlight News' Colleen O'Dea: "New Jersey needs a new public advocate to help protect inmates and people in other state-run facilities, three lawmakers said, arguing more oversight is needed after last month's assault on inmates at the women's prison and the apparent failure of the state to reach a settlement with federal authorities over problems at the facility. The state had a public advocate , but the office fell victim to politics and was last active more than a decade ago. The three top Democratic state senators, all critical of the leadership of New Jersey's prisons, plan to create a new advocate. The position would be more limited in its scope of authority but also independent of the whims of governors who may not like the work the office undertakes." — NJ Advance Media: "N.J. tax collections are up through January, but treasury says the real revenue picture isn't so bright." — NJ Spotlight News: " With more NJ residents working from home, lawmakers say we need a study." — The Philadelphia Inquirer: "Some worry N.J. offshore wind project will affect views, fishing, and tourism." | | | | 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 | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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