News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: New York may deserve to be called the Garden State

Monday, March 29, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: New York may deserve to be called the Garden State

Mar 29, 2021

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By Matt Friedman

Presented by Uber Driver Stories

Good Monday morning!

It looks like New Jersey really is going to be in a race with New York to get the legal weed market up and running.

New York's Legislature and governor officially announced their deal Saturday, killing the buzz of reporters who were just trying to take the weekend off. This happened just one day after Gov. Murphy signed New Jersey's parental notification law, cleaning up the latest mess that the governor and state lawmakers have made in implementing a law we all knew was likely coming for years.

The New York deal in many ways looks like New Jersey's in terms of dedicating portions of the revenue to communities that have been disproportionately hurt by the "War on Drugs." And the proposed 3 ounce possession limit is half of New Jersey's. But New York's deal appears to be more permissive in a key way: it allows people to grow up to six plants at home for personal use — something that even now can get you thrown in prison in New Jersey.

WHERE'S MURPHY?: In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference, followed by a 2:30 p.m. commemoration of the New Jersey State Police's 100 ^th anniversary, also in Trenton.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 3,927 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 789,473. 16 more deaths for a total of 21,854 (and 2,535 probable deaths). 2,166 hospitalized, 415 in intensive care.1,444,961 fully vaccinated, or about 16.3 percent of the population.

QUOTE OF THE DAY : "Is Mister Softee that desperate? It's March for goodness' sake. In times of COVID when so many of us work from home and may happen to be on conference calls with directors or colleagues, CEOs; or maybe the wife is on a video call with a federal judge — why are we blasted with Mister Softee music for two-plus hours a day, as the truck makes its rounds at 1 mph? That's not an overstatement." — Haddon Township resident Frank J. Kleininger in a letter to the editor.

A message from Uber Driver Stories:

Meet Fallon. Delivering with Uber Eats helps her pay for college while allowing her the flexibility to fit her schedule around studies. Fallon chooses Uber because, unlike most other gigs, she can control her hours and spend more time focusing on her future. Watch her story in her own words below.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

SORRY, KIDS. THE WINDOW HAS CLOSED — Murphy signs bill allowing cops to tell parents if kids are caught with cannabis, alcohol, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Friday to tidy up the state's newly-minted cannabis legalization laws. Effective immediately, police officers can once again let parents and guardians know if their underage children are caught with cannabis or alcohol. The bipartisan legislation, NJ A5472 (20R), which was sponsored by Democratic Assemblymember Herb Conaway and state Sen. Vin Gopal, cleared both houses of the Legislature on Thursday without a 'no' vote. There were more than 45 sponsors and co-sponsors on the bill. Despite overwhelming public support for cannabis legalization, New Jersey lawmakers and the Murphy administration have struggled with legislation allowing sale and use of the drug.

REGRETS. I'VE HAD A FEW BILLION — "NJ borrowed billions because of COVID. Why the Senate's top Democrat regrets it," by The Record's Stacey Barchenger: "The state Legislature's highest-ranking Democrat now says the state moved too quickly last year when it borrowed roughly $4 billion to shore up the state's finances amid the coronavirus pandemic, a decision he and others approved without voter input. Asked Thursday if he regretted the borrowing, Senate President Stephen Sweeney of Gloucester County said simply: 'Yes.' 'It's one of these things that we should have waited until after the first of the year to get a clearer picture of our revenues," Sweeney added, following a voting session in Trenton. 'But again, in the moment in time we made — the administration made — the decision, and they borrowed.'"

DECROCE POACHED — "Barranco stuns DeCroce at Morris GOP convention," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: "Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce failed Friday night to get the endorsement of Morris County Republicans for her reelection bid in the 26th Legislative District. Dumping an incumbent may not have been what some party leaders expected when they altered tradition last month and adopted a 'county line' for primaries … Christian Barranco, an electrician by trade, secured the second Assembly nomination with 87 votes. DeCroce got 78. Jay Webber, the district's other incumbent, got 117. As is his wont, Webber dished up the best 'red meat' rhetoric of the night, saying that nowadays a 'critical mass' of Democrats simply don't like America, because they see it only as bigoted and racist."

THE WEBBERS WE WEAVE —"Passaic GOP drops Webber, awards line to Barranco, DeCroce," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Passaic County Republicans will not support Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains) for re-election, giving their organization line to Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-Parsippany) and Christian Barranco, an IBEW Local 102 official and former Pompton Lakes councilman. The move comes hours after Barranco defeated DeCroce for the GOP organization line in Morris County by just seven votes and is the latest development in a race for a solidly Republican seat that has suddenly become a trainwreck … Morris is 78% and Essex, which has four towns, is 10% of the primary votes … All eyes are now on Essex County GOP Chairman Al Barlas to see where his line goes."

Murphy expands vaccine eligibility to people 55 and older, beginning April 5, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: "New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday announced that people 55 and older, as well as individuals 16 and older with developmental disabilities, will be eligible for coronavirus vaccines starting April 5, a substantial increase in eligibility that will allow hundreds of thousands more New Jersey residents to be inoculated. The expansion of eligibility also includes teachers and staff in higher education, communication support workers, building and home services industry workers, sanitation workers, retail financial institution workers, utility workers, librarians, laundry service workers and members of the media. The new tranche also makes the 63-year-old governor eligible, and he said he would be signing up for the vaccine."

EDUCATION — "The long road back," by NJ Advance Media's Adam Clark: "One year after New Jersey ordered all schools to close, the state has yet to release comprehensive data revealing the depths of learning loss during the pandemic. But early returns from districts such as Highland Park — along with results from an optional state exam — show what almost everyone expected: More students are failing classes, falling behind academically or ghosting teachers altogether as the coronavirus disrupts a second school year. Children are suffering both emotionally and academically, to the point that Gov. Phil Murphy recently urged schools to open as quickly as they can 'before more students fall away.' 'It started off well, but slowly got worse and worse,' said Christopher DelVecchio, a New Milford sixth grader whose once sterling marks plunged to Cs, Ds and Fs under remote learning. 'Most of the time I was thinking, 'I don't think I was as smart as I thought I was. Maybe I got dumber.' If the pandemic tested schools' ability to teach under the worst possible circumstances, what comes next will be a colossal challenge when they are at their best. With the vaccination of teachers in full swing and Murphy's expectation that all schools will reopen by the fall, local officials are already preparing for another unprecedented — and some might say impossible — task. Can the school system Murphy touts as America's finest — bolstered by $2.8 billion in recent federal rescue aid — get all 1.35 million students caught up?"

—"New Jersey parents sue to reopen schools after covid-19 closures"

—" N.J. schools and teachers plan to return to in-class learning, follow Gov's directive"

THE GARDEN HATE — "Hate is thriving in New Jersey," by Patrick Murray for The Star-Ledger: "The recent growth of hate activity in New Jersey has been stunning, particularly since it erased what had been a steady decline ... A recent Monmouth University Poll found that more than six in 10 Americans view white nationalism as a problem for the country, with nearly half seeing it as a big problem. And New Jersey is right at the center of it. There is no question we need to confront these dangerous ideologies head-on. But we also need to address the larger environment that gives hate groups the air to thrive. We need to find ways to starve them of that oxygen. In any society — be it the United States, Great Britain, or Myanmar — a certain, and not insignificant, percentage of the population is willing to submit to authoritarian leadership in times of instability. This trait always lurks beneath the surface. At the same time, a segment of the public is prone to believe that one group — their group — is inherently better than others. The intersection of these two traits — authoritarianism and intolerance — is the root of hate activity's rise today. Stemming the rise of authoritarianism is a key component in reducing white nationalist activity. This question is what can we do about it."

NO ONE TALKED ABOUT HCQ? — "Anger and incredulity at hearing on NJ's unemployment system," by NJ 101.5's Michael Symons: "The third and perhaps final pandemic oversight hearing held by Republican lawmakers shined a light on problems with unemployment benefits, a challenge that persists a year after jobless claims first surged in the initial lockdown. An expert from the National Conference of State Legislatures talked about strategies states have used to respond to the record demand for benefits. A COBOL computing consultant was befuddled that people are still being tripped up by the state's crusty technology. But mostly, the forum was an opportunity for people who've battled for months to get their jobless benefits to vent to state officials, albeit not to ones in the political party that controls the government."

— Murphy expands vaccine eligibility to people 55 and older, beginning April 5

—"Protesters demand N.J. women's prison close as outcry against alleged beatings grows"

—Lassiter: Interview with Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle

—"McCabe: "The time for burying our heads in the sand is over"

—"New Jersey needs a gambling court | Opinion"

—"Dog fights in car trunks? It's a trend, and N.J. could soon make it a felony"

JOIN THE CONVERSATION, SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" Power dynamics are shifting in Washington, and more people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that all politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. "The Recast" is a new twice-weekly newsletter that breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics, policy and power in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear from new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out on our latest newsletter, SUBSCRIBE NOW. Thank you to our sponsor, Intel.

BIDEN TIME

COXSWAIN — DeSantis hires top GOP operative for 2022 campaign, by POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has tapped a veteran national Republican political operative to help spearhead his 2022 reelection race. Phil Cox, a former executive director of the Republican Governors Association, has joined the DeSantis team as a senior-level adviser … During the 2016 election, he oversaw a super PAC that backed the presidential campaign of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. DeSantis is widely seen as a likely 2024 presidential candidate.

—" Algorithms that suggest songs you may like also direct people to hate groups. It needs to stop, says [Malinowski]"

—Moran: "Menendez pick for U.S. Attorney is a ripe target for GOP skewering"

—" Trump administration rule that is costing N.J. hospitals $100M should be scrapped, lawmakers say"

LOCAL

AFRAID OF PEOPLE HOT BOXING VOTING BOOTHS ON 4/20 — "New Brunswick city clerk seeks to limit polling centers due to pandemic," by TAPInto's Chuck O'Donnell: "Six of the 14 polling centers that would typically be used for the April 20 Board of Education election will be closed, a decision that city clerk Leslie Zeledon indicated was made in response to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic. Zeledon said at the March 17 City Council meeting that the decision was made with guidance from state officials and the county Board of Elections."

CUSTOMERS HAD TO WAIT FOR ATTENDANT TO PUT SWAB UP THEIR NOSES — " Wayne Township shuts down rapid COVID testing site at gas station," by TAPInto's Jon 'Ferris' Meredith: "An illegal COVID-19 testing site that ran for months in the Exxon gas station on Valley Road and Preakness Ave has finally been shut down by Wayne Township for zoning violations. The operation began in late November of last year, and it immediately caught the attention of Wayne Township. 'It's kind of hard to do something right across the street from Town Hall and hide it from us,' said Township Planner, Chris Kok, who heads the Wayne Planning and Zoning Department."

THE ASBURY PARK UNDERGROUND SCENE IS SO HOT RIGHT NOW — "Asbury Park underground explosion: Businesses check damage, fear it could happen again," by The Asbury Park Press' Susan Cervenka and Chris Jordan: "The explosion that ripped through an underground electrical vault Thursday morning in downtown Asbury Park shook the House of Independents so severely it cracked the plasterboard on the wall, pulled electrical panels off the wall and damaged the building's marquee. That damage can be repaired, said Carter Sackman, who owns House of Independents as well as many other buildings in Asbury Park's downtown. Structural engineers he hired found the building's steel frame to be safe. But the explosion has left Sackman with a lingering concern: Similar vaults carry electrical wiring underneath Asbury Park's sidewalks and streets — which also have become central gathering points as restaurants and other businesses turn over the city's streets and sidewalks to outdoor dining during the coronavirus pandemic."

R.I.P. — "Montclair man, 22, who became a local hero during pandemic dies of COVID complications," by The Record's Julia Martin: "A Montclair man who became a local hero by pitching in when sanitation workers were hit with a COVID outbreak has died of complications from the virus. Jordan Tassy, 22, a Montclair High School graduate who received an outpouring of community support after being hospitalized on March 15, died Thursday, according to councilman Peter Yacobellis. Yacobellis had connected with Tassy on Facebook in early March after the young man offered to help collect recyclables from those who couldn't make it to the center during the suspension of pickups."

MIDDLE WANTS TO GROW MORE THAN MIDS "Expansion proposed for as-yet unbuilt cannabis facility in Middle," by The Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow: "As other Cape May County towns move to block cannabis-related businesses, Middle Township officials may be heading in the opposite direction. The Township Committee already supported a proposal for a medical marijuana facility on Indian Trail Road, and members are now considering a request to expand that use to grow for the new adult-use market."

—"Ex-Mercer County chairman Cimino admits he didn't tell board about missing $660K in 2019"

R.I.P. — "Former Hudson County surrogate, North Bergen BOE counsel Joseph Ryglicki passes away"

—"Paterson teachers union wants safety inspections for school reopening vote"

—"Claribel Cortes, Middlesex County's first Latina constitutional officer, sworn in'

—"Booker-Sherrill to FEMA: End Pequannock flood map dispute that is costing residents"

—"'We've been waiting for this moment:' Rally for Asian Americans in Fort Lee draws over 700"

—"Palisades Park teachers vote no confidence in superintendent and Board of Education"

THE LATEST FROM INSIDE THE WEST WING : A lot happened in the first two months of the Biden presidency. From a growing crisis at the border to increased mass shootings across the country while navigating the pandemic and ongoing economic challenges. Add Transition Playbook to your daily reads to find out what actions are on the table and the internal state of play inside the West Wing and across the administration. Track the people, policies and emerging power centers of the Biden administration. Don't miss out. Subscribe today.

EVERYTHING ELSE

SETON HELL — "Catholic activists slam Seton Hall radio station's 'Satanic' music," by The New York Post's John Aidan Byrne: " All hell has broken loose at Seton Hall University, where religious objections have been raised over a student-run radio station playing heavy metal. The Catholic college-owned WSOU — which boasts 'the loudest rock in NJ and NY since 1986' — is stoking fire and brimstone from outraged activists who allege its playlist is 'blasphemous, openly satanic, promote[s] sacrilege, promote[s] the murder and mutilation of women and children and the slaughter of Christians.' In a move straight out of the 1984 'Footloose' movie playbook, The Lepanto Institute, an arch-conservative lay Catholic organization — which takes its name from a 16th-century naval battle between the Pope's Holy League and the Ottoman Empire — has gathered hundreds of signatures on a petition demanding the station be silenced. 'We have stood praying the rosary outside the radio station to stop this diabolical evil, and literally have had students yell, 'Hail Satan!' at us,' said Maria Woltornist, of Glen Gardner, N.J., one of the organizers of the campaign to shut down the 73-year-old station."

FISHER WILL USE WORMS TO BAIT BHALLA — " A mysterious 'worm tornado' invaded this N.J. sidewalk. Here's why," by NJ Advance Media's Josh Axelrod: "A 'worm tornado' stunned social media users this week, with pictures showing hundreds of worms crowding a Hoboken sidewalk in a bizarre spiral shape. 'I posted (a photo of) them, not at all in a million years anticipating the response it would get, and the response has only been unbelievable and entertaining and educational,' Hoboken Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher told NJ Advance Media. She woke up Thursday morning to a call from a constituent trying to explain the unusual sight outside Maxwell Park on Sinatra Drive … Mary Ann Victoria Bruns, a Penn State University professor of soil microbiology and biogeochemistry, said she has seen the circular phenomenon before, calling it 'swarming.' While she said 'the cool scientific curiosity' hasn't been studied in depth and the exact cause is unknown, the cluster likely starts when worms touch one another or transmit chemical cues, attracting others to the swarm."

—Moran: "Rutgers takes the lead on vaccines"

—" Restaurant owners are glad to be getting busier. But stop complaining about the rules, they beg"

A message from Uber Driver Stories:

As a woman of color, Fallon's number one priority is to better herself through her education. And that means finishing her bachelor's degree in business.

At first, Fallon tried to go down the traditional route of working part-time. But she says it didn't offer the flexible schedule that she needed.

"I like the flexibility of driving with Uber," she says. "I can drive when I want to."

With Uber, Fallon can choose when, where, and how long she wants to drive. If she has an exam that needs her attention, she doesn't have to worry about asking her boss or requesting time off—she can take the time she needs on her terms.

To see more stories like Fallon's, click here.

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