News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: After flawless run at MVC, Sue Fulton gets a promotion

Monday, April 26, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: After flawless run at MVC, Sue Fulton gets a promotion

Apr 26, 2021

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Good Monday morning!

The White House announced Friday in news first reported by The Washington Post that Brenda "Sue" Fulton, whom the post describes as "a former Army officer who in 1980 was commissioned in the first U.S. Military Academy class to admit women," was nominated to be assistant secretary for personnel and reserve affairs at the Pentagon.

Not mentioned in the Post's write-up: Fulton's current job heading New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission, an agency whose pandemic delays were so bad that line-holding became a lucrative new industry.

That part of Fulton's resume was played down in the Biden administration's announcement, which focused more on her fight for LGBT rights and status as the first openly gay member of the West Point Board of Visitors.

Perhaps long lines will be a deterrent to all enemies, foreign and domestic.

WHERE'S MURPHY — In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Impact NJ's Michael Murphy, former Menendez staffer Tiffani Llerandi Rodriguez

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I am the conservative political outsider in this race. While we have operated within all state process and procedures, the establishment continues to work to ensure our Conversative voices are suppressed." — Republican gubernatorial candidate Phil Rizzo on being denied public campaign funds. Rizzo's campaign has acknowledged submitting an incomplete application for the funds to ELEC a day after the April 5 deadline and submitting other required information about two weeks late.

BONUS QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I don't understand how that amendment was even allowed to go forward, but to include that amendment that would have eliminated mandatory minimums for politicians and law enforcement, and people of that ilk, when you think about what's happening in this day and age, I thought that that was just very wrongheaded." — U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman on state Sen. Nick Sacco's official misconduct amendment.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER —1,516 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 874,895. 13 more deaths for a total of 25,380 confirmed or probable deaths. 1,753 hospitalized, 402 in intensive care. 2,774,905 fully vaccinated, or about 31.2 percent of the population.

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

0.002 ANTI-MAXXTROS — New Jersey anti-vaccine activists raise $18K through new PAC, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: Anti-vaccine activists have raised more than $18,000 for a new political action committee to fund opposition to mandatory immunization laws in New Jersey, a sign grassroots organizations that torpedoed a religious exemption bill last year are formalizing their political efforts as vaccine hesitancy grows. The PAC, called NJ Public Health Innovation, was registered with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission in December and began fundraising in earnest on Jan. 13 — the one year anniversary of a Statehouse protest that helped kill lame duck legislation intended to curb the use of waivers for life saving vaccines … On its Facebook page, members of the group's leadership committee have written posts in support of state Sens. Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen), Mike Doherty (R-Warren) and Mike Testa (R-Cumberland). A video commemorating last year's protests prominently features Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-Union), an acolyte of anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who's in a primary challenge against Sen. Joe Cryan.

WIPING OUT RECORDS IS INEFFICIENT: NJ NEEDS AN EXPUNGEMENT BIDET — " Why it's still so hard to wipe away a criminal record despite promise of law Murphy signed," by NJ Advance Media's Amanda Hoover: "Those seeking expungements that remove past criminal records from public view have faced a barrage of complicated forms and fees that prove nearly insurmountable to the average person. Add to that delays and other constraints, and only a small portion of people with criminal records are getting their records cleared. Gov. Phil Murphy vowed to change all that. He turned the system on its head in late 2019 by signing a sweeping law designed to forever alter how New Jersey handles criminal records — and create a massive shift in culture to remove the stigma of past convictions. New Jersey now allows people to have multiple charges sealed and file their requests electronically without paying fees. And the law will eventually usher in a system that will automatically seal records for a wide range of minor crimes after 10 years, a step that will make it one of the most progressive in the nation … But more than a year after Murphy signed the bill, the law is far from fulfilling the governor's promises. The rollout of an automatic expungement of crimes after 10 years is proving more complex and slower than officials anticipated. As the state works to ease the filing process, the move to make more past crimes eligible for expungement could bring a deluge of new requests to an already backlogged system, attorneys familiar with the process worry."

THE EXPERIENCE LEFT EVERYONE UNFULFILLED — "Guadagno about to be ousted from food bank post," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Former Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno is out as head of the food bank she runs at the Jersey shore, with leaders of the non-profit organization deciding to go in a different direction. Fulfill Monmouth & Ocean County will soon begin a search for a new president and CEO, parting ways with Guadagno after just two years, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the board's intent who spoke to the New Jersey Globe on the condition of anonymity. Guadagno faced heavy criticism last month for failing to apply for COVID-19 relief funding administered by Monmouth County under the CARES Act. That followed Guadagno's own letter chastising the Republican-controlled Board of Commissioners for not sending stimulus funding to her non-profit … Strained relationships between Guadagno and county elected officials has left some Fulfill board members concerned that the former Lt. Governor might cause them to lose future county funding, especially after Monmouth County obtains additional funding under President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion Covid relief package. Board members have also grown frustrated with Guadagno's partisan political activity, including her endorsement of Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (R-Holmdel) in opposition to a move by GOP leaders to drop the two-term lawmaker from the organization line."

—"Guadagno leaving Fulfill food bank following clash with Monmouth County commissioners"

INSTEAD, HE PLANS TO RAP: 'I LOVE IT WHEN YOU CALL ME BIG PAPPAS' — "Pappas has no plans to sing this time around," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack : "Mike Pappas, a congressman back in the 1990s, says he's been asked why he's now running for the state Senate. The implication is clear – isn't this a step backwards? Pappas has a good answer. He says that he and many people in New Jersey are 'incredibly concerned' and frustrated at how the state is handling the pandemic. Speaking Saturday morning at a Somerset County Republican campaign kickoff at the Fox Hollow Golf Club, Pappas referred to the many businesses and schools that were ordered shut through the governor's executive orders more than a year ago … his stint in Congress back in the 1990s may seem like ancient history to some. A strong backer of impeaching Bill Clinton, Pappas earned notoriety by literally singing his praise of special prosecutor Kenneth Starr on the House floor by paraphrasing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The expected negative campaign ads followed. Pappas said he doesn't plan to do any singing this time around. Does he expect Democrats to bring the incident up? He said that if they do, it will show they have nothing else to talk about."

—"Despite racial reckoning, N.J. among states where reparation efforts have stalled "

—"Greystone patient choked to death, public defenders say. 'This was completely preventable.'"

—"Johnson & Johnson vaccine will resume immediately in New Jersey"

JOIN TODAY FOR A PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH ENERGY SECRETARY GRANHOLM : President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure and climate plan includes boosting investment in clean energy and significantly cutting fossil fuel emissions. Can the administration meet its climate targets? Join Playbook co-author Tara Palmeri for a virtual interview with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on the administration's plans to embrace renewable energy, electric vehicles and new solar technologies as part of Biden's call for an energy transition. REGISTER HERE.

BIDEN TIME

INTO THE CAPITOL LIKE A LION, OUT LIKE A FAIRLAMB — "Capitol riot suspect's threats were 'puffery,' says lawyer. But judge won't free NJ man," by NJ Herald's Lori Comstock : "A federal judge in Washington refused Friday to release a Sussex County man accused of storming the U.S. Capitol and assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6 riots that sought to keep former President Donald Trump in power. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth rejected the defense's portrayal of Scott Fairlamb, the son of a deceased New Jersey state trooper and brother of a Secret Service agent, as a family man whose actions during the Capitol Hill melee had been misconstrued. Instead, the judge sided with federal prosecutors who described the 44-year-old from Hardyston as a violent conspiracy theorist and pointed to videos that captured him assaulting and screaming at cops outside the Capitol … Fairlamb, a former mixed martial arts fighter who owns a gym in Pompton Lakes, was 'completely out of control' during the fracas, Leslie Goemaat, an assistant federal prosecutor, said during Friday's hearing, which was held by telephone."

SMALL GOVERNMENT CONSERVATIVE MAY HAVE TO FIND JOB IN PRIVATE SECTOR — "Scott Garrett out of sec post, along with other Trump appointees from New Jersey," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Former Rep. Scott Garrett has lost his $215,001-a-year job with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New Jersey Globe has learned, with the Biden administration tossing several Trump appointees from New Jersey. Garrett and another ex-lawmaker, former Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, were casualties of the 2020 presidential election. Both were Trump administration picks."

—Moran: "Booker can stop the Suarez nomination. Even if Menendez squeals"

—"Catholic University honors federal judge's son killed in NJ"

—"Would restoring N.J. property tax break worsen the economic gap between Blacks and whites?"

—"NJ Congressional delegation urges vaccine priority at Fort Dix amid deadly covid outbreak"

—"'This is huge': North Jersey Armenians react to Biden declaring killings as genocide"

LOCAL

ELMWOOD PERK — "Elmwood Park CFO collected $170K for unused sick, vacation time. Others are cashing in too," by The Record's Katie Sobko: "One of the state's highest-paid public employees has been collecting more than just paychecks from the borough of Elmwood Park. He's amassed more than $170,000 in sick and vacation time buybacks in the borough. Roy Riggitano serves as the CFO, tax collector and purchasing agent in Elmwood Park, where his full-time salary is $160,406. In addition, he received more than $58,000 in sick and vacation time payouts for 2020 alone, and payouts in the five-figure range from 2014 through 2018 … Riggitano, in addition to working in Elmwood Park, is the CFO in Rochelle Park, Garfield and Palisades Park. He's the purchasing agent in Palisades Park as well. And he's a fire inspector in Fairview and Cliffside Park, which earns him at least $347,970 a year in public paychecks."

GET WELL — "Rutherford mayor to step down temporarily after revealing he has brain tumor," by The Record's Kristie Cattafi: "Mayor Frank Nunziato will temporarily step down from his elected duties while he undergoes treatment for a brain tumor. Nunziato posted on the borough's website and social media this week that he had received a 'sobering' diagnosis. The mayor said in a statement that he had been experiencing bouts of lightheadedness, but attributed it to stress. He delayed going to a doctor for several months due to the COVID pandemic and his schedule … He will be stepping aside until mid to late June as he undergoes surgery and recovery. Council President Mark Goldsack will assume responsibilities as acting mayor."

CONSTITUENTS WILL BE HOWELLING — "Howell budget: $1.4 million more in taxes, raises for council members," by The Asbury Park Press' Alex N. Gecan: "The Township Council is scheduled to vote on a $195.3 million budget Tuesday that includes proposals for new full-time positions and pay raises for council members. The five Township Council members could see 60% pay raises under the proposed budget, from $7,500 budgeted per member to $12,000. Their total salary line for the coming year is $60,000, up from $37,500 in the current year … No member of the council immediately responded to requests for more information on their proposed pay hike."

—" Court stops Bergen County Courthouse restoration project over developer lawsuit"

—"Bay Head neighbors worry NJ Transit plans threaten Twilight Lake"

—" $400M in renovations to 3 Atlantic City hotel-casinos to include new rooms, restaurants"

—"Murphy picks Renee Robeson as new Hunterdon prosecutor"

—Sayegh: " Enough 'thoughts and prayers.' On guns, it's time for decisive action"

Did you know that POLITICO Pro has coverage and tools at the state level? All the state legislative and regulatory tracking, budget documents, state agency contact information, and everything else you need to stay ahead of state policy movement integrate into our smart and customizable platform. Learn more and become a Pro today.

EVERYTHING ELSE

'Can we sustain this commitment?': NJ rep aims to counter bigotry with AAPI recruiting, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan and Daniel Han: Rep. Andy Kim was deep in thought when he retraced the path of the gunman who killed eight people last month near Atlanta, Ga. He'd made the trip south less than two weeks after the attacks and drove the 40 minutes between the first spa the shooter stormed and the second. The New Jersey congressman left with few doubts about what motivated the crime. He didn't come to a novel conclusion, but it was no less devastating a realization after authorities insisted the gunman didn't commit a hate crime even though six of the eight victims were of Asian descent: "It was a very deliberate, targeted effort to go after Asian American businesses," Kim said... "The future of how Asian Americans feel in this country, and whether or not they feel safe, whether or not we feel included and accepted, will very much depend on what happens in the coming weeks and months." Kim, who is 38 and the first Asian American lawmaker to represent New Jersey in Congress, is using his heartache to animate a leadership PAC he quietly opened in October to recruit Asian Americans and other candidates of color to run for political office.

BETWEEN THIS AND THE MASSIVE NEW INDOOR MALL, NJ IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT INNOVATION — " New Jersey's largest arcade planned for Showboat," by The Press of Atlantic City's Molly Shelly: "Gone are the roulette tables and slot machines that were once at the Showboat Atlantic City Hotel. In their place is a sea of arcade games stretching across more than 100,000 square feet. During a press event Thursday afternoon, Bart Blatstein, CEO of Tower Investments Inc. and owner of the Showboat, donned an albino Burmese python, named Banana Peel, around his shoulders to introduce the first completed stage of his family-friendly entertainment venue: The Lucky Snake at Showboat. 'The name of the arcade and sports bar is The Lucky Snake, and friendly snake, why is he looking at me like that?' Blatstein said while Banana Peel got closer to his face."

"N.J. restaurants' latest crisis? A massive labor shortage," by NJ Advance Media's Jeremy Schneider: "After 13 months of pandemic-fueled closures and instability, the restaurant industry now reckons with a new crisis: A crippling labor shortage of both kitchen and service staff, many of whom either found new jobs after widespread layoffs, or have yet to depart from state assistance programs and rejoin the workforce. For restaurant owners across the state, it's a cruel irony: After nearly a year of cuts and skeleton staffs, they now simply cannot find willing workers, even as business continues to ramp back up."

—Lesniak: " On April 20, 1980, The Chemical Control explosion changed America"

—"Black cyclists bear the brunt of traffic enforcement, N.J. expert says following Perth Amboy controversy"

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