News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Mandatory minimum bill comes due

Monday, April 19, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Mandatory minimum bill comes due

Apr 19, 2021

Presented by Ørsted

Good Monday morning!

Today, the state Senate has a quorum call, which means the governor must act on a number of Senate-originated bills that have been sitting on his desk for more than 45 days. That includes the now-famous bill to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent crimes, including public corruption offenses.

The governor is expected to veto the measure, probably conditionally.

Let's review this bill's origins, because it can get confusing. It sprung from an earlier bill that would have eliminated mandatory minimum sentences primarily for drug and property crimes, based entirely on the recommendations of a commission. The commission did not recommend eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for corruption-related crimes, including official misconduct. But it covered most other non-violent crimes.

State Sen./North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco (D-Hudson), whose longtime girlfriend's son is facing charges — including for official misconduct — over an alleged no-show job in North Bergen, then quietly requested an amendment to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for.... official misconduct. It was done during a Judiciary Committee meeting without the amendment being read into the record. That move blew up the bill. Its Assembly sponsor, Yvonne Lopez (D-MIddlesex), said she opposed the change. The governor spoke out publicly against it. And the bill stalled.

Months later, a new version of the bill — this time more expansive, eliminating mandatory minimums for all non-violent crime, which in this case basically means expanding it to some other corruption-related offenses — was introduced and fast-tracked through the Legislature. Lopez, who had held up the previous bill in the lower house, suddenly took her name off the old version and went silent on the matter. Her district-mate, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex), decided to move the new bill. Why the sudden movement? One can only speculate.

It's probably going to be a while before we see a compromise on this.

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Opera singer Phil Alonghi, Camden County Surrogate Michelle Gentek-Mayer, Red Bank Councilmember Kate Triggiano

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The Murphy administration is not complicit when it comes to how we got here. But they are certainly complicit now in the fact that we are staying here." — Rev. Charles Boyer on the administration's fight against a school integration lawsuit.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER — 2,765 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 858,519. 13 more deaths for a total of 25,143 confirmed or probable deaths. 2,077 hospitalized, 440 in intensive care. 2,476,998 fully vaccainted, or about 27.9 percent of the population.

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO ARREST PEOPLE FOR WEED ANYMORE — "N.J. is seeking State Police recruits, but applications are 'historically low,' officials say," by NJ Advance Media's Blake Nelson: "New Jersey is getting fewer applicants to apply to become police officers in the wake of nationwide protests and a global pandemic, officials said, even as leaders and activists agree departments need to diversify. The problem is especially acute for the state's largest agency. In some years the State Police would field between 15,000 and 20,000 applicants, according to Col. Patrick Callahan, the department's acting superintendent. But they only had a "historically low" 2,023 qualified applicants as of Thursday, about a week before deadline, Callahan said. Leaders have repeatedly asked more to apply. 'I think the young men and women, when they look around the country and they see things that are going on and question it, I think it's time for those to step up and be a part of igniting change,' Callahan said during a recent press conference. Current events have created strong headwinds. Hundreds of officers statewide were sickened by the coronavirus, and several died, while police face increasing scrutiny since thousands of residents took to the streets in the wake of George Floyd's death."

—" Less than 1% of N.J. cops accounted for 18% of every kick, hit and tackle across N.J., new data shows"

—"GOP senator questions use of COVID aid for State Police salaries"

SO ALL WE NEED TO DO IS SOLVE POVERTY AND RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS AND WE'RE GOOD TO GO — "Students received devices and hot spots, but the digital divide goes much deeper," by The Press of Atlantic City's Claire Lowe: "Last month, New Jersey announced it had bridged the 'digital divide' by providing 231,000 students statewide with hot spots and devices to connect to the internet for school as the COVID-19 pandemic pushed classrooms from in-person to virtual. Ellen Hemple was shocked to hear the news. 'It's a sore subject for us, it really is,' said Hemple, a Lower Alloways Creek Township art teacher who uses cellular service and Verizon hot spots to connect. She and her neighbors have never had a decent internet connection. 'I feel like I'm living in the Dark Ages.' Typically, the term 'digital divide' is used to describe the educational barriers created by the lack of technology and internet connectivity by some students and their families, but educational experts and advocates say it's much more far-reaching than K-12 students, and addressing it will take much more than providing equipment. It also will require addressing the infrastructure and the divides that exist in society, affecting less affluent families, like having safe, comfortable and quiet places to learn, and whether there are adults at home who can help students with technological issues or classwork questions."

TRYING TO TAKE THE SIZZLE OUT OF RIZZO — Van Drew backs Ciattarelli for governor in a wink of Trumpian support, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Jack Ciattarelli is showing his fellow Republicans he hasn't completely fallen out of favor with MAGA world. The gubernatorial candidate, facing primary competitors capitalizing on his old statements criticizing former President Donald Trump, announced an endorsement Friday from one of New Jersey's most pro-Trump elected officials. Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who famously pledged his "undying support" to the former president, said in a statement that Ciattarelli "is the only candidate in this race, Republican or Democrat, who understands the South Jersey and America we know and love."

— "N.J. water systems are exposed to hackers. A near-disaster in Florida shows the threat"

—"J&J COVID vaccine pause delays inoculations for some of NJ's most at-risk residents"

—"Credit scores affect affordable housing eligibility. NJ lawmakers consider bill to help renters"

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BIDEN TIME

LET THE STATE WITH THE BETTER PIZZA DECIDE — New York, New Jersey divided on offshore wind areas, by POLITICO's Marie J. French : New York and New Jersey disagree about potential wind projects off the shore of Long Island, a dispute that was on display during a federal taskforce meeting on Friday. New York is adamantly opposed to the lease of areas off Long Island due to fishing impacts and the potential for turbines to be visible from beaches there. New Jersey officials, however, argue that one of the areas should be leased to developers this year, breaking with its neighbor. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is working on an environmental assessment and proposed sale notice for offshore wind leases in the New York Bight. Additional leases are key to achieving goals set by both states to increase renewable energy and reduce emissions. The leasing process stalled out under the Trump administration, and officials from both states praised President Joe Biden's administration for moving forward.

—"Ambrose is likely pick for U.S. Marshal"

—" Restoring property tax break can save you lots of cash. Why it could actually happen this time"

—"AOC reported $5,000 contribution to Malinowski, But it's not on his report"

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LOCAL

AN UNFORTUNATE DEVELOPMENT — Annoyingly, there's no write-up of this story. But WNBC has a report on a lawsuit by an Essex County Sheriff's officer who claims she was put in the office's basement and told not to attend a Democratic fundraiser because of a "personal vendetta" from county employee Jacqueline Jones, wife of Essex County Democratic Chair and soon-to-be state Democratic Chair LeRoy Jones. The officer, Shai Carr, played the station a tape that is allegedly of Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura telling her not to attend any Democratic State Committee functions. You can watch the video here .

OR YOU COULD, YOU KNOW, DO A BETTER JOB WITH OUTREACH — "N.J. county blocks COVID vaccine finder over concerns it favors 'white, suburban people'," by NJ Advance Media's Rebecca Panico: "At 1:33 p.m. in late March, a Twitter account posted an alert about coveted vaccine appointments in Union County going live. 'Appointments available!' the @UCNJ_VaccineBot tweeted, with a link to Union County's online booking portal. By 1:37 p.m., four minutes later, the account tweeted that all the available appointments were gone. The people who run these so-called 'Twitter bots' might be praised by those who use it successfully, but some county officials in New Jersey are trying to block them at a time when vaccine appointments are in high demand. Some are booked within seconds, while other eligible New Jersey residents have waited months. 'This guy is actually gaming it and actually giving the favor to white, suburban people,' said Union County spokesman Sebastian D'Elia of the man who runs the @UCNJ_VaccineBot. The account is maintained by Noah Marcus, a 24-year-old research scientist who grew up in Berkley Heights and now lives in Connecticut. He said the county should do more outreach through mediums like newsletters, and in the meantime, he's essentially providing a pro bono service. 'The process itself is already favoring the tech-savvy,' said Marcus. 'It's expecting someone to sit in front of a computer all day...and also fill in all this information really fast to secure a vaccine.'"

GLOUCESTER COUNTY — "Former N.J. police chief charged with strangling woman," by NJ Advance Media's Rebecca Everett: "The retired police chief of Glassboro is facing charges including aggravated assault for allegedly strangling a woman and threatening to kill her in an alleged domestic violence incident. Franklin S. Brown Jr., 53, retired from the force in 2019 and has most recently been working as the administrator of the city of Woodbury, a job he resigned from Tuesday, according to Mayor Peg Sickel. He was charged Sunday with aggravated assault on a domestic violence victim, simple assault and making terroristic threats, court records show."

IT'S ALMOST AS IF DOLING OUT TAX CREDITS TO THE POLITICALLY-CONNECTED DISINCENTIVIZES OVERSIGHT — "Paterson stopped collecting audits on developers' tax breaks," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "City officials have dropped the ball on enforcing a state auditing requirement for developers who get 20-year municipal tax breaks, Paterson Press has learned. Paterson stopped collecting the requisite financial records from the builders getting tax breaks in 2019, even as the number of abatements approved by the city doubled under the administration of Mayor Andre Sayegh. City officials resumed requesting the financial documents from the tax-break developers last month, after Paterson Press repeatedly asked for copies of the public documents. The audits are designed to ensure that the builders don't use their city tax abatements to make excessive profits from their projects, officials said. State regulations on the abatements require developers to turn over to the city the revenue they make that exceeds a 12% profit margin, officials said. 'This is totally unacceptable,' said City Council vice president Lilisa Mimms … Developer Charles Florio, Paterson's most prolific real estate investor and a longtime Sayegh supporter, has more than a dozen of the 20-year abatements. Florio said he already has sent to the city the audits for several of his projects and will provide the rest by the end of May."

GARDEN STATE PLAZA FOOD COURT BRACES FOR RECORD SALES — "Recreational marijuana shops may be coming to Paramus. Here's why its mayor backs the idea," by The Record's Stephanie Noda: "The council is outlining plans to allow recreational marijuana retailers, enticed by a transfer tax that would bring revenues to the borough. Mayor Richard LaBarbiera said he was given preliminary numbers of medical marijuana facilities making about $20 million per location, of which $400,000 would return to the borough through the 2% transfer tax. 'It's all around us and I think it's imperative that we take advantage of this and keep that money in the borough, restricted from our residential areas, of course,' LaBarbiera said at Tuesday's Borough Council meeting. Currently, the borough code prohibits recreational marijuana dispensaries … Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg said his department wasn't opposed to recreational marijuana if it is properly zoned."

ADVOCACY GROUP FINDS BEST WAY TO ALIENATE EVERYONE, GET NOTHING DONE — "'F*** the pigs' chant at 'Black Power Rally' in Jersey City draws strong reactions citywide," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "On Saturday, Black Men United Jersey City held what they referred to as a 'Black Power Rally' at Berry Lane Park to address national and local problems with the police. Mayor Steven Fulop tweeted a 20-second cell phone video from the event where it showed demonstrators chanting 'f*** the pigs,' writing that he supports civil demonstrations and protests, but not 'inflammatory + infectious rhetoric which only further divides us like this.' … In response, the BMUJC page quote tweeted the mayor's post and wrote "next time we'll scream 'F*** Fulop!' too. #OffThePigs"

—Mulshine: "'Inclusive' Jersey City mayor wants to exclude surfers from streets near his beach house"

—"Zen Leaf Neptune medical marijuana dispensary opens. Will they sell NJ legal weed there?"

—"Attorney quits Englewood Cliffs post, citing 'irreconcilable differences'"

—"Instagram account alleges rampant sexual abuse at [Ocean City] beach patrol"

—" Roselle Park councilman Mathieu to resign"

—"Ex-assemblyman who lives in North Carolina still a GOP municipal chairman in N.J."

—"Rebirth of historic Black baseball stadium in N.J. takes its first step"

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

BULLS**T MARKET — "Paulsboro's Your Hometown Deli's stock gains may resemble GameStop," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Erin Arvedlund and Jason Nark: "If ever stock market profits were on the menu, they might be served piping hot at Paulsboro, N.J.'s Your Hometown Deli. Residents of Gloucester County in South Jersey know the small deli for its subs, bagels, and Italian dishes and the fact that it's owned by the supremely successful Paulsboro High School wrestling coach. But on Wall Street, the company has gained notoriety because its stock is now worth more than $100 million and has been criticized for suspicious trading and potential manipulation. The deli started trading as Hometown International in 2019, rising from about $1.25 a share to $12.99 as of Friday's close. The tremendous rebound in the stock market has lifted even rarely traded "microcap" stocks like Hometown International to bubbly heights. The company's high flying stock stands in stark contrast to its one humble deli on Mantua Avenue. Over the past two years, including a months-long shutdown during the pandemic, the company made just $35,000 in sales, according to filings. Its most recent financials show a loss of over $400,000 in the nine months ended September 2020."

MANY WANT A FREE MEMBERSHIP TO ATILLIS GYM SO THEY CAN GAWK AT FOOD PARTICLES IN THE OWNER'S BEARD — " Where in N.J. residents say they are least likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19," by NJ Advance Media's Riley Yates: "According to the federal survey, vaccination reluctance is slightly higher in South Jersey, which is more rural and more conservative than the state as a whole. In Cumberland and Salem counties, 15% of adults are hesitant to get vaccinated, including 7% who say they will definitely not. Marginally higher rates were also seen in a couple of North Jersey's most racially diverse counties, with 14% of adults hesitant in Essex County and 13% in Passaic County."

A 222.2 MASTRO PROECT — "Can this massive rebuild get another 90 years of life out of the GWB?" by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "The 90-year-old George Washington Bridge is almost at the midpoint of the Port Authority's nearly $2 billion project to rebuild and rehabilitate the iconic span. Can the work allow the region to squeeze another century of use out of the busiest bridge in the region? Those stakes aren't lost on Port Authority officials, from the engineer on the 10-year-long 'Restore the George' project to the big boss … The rehabilitation effort, started in 2016, is 10 years long and consists of 11 projects on and leading to the iconic bridge."

HMM... WHOM SHOULD WE ELECT GOVERNOR? HOW ABOUT THAT INCOMPETENT GENERAL LINCOLN FIRED? — "New Jersey and the Civil War: A complicated history we should better understand," by Carl J. Asszony for Gannett: " New Jersey's role in that historic event is a study in controversy and division. From the colonial period to after the Civil War, New Jersey was a divided slave state … A Republican newspaper, the Toms River Ocean Emblem, proposed that New Jersey secede from the Union. The Trenton Daily True American was against the war even after shots were fired on Fort Sumter. Former governor Rodman Price also joined those calling for New Jersey to secede "to join our destiny with the South will continue our trade and intercourse — our prosperity, progress and happiness, uninterrupted. By 1863, the majority in the New Jersey Legislature denounced Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation as unconstitutional and demanded an immediate peace negotiations with the Confederacy. Some Legislators even went as far as to suggest free Blacks be sent back to Africa. This aroused the anger of the soldiers who volunteered to fight for the Union cause. The military felt the Legislature was bringing disgrace to New Jersey."

—"'Orange is the New Black' actor suing N.J. doctor accused of reusing needles"

—"N.J. couple creates COVID car, offers free rides to vaccine appointments"

R.I.P. — "Popcorn Park Zoo tiger Caesar, who had ties to Jackson's 'Tiger Lady,' has died"

A message from Ørsted:

From building the world's first offshore wind farm to becoming the global leader, offshore wind is what we do. It's what brought Ørsted and New Jersey together.

With Ocean Wind 2, we can continue to help New Jersey deliver on its goal of powering more than 3.2 million homes with offshore wind by 2035 - building a hub for this new American industry, while mitigating the effects of climate change.

By bringing an additional $1 billion of in-state spending through Ocean Wind 2, we will invest in new facilities, harness homegrown talent, and further support local communities and businesses. Ørsted is committed to growing a Garden State that is green all the way to its roots – that values equity, creates new opportunities and embraces diversity.

Learn more: us.orsted.com/newjersey