News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Ciattarelli gets to breathe a little easier

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Ciattarelli gets to breathe a little easier

Apr 14, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Wednesday morning!

Jack Ciattarelli's campaign can breathe a sigh of relief. Rival GOP gubernatorial candidate Phil Rizzo did not qualify for matching funds.

That's according to a letter I received last night in response to a public records request, after the Election Law Enforcement Commission met on the issue behind closed doors but for some reason did not publicly announce its decision. In a letter to Rizzo attorney John Carbone, ELEC's Stephanie Olivo cited late filing and an "absence of documentation demonstrating sufficient expenditures in place at the time of filing."

No word at this point on whether Rizzo will appeal the decision. But while Rizzo can still be a thorn in Ciattarelli's side, the absence of two-for-one matching funds means that, barring something like a Trump endorsement, it's going to be a lot harder for him to find the resources to win an off-the-line Republican primary and pay lawyers deeply experienced in New Jersey politics like Carbone. It's also probably a bit of a disappointment for Gov. Phil Murphy, whose campaign would have probably liked to have a far-right candidate pushing Ciattarelli to adopt positions that are untenable in a general election.

Meanwhile, Gov. Phil Murphy has shaken his Democratic primary opponents . An administrative law judge ruled that Lisa McCormick had zero — ZERO — valid petition signatures, giving credence to the Democratic State Committee's arguments that they were forged through a mail-merge program. She's now encouraging people to write her in. We'll see if Democrats' call for a criminal investigation bear fruit. Roger Bacon, another frequent if even more obscure candidate, also saw his petition for the primary sliced by the Democratic State Committee. Neither candidate posed a real threat to Murphy, but political parties don't like to make it easy for anyone to challenge the establishment.

WHERE'S MURPHY — In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus announcement followed by a 2:15 p.m. "announcement" in a different part of the same building

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Dad Barry Friedman, Cape May County Administrator Michael Donohue, Hamilton staffer Bianca Jerez , NJAHP's Sarah Geiger. Missed yesterday: NJBIA's Chrissy Buteas

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "What are you going to do if you meet God, and he's in a wheelchair? What are you going to do? Think about that." — Edward "Lefty" Grimes, an activist from East Hanover, to members of Wayne's Township Council, who voted to ban all weed sales in township limits

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER — 3,466 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 842,408. 49 more deaths for a total of 24,945 confirmed or probable deaths. 2,319 hospitalized, 459 in intensive care. 2,243,427 fully vaccinated, or about 25.2 percent of the population.

JAMEL HOLLEY STILL NOT RIGHT ABOUT VACCINES — "N.J. stops J&J vaccinations after federal recommendation, state says," by NJ Advance Media's Karin Price Mueller and Matt Arco: "New Jersey is immediately stopping the administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine after federal health officials made the recommendation Tuesday, the state Health Department said. The move comes after six women between the ages of 18 and 48 had potentially serious blood clots 6 to 13 days after vaccination. 'All New Jersey vaccination sites have been told to cancel or put on hold appointments for the J&J vaccine until further notice,' Health Department Commissioner Judy Persichilli said in a statement Tuesday. 'For individuals scheduled to receive the J&J vaccine, the Department will work with all vaccination sites to make arrangements for the administration of an alternative two-dose vaccine. We will work with all sites, as needed, to reschedule vaccination appointments.'"

— "'No one who has received this vaccine should panic or worry,' Murphy says of J&J COVID shot"

A messsage from Pre-K Our Way:

Thanks, Governor and Legislature! Pre-k expansion funding's been in every recent state budget! Working families in 150+ school districts have pre-k expansion – but families in 110+ districts still wait. They're waiting in rural, suburban and suburban communities – from east to west, north to south. Continue substantial pre-k expansion THIS YEAR! Visit prekourway.org

WHAT TRENTON MADE

POLITICO IS ON NOTICE. DOES CARPAL TUNNEL QUALIFY? — State supreme court rules workers comp must cover medical marijuana claims, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a construction company must reimburse one of its employees for the cost of medical marijuana, marking a major shift in how the drug will be viewed in workers compensation cases moving forward. Background: Vincent Hager filed a workers compensation claim saying his employer, M&K Construction, should reimburse him for the roughly $600 a month he pays for medical marijuana that he uses to treat back pain stemming from a workplace injury in 2001. Given the option of opioids or marijuana to treat the lingering injury, a workers compensation court ruled that "marijuana is the clearly indicated option." The Supreme Court's ruling upheld that decision.

HIGHER ED — Lawmakers 'nervous' about new Murphy free college program, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: State lawmakers on Tuesday expressed hesitation with Gov. Phil Murphy's proposed new Garden State Guarantee program, which would extend his tuition-free college promise to two years at a four-year university. "I am concerned a little bit about the new program, the GSG," Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) told Brian Bridges, the state's secretary of higher education, during virtual budget hearings on Tuesday. "I get nervous every time we have a new program — are we going to be able to continue to fund that over the long haul?" The Garden State Guarantee program, put forth in Murphy's budget proposal, would allow thousands of low-income students to attend any public college or university in the state for two years tuition-free, while tuition costs would be locked in for all students regardless of income level.

'WHERE IS THE RENT? I MUST HAVE THE RENT. DOLLARS, DIMES AND NICKLES, I NEED THEM ALL RIGHT NOW' — "How will NJ prevent a tsunami of evictions and foreclosures when the moratorium ends?" by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak: "New Jerseyans cannot be kicked out of their homes through at least mid-June under Gov. Phil Murphy's eviction and foreclosure moratorium, a protection he has renewed each month since March 2020. But housing experts sound the alarm about what will happen once that ban ends: an inevitable tsunami of evictions and foreclosures. Landlords have already filed 58,861 eviction cases with the courts between April 2020 and March 2021, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts. While tenants cannot be physically locked out of their homes, landlords can still start the legal process. Once the moratorium ends, the Department of Community Affairs calculated, 191,000 people may be subject to eviction, said Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who also heads the DCA."

IF SNARKY HEADLINES CAN SUBSTITUTE FOR A LAW DEGREE SIGN ME UP — "N.J. faces a 'historic shortage' of judges amid growing case backlog, officials say," by NJ Advance Media's Blake Nelson: "New Jersey desperately needs more judges to handle the cases mounting up amid the pandemic, judges told lawmakers Tuesday at a budget hearing. There are currently 64 judicial vacancies out of 463 seats in Superior Court, with three vacancies more coming by next month, according to Judge Glenn Grant, acting Administrative Director of the Courts. That amounts to almost 14% of the entire Superior Court system, including the trial and appellate divisions, at a time when jury trials have been delayed and officials are bracing for a glut of new complaints once landlords are allowed to evict tenants again. 'These extraordinary times are not a good time to be operating with a historic shortage of judges,"'Grant testified before the state Senate Budget Committee … Several lawmakers expressed alarm during Tuesday's hearing, including state Sen. Samuel Thompson, R-Middlesex. 'I'm going to make a statement I don't think I've ever made on a budget committee,' Thompson said to the judges. 'If you need more money, come back.'"

NJ BANS BOTH STRAWS AND STRAW DONORS — "Matt O'Donnell ex-law partner pleads guilty in straw donor scheme ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Elizabeth Valandingham, the former law partner of the state's cooperating witness in a state corruption probe, entered a guilty plea for her role in a straw donor scheme involving pay-to-pay violations. Valandingham practiced law with Matt O'Donnell until the firm dissolved last year, not long after O'Donnell was identified as the attorney in a state attorney general sting operation that led to charges against five minor former public officials and candidates. She pled to charges of 3rd degree tampering with public records … Valandingham acknowledged that her firm, O'Donnell McCord, failed to file business entity discloses in Bloomfield and Mount Arlington to a deliberate attempt to hide political contributions made by the firm, it's donors, and individuals who made contributions who then were reimbursed in cash … 'It's the worst day of my life,' Valandingham said. 'I'm really sorry.'"

MISTRUST FUND — "Gov. Murphy's lieutenant backs housing fund diversion," by NJ Spotlight News' John Reitmeyer: "Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver is defending the administration's plan to use $20 million that is supposed to be dedicated to supporting New Jersey's Affordable Housing Trust Fund to instead underwrite another housing-related effort. Speaking during a legislative budget hearing Monday, Oliver said the $20 million will prop up a first-time homebuyers' program and help address broader concerns about the uneven distribution of wealth in New Jersey — or what is generally referred to as income inequality. 'A lot of us feel that this is an important public policy issue,' Oliver told members of the Assembly Budget Committee who asked questions about the proposed fund transfer."

— "Murphy signs $10 million in federal aid for child care providers struggling during COVID"

— Imani Oakley: "New Jersey has the most corrupt ballot design in the entire country"

— Nancy Erika Smith: "No amount of racist or sexist harassment is acceptable. Change the law"

— "Judge to decide Wednesday whether Republicans can appear on District 38 ballot"

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BIDEN TIME

VACCINES — "White House: J&J pause won't have 'significant impact' on vaccination pace," by POLITICO's Ben Leonard: Federal health agencies' recommended pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine won't have a "significant impact" on the Biden administration's vaccination plan, White House Covid-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said in a statement Tuesday. Despite the recommended pause of the single-dose vaccine, the U.S. will be able to hit President Joe Biden's goal of 200 million vaccine doses administered in his first 100 days in office, Zients said.

— " With J&J vaccines halted, is NJ still on track to return to normalcy by early summer?"

— Mulshine: "For Republicans, defending the Donald is a fool's errand"

— " Capitol suspects charged with assaulting officer who died will ask for bail"

A messsage from Pre-K Our Way:

LOCAL

SCALIA'S ON THE BENCH IN JERSEY CITY — "Fulop and team received big donations from judicial picks and their families," by The Jersey City Times: Aaron Morrill: "Mayor Fulop and his running mates received substantial donations from two lawyers and their families before they were chosen to fill vacancies on the Jersey City Municipal Court. One of the nominees may not live in Jersey City as required by the city code. On April 1, the mayor announced the appointment of Rahat Chatha and Paul Scalia to two open positions on the Municipal Court following the elevation to Superior Court of Judges Carlo Abad and Margaret Marley … According to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Division, between 2012 and 2019, Ms. Chatha and family members all living at the same address, made a total of $19,880 in contributions to Fulop or his election slate, known as 'Team Fulop.' … Paul Scalia's residence has also been called into question. According to an anonymous source, he does not live in Jersey City, a requirement for municipal court judges. Jersey City Times could not definitively establish where Scalia resides. Accurint ... has Paul Tony Scalia living in a house owned by Rosanne Scalia, in Cranford, New Jersey … In 2015, the Township of Cranford appointed Scalia as 'Alternate Municipal Prosecutor.' Scalia's Mercedes SUV was seen parked at the Cranford house yesterday afternoon."

WHERE'S RALPH WALDO? — "Developer accuses Emerson of stalling project to 'appease' residents, keep minorities out," by The Record's Stephanie Noda: "A downtown developer has filed an amended complaint against the borough for allegedly impeding the development of its mixed-use housing project and preventing minorities from moving into the borough. The builder, Emerson Redevelopers Urban Renewal LLC, an affiliate of JMF Properties, is planning to build a 147-unit mixed-use development on Kinderkamack Road. It will provide 29 affordable housing units — 22 on-site and seven elsewhere in town. The project, named Emerson Station but known by locals as Block 419, is estimated to cost $48 million … The amended lawsuit was filed March 30. It alleges Emerson officials are interfering with contractual rights, impeding construction and preventing minorities from living in the borough in 'an attempt to appease and curry favor with the residents of Emerson.'"

— "Bridgewater denies allegations of racial discrimination"

— " Former Perth Amboy police chief's firing upheld, but back pay still unresolved"

— "Paterson had a much-heralded opioid response plan. COVID delayed it"

— Opinion: " Edison episode provides insight into the county line"

— "With new candidates in Jersey City and Kearny, Hudson County election season off to steady start"

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

RIGHT, IT'S THE SWEATPANTS... — "Jersey City restaurant slammed by claims of racial double-standard," by The Jersey Journla's Joshua Rosario: "A Downtown Jersey City hot spot called out two years ago for a discriminatory dress code sign is being slammed again — after a video showing an apparent double-standard for Black and white customers was posted on social media. Charles 'CJ' Pace, 25, said he and his two friends — who are Black — went to The Ashford on Newark Avenue Saturday for lunch and he was told he could not eat inside because he was wearing 'joggers' sweatpants, a violation of the dress code. As the three finished their meals, Pace watched as several white men in similar attire — and one with a baseball cap on backwards — walked past security into the restaurant without so much as a second glance."

— "Jersey City restaurant says it's 'anti-racist' in statement slammed by community leaders"

ANY INTEREST IN ADOPTING HIM, RON DANCER? — "Little neurotic demon dog Prancer from New Jersey goes viral. He needs a home. Interested? " by The Record's David M. Zimmer: "A terror of a tiny foster dog has become a viral sensation on the back of his handler's in-depth description and put North Jersey rescue on the map. Labeled a 'neurotic mess' by foster parent Tyfanee Fortuna, 2-year-old Prancer found Fortuna about six months ago as he was shelter-bound – 'obese, wearing a cashmere sweater, with a bacon egg n cheese stuffed in his crate,' she wrote. Her pitch to find him a new area home gained global interest for its brutal honesty. "' am convinced at this point he is not a real dog, but more like a vessel for a traumatized Victorian child that now haunts our home,' she wrote. 'Prancer only likes women. Nothing else. He hates men more than women do, which says a lot. If you have a husband don't bother applying, unless you hate him.' Despite the viral spread of Prancer's story thanks to Fortuna, the 13-pound pup may still struggle to find the ideal owner, said Stephanie Pearl of the Second Chance Pet Adoption League. Comprising Fortuna and other foster owners mostly in Bergen, Morris and Passaic counties, the all-volunteer rescue has only heard from a few potentially serious applicants amid hundreds of inquiries from around the world, Pearl said."

STATE PARK POLICE ARE CONDUCTING… A PROBE — " UFO Detector Device' prompts bomb scare in NJ state forest," by NJ 101.5's Dan Alexander: "State Park Police investigated the discovery of an very low-tech "UFO Detector Site" in Wharton State Forest on Friday. The device made up of a block of wood with a headphone wire and a soup can was found by hikers near Saw Dust Pile Road in Tabernacle, according to State Park police. A small flag on the device read 'UFO Detector Site #448,' DEP spokeswoman Caryn Shinske told New Jersey 101.5. An explosive detecting K-9 named Prime sniffed out the device, deeming it safe"

'WE HATE YOU, TOO' — "All US states ranked from best to worst, according to Americans," by YouGov: "The two lowest-rated states were Alabama (38%) and Mississippi (38%), which often rank low in other assessments of income and health care access. Both are Southern states, and in fact almost all the bottom ten states are situated in either the South, with Arkansas (39%) and Kentucky (42%) joining Alabama and Mississippi close to the bottom, or Midwest, including Iowa (39%), Indiana (40%), South Dakota (40%), Missouri (42%), and Kansas (42%). The only exception is New Jersey, which comes third from bottom at 39%. While panelists did not provide context for their choices, New Jersey is often the butt of jokes, including for its occasional odor or for being the birthplace of The Jersey Shore franchise."

— "Chef forced to work in maskless kitchen fired after catching COVID, lawsuit says"

A messsage from Pre-K Our Way:

Thanks to the Governor and Legislature, there's been pre-k expansion funding in every recent state budget! That's enabled NJ to expand pre-k for working families into 150+ school districts.

However, families in 110+ eligible districts still wait in rural, suburban and urban communities, and from east to west – and north to south.

The proposed FY2022 budget would continue to recognize pre-k expansion as a priority for now, and for our future. We agree with former Governor Tom Kean, "There are a few priority reforms we need to make to improve education in our state. One of our highest priorities should be the availability of quality pre-k programs for all of our children. These programs offer our best hope for future success in school and life."

Let's maintain pre-k expansion as a statewide priority. Continue substantial pre-k expansion in the coming year for New Jersey, and especially for its working families.

Visit prekourway.org