News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Five N.J. legislators step out of line

Monday, May 24, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Five N.J. legislators step out of line

May 24, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Monday morning!

Friday was a big news day: The AP dropped a story on Rep. Tom Malinoski's stock trades, and NJ Advance Media reported that Gov. Murphy today will announce the date he'll lift the mask mandate. You've probably read those articles by now, and they're included below, but I'll use this space to talk about something you may have missed.

Assemblymember Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D-Hudson) last week issued a statement denouncing the "party line" — and I don't mean a 1-900 number from the 1980s — that he's run on for years, after he was booted from it. That came just after Assemblymember Valerie Vanieri Huttle (D-Bergen), also a long beneficiary of the favored ballot placement but now without it in her state Senate primary campaign, spoke out against it.

Two Democratic lawmakers who've been spurned by the party boss system now coming out against it isn't exactly shocking — even if Chiaravalloti's decision to drop his reelection bid after losing his place on the Hudson County Democratic Organization's line demonstrates just how potent a political force it is.

But the more interesting thing has been hiding in plain sight: For some time on its website, the group Good Government Coalition of New Jersey has listed three state lawmakers who aren't on the outs with their local Democratic organizations as endorsing ending the line: Assemblymembers Shavonda Sumter and Dan Benson, and state Sen. Shirley Turner.

I'm not sure what the chances are for the progressives' lawsuit to end the line. But Sumter's imprimatur in particular lends weight to the effort, since she's the new chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, and opponents of the line often argue that it helps keep power in the hands of a system dominated by men who are older and whiter on average than the state. "Ensuring that there is greater access for minority and women candidates is critical for balanced statewide representatives," Sumter said in a statement to the group. I'm surprised at how quiet that endorsement has been.

WHERE'S MURPHY — In Bridgeton to hold a 10 a.m. press conference on Saturday's mass shooting at a house party. Then in Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It causes their butts to fall off … You've got high, horny, super-sexed periodical cicadas" — Cicada expert Gene Kritsky on a fungus infecting ome cicadas

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — State Sen. Michael Doherty, Murphy aide Paulina Banasiak, Optimus' Shane Derris. Missed yesterday: Murphy Deputy Chief Council McKenzie Wilson.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER — 378 newly-reported positive PCR test for a total of 885,907. 7 more deaths for a total of 26,091 confirmed or probable deaths. 701 hospitalized, 151 in intensive care. 4,071,073 fully vaccinated, or about 43.8 percent of the population.

A message 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

IT'S JUST ANOTHER MASKED MONDAY — "N.J. to drop indoor mask rules, follow CDC guidance before Memorial Day weekend, Murphy to announce," by NJ Advance Media's Matt Arco and Brent Johnson: "Gov. Phil Murphy will announce Monday that New Jersey will lift its indoor mask mandate for fully vaccinated people and follow recent federal guidance in time for Memorial Day weekend as COVID-19 numbers keep declining while vaccinations continue, NJ Advance Media has learned. The new rules, which follow updated advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will go into effec … May 28, meaning vaccinated people are permitted to enter restaurants and stores in the Garden State without face coverings for the first time in 14 months."

WHEN YOUR CAMPAIGN PAYS FOR ADVICE FROM A SHIRTLESS FLORIDA MAN — He fought to get into debates. Now GOP gov hopeful skipping one over 'medical freedom', by NJ Advance Media's Matt Arco: "Hirsh Singh declared on social media Thursday that his GOP opponent and NJ PBS are 'trying to violate' his 'medical freedom' by hosting the debate virtually because of the coronavirus. 'I will not comply,' Singh wrote in a post on Facebook. 'New Jersey needs to reopen. The debate must be held in person.' The debates are sponsored by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, and are part of a state law that provides matching funds if candidates agree to limit their spending and participate in two debates … The first debate is hosted by NJ 101.5 FM and scheduled for Tuesday, followed by the second on NJ PBS on Wednesday. The 101.5 FM debate is an in-person event. But NJ PBS told candidates in letters to their campaigns that their event would be virtual. 'Our decision to offer a remote debate was based upon several factors, including the reality that the NJ PBS studio space is currently being renovated and unavailable for use. From the very start of our planning of this event, it was made clear that this event would be virtual,' NJ PBS spokeswoman Debra Falk said in a statement."

—" Guess who's hanging over N.J.'s Republican primary to take on Murphy? Yep, Donald Trump"

GOD FORBID YOU ALLOW PEOPLE TO GROW IT — "Yes, Pot is legal. But it's also in short supply," by The New York Times' Tracey Tully: "The advent of legalized adult-use marijuana in New York and New Jersey is an entrepreneur's dream, with some estimating that the potential market in the densely populated region will soar to more than $6 billion within five years. But the rush to get plants into soil in factory-style production facilities underscores another fundamental reality in the New York metropolitan region: There are already shortages of legal marijuana. Within New Jersey's decade-old medical marijuana market, the supply of dried cannabis flower, the most potent part of a female plant, has rarely met the demand, according to industry lobbyists and state officials … The supply gap has narrowed as the statewide inventory of flower and products made from a plant's extracted oils more than doubled between March of last year and this spring. Still, patients and owners say dispensaries often sell out of popular strains. 'There's very little stock,' said Shaya Brodchandel, the chief executive of Harmony Foundation in Secaucus, N.J., and president of the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association. 'Almost no wholesale. As we harvest we're putting it straight into retail.' Harmony purchased the former Merck site in Lafayette, N.J., late last year and is awaiting permits to begin construction, Mr. Brodchandel said."

UNFORCHIONATE —"Despite the voters' verdict, Murphy's minions are mangling the marijuana market," by The Star-Ledger's Paul Mulshine : "If the Trenton crowd were serious about legalization, said the Weedman, they'd permit people to grow their own plants. It doesn't take much. I noted a news article about a similar situation in Montana, where voters also approved pot legalization last year. There the fight was not over whether residents can grow pot at home but over how many plants. The compromise bill permitted every adult to grow two. That would satisfy most New Jersey marijuana aficionados, he said. 'People will just grow two giant Christmas trees,' Forchion said. With two adults in a household they could grow four plants and thereby secure their stash for the year – with no purchases. But if there were no purchases then there would be no cuts for the politicians, the union workers and the big multistate marijuana operations."

—"Murphy vows to improve broadband access with federal dollars"

— "N.J. unemployment agents would be assigned to state offices under bill on Murphy's desk

—"Vainieri Huttle calls on Coughlin, Greenwald, Johnson to move abortion protections bill"

—" Murphys' pick for education commissioner has moved, and a Republican senator now has courtesy over her nomination"

—"Friendly Fire: Vaccination bribes and Van Drew's red herring"

JOIN TUESDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON AMERICA'S MATERNAL HEALTH CRISIS: The maternal and infant mortality rates in the U.S. have been rising, especially for women and babies of color. One year into the pandemic, how have social determinants of health contributed to maternal and child health outcomes for Black women and other women of color? Join POLITICO for a deep-dive conversation for which we'll use Illinois as a case study to understand how social determinants of health and Covid-19 complicate efforts to eliminate maternal and infant mortality. We will also explore the various public health and policy solutions to reduce racial disparities during pregnancy and postpartum. REGISTER HERE.

BIDEN TIME

MUY MALINOWSKI — "As pandemic spread pain and panic, congressman chased profit," by The AP's Brian Slodysko: "In the early days of the pandemic, New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski scolded those looking to capitalize on the once-in-a-century health crisis. 'This is not the time for anybody to be profiting off of selling ventilators, vaccines, drugs, treatments, PPE (personal protective equipment), anywhere in the world,' the two-term Democrat and former assistant secretary of state told MSNBC in April 2020. He did not heed his own admonition. Since early 2020, Malinowski has bought or sold as much as $1 million of stock in medical and tech companies that had a stake in the virus response, according to an analysis of records by The Associated Press. The trades were just one slice of a stock buying and selling spree by the congressman during that time, worth as much as $3.2 million, that he did not properly disclose … When millions were out of work and markets were hemorrhaging, Malinowski snapped up securities at bargain prices — profiting when valuations recovered. In other cases, he sold shares before they fell substantially … He also engaged in the controversial practice of short-selling stocks, placing bets that the values of specific businesses would decline at a time when many companies were pleading with the government for a financial lifeline. 'It boggles my mind why he's doing it,' said Richard Painter, a University of Minnesota law professor who served as President George W. Bush's ethics attorney and later ran for Senate as a Democrat. 'It's a huge conflict of interest and not an acceptable situation.' There is no indication Malinowski acted on inside information to make his investment decisions."

—After bruising 2020 campaign, Malinowski's trading activity could spell doom in 2022, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: While news of short selling companies and failing to disclose financial trades would be damaging in any context, it's difficult to predict if this story will dog the Democrat going into the 2022 campaign. "In a number of instances, somebody can ride out a potential controversy if the issue doesn't impact that person's essential brand that they'd been selling to voters," Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray said in an interview. "I'm not sure to what extent this is essential to Malinowski's brand." The fact Kean — who's emblematic of a pre-Trump New Jersey Republican Party — failed to unseat Malinowski in 2020 could spell trouble for the GOP, particularly after a national political discourse inflamed by culture wars pushed the district to the left, Murray said.

POLICE — Booker: Police reform talks see 'meaningful progress', by POLITICO's Brianna Crummy: Sen. Cory Booker said on Sunday that "meaningful progress" has been made in the negotiations on police reform that have taken place in the House and the Senate. Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union," the New Jersey Democrat said he's "committed" to seeing the issue through. "This is not about going after good officers. This is about when officers have breached the civil rights of another American citizen," Booker said. "To me, we need this to create real accountability. So, I'm at the negotiating table fighting for that."

BERGEN COUNTY GOP RUSHES TO RECRUIT HIM TO RUN FOR OFFICE — "Another N.J. resident, alleged member of Oath Keepers, charged with storming U.S. Capitol," by NJ Advance Media's Joe Atmonavage: "A Little Ferry man who federal authorities say is the leader of a local Oath Keepers chapter is the latest to be charged with storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. James Breheny, who is also known as Seamus Evers, is charged with violent entry into the Capitol and several related crimes accusing him of intending to disrupt and obstruct an official proceeding and destroying or concealing evidence. The 61-year-old was arrested late last week … According to the criminal complaint against him, he entered through the East doors of the Capitol that were breached by violence against law enforcement officers."

— "Officers lied on reports in N.J. prisoner assault coverup, AG says. Read them for yourself,"

—"10% of N.J. residents live nowhere near a supermarket. Can a new $40M program help?"

—Snowflack: "Murphy projects comfort in Gottheimer country"

—"Q&A: U.S. Rep. Andy Kim on Asian activism, military bases and that viral Capitol cleanup"

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

LOCAL

GUN VIOLENCE — "2 dead, 12 injured after mass shooting at house party near Bridgeton, New Jersey," by ABC 6: "Two people were killed and another 12 others were injured in a mass shooting during a house party near Bridgeton, New Jersey. The victims who died were a 30-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, state police said. Their names have not been released. One of the 12 people who were injured is in critical condition ... No arrests have been made, state police say. The motive remains under investigation."

JENNY CRAIG'S WORDS HAVE LOST ALL THEIR WEIGHT — " 'No more phoning it in': Sussex BOE member's actions prompt attendance policy change,' by The New Jersey Herald's Eric Obernauer: "A Sussex County school board member who hasn't attended in-person meetings for 10 months because of COVID-19 is facing the music from her colleagues after being spotted hugging people at a crowded food and beer festival without a mask last weekend. Jenny Craig, a member of the Sussex-Wantage Regional Board of Education, was recorded doing so while milling about a densely packed crowd of maskless festival-goers less than 48 hours after not showing for her board's meeting on May 13, which she attended remotely. The New Jersey Herald has reviewed the photos, taken May 15 at the Sussex County Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival at Frankford's Skylands Stadium, which were obtained upon request after being forwarded to the other members of her board and school administration. 'For a board that's trying to send a positive message about the importance of our teachers coming to work and students coming to school, it's very frustrating to have one of our members make excuses for why she can't come to a meeting once a month and then turn up at a festival 48 hours later where not one person had a mask on and where probably half or more of those people weren't even vaccinated,' said Board President Nick D'Agostino."

—" Middlesex Water Company wants to increase rates"

—"Court-appointed monitor named for Cumberland County Jail, federal court case continues"

—" Judge dismisses Rockaway councilman's claim that opponent was improperly placed on GOP line"

—"Clifton warns that its police bodycams may not arrive by NJ's June 1 deadline"

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

DECISION DENOUNCED BY TRAINED MEDICAL EXPERTS JAMEL HOLLEY, HIRSH SINGH AND PHIL RIZZO — "RWJBarnabas Health, one of NJ's largest employers, mandates COVID vaccine for staff," by The Record's Lindy Washburn and Scott Fallon: "One of New Jersey's largest private employers, the RWJBarnabas Health system, will require supervisors and higher-level staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by the end of June — a decision it said Thursday will eventually be extended to all 35,000 members of its staff. The 11-hospital system is 'committed to providing a culture of safety,' said Barry Ostrowsky, its president and CEO. 'We have an obligation to do all we can to protect our patients and the communities we serve.' About 500 members of the supervisory staff are unvaccinated, an RWJBarnabas spokeswoman said. The policy for those who do not comply 'is being finalized over the next several days,' she said."

STILL WAITING FOR AUTOMATION TO TAKE OVER AS THREATENED— "N.J. restaurants are paying more to entice workers. But here's why tipping isn't going anywhere yet," by NJ Advance Media's Jeremy Schneider: "NJ Advance Media reported last week, after conversations with several former restaurant employees, that increased wages and potentially ending the tipping system could help solve the labor shortage that has besieged the service industry as it looks to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. NJ Advance Media followed up with several restaurant owners this week to see if that might happen. The bottom line? Wages may go up, and some in cases, they already have. But the tipping system isn't going away anytime soon. Restaurant owners say they simply can't afford it, while speculating it would lead to worse service in restaurants and perhaps even lower paychecks for servers in some cases. Minimum wage for tipped employees in New Jersey increased from $3.13 to $4.13 in January 2021, and it will increase to $5.13 in January 2022. If a tipped employee doesn't make $12 an hour during a shift with tips plus the $4.13 wage, the restaurant must make up the difference."

—"New Jersey demands maternal health justice for Black women | Opinion"

—"Aging South Jersey agricultural warehouses still display old-fashioned sayings"

—"Trapped on the tracks: Hundreds die every year at railroad crossings. Drivers often get blamed, even when they're not at fault"

A message 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