News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Murphy's poll position

Thursday, May 6, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Murphy's poll position

May 06, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Thursday morning!

Nobody would've expected the 70+ percent approval rating Gov. Phil Murphy enjoyed in the early days of the pandemic to last this far into the crisis. So he's got to be pretty happy with a Monmouth University poll — the gold standard of New Jersey polling — pegging his approval rating with state residents at 57 percent while 35 percent disapprove.

Unfortunately, the survey didn't include a head-to-head match up with likely Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli. But this is yet another piece of evidence that should he prevail in the primary, Ciattarelli's got a tough road ahead.

Still, there are some vulnerabilities in Murphy's poll numbers. Despite his approval rating being a net positive 22 percent, it's much closer — 48 percent to 43 percent — when respondents were asked if he deserves another term. And a big plurality, 46 percent, say the governor's policies have hurt property tax payers, compared to just 14 percent who say he's helped that group. Property taxes are always a huge issue in New Jersey, but coming right off the pandemic they may not be.

But an April 2009 poll helps put Murphy's in perspective, especially since the comparisons between Murphy and former Gov. Jon Corzine write themselves. Back then, the Democratic governor had a rating of 34 percent approve to 51 percent disapprove (the poll was of voters, not residents). And Corzine — who was up against Chris Christie, who had higher name recognition and better fundraising than Ciattarelli — only lost by about 4 points.

See the full poll here.

WHERE'S MURPHY — In Hoboken with HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge for an 11:30 a.m. groundbreaking of a "Rebuild by Design Hudson River Project"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Elmwood Park Councilmember Dan Golabek, Lagana COS Nick Mammano, DOLWD's Angela Delli Santi, former Assembly candidate Wayne Wittman. Missed Wednesday: Democratic fundraiser Rafi Jafri,

QUOTE OF THE DAY : "Giving a public employee who is paid $208,000 per year eleven weeks of vacation — in addition to paid holidays, sick leave and compensatory time — isn't illegal, but it should be. The Legislature possesses the power to stop this sort of waste and abuse and has used it in the past to protect taxpayers. In the absence of legislative changes, these sorts of outrageous abuses will continue." — Comptroller Kevin Walsh on Keansburg giving 11 weeks of vacation time to its former police chief, James Pigott

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER — 1,309 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 877,814. 34 more deaths for a total of 25,707 probable or confirmed deaths. 1,382 hospitalized, 314 in intensive care. 3,210,201 fully vaccinated, or about 34.6 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

THE MAPLES LEAVES — New Jersey's Homeland Security director departs for NHL, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: Jared Maples, director of New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness since 2017, is leaving the Murphy administration to become chief security officer for the National Hockey League. "For the past nearly four years, Jared has committed himself to the safety and security of the people of New Jersey," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. "He has led our ongoing counterterrorism and cybersecurity efforts and has been with us for all manner of emergency preparations. Throughout the pandemic, he and his office have been a critical link in our COVID response."

REMOTE CONTROL — "16 N.J. school districts still all-remote. Gov. Murphy calls for holdouts to get back into classrooms," by NJ Advnace Media's Brent Johnson: "With several weeks left in the school year, the number of New Jersey districts still offering only all-remote classes has dwindled to 16 as the number of students returning to some form of in-person learning continues to increase, Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday. That's down from 142 at the beginning of March — or nearly 1 in 5 of all public school districts, charter and renaissance schools, and special service schools, Murphy said during his latest COVID-19 briefing in Trenton."

COBINE IT WITH THE CANNABIS COMMISSION AND CALL IT THE 'HIGHER HIGHER ED COMMISSION' — New Jersey lawmakers want a new state funding formula for colleges, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Two New Jersey lawmakers want a new state funding formula for colleges and universities that for years have been receiving money through a flawed system. State Sens. Tom Kean (R-Union) and Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) have introduced a measure, NJ S1230 (20R), to create a "New Jersey higher education funding formula commission" to examine other states' funding formulas and develop a New Jersey-specific version through legislation.

DOOBIE AC — " Can pot money rebuild Atlantic City? New Jersey suggests it," by The AP's Wayne Parry: "Rebuilding the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk to enable it to survive future severe storms; improving the look of the city's main downtown business districts; helping people in underserved communities, and embracing the "blue economy" of the ocean are among recommendations from a state-appointed panel studying ways to improve the seaside gambling resort. It suggested money from legalized recreational marijuana sales could help pay for the work. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday released a report from the The Atlantic City Restart and Recovery Working Group, designed to provide a roadmap for the city to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. It was the only such group the state created focusing on just one city's recovery from the outbreak."

— "Boardwalk repairs, storefront revitalization among goals in Atlantic City recovery report"

— " N.J. cannabis commission urged to keep racial equity top priority in legal weed law"

— "Murphy launches webpage to help vaccinate the homebound for COVID after facing criticism"

— " Suleiman says he expects polistina to defeat Grossman, and other nuggets"

— "NJ first lady urges COVID vaccines in communities of color: 'Leaving no stone unturned'"

— " Nobody's ready to call 2nd District GOP Senate race"

— "Ciattarelli Irritated by Murphy's Impersonation of Marshal Zhukov"

— " Bill to allow betting on NJ college sports teams advances"

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BIDEN TIME

YOU DOWN WITH UBC? — Congress paved way for Carpenters' pharmacy program even as subpoenas were issued, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: As a federal grand jury subpoenaed documents in late 2019 from an in-house pharmacy created by a powerful labor union, language buried in a congressional spending bill removed a legal obstacle to getting the program up and running. The bill's sponsor was Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), an ally of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters union, but his office said the congressman had nothing to do with the added language. It came as an amendment to Pascrell's initial bill, the National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act, legislation that was used as the vehicle to pass a nearly 1,800-page appropriations bill, his office said. "Rep. Pascrell's legislation funded the National Law Enforcement Museum. Amendments added to the original legislation were not written by our office," Pascrell spokesperson Mark Greenbaum said in an email. It's not clear when the pharmacy language was added, or by whom.

HE SHOULD HAVE CALLED MORE OFTEN — "Grandmother helped tip off FBI about N.J. man charged with being at Capitol riot, feds say," by NJ Advance Media's Joe Atmonavage: "As the two grandmothers talked in January after the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, one of them told the other that her son was actually one of the hundreds who stormed the government building, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday. By Jan. 17, the other grandmother had told one of her grandchildren about what she had learned and the grandchild soon informed the FBI that Robert Petrosh Jr., of Mays Landing, was among those who stormed into the Capitol on Jan. 6, authorities said."

— " Acknowledging the Armenian Genocide gives many in N.J. and elsewhere a chance to end the lie | Opinion"

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

LOCAL

PATERSON FAILS — "'Nothing has changed': Paterson has long history of police brutality — and calls for reform," by The Record's Jean Rimbach, Abbott Koloff and Joe Malinconico: "They marched on Paterson City Hall, at least 100 strong, Black and Hispanic parents demanding action against police officers who they claimed had brutalized and beaten their children. One by one, they told the City Council about a dozen or more alleged cases of unprovoked abuse by officers, some parents pointing to bruises on the faces and arms of teenage boys ... The year was 1990. But those complaints from more than 30 years ago sound disconcertingly similar to those emerging today, with the Paterson Police Department again under fire in the wake of multiple allegations of abuse, one of them spurring federal criminal charges against two officers last week for the alleged assault of a city teenager in December — captured on video — and falsifying reports to cover it up."

— "Here's how details diverge in the telling of 3 alleged police brutality cases in Paterson"

NARRAGANSETT MAKE IT YOURS — "A New Jersey mayor makes waves over beach access in Rhode Island," by The Boston Globe's Brian Amaral: "The subject was coastal access and the place was Narragansett, so it's no surprise that at a virtual Narragansett Town Council meeting, even in the depths of January, things got a little heated. Councilman Patrick Murray had gone on a bit of a rant about, among other things, people who don't live in the area full time and complain about people using the area. Local oceanfront property owner Steven Fulop fired back. 'In my entire life I have never been as embarrassed by an elected official as I have been by the conduct of Patrick Murray tonight,' Fulop said. 'He didn't make one cogent point other than being the loudest one and drowning out every council member that tries to have a dialogue.' … At council meetings this year and in e-mails to Narragansett town leaders, Fulop has raised issues with proposals to expand public parking nearby and about the general behavior of surfers who use the area … The constituent-cum-mayor has spoken out on parking issues along the shore there during at least two public."

—"Fulop 'happy to explore' city budget cuts to fund schools -- if BOE and city council members can find where to trim"

PENSION PIGOTT — "Keansburg slammed by NJ comptroller for 'excessive' vacation for police chief, bonuses," by The Asbury Park Press' Jerry Carino and Ken Serrano: "An audit report released Wednesday by the Office of the State Comptroller found the Borough of Keansburg gave what it described as excessive benefits to its employees, including 11 weeks of vacation to the police chief in 2018. 'Keansburg's police chief was granted vacation leave on the taxpayer's dime for more than 20% of the work year,' Acting State Comptroller Kevin D. Walsh said. 'Eleven weeks of vacation is unreasonable and wasteful. Most New Jerseyans are lucky to get a few weeks of vacation each year.' The report did not name the chief, but at the time it was James Pigott, who retired last year and has been replaced by Robert Sheehan. Pigott receives a monthly pension of just over $13,000, according to data compiled in the Asbury Park Press DataUniverse website."

PETITION TO CHANGE ROUTE 495 TO ROUTE 420 — "As a state senator, Brian Stack voted to legalize recreational marijuana sales. As Union City mayor, he could vote to ban them,' by The Jersey Journal's Peter D'Auria: "The North Hudson senator voted "yes" to the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act, which legalized adult-use recreational marijuana and set up a framework for recreational marijuana sales. But in Union City, where he is mayor, Stack voted last month in favor of introducing an ordinance that would ban recreational cannabis sales within city limits … The North Hudson senator voted 'yes' to the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act, which legalized adult-use recreational marijuana and set up a framework for recreational marijuana sales. But in Union City, where he is mayor, Stack voted last month in favor of introducing an ordinance that would ban recreational cannabis sales within city limits."

— "'We do not need to aim low': Byram mayor, council split on marijuana sales ordinance"

BEYOND THE PALE — " Jackson ban on dorms, schools, eruv wires set aside; judge cites anti-Semitic bias," by The Asbury Park Press' Mike Davis: "Citing a scheme to discourage Orthodox Jews from moving into town, a federal judge Wednesday barred the township from enforcing a pair of 2017 ordinances prohibiting new schools, dormitories or eruvim — all key to Jewish life. United States District Judge Michael Shipp granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the measures, long decried by Jewish leaders as thinly disguised efforts to keep Jews from locating in Jackson."

THRIFTY MAFIA HENCHMEN WHO WANT TO SAVE MONEY ON THEIR DEATH THREATS? — "'This is a cesspool': Who removes rotting fish corpses along Shrewsbury, Navesink rivers?" by The Asbury park Press' Dan Radel, Mike Davis and Michael L. Diamond: "When the wind blows into the Sea Winds condominium complex from the south, the smell of dead, rotting fish from nearby Branchport Creek permeates just about every facet of everyday life, Newport Court resident Scott Dille said … Such has been the situation along the Shrewsbury River, which Branchport Creek feeds into, and the Navesink River to the north since menhaden starting washing up dead in early April from what the state Department of Environmental Protection said is a Vibrio bacteria infection affecting the dense schools of menhaden, or bunker as many call them. The die-off is expected to continue for the 'near term,' leaving residents pondering, just who's going to clean up all the dead fish now?"

— "No waits. No lines. With demand falling, [Essex County] is closing COVID vaccination sites"

— " Hold your applause for that ICE contract decision in Essex County | Opinion"

— "'A sense of pride': Hillsdale officers hope historic all-female shift inspires others"

— Snowflack: " Barberio reanimates in Parsippany"

— Moran: "In Hoboken, an assault on free speech"

— " How are Holmdel schools coping with COVID 'lost learning'? Shuffling principals"

— "Judge says [Elizabeth's] police training is deficient after man in diabetic shock gets DWI charge"

— "Former tax collection worker for [Carteret] accused of waiving, removing fees"

— "Solvay to stop using 'forever chemicals' at West Deptford plant"

— "Westfield taps Westwood superintendent for new head of schools"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

VAN DATES — Some New Jersey colleges holding off on vaccine mandates, citing legal, social concerns, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin : The tide is turning toward mandating Covid vaccines for students at New Jersey's four-year colleges, but for those schools that have yet to decide whether to require the inoculations, legal and social concerns are driving the discussion. Thirteen of the state's 28 four-year colleges and universities, including Rutgers and Princeton, will require students to get vaccinated before attending classes on campus in the fall, according to a POLITICO analysis. But officials at some of smaller institutions are still mired in the handwringing business of determining what impact a vaccine mandate could have on their schools. The latest college president to order that students be vaccinated is Stockton University's Harvey Kesselman, who until recently was among the most prominent voices calling for more state guidance on the legality of this issue.

— "Stockton latest college to require students get COVID-19 vaccine"

— " Rutgers professor dies of COVID-19 in India"

RFP SEEKS COMPANY CAPABLE OF BUILDING 'A GENUINE, BONA FIDE, ELECTRIFIED, SIX-CAR MONORAIL' — "Newark Airport Operator picks shortlist for $2.1 billion AirTrain project," by The Wall Street Journal's Paul Berger: "The operator of Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey said it has narrowed the number of competitors bidding to build and operate a $2.1 billion AirTrain. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport, on Wednesday invited four teams to bid on the 2.5-mile elevated monorail system that will replace the current train. The teams include Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc., Dragados USA Inc., Kiewit Infrastructure Co. and Tutor Perini Corp. The new AirTrain is part of a broader modernization of the airport at Newark, which served 47 million passengers annually before the coronavirus pandemic."

POOTINE — "McDonald's served us feces-covered fries, N.J. family says in lawsuit," by NJ Advance Media's Anthony G. Attrino: "A New Jersey woman has filed suit against a McDonald's restaurant near her home claiming she and her daughter ate fries that were covered in human feces. Amanda Bordois, 32, of Cumberland County, says in court papers her husband and daughter bought food in a paper bag on Jan. 13 from the restaurant's drive-through in the 1000 block of North High Street in Millville … 'After eating some fries from the McDonald's bag, the (child) reached in the bag and took out the burger (and) noticed a brown substance all over the wrapper,' the suit states. At the same, Bordois 'noticed and smelled a horrible stench from the substance on the burger,' the suit states. 'To their disbelief and shock, plaintiffs realized what they had just ingested was human feces, which was touching their French fries in the same bag and that was all over (the child's) hand and the wrapper of the burger,' the lawsuit claims."

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