News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Senate moves bill to ban ICE jail contracts

Friday, May 21, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Senate moves bill to ban ICE jail contracts

May 21, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Friday morning!

A state Senate committee on Thursday approved a bill to bar state and local governments from entering into ICE detention contracts, a couple months after scheduling it but dropping it.

This comes as the three Democratically-controlled New Jersey counties that house ICE inmates in their county jails quickly began backing off the policies that they've stubbornly held onto for so long. But there's probably more to it than that.

It's pretty clear whose side Senate President Steve Sweeney is on in the Democratic primary to succeed retiring Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg. He hasn't formally endorsed Assemblymember Gordon Johnson, but the machine apparatus is behind him.

The bill hasn't moved in the Assembly, but Johnson is the top sponsor in that house, and for a while was the only sponsor. Since then, his 39th District primary rival, Assemblymember Valerie Vainieri Huttle, has signed on as a co-sponsor.

But getting this bill moving could give Johnson an accomplishment to tout to primary voters in a liberal district who probably aren't all that fond of ICE and its association with former President Trump's immigration policies. It's also probably not to Huttle's advantage that her brother, Hudson County Commissioner Anthony Vainieiri, was the most outspoken supporter of that county's ICE contract — at least until he wasn't.

Read more about the bill from Daniel Han here.

WHERE'S MURPHY?: At The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe in Lafayette at 1 p.m. for a press conference "to highlight American Rescue Plan capital projects funding and broadband expansion efforts"

QUOTE OF THE DAY : "There's no farming here: We're a sandbar, for Christ's sake." — Long Beach Township Mayor Joe Mancini upon learning that someone had applied for a PPP loan using his address for an alleged cattle ranch called "Beefy King."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Assemblymember Sean Kean, Montclair State's Brigid Harrison , Whitehorse Strategies' Josh Henne, RP Consulting's Melissa Pollitt. Sunday for Kivvit's Laura Matos, Assembly Dems' Jennifer Taylor

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 513 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 884,689. 25 more deaths for a total of 26,053. 781 hospitalized, 164 in intensive care. 3,978,670 fully-vaccinated, or about 43.1 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

THIS HAS BEEN A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY POEWRS SYSTEM — Bill to end New Jersey's state of emergency collapses amid Democratic dissent, by POLTICO's Sam Sutton: A fast-moving bill that would end New Jersey's public health state of emergency while maintaining Gov. Phil Murphy's tremendous control over the state's economic recovery was pulled from the Assembly's voting agenda amid backlash from members of the governor's own party. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin spiked the legislation, NJ A577 (20R) — the Middlesex County Democrat is the lead sponsor — after Democratic lawmakers raised objections over the speed, expansiveness and even the necessity of the measure, which was dropped only two days earlier during a contentious Appropriations Committee hearing. Four legislative sources with direct knowledge of Coughlin's decision said there were a number of factors at play, including concerns the bill might codify powers for the governor that would continue well after Murphy, or any Democrat, was still in office.

OPRA'S OFF! — " NJ to end public health emergency, but that doesn't mean much for public records access," by The Record's Stacey Barchenger: "Early in the pandemic last year, legislators changed a state law and gave records keepers more time to turn over government documents when the public asks to see them. And the Murphy administration repeatedly cited the public health emergency in denying documents requested by journalists and lawmakers, including records about protective gear stockpiles at hospitals and nursing homes. A bill the Assembly and Senate are advancing this week — drawn up in collaboration with the Murphy administration — to end the public health emergency likely wouldn't change either of those provisions. The bill, A5777, allows the governor to continue a separate emergency declaration that has led to delays in providing public records. And Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin hasn't advanced another bill removing a part of public health emergency law the Murphy administration has repeatedly cited in denying records."

HOUSING — "No evictions, $750M assistance: NJ's latest housing protection plan is under construction," by The Record's Ashley Balcerza: " A coalition of housing advocates is raising questions and concerns about a new bipartisan bill in negotiations that aims to prevent a tsunami of evictions once a COVID moratorium lifts. Under the bill, landlords will not be allowed to evict certain low and middle-income tenants who missed rent payments during the COVID pandemic but can still sue them for the debt they accrued. Lawmakers originally intended to debate the bill for the first time in a public committee hearing set for Thursday, but it was removed from the schedule so legislators could 'continue to work on the bill,' Senate aides said … The new bill ... includes an additional $750 million in rental assistance and would end the eviction moratorium early on July 31, 2021, though this date could be pushed back to the beginning of next year … It has backing from Republican sponsors, but many housing advocates express reservations and want to see amendments to the legislation, which doesn't address foreclosure protections that were included in an earlier bill."

IT'S STANDARD PRACTICE FOR A CHURCH TO OWN THE HOME OF A PASTOR WHO'S ALSO A DEVELOPER WHO THE CHURCH BOUGHT THE HOME FROM — " GOP gov candidate Rizzo battles for the right wing," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: "Ciattarelli took notice of Rizzo last week with a campaign mailer that essentially called him a tax cheat. The house in question is in the New Vernon section of upscale Harding Township in Morris County. 'The church didn't buy me a house,' said Rizzo, who is married with four children. 'Like any job, there's compensation.' He said he bought the house originally and improved it. Then the church, the City Baptist Church of North Bergen and Hoboken, took it over. He said it's standard practice for a church to own the pastor's home. He said that's because pastoring a church is a 24-hour a day vocation and that congregants often need assistance at all hours. 'Jack and Hirsh hitting me on that is just political mudslinging,' he said."

DEMS STILL TRAUMATIZED BY 1991 — Murphy pressures reluctant legislative leaders on abortion rights bill, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Gov. Phil Murphy, two Democratic lawmakers and Planned Parenthood officials put pressure on Democratic legislative leaders Thursday to pass a bill that would expand access to abortions and write abortion rights into New Jersey law. The bill, known as the Reproductive Freedom Act, was introduced in October but has stalled in the Legislature, where Democratic leaders have sometimes been hesitant in an election year to post bills involving potential wedge issues. All 120 seats in Legislature are up for election in November.

HOW DO YOU REPORT PAYING SOMEONE WITH ANTIQUE COKE MACHINES AND WOOLY MAMMOTH TUSK ON AN ELEC FORM? — "Gilmore launches new political consulting firm, with DiMaso as a client," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "George Gilmore has opened up a new political consulting firm and he's already made $22,500, Election Law Enforcement Commission records show. Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (R-Holmdel) has already paid Gilmore's company, JGG Associates LLC, $12,500 in her off the line bid for re-election to a third term. 'He's providing advice and direction for the campaign,' said Tom Scarano, DiMaso's campaign manager. 'He's doing what every other consultant does. He's experienced,' Phil Rizzo, a Hudson County pastor seeking the Republican nomination for governor, has paid Gilmore $10,000."

JACOBYE — Judge Mary Jacobson, whose ruling legalized same sex marriage in New Jersey, to retire Sept. 1, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson, one of the state's most high-profile jurists whose ruling in 2013 legalized same sex marriage in New Jersey, will retire Sept. 1, a couple of years ahead of her mandatory retirement date. Jacobson, who sits in Mercer County, was appointed to the bench by former Gov. Christie Whitman in 2001. Her impending retirement was confirmed Thursday by MaryAnn Spoto, a spokesperson for the Judiciary. It was not immediately clear why Jacobson decided to retire early. She could have legally stayed on the bench until she turns 70 in 2023. As assignment judge, Jacobson has presided over a number of New Jersey's most hotly-contested political cases. She ruled in favor of same sex marriages in New Jersey in 2013. Then-Gov. Chris Christie appealed the decision, but dropped the fight after the state Supreme Court refused to delay the start of the marriages and strongly indicated it was unlikely to overturn Jacobson's decision.

MEHTARELLI 2021 — Add a name to frontrunner Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli's list of potential lieutenant governor nominees. I'm told that former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rik Mehta is under consideration for the post. He brings some helpful attributes: Statewide campaign experience, and is a member of the South Asian community, which is growing in political influence. He's also an avowed Trump supporter, which could be helpful if Ciattarelli has trouble in the general winning over the most committed MAGA crowd that's more likely to vote or someone like Phil Rizzo in the primary. But of course we know how Trump plays with the less committed New Jersey Republicans. David Wildstein put out a list of a bunch of other potential running mates earlier this month, and I'm told several names on there are in the running. But to be clear, Michele Siekera is not interested. A spokesperson for the NJBIA wanted to stress that when her name first appeared.

—"Are COVID vaccine perks like free beer, wine and money enough for NJ to reach goal?"

—Assembly passes package of 5 prison reform bills

—Legislature clears bill allowing private investment in cannabis businesses

—Special education extension, civics, mental health screening bills head to Murphy's desk

—"Will N.J. raise the gas tax again this fall? Here's what we know so far"

— "N.J. unemployment offices still haven't reopened. A new bill could change that"

—New Jersey saw modest job gains in April; unemployment rate dips to 7.5 percent

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BIDEN TIME

FEDERAL FUNDING DRAMA — Lawmakers were surprised to learn on Thursday that New Jersey had just received its share of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan during a Treasury budget hearing. State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio said that $6.2 billion in federal funds were deposited into the state's accounts the day prior, and treasury officials didn't know it was coming that day. That came out during state Sen. Declan O'Scanlon's questioning, and Republicans on the committee were outraged. "People in this state need relief now! Since he has shared his plan for the money, I worry that he has another secret plan to waste the money like he did last time and just doesn't want public scrutiny of it," O'Scanlon said in a statement. Muoio insisted that the administration wasn't trying to hide anything, and reiterated that the governor intends to work with lawmakers to negotiate the money — even though he currently has the authority to spend the funds unilaterally.

...Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo said lawmakers have talked about amending language in the budget to ensure they can have a say in the process. In a series of tweets after the hearing, Sarlo said it is "imperative the spending decisions are made in conjunction with the Legislature." New programs that are unsustainable shouldn't be created, and the state must avoid a fiscal cliff, he said. — Katherine Landergan

—"They got $1.4M in coronavirus relief loans, but bought jewelry and cars, authorities say"

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LOCAL

WOULD VICARI'S NEWSPAPER HAVE REPORTED THIS? — "Ocean County approves second round of raises in 4 months for administrative staff," by The Asbury Park Press' Erik Larsen: "Some of Ocean County's most senior public officials have been quietly awarded a second round of pay raises, just four months after the first round. The salary increases come at a time when the county government is awash in federal aid from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and is expecting another round of financial support from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 … Buried in a personnel resolution from April 21 — which was not detailed in the agenda packets available at meetings nor otherwise made public unless requested from the Board of Commissioners — there were 1.9% individual pay raises awarded to more than 300 nonunion employees, Ocean County Administrator Carl W. Block confirmed. Block himself received an increase at the April meeting that is retroactive to Jan. 1, even though he was previously given a raise in December, when his annual salary was bumped up to $202,177 … The pay raises in the Division of Public Information coincided with Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari's announcement at the April 21 meeting that he wanted the county government to explore the possibility of publishing its own newspaper with federal COVID-19 aid."

REEFER SANITY — " Somerville looking to allow legal weed shops, treat marijuana 'like alcohol'," by MyCentralJersey's Mike Deak: "Borough Administrator Kevin Sluka and Borough Attorney Jeremy Solomon are drafting the ordinances that would make Somerville one of only two of Somerset County's 21 municipalities to allow marijuana shops. Mayor Dennis Sullivan, who previously said the county seat would be a 'trailblazer' in allowing marijuana businesses, this week repeated that Somerville would be a leader. 'We're going to be in the vanguard,' Sullivan said at Monday's borough council meeting. Sluka said the ordinances creating the zoning for marijuana shops and setting the fees would be ready for introduction by the borough council's second meeting in June … Both Sluka and Solomon said that the same restrictions the borough places on alcohol use in public would also apply to marijuana. 'It's no different than saying you can't drink a beer while walking down Main Street,' Solomon told the council … Wield also said that the 'small-business atmosphere' of marijuana 'will fit right here in Somerville.'"

PATERSON "NJ Labor Commission order raises doubt about Paterson school reopening plan," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico : "An order issued Wednesday by a state labor commission may put in jeopardy the Paterson school district's plans for a partial reopening in June. In response to complaints from the Paterson teachers union about whether school ventilation systems are safe enough to resume in-person learning, the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission issued an order that may prevent the reopening. The state commission said the district must stop restricting union representatives' access for conducting inspections of the ventilation systems and said that the district could not require teachers to return to schools until the inspections are done."

THE WRATH OF KHAN — "In Edison, Khan advises voters to back Joshi or risk the wrath of establishment Dems," by InsiderNJ's Max Pizarro: "In the lead-up to the contentious June 8th Democratic Primary, a recorded message by [Sam] Khan gives insight into some of his reasoning for backing the local party establishment candidate, revealing his reluctance to buck the party and offending all the supposed power housed therein. In the recording, obtained by InsiderNJ, Khan — a community activist and Muslim leader — urges people to vote for Edison Committeeman Sam Joshi or risk needlessly crossing the Democratic Party's power structure … 'This Joshi candidate, if he wins, it means he's supported by the governor, local… assembly people… If Bhagia loses or wins, you are going against the governor, every single senator, either federal or state… You want to take that risk? [If you are] openly supporting Mr. Bhagia, [you have] all the right to do that but you should not do that. It will have a negative impact on the Muslim community … They are going to come against you why do you want to do that"

—"'We've been victimized': Dover man wants town to drop temporary marijuana business ban"

—"N.J.'s largest teachers' union still wants masks in schools"

—"Drop mask mandate for kids, Toms River parents tell school board"

—"Newark officials host first round of citywide pop-up clinics to address low vaccination rate"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

BIG BOAT BENEATH BAYONNE BRIDGE BUOYS BUSINESS — "Biggest cargo ship to ever dock on East Coast reaches Elizabeth," by ROI-NJ's Tom Bergeron: "The largest container ship to ever reach a U.S. East Coast port reached the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal. And it appeared to be even bigger than advertised. The CMA CGM Marco Polo, carrying just over 16,000, 20-foot equivalent units — what those in the industry call TEUs but most call cargo containers — arrived Thursday morning to much fanfare. This is, after all, why we raised the Bayonne Bridge. And deepened our navigation channels."

—" N.J. pedestrian deaths increased last year, even with pandemic. Experts are alarmed"

—"N.J. needs law to make the roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists, committee says"

—" NJ woman suffered blood clots after J&J vaccination. She says: Get vaccinated, but beware"

—"Wallington veteran once suspected of planning GWB attack released from custody"

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