News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: What emergency powers repeal?

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: What emergency powers repeal?

May 19, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Wednesday morning!

It seems like every few days I'm reading a new article about how former Gov. Chris Christie is making moves to run for president. So who better to weigh in than his former constituents?

The Monmouth University Polling Institute asked in a poll that fortuitously went into the field about a week after an Axios article set off the latest bout of speculation. And you may not find this surprising, considering Christie left office as the most unpopular New Jersey governor since the advent of polling. But just 10 percent of New Jersey residents think he should run. And 70 percent think he wouldn't make a good president.

But there is a little piece of good news for Christie: He's a bit less unpopular than he was shortly after he left office, even if he remains the least popular living former governor. Read the full poll results, which include a favorability ratings of the state's living former governors.

WHERE'S MURPHY?: At Island Beach State Park for a 1 p.m. vaccine announcement

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "If 33 people got comfort, that's what this was designed to do … This is never going to be a family's first choice. But I think we got the statute right." — Assemblymember John Burzicheilli on physician-assisted suicide

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: O'Toole Scrivo's Thomas Scrivo, NJTV's Julie Daurio, Port Authority's Jenny Davis, former Old Tappan Mayor Victor Polce,

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 578 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 883,825. 24 more deaths for a total of 25,998 confirmed or probable deaths. 810 hospitalized, 180 in intensive care. 3,738,885 fully vaccinated, or about 40.3 percent of the population.

NUMBER OF THE DAY: $872 — The cash on hand for Democratic state Senate candidate Jamel Holley and his two running mates as of May 7

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

POWER TO THE PERSON! — Assembly committee advances bill to end public health state of emergency, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: The Assembly Appropriations Committee moved legislation Tuesday to bring New Jersey's public health state of emergency to an end while continuing to provide Gov. Phil Murphy with considerable powers to manage the state's recovery, Speaker Craig Coughlin introduced the bill, NJ A577 (20R), shortly before it was cleared by the committee in a 7-3 party line vote. The legislation maintains Murphy's authority over the state's vaccination effort, Covid-19 testing, allocation of health care resources, data collection and coordination with local health departments. Perhaps most importantly, the governor can continue to implement "any applicable recommendations'' from the CDC to "prevent or limit the transmission of Covid-19, including in specific settings." In other words, as Assemblymember Brian Bergen (R-Morris) noted in committee, the bill maintains Murphy's authority to set capacity restrictions, require masks and mandate social distancing, the very powers Republicans have been disparaging as undemocratic for the last year. "I don't understand what took so long to put this together, or what it really accomplishes," Bergen said. To which Committee Chair John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester) replied: "Besides all those points, you're OK with it?"

1.22 MASTROS — "N.J. spent $11M on a new call center but records show thousands of unemployed still could not get through," by NJ Advance Media's Karin Price Mueller: " To help manage the deluge of calls from people desperate to resolve their unemployment claims, the Department of Labor opened a new call center on June 18. Over the six months from June through December 2020, the state paid nearly $11.3 million to subcontractor Navient for the call center, according to contracts and invoices obtained by NJ Advance Media as part of an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request … in July, more than 1 million calls were made to the call center from more than 160,297 individual callers, with 115,945 getting through to a representative. Nearly 825,000 of the calls, or 78%, got a busy signal, the data shows. In August, nearly 1.2 million calls were made from 161,294 individual callers, with 112,808 reaching a representative. More than 950,000 of the calls, or 80%, got a busy signal. Ebonee Harris of Elizabethport said she's one of the frequent callers. The mother of two young children called her experience with the call center 'horrible,' noting that just last week, she called 87 times."

'FULL STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE' — "Republicans and Democrats laughing together? It happened in N.J., and we're not joking! " by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson: "State Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, one of the state's top Republicans, held an outdoor cocktail party at his home to draw attention to the pain the coronavirus pandemic has caused live comedy and other entertainment. Bramnick moonlights as a standup when he's not pushing legislation. A bunch of Jersey comics shared drinks on his patio — former 'Saturday Night Live' castmember (and almost gubernatorial candidate) Joe Piscopo, Vinnie Brand, Rich Vos, Mike Marino, Vic DiBitetto, Steve Trevelise, among others. Former governors Richard Codey, a Democrat, and Donald DiFrancesco, a Republican, were also there. But the opener was current Gov. Phil Murphy, who made a bipartisan appearance. 'The past 14 months have sucked,' the Democratic governor, holding a cocktail, told the crowd. 'But it's been particularly tough on performers.' … But Bramnick, who represents a part of Union County that has a moderate, said one goal of Tuesday's event was to show the two parties aren't immediate enemies. 'I wanted to throw a bipartisan thing that showed people can get together and try to help them through as much as possible.' said the lawmaker, who is running for state Senate this year. 'Just because I disagree with you, why can't we have some laughs?'"

CAMPAIGN CASH — Campaign spending not at record level despite high number of legislative races, by Matt: State legislative candidates are sitting on the most money they've had in at least 20 years, but despite a number of competitive primaries next month, the state is not seeing record campaign spending, according to an analysis by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Candidates for state Senate and Assembly in New Jersey's 40 legislative districts have raised a total of $30.7 million and spent $14.6 million. At this point four years ago — the last similar election year — they had raised $29.4 million and spent $16.3 million. Democratic candidates, whose party has firm control over both houses of the Legislature, have more than four times as much in the bank as Republicans — $13 million to $3.1 million.

EDNA MAHAN — Assembly committee advances package of prison reform bills, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: The Assembly Judiciary Committee on Tuesday advanced a six-bill package aimed at reducing misconduct among state corrections officers and curbing recidivism rates, as lawmakers seek changes in light of violence and abuse at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, the state's only women's prison. "There's such an urgency to the crisis at hand [at Edna Mahan, where] the abuse has been occurring for decades," committee Chair Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) said. "But because of that urgency, we realize the need to act swiftly." All of the bills advanced unanimously.

UNITED VANS SPOTTED ON COUNTRY ROADS TAKING NEW JERSEYANS HOME TO WEST VIRGINIA — "New Jersey residents will pay most in taxes over a lifetime," by Bloomberg's Laura Davison: "Residents of New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut will face the highest tax burdens over a lifetime, according to a new study. Those living in New Jersey will pay on average a grand total of $931,698, well above the $827,185 for Massachusetts residents and $805,213 for Connecticut. Nationwide, Americans will pay $525,037 over their lives, which includes taxes on income, property, cars and retail spending, according to the study from financial technology company Self. The average person will spend about one-third of earnings on taxes, according to the study, which is based on the 2019 Consumer Expenditure Report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics … At the other end of the scale, West Virginians will pay the least over their lives, at $321,000, the study showed."

BILL OF THE DAY — Remeber the uproar last month in Perth Amboy over the kids who, after riding unsafely through town, had bikes temporarily confiscated for lack of a license, one of whom wound up in cuffs? Assemblymember Yvonne Lopez (D-Middlesex) introduced legislation Monday that would ban towns from requiring license tags for bicycles and void existing ordinances. Read the bill here.

—" Derrick Green leaves governor's office, will help on re-election campaign"

—"'I am fearful, I don't know what to expect': Some parents not ready for return to school"

—" When NJ Transit has to cancel service, this is how it decides which trains won't run"

—Snowflack: "Murphy's dumb ads"

—Mulshine: " Phil Murphy's unscientific one-man rule on COVID: Quit while you're behind, Guv"

SUBSCRIBE TO WEST WING PLAYBOOK: Add West Wing Playbook to keep up with the power players, latest policy developments and intriguing whispers percolating inside the West Wing and across the highest levels of the Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

BIDEN TIME

XI JINPING: 'IT'S ACTUALLY ANTIFA DOING THAT STUFF' — "Boycott 'genocide Olympics' in Beijing, N.J. congressman says at human rights hearing," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "Rep. Chris Smith, co-chair of a bipartisan House commission on human rights, kicked off a hearing on the 2022 Olympics in Beijing by calling for a worldwide boycott of the games. 'In granting Beijing host status for the Olympic games, we are crowning a barbarous regime with laurels while we should be condemning their abuse and genocide,' said Smith, R-4th Dist. 'Don't enable or sponsor the 'Genocide Olympics.'"

—Gottheimer: " If we reinstate SALT, we can deliver real help to New Jersey and New York families"

—Unions fume over CDC mask decision that may derail stronger workplace Covid rules

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

LOCAL

CONDEMNING THE STORMING OF THE CAPITOL WHILE SHARING A TICKET WITH AN OATH KEEPER — "This Trump-loving Republican wants to be the first Asian American on Bergen County board," by The Record's Mary Chao: "Ronald Joseph Lin was born in Hoboken in 1981. His immigrant parents had arrived from Taiwan a year earlier and decided that to honor America, they would name their new son after then-President Ronald Reagan. Asian immigrants revere authority figures, Lin said, and his parents thought what better way to celebrate being an American than naming their first born after the nation's top office holder. As Taiwanese immigrants, his parents also appreciated Reagan's traditional values, he added. When Lin's son was born last June, he knew he had to name him Donald after the Republican then in the White House, Donald Trump. A staunch conservative since his days on the debate team at Fair Lawn High School, Lin, 39, of Franklin Lakes, announced his candidacy in February for Bergen County commissioner as a Republican … Lin does not believe Trump incited rioters during the January storming of the Capitol. 'The storming of the Capitol on January 6th was an unfortunate and tragic occurrence and it's something that I condemn sharply,' he said. 'I don't think any sensible person would condone such behavior and it's certainly something that the Republican Party along with President Trump strongly decried. The reality of the matter is that President Trump was telling his supporters that day to march and protest patriotically and peacefully.' Lin said while it is a hard truth to swallow, Trump lost the election."

HE WANTS TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS TWITTER ACCOUNT — "Hoboken Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante to retire on July 1st after 28 years of service," by Hudson County Vie's John Heinis: "Hoboken Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante, who was named the city's top cop in late 2014, has announced that he will be retiring on July 1st after 28 years of service … 'Today I have applied for retirement, effective July 1, 2021,' Ferrante, who served as the city's office of emergency management coordinator for two years before becoming chief, said in a email this afternoon … He also indicated that 'I am ready to take a little break before my next venture' but didn't reveal what that venture will be."

FINALLY, TEANECK POLITICIANS WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO ARGUE ABOUT — "Teaneck postpones Israeli flag-raising as violence roils Mideast," by The Record's Katie Sobko: "Amid escalating violence in the Middle East, township officials have postponed a ceremonial raising of the flag of Israel that had been set for this weekend In a statement released Sunday, Mayor James Dunleavy said the township and council stand 'resolutely in support of our Jewish residents' but have opted to postpone the inaugural ceremony to raise the Israeli national flag."

LEAGUE OF MUNCHIE-PALITIES — " N.J. cities, towns are acting quickly to ban weed businesses by August deadline," by NJ Advance Media's Amanda Hoover : "As cities and towns around New Jersey continue to roll out ordinances that would prevent cannabis business from opening within their borders, some are taking the cautious route: banning everything until they see how it works in other cities and towns and thinking they might revisit down the road … Municipalities have until Aug. 21 to pass ordinances that either ban cannabis businesses, welcome them or set limits for the types of businesses or number of dispensaries. Those that do nothing will lock in a standard set of rules for five years. But those ordinances might not be as flexible as some think. Sean Mack, an attorney with Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, said there's some confusion around municipalities changing their ordinances past the six-month deadline set in the cannabis legalization law signed earlier this year. 'The thought process on how the repeal is going to work is flawed,' he said. The towns think, 'we ban everything now, then we change our minds later, so now we want to allow things.' You have to repeal your opt-out ban. Now, you're back in a situation where your town does not have a duly adopted law by Aug. 21 to ban certain cannabis businesses."

—" Union City Planning Board approves measure prohibiting marijuana establishments"

—"Middletown may take up another proposal to ban marijuana businesses"

SPEARSHEADING THE MOVEMENT — @JRyRosario: "We have a challenger stepping in the ring against @StevenFulop to become mayor of Jersey City."

—"N.J. school district removes Columbus Day from calendar"

—" New Jersey State PBA endorses Essex County Sheriff candidate John C. Arnold"

—"Atlantic City Democrats call for Mayor Marty Small to resign amid federal lawsuit"

—" Rockaway councilman's suit claims opponents improperly awarded Republican line"

—"Arrest of Long Branch cop on charges of running a meth lab in his home stuns department"

—" Dover police officers sued by Cyprian Luke for 'gruesomely' assaulting him in viral video"

—"Fire that started in Bass River State Forest is fully contained at 617 acres, officials say"

JOIN TODAY - "THE RECAST" LIVE CONVERSATION: Earlier this year, we launched "The Recast" newsletter breaking down the changing power dynamics in America and how race and identity shape politics, policy and power. We are recasting how we report on this crucial intersection by bringing you fresh insights, scoops, dispatches from across the country and new voices that challenge "business as usual." Join Brakkton Booker, "The Recast" newsletter author and national political correspondent at POLITICO, for a live conversation with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.); Malika Redmond, co-founder, president and CEO of Women Engaged; Sonal Shah, founding president, The Asian American Foundation; and Lauren Williams, co-founder, CEO and editor in chief of Capital B, about redefining power in America. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

YOUR MARKETERS WERE SO PREOCCUPIED WITH WHETHER OR NOT THEY COULD THAT THEY DIDN'T STOP TO THINK IF THEY SHOULD — "Jersey Jurassic Park? Dinosaurs are coming to Six Flags," by NJ Advance Media's Jeremy Schneider: " The safari at Six Flags Great Adventure that was so popular early in the COVID-19 pandemic has gotten a prehistoric upgrade. Six Flags Xpedition Dino, a dinosaur addition to the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure, will open May 28 and feature 30 animatronic life-sized dinosaurs. Guests will be able to drive through the tour or walk a wooded path among the dinosaurs, and can stream a custom soundtrack from mobile devices that 'marries this prehistoric adventure with the 21st century' according to Six Flags."

PARTY DECISIS — " He paid $23K but COVID canceled his event. Now venue must give a refund, judge rules," by NJ Advance Media's Karin Price Mueller: "A party venue that refused to issue a full refund after an event could not be held because of ongoing coronavirus restrictions must refund the money, a judge ruled on Friday. The case in Morris County Superior Court against 4Sixty6 Caterers, a West Orange venue that hosts weddings and other large celebrations, could have implications for other lawsuits against catering halls that have refused to give refunds over COVID-canceled events, legal experts said."

—"Report says humans exacerbated Sandy's wrath"

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