News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Who's the real MAGA man?

Monday, May 3, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Who's the real MAGA man?

May 03, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Monday morning!

Jack Ciattarelli has his work cut out for him in the general election. But right now he gets to watch his Republican primary rivals fight over who can show more fealty to a former president who supported an assault on democracy.

My personal policy is not to report on internal polls unless a campaign shares the full poll, including the questions asked and methodology. Polling "memos" are worthless. What's more notable is that perennial Republican candidate Hirsh Singh has hired Trump's ousted 2020 campaign manager, Brad Parscale, to conduct one for him. You know, the shirtless guy who got tackled and arrested by a cop last summer.

Not to be outdone, Republican candidate and late paperwork submitter Phil Rizzo got a picture of himself with the former president at Mar-a-Lago. That caused Parscale to tweet "Getting a photo at Mar-a-Lago doesn't erase your Never-Trumper history. @HirshSingh is the only pro Trump candidate running. New Jersey needs a Governor that does [not] just sway to the tide that helps them personally. Had enough of that." (Rizzo in a video clip being circulated acknowledges not voting for Trump in 2016).

Neither Singh nor Rizzo have qualified for public funds, though Singh — whose father lent his 2017 campaign almost $1 million — raised enough to qualify for the two publicly-sanctioned debates. Rizzo also appears to come from some money as a third generation real estate developer whose luxurious house cuts quite a contrast to his church's tiny North Bergen storefront.

So that means the two pro-MAGA candidates have some money, but it looks like they may spend it competing to become the top MAGA candidate, giving Ciattarelli — the only candidate to qualify for matching funds — a way to get through the primary without having to prostrate himself at the alter of Trumpism.

But for Ciattarelli, some of the general election damage may be done. When it looked like he had a more serious pro-Trump primary rival in Doug Steinhardt, he spoke favorably of the former president, declined to weigh in on who won the 2020 election and even spoke at a "Stop the Steal" rally — enough ammunition for Murphy should MAGAism remain as toxic in New Jersey as it was when Trump was in office.

WHERE'S MURPHY — In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference for which he's teasing a "major announcement" on easing restrictions, presumably after consulting with Brent Spiner, and something on vaccines. Then a 2:15 p.m. announcement.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Cat servant Matt Friedman

QUOTE OF THE DA Y: "Their story is the rose that grew through the pavement during a difficult time … They act like teenagers — they have no inhibitions, and they're always up for fun." — Applewood retirement community Executive Director Keith Grady on Bill Biega and Iris Ivers, two nonagenarian residents whose love couldn't be contained by COVID restrictions.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER — 1,048 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 875,277. 19 more deaths for a total of 25,600. 1,474 hospitalized, 325 in intensive care. 3,081,748 fully vaccainted, or about 33.2 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

TOO MUCH PATRONAGE. NEED MORE MATRONAGE — "Fighting for a seat: Who runs N.J.? It's still mostly men. Powerful boards lack women, despite Murphy's pledge for diversity," by NJ Advance Media's Kelly Heyboer and Susan K. Livio: "At her first meeting as a new commissioner of the state Sports and Exposition Authority, Karen Kessler said officials handed her a gift. It was a men's necktie … The year was 1992 … Nearly 30 years after Kessler's term as the first woman appointed to the board, the Sports and Exposition Authority isn't handing out men's neckties anymore. Still, some things have not changed. The board currently has 14 men — and one woman. Same goes for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority board, the state Public Employment Relations Commission, the Water Supply Authority and several other state commissions and authorities. All have just one woman on the board. And there are no female board members on the State Investment Council, the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission or the School Ethics Commission. A vast majority of the state's most powerful boards, authorities and commissions — where big and small decisions affecting the state and the everyday lives of residents are made every month — still have few, if any, women at the table. An NJ Advance Media review of appointments to more than 900 seats on 85 of the state's most influential boards found women held about 28% of the seats as of April 1. Men are in the majority on 67 of the 85 boards, including nearly all of the boards considered the most influential, from the Rutgers Board of Governors to the NJ Transit board and the Board of Public Utilities."

—"Just 30% of elected officials in NJ are women. See where it ranks in the U.S."

MURPHY'S SOCCER TEAM VIOLATES LIQUOR LICENSE REGULATIONS — " The transformation of a soccer club, and the ways we value women's sports," by The New Yorker's Louisa Thomas: "The stories about poor conditions at Sky Blue F.C. were embarrassing for the franchise, but they had the benefit of catching Tammy Murphy's attention. If the club was going to survive, she realized, she would have to get involved, and the owners would have to invest in the team dramatically. Before the start of the 2019 season, the general manager, Tony Novo, resigned. Alyse LaHue, who had worked for the W.N.B.A.'s Seattle Storm after several years with the Chicago Red Stars, and had recently been brought to Sky Blue in a consulting role, became the interim G.M. LaHue set about overhauling the club. Front-office personnel and coaches who had been working part time were hired full time. LaHue found a new training facility, which featured a wellness center with ice baths and a hydro room. She met with members of the team, listened to their concerns, and registered their anger. She took a similar approach with the staff and even with fans—when a ticket holder phoned with a complaint, LaHue took the call. Rutgers lost its liquor license midseason, after the team had promoted a beer garden at an upcoming game. LaHue went to a store and filled four carts for a free-beer tailgate. ('For liability reasons, I can't confirm that happened,' LaHue told me, laughing.)."

BECAUSE NJ DESPERATELY NEEDS ANOTHER POLITICALLY-CONNECTED LAW FIRM — "Monmouth prosecutor and Superior Court Judge are resigning," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni submitted his letter of resignation today and will be leaving on June 1, the New Jersey Globe has learned. His wife, Superior Court Judge Deborah Gramiccioni, is also expected to resign after just four years on the bench, according to sources familiar with the move. The two are expected to start a law firm together. Chris Gramiccioni, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and U.S Navy veteran, was named acting prosecutor in 2012 by then-Gov. Chris Christie. His wife was serving as Christie's deputy chief of staff at the time."

—"Legislation: NJ commuters working remotely shouldn't pay NY taxes"

—"On his last day, Tittel says we must have a sense of urgency | Opinion"

—" Proof of immunity? Pa. and N.J. aren't making plans for vaccine 'passports,' but the topic is hot"

—"Democratic lawmaker calls on Murphy to 'fully reopen' New Jersey by July 1"

—" Voter suppression by another name | Opinion"

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BIDEN TIME

HEALTH — CMS pausing Trump-era rule that subjected Central Jersey hospitals to lower Medicare rates, by Sam: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is hitting pause on a plan that would have carved hospitals in Central Jersey from the New York labor market, a move that could potentially cost them hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicare reimbursements, Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Bill Pascrell announced Friday. The Trump-era rule slashed more than a dozen of the state's hospitals from the New York-Jersey City metropolitan area, creating a new New Brunswick-Lakewood "core-based statistical area" that would use a lower wage index for calculating federal reimbursements for patient care. Friday's announcement is good news for hospitals in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties, particularly those owned by Hackensack Meridian Health.

—"Eight Republican 2024 candidates speak in Texas next week, but not Trump"

—"Malinowski bill limits pipeline companies' use of eminent domain"

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

LOCAL

BIG (MCCOR)MAC VS. GARDNER SALAD — "'I'm the mayor, everything's mine' – A Woodbridge clash caught on tape," by InsiderNJ's Max Pizarro: "A hard-edged firehouse encounter between Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac and former Council Gardner Gardner President/volunteer firefighter Ken Gardner sparked angry words from the mayor, which prompted Gardner to file an official misconduct complaint against him with the state Attorney General's Office, now inflaming a local Democratic Primary election … Gardner, who is now a particularly motivated Democratic Primary candidate for the township committee against McCormac ally Councilwoman Nancy Drumm, said he caught the infamous exchange on tape, which he shared with InsiderNJ. The nose-to-nose meeting started semi-innocently enough. 'What's up with that project on Main Street, all the apartments?' Gardner wanted to know. 'That's the best taxpayer we've ever had in the history of Woodbridge Township,' said McCormac, according to the recording supplied by Gardner. 'They never appealed their taxes since 1992 when I was the CFO. If they want to sell their property for apartments, I'm all in.' Gardner protested. 'We're getting beat up enough with traffic up there,' he said. 'I don't get it.' That's when McCormac let him have it. 'You want to someday let me help you and you came out against my project so forget it,' the mayor seemed to say on tape. 'Forget it. How can I help you when you came out against my project?' 'What do you mean 'helped me'?' 'Help you? I got you a turnpike job; you're trying to get me to get you a promotion, and you come out against my project,' McCormac said. 'Don't even talk to me anymore. I'm done with you. 'Listen,' said Gardner, a 30-year volunteer, 'you're in my firehouse. If you want to leave, leave.' 'I'm not leaving,' McCormac shot back. 'This is my firehouse, I'm a member here,' said Gardner. 'I'm the mayor, everything's mine,' McCormac said."

PUTTING THE DICK IN DICKINSON — " NJ teacher gives profane rant during Zoom Lesson, Calls George Floyd a 'criminal'," by NBC 4's Checkey Beckford: "On the same day Jersey City students finally returned to their classrooms, a high school teacher was removed from them while under investigation for allegedly going on a vulgar tirade aimed at the children in his class. In what turned out to be a Zoom class unlike any other, students at Dickinson High School said their teacher gave them a profane rant — and a lesson in hate. A discussion on climate change devolved as teacher Howard Zlotkin aired his grievances with the students. 'If you think I'm privileged then f--- you, because my daughter thinks I'm privileged and I don't speak to her,' he was seen saying in a recording of the online class session. At one point he started yelling and cursing at one student. Timmia Williams, a 17-year-old senior, said the landscape and design teacher seemed to focus on Black students, sharing his thoughts on the killing of George Floyd. 'I hear people whining and crying about Black Lives Matter, but George Floyd was a f-----g criminal and he got arrested and he got killed because he wouldn't comply and the bottom line is we make him a f-----g hero,' Zlotkin is heard saying in a recording."

REPORTERS HOPE THIS VALDES LEAKS — " Passaic County prosecutor promises full review of Paterson police internal affairs," by The Paterson Press' Ed Rumley and Joe Malinconico: "Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes called the ongoing problems in the Paterson police department 'regrettable' as she spoke at length on Friday about her enlarged role in overseeing Internal Affairs investigations. 'This goes beyond individual police officers,' Valdes stated during a press conference at Paterson City Hall. 'This is about the system. There needs to be investigation about communication, accountability and infrastructure. How are things done?' … New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced Valdes would assume an expanded IA oversight role shortly after the United States Attorney's Office on Tuesday disclosed the filing of criminal charges against two Paterson cops — Kevin Patino and Kendry Tineo-Restituyo — for allegedly assaulting a city resident and lying about it in their reports."

WHEN YOU HIRE NATE SILVER TO REVIEW YOUR PAYROLL — "NJ says Palisades Park gave $200K in payouts. Town says it was $538. Here's what we know," by The Record's ristie Cattafi: "Officials and attorneys are disputing a state comptroller's report that claimed the borough wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on sick-time payouts. Instead, the number could be as low as $538 or, if part-time employees are included, as high as $13,000 — a sharp contrast to the report that came out March 2, officials said … The council is still waiting for a final report from Matthew Giacobbe of Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri and Jacobs, who was hired to serve as the special counsel. He will be paid $150 per hour to review the 56-page report, which alleged widespread profligate spending by the borough. Once the report is finalized, it will give specifics on how borough officials came to the conclusion on the sick-time payouts."

—"Overcrowding, sprawl, a sense of place, and the Edison Nexus of politics"

—"City settles lawsuit with man who says Paterson police officer shot him 'unprovoked'"

—"Trenton car shooting wounds 3 occupants, including 4-year-old girl"

—"Should NJ nursing, veterans homes COVID deaths be investigated? Sussex board takes action"

JOIN TUESDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON SMALL BUSINESSES AFTER COVID-19: About one in six small businesses in the U.S. closed their doors since the pandemic began. The ones that remained open are getting by with fewer employees after laying off workers or a hiring freeze. What is ahead for small businesses in 2021 as they try to weather the ongoing economic uncertainty? And how does President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package intend to support small-business owners? Join POLITICO for a virtual conversation with White House economic adviser Jared Bernstein and Joyce Beatty, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, on what small businesses need to survive and thrive beyond the Covid economic crisis. REGISTER HERE.

LOCAL

BOLDLY STEPPING INTO THE 20TH CENTURY — "Pine Valley, No. 1 golf course in the U.S., to allow female members for first time in its 100-plus year history," by Gold Digest's Stephen Hennessey: "Pine Valley, the exclusive men's-only golf club in southern New Jersey and home to the No. 1-ranked golf course in the United States, voted to allow female members and unrestricted women's play for the first time in its 108 years. The news was announced to all members in an emailed letter on April 30 that was obtained by Golf Digest. 'This evening at our Annual Meeting of the Members we made a historic change to Pine Valley's bylaws,' wrote club president Jim Davis. 'The future of golf must move toward inclusion, and I am pleased to report that the Trustees and members of the Pine Valley Golf Club have voted unanimously and with enthusiasm to remove all gender-specific language from our bylaws.' … Women guests at Pine Valley were previously allowed to play the course only on Sunday afternoons. The most noticeable immediate change will be in the presence of women on the course at any time."

THE MASKLESS MARTYR — "N.J. school nurse fails science, experts say, in comments about face masks," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: "She's a school nurse who claims face masks are dangerous to kids and do nothing to stop the spread of COVID. After refusing to wear a mask herself, Erin Pein said she was suspended from her job in the Stafford Township school district. Now her supporters are planning a rally and her cause has become an issue in the upcoming Republican primary for Hirsh Singh, who arranged and posted a widely shared video interview with her and argues that no one should be forced to wear masks — calling it 'a matter of personal freedom.' But epidemiologists say such claims are little more than "inflammatory rhetoric" and at odds with the science that has repeatedly shown that face masks are highly effective in reducing the spread of the coronavirus. At the same time, they said as new variants of the virus develop, the wearing of masks has become more important than ever."

—"Bobby was violently abused at a state institution decades ago. Why his brother spread his ashes there"

— Rutgers postdoctoral associates nearing two years without contract

R.I.P. — "Oscar winner, former Montclair resident Olympia Dukakis dead at 89"

—" Kean U. requires COVID vaccine for in-person classes in the fall"

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