News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Currie out

Thursday, June 17, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Currie out

Jun 17, 2021

Presented by Anbaric Development Partners

Good Thursday morning!

John Currie assumed leadership of the Democratic State Committee eight years ago as a compromise choice after party bosses refused to ratify then-gubernatorial nominee Barbara Buono's pick of then-Assemblymember Jason O'Donnell to lead it.

Tonight, during a committee meeting in Asbury Park, Currie leaves that job after a wild eight years in state Democratic politics, where the party further consolidated its power even as rifts within it grew. Currie was solidly on the side of Gov. Phil Murphy during this intraparty fight. And it almost cost him his job in late 2019, when George Norcross and other power brokers backed LeRoy Jones to take him out in a fight that was really about who got to make state legislative redistricting picks.

Now, after another compromise struck a year and a half ago, Jones — the Essex County Democratic chair and a lobbyist — is poised to succeed Currie.

Those divides that engulfed New Jersey Democrats for so long have been papered over during an election-year detente. Will they reemerge with Jones at the helm? And remember: Even though Jones was Norcross' choice to lead the party in 2019, the two didn't get along after Jones chose the compromise. Recall this quote from Jones about Norcross: "I can't tolerate an individual who believes that he is mightier and holier than everyone. And that disconnected any kind of relationship."

Read Max Pizarro here for a look back at Currie's time leading the party.

WHERE'S MURPHY — In Newark at 11 a.m. for an opening ceremony for the Essex County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building. Media: "Ask Governor Murphy" on News 12 at 4 p.m., a time slot when lots of people are watching TV.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "All we need is someone in Italy and we have the full Axis group assembled again." — Assembly Appropriations Committee Chair John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester) during a hearing where people testified from Germany and Japan via Zoom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Burlington Dem operative Ian Alvarez, Rowan Prof. Ben Dworkin , NJ director of federal affairs Alex Herman, Vianovo's Matt Miller, gubernatorial tease Joe Piscopo... Friday: MDF Strategies' Matthew Frankel, Gottheimer staffer James Corti, Camden County Commissioner Carmen Rodriguez , NJYD's Brian Boyell, White House staffer John McCarthy... Saturday: Vitale staffer Stephanie Albanese... Sunday: Booker staffer Zach McCue.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: There will be no New Jersey Playbook tomorrow in observance of Juneteenth.

A message from Anbaric Development Partners:

New Jersey is leading the race to scale offshore wind, taking groundbreaking steps like announcing a first-in-the-nation transmission only solicitation. Now, NJ will need a partner that can deliver on this bold vision. With extensive experience building transmission systems, Anbaric is the company New Jersey can trust to achieve our clean energy goals.

Visit nj.anbaric.com to learn more.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

EDUCATION — Murphy signs bill to extend services for special education students, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday he has signed into law a bill that extends special education services for students poised to "age out" of the system in the next three years. POLITICO reported this week that Murphy has been under intense pressure from families and advocates to sign the measure.

— State Board of Education 'concerned' about student assessment results, by Carly: Members of the New Jersey State Board of Education said Wednesday they are "concerned" about new assessment data showing 37 percent of students scored below grade level for English and math. "Looking into the data, we are really in a state of emergency in New Jersey when it comes to our kids and education," board Vice President Andrew Mulvihill said during a remote meeting. "We have a problem here." Representatives from the state Department of Education discussed the interim assessment results with board members on Wednesday. However, they cautioned the data is merely a "snapshot" of student learning at the midpoint of the school year based on standardized tests taken between Nov. 16 and Feb. 19.

FORECLOSURES — "How will NJ prevent 'avalanche' of homeowner foreclosures once COVID moratorium lifts?" by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak: "While New Jersey has temporary protections in place to keep families who couldn't make mortgage payments during the pandemic in their homes, the Garden State is grappling with what to do when these grace periods end. For years after the Great Recession, New Jersey ranked first in the nation for the highest number of foreclosures. How does it prevent that from happening again? The Legislature is negotiating a bill that would require lenders to allow certain homeowners to put off or reduce their mortgage payments if their income was hit by the pandemic, and tack on missed payments to the end of the mortgage."

THEY WON'T STOP TRYING — "Bill opponents called 'vendetta against newspapers' stalls in Assembly committee," by NJ ADvance Media's Matt Arco: "A bill being fast-tracked for a vote by the Legislature stalled on Wednesday after opponents said language was added that would hurt newspapers and likely result in more local news outlets going dark. The main point of the legislation (S3703) is to allow the auction of sheriff's sales of foreclosed homes to be done online. But an updated version of the bill would do away with a requirement that foreclosure announcements be printed in local newspapers and instead give sheriffs the option to advertise them on their government websites."

ENERGY — Ocean City officials raise concerns over bills to boost off-shore wind development, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: Ocean City officials are worried about a pair of quickly moving bills that would give offshore wind developers a way to build transmission lines through New Jersey coastal communities without local government approval. The identical bills, NJ A5894 (20R) and NJ S3926 (20R) , would make it easier for power companies to move the energy they generate at sea to homes and businesses on land. Officials in shore communities worry about power lines draped over beaches or other infrastructure running through their towns, but the bills would take away local officials' ability to block transmissions lines. If wind developers and local governments can't reach a deal over rights-of-way for these lines, then the state Board of Public Utilities could step in and use eminent domain to help offshore wind developers.

TEEN WOLVES NOT ALLOWED TO WORK DURING FULL MOON — Lawmakers turn to kids to help fill New Jersey's labor shortage, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Facing a labor shortage throughout New Jersey — and especially at the shore — lawmakers are looking to kids to fill the ranks. Under a bill that was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday — just two days after it was introduced — 16- and 17-year-olds would be allowed to work up to 50 hours a week this summer.

— "So just what should NJ do with all that new money?"

— "Bill would preempt local say over offshore wind projects"

— "NJ moves closer to allowing sports bets on its college teams"

— "NJ drops in state rankings for solar production"

— " A primer on the selection of redistricting tie-breakers in New Jersey"

— "The O'Toole Chronicles: RINO – What's in a name?"

— Assembly amends bill capping insulin copays to require pharma to explain rising drug costs

— Senate panel advances bill to enhance enforcement of worker misclassification laws

— Bill would allow more New Jerseyans living abroad to vote in state, local elections

— "NJ Lawmakers Advance Real Estate COVID Immunity Bill"

DON'T MISS THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT: POLITICO will feature a special edition of our Future Pulse newsletter at the 2021 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of global health industry leaders and innovators who are turning lessons learned from the past year into a healthier, more resilient and more equitable future. Covid-19 threatened our health and well-being, while simultaneously leading to extraordinary coordination to improve pandemic preparedness, disease prevention, diversity in clinical trials, mental health resources, food access and more. SUBSCRIBE TODAY to receive exclusive coverage from June 22-24.

BIDEN TIME

JOHNSON: THE JETS ACTUALLY WON THE LAST SUPER BOWL — "Jets' Woody Johnson talks racism allegations, whether he regrets working for Donald Trump in 1st interview since return from U.K.," by NJ Advance Media's Zack Rosenblatt: "'It was a great honor to serve in my position over in the UK,' Johnson said Wednesday, then looked out toward the sky. 'We never had days like this.' The smile faded when he was asked a question about his tenure in Trump's cabinet. The question: 'Do you regret working for a president who falsely claimed the election was stolen?' Johnson's response: 'Uh, yeah, I mean, if you could keep it to football, that would be good.'"

— " Marine veteran Nick DeGregorio mulling challenge to Gottheimer"

LOCAL

R.I.P. — "NJ man, who had sex assault charges dropped once, has case dismissed after accuser's death," by The New Jersey Herald's Lori Comstock: "Sexual assault charges in April against a Sussex County man whose 2017 case forged bitter tension between two county law enforcement agencies have been dismissed, an assistant prosecutor said Tuesday. Ian Schweizer, 38, of Sandyston walked away a free man Tuesday after prosecutors dismissed the charges against him due to the death of his accuser, Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Catherine LaQuaglia said during a virtual court hearing. Prosecutors can no longer sustain their burden in the case, LaQuaglia said, citing a clause found in the U.S. Constitution's Sixth Amendment … The family of Jacklyn Turk agreed to release her name. Family members described her as a loving, generous person who struggled in what they said was an abusive relationship with Schweizer. Turk died June 8 at the age of 33."
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FOX NEWS WINS — "N.J. district that removed holiday names from school calendar to reconsider after angry backlash," by Patch's Josh Bakan: "After changing a label on the school calendar and then opting for no holiday names at all, the Randolph Board of Education may change course on its Columbus Day expedition. The board will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the middle-school auditorium. The meeting agenda has one motion for consideration. If passed, the board would return the school calendar to its status from before May 13's board meeting. The action would return Columbus Day to the school calendar. Last month, the board followed a recommendation from its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People's Day on the school calendar. The board faced backlash and protest from critics and Italian-American groups, who say the holiday recognizes their shared heritage. The board changed course Thursday and instead opted to recognize all holidays originally on the school calendar as 'days off.'"

CANDIDATE WHO'S UNDER INDICTMENT AND CANDIDATE WHO'S AN OATH KEEPER ALSO GOT LOTS OF VOTES — "Bridget Kelly emerges from GOP primary with most votes for clerk in NJ," by The Record's Dustin Racioppi: "Kelly received the second-most votes of any Republican in the county and 40% more than the party's nominee for governor. And in a handful of county clerk races statewide, unofficial results show Kelly got the most votes of any Republican running. It is a strong, and perhaps unlikely, showing for a candidate whose identity is tied to the infamous 'time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee' email that federal prosecutors claimed set the so-called Bridgegate scandal in motion eight years ago … 'Voters are sending a message that I have the experience in government to reform the clerk's office by reducing wasteful spending and conducting a much-needed audit,' she said in a statement."

ATLANTIC CITY — "AC needle exchange may avoid shutdown by city," by NJ Spotlight's Lilo H. Stainton: "With letters, tweets and banners flown over the Jersey Shore, advocates have been urging Gov. Phil Murphy to protect Atlantic City's syringe-exchange program from a local government effort to end the public health service. The public campaign — which involves dozens of community groups, academics, addiction-services providers and social justice organizations who joined forces as the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition — may have succeeded. While she could provide no details, Murphy's press secretary Alyana Alfaro said he supports the city's needle-exchange initiative, one of New Jersey's seven so-called harm reduction centers."

MR. WILSON HAS ALREADY PROVEN TO BE NO MATCH FOR SOCIETAL MENACE — "Steve Wilson the next Trenton Police director? Gusciora mum," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "Right now, the early frontrunner is retired Trenton Police Lt. Steve Wilson, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. 'Who is the person to right the ship? Tell me who the candidates are outside of Steve Wilson?' one source said. Another former cop, Rolando Ramos, tossed his name in the hat but acknowledged his support of Paul Perez in the last election makes him a long shot. Mayor Reed Gusciora said Wednesday that he's 'interested' in discussing the opening with Wilson but refused to say whether they've set up a meeting. 'Am I not entitled to my own internal deliberations?' Gusciora asked."

IGNOBLE DENOBLE — "Bayonne cop charged with ID theft in Aberdeen phony phone call case," by The Asbury Park Press' Ken Serrano: "A Bayonne police officer has drawn criminal charges for allegedly targeting another officer at the city police department, who lived in Aberdeen, with phony phone calls in an attempt to keep that other officer from disciplining him, authorities said. Christopher J. Denoble, 30, was charged in September with making a false report and identity theft by using a fictitious name to cause injury to another. Both are fourth-degree offenses, each punishable by up to 18 months in prison if there's a conviction … DeNoble is alleged to have phoned the Aberdeen Police Department on June 15, 2020, using the fictitious name 'David Murmlestien' and requesting that officers check on that other officer, according to the complaint. DeNoble claimed the officer was distraught after breaking up with his boyfriend, according to an affidavit in the case. When Aberdeen police contacted the victim and his wife, they learned there was no need for what's called a 'welfare check.'"

TO ETERNITY — "Ol' Blue Eyes returning to Hoboken in December, and he'll stay awhile," by The Jersey Journal's Teri West: "Frank Sinatra is returning to his hometown on his birthday this December. He'll be leaning on a lamppost, tipping his hat. And he'll stick around. Hoboken's first ever Frank Sinatra statue will be erected in his namesake park on the waterfront, offering a life-sized Bronze portrayal of the crooner the city proudly claims. Sculptor Carolyn D. Palmer is about halfway through the project the city commissioned her to do about two years ago and said even Sinatra's daughter is an early fan."

— " Monroe proposes to snuff out marijuana businesses because of 'unrealistic timeline'"

— "Jersey City council to introduce cannabis tax plan, but there may be fight over how the money is spent"

— " Branchburg sued for the fourth time over police department issues"

— "Ex-Paterson DPW driver gets $150K settlement in sexual harassment case"

— " Plans to redevelop 300-year-old N.J. inn withdrawn after protests"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

DOME OF THE GLEN ROCK — "From North Jersey to peak of Israeli power: New prime minister celebrated for local roots," by The Record's Deena Yellin: "In Israel, he's a controversial figure who made history by leading a quixotic coalition to end former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year reign. But to many in North Jersey, where Naftali Bennett spent his early years, he's now a source of hometown pride, after navigating a bruising course to the heights of politics. In the early 1980s, the man who now vows to heal a divided nation as Israel's 13th prime minister was a second grader at Yavneh Academy. The modern Orthodox Jewish school was then in Paterson but has since moved to Paramus. Bennett, 49, was sworn in on Sunday. In the days since, a picture of his second grade class at Yavneh, taken in 1981, has been circulating online … Bennett, who lived in Teaneck at the time, would spend only two years at the school, from 1979 to 1981, before his family returned overseas."

AT THE OLD ACTION PARK THIS WOULD BE A FEATURE, NOT A BUG — "Popular Mountain Creek water slide engulfed in flames days before park opening," by The New Jersey Herald's Lori Comstock: "A popular ride at Mountain Creek Waterpark was heavily damaged by a fire on Tuesday, days before the Vernon attraction was slated to open for the summer, a park spokesperson said. The fire on the High Anxiety ride was reported around 7:45 p.m. and captured the attention of residents near and far who watched as the gray smoke billowed from the mountaintop. No injuries were reported and the park was closed as it had not yet opened for the season, according to Mountain Creek's Brian Lowe."

— " What needs to happen for schools to ditch masks in September? We ask 5 experts"

— "Thousands in New Jersey still don't have broadband access | Opinion"

A message from Anbaric Development Partners:

With a bold vision of creating 7500 MW of wind energy by 2035, New Jersey is leading the race to scale the offshore wind industry, but a major question remains: How will we transport that energy back to shore? The answer is planned transmission, the most efficient, economic, and environmentally friendly way to bring offshore wind power to New Jersey's homes and businesses.

Acknowledging the considerable benefits of a planned transmission approach, the BPU alongside PJM issued a first-in-the-nation transmission-only solicitation earlier this year. Now, New Jersey will need a partner that can deliver on this transformative opportunity.

With extensive experience building transmission systems, Anbaric is the company New Jersey can trust to achieve our state's clean energy goals. Anbaric is committed to scaling the offshore wind industry while protecting ratepayers and the environment.

Visit nj.anbaric.com to learn more.