News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: In good times and bad, transparency takes a hit

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: In good times and bad, transparency takes a hit

Jun 15, 2021

Presented by Anbaric Development Partners

Good Tuesday morning!

When times are bad, politicians use that as justification for less transparency. Hence the legislated OPRA request delays since the pandemic hit.

How about when times are good? The pandemic is receding. Business restrictions have been largely lifted. And state coffers are increasingly flush.

Yeah, about those state coffers. As John Reitmeyer writes , the budget deadline is barely over two weeks away and the public hasn't been able to weigh in on the process since March. That was before we knew that between federal aid and unexpected tax revenue, the state is sitting on an $11 billion windfall. And with just over two weeks to go before Murphy has to sign the budget — and maybe just one week before lawmakers pass it — it's a good bet that there won't be much chance to comb through the spending plans.

This presents opportunities to make structural changes to the budget. Is there any excuse, for instance, to not create a dedicated revenue stream for NJ Transit?

But in the end, this all comes down to a few powerful guys in a room.

WHERE'S MURPHY — No public schedule

QUOTE OF THE DAY : "I don't play sneaky games like this." — Former GOP 2021 gubernatorial candidate Hirsh Singh denying his campaign was behind a fake Trump endorsement. Singh in his 2020 U.S. Senate race urged residents who had voted for his opponent to request a new ballot and re-cast it for him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Former Sussex County Freeholder George Graham, journalism professor Deborah Howlett

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 — Special ed advocates 'concerned and disappointed' Murphy's sitting on bill extending services, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin : Special education advocates in New Jersey are pleading with Gov. Phil Murphy to sign a bill that's been sitting on his desk for nearly two weeks that would extend eligibility for services to students in danger of "aging out" of the system this year. Time is running out for Murphy to act. "We're very, very concerned and disappointed the governor has not signed this bill yet because the clock is ticking," Tom Baffuto, executive director of The Arc of New Jersey, said in an interview. "Graduations are happening now, folks are aging out now. ... We're not understanding why there's some hesitancy [to sign the bill]." … Alyana Alfaro Post, a spokesperson for the governor, said the funding mechanism for a program like this is at issue. Alfaro Post told POLITICO the governor's office is declining to comment on any action it may take on the bill, but is "assessing the fiscal reality" of the measure. She said the state DOE has estimated it would cost around $500 million to provide services to nearly 8,687 students across the three-year threshold

OUT OF SPEIGHT — Fast-tracked bill would allow cops to view body camera footage before writing reports, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman : A bill backed by a major New Jersey police union would allow officers, in most cases, to review their own body camera footage before writing incident reports, drawing an outcry from civil libertarians and defense attorneys. "Memory is a volatile resource. Video is not. It's a concrete testimony of what happened on the scene," Pat Colligan, president of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, told the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee on Monday. The committee advanced the bill, NJ A5864 (20R), which is sponsored by Assemblymember Shanique Speight (D-Essex) — an Essex County sheriff's officer — without opposition after nearly two hours of discussion. The legislation was introduced in the Assembly on Monday, just before the 9:15 a.m. committee hearing, and in the state Senate last Thursday, where it has yet to advance.

—"'We need to see': Bills advance seeking police in NJ hate groups"

0.9 MASTROS — " NJ Transit pays over $8M to settle suits from fatal Hoboken train crash," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "NJ Transit paid a total of $8.15 million to four injured people and the family of a woman killed when a Pascack Valley Line train crashed through a barrier in Hoboken Terminal on Sept. 29, 2016. The lawsuit settlements, approved by NJ Transit's Board on May 12 were announced Monday by attorneys from Kline & Specter and Saltz, Mongeluzzi & Bendesky. They represented the family of 34-year old Fabiola Bittar de Kroon, a Brazilian-born attorney and mother who was walking through the station at the time of the crash and was killed by falling debris. Her family filed a $20 million wrongful death suit in June 2017."

EDUCATION — —"Findings at NJ's Schools Development Authority raise new questions about its fate," by The Record's Dustin Racioppi: "A new report finding "years of inconsistent and questionable" management of the Schools Development Authority raises new questions about the fate of an independent agency already bruised by scandal and out of money for new projects. The state's most powerful lawmaker, Democratic Senate President Stephen Sweeney, renewed his call to abolish the authority responsible for building schools in New Jersey's poorest districts and said after the release of the State Commission of Investigation's report that 'I'm not funding the SDA.' Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, on the other hand, has been a proponent of the authority and said Wednesday he thinks the current leadership 'is doing an outstanding job.' The disagreement — and lack of action — between the state's two top leaders about the authority's future leaves unanswered questions with implications for dozens of school districts and for taxpayers, who pay $1 billion a year toward the authority's debt."

—"Conditions remain bad at veterans homes, residents say, as Assembly panel takes up reform"

—Stile: "Edna Mahan: We shouldn't forget the prison fiasco as the governor's race begins"

— Murphy replaces utility shut-off moratorium with 6-month 'grace period'

— Assembly committee advances plastics recycling bill over environmentalists' objections

—"As NJ inches toward vaccination goal, don't expect COVID-19 to disappear, experts say"

—"Johnson vs. Vainieri Huttle, by the numbers"

—"Weedman's independent gubernatorial bid challenged by N.J. Democrats"

—" These mayors say 5G is good but this legislation isn't | Opinion"

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

MENENDEZ SHARES COLLINS' CONCERN — "There will be another pandemic — Are we prepared for it?" by Sens. Bob Menendez and Susan Collins for The New York Times : "The death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic is more than 200 times that of the 9/11 attacks — but Congress has yet to establish a similar blue ribbon commission to investigate the vulnerabilities of our public health system and issue guidance for how we as a nation can better protect the American people from future pandemics … We should do everything in our power to prevent our country and our communities, small businesses and families from enduring a similar ordeal again, because it's not a matter of if but when another pandemic or public health emergency will strike. That is why we introduced the National Coronavirus Commission Act. Tom Malinowski, Democrat of New Jersey, and Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives, making the act the only bipartisan, bicameral legislation of its kind."

ENOUGH FOR AN OUNCE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA — Gottheimer proposes $500 back-to-work bonuses for New Jerseyans; Murphy noncommittal, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Rep. Josh Gottheimer on Monday called on the state to provide $500 hiring bonuses for unemployed residents as a back-to-work incentive as New Jersey faces worker shortages , a proposal met with a lukewarm response from Gov. Phil Murphy. Gottheimer's proposed bonuses would be for those receiving unemployment benefits and would apply to those working by Aug. 1 and still working come Sept. 1. The bonuses could be funded through the $6.2 billion the state received from American Rescue Plan, money Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said could be used for such incentives… Murphy was noncommittal when asked during his regular briefing about Gottheimer's proposal, saying only that "it's a good idea, but it's too early" to determine how ARP money should be used.

LOCAL

PROGRAM DIMINISHES ATLANTIC CITY'S CLEAN, WHOLESOME IMAGE — "Atlantic City's flagship syringe program in battle for survival," by Filter's Alex Norcia: "In the past few months, the South Jersey AIDS Alliance (SJAA) has been planning to relocate outside of the tourism district in Atlantic City. The organization's syringe service program (SSP)—the first to have opened in New Jersey—stands near the boardwalk, just blocks away from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. But political pressure against it was mounting, amid competing concerns over gentrification and economic development. Carol Harney, the head of SJAA, thought she had found a solution to appease the detractors: Soon, SJAA would move next to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission—farther away from the beach but still close enough to be walkable from there. The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, a state governmental agency, had agreed to pay for renovations to the new building, which the AC Rescue Mission operated. Everything was to be under one roof: a homeless shelter, a drug treatment center and a harm reduction agency. It'd be a social services hub, and SJAA would pay rent to the AC Rescue Mission. It seemed like a win for everybody. But on June 4, Harney sent an email to her board members, warning that the organization's syringe service program in AC could imminently be shuttered … Now, two city council members in Atlantic City are set to introduce an ordinance closing down the SJAA program on June 16. It will likely come to a vote a week later, on June 23, and harm reductionists around AC fear that it will pass."

BEAUCOUP DE MASTROS "Jersey City makes huge splash in the art world, but at what cost to residents?" by The Jersey Journal's Ptere D'Auria : "Now, a memorandum of understanding before the city council reveals new information about how much the deal will cost. Under the terms of the deal, Jersey City would pay a total of $5,591,930 for the first three phases of the project. Those phases include hiring and training staff in Paris and Jersey City, drawing up the museum's layout and business plan, and devising educational programs. After the museum opens its doors, which is scheduled for 2024, the city will pay an additional $6,004,350 per year in fees to the Pompidou Center. Those fees include an annual 'branding fee' of $2,363,497.50 for the right to use the name 'Centre Pompidou' and $2,121,087.50 annually for artwork and exhibitions. Those annual fees could decrease over the five-year deal with the Pompidou Center, according to the MOU. But the costs in the agreement do not cover the 'material dimensions' of the exhibits, which include transportation, insurance, copyrights, and maintenance of artwork and exhibits. Nor do they cover the expected $10 to $30 million worth of renovation to the Pathside Building, which will house the museum. On Wednesday, the city council will vote on the second reading of an $82 million bonding ordinance, $15 million of which will go toward those renovations."

DELISLE OF WHITE — "Ex-Trenton attorney fired for refusing to cover up N-word findings against Delisle," by The Trentonin's Isaac Avilucea: "Former assistant city attorney Jacqueline Abdur-Razzaq wants $10 million over claims that Mayor Reed Gusciora's newly confirmed law director fired for issuing a damning report that confirmed misconduct allegations against a high-ranking cabinet member, according to documents obtained by The Trentonian. Abdur-Razzaq is demanding back pay and compensatory and punitive damages over her alleged unjust dismissal this spring. She was the city attorney tapped to probe claims that Ben Delisle, the city's housing and economic development director, used the N-word to another employee while discussing struggles with legislators. She was fired in April after determining that Ben Delisle, the city's economic development director, discriminated against and sexually harassed fellow employees, according to a tort claim notice."

ALI: IT IS THE GREATEST — "Ali celebrates the Morris GOP line," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: "The chair of the Morris County Republican Committee says the newly-created county line 'did what we thought it would do.' By that, she meant 'it united Republicans behind the choice of rank and file members of the MCRC.' On a very basic level, that's true. There were contested races for two state Assembly nominations in LD-26 and even for the county's representatives on the state Republican Committee. The party's choices won both races. One reason why Morris Republicans broke tradition and supported a 'county line' this year was to give the party more choice in selecting general election candidates in a more politically competitive environment. Except for one slip-up in Parsippany where Jamie Barberio, who did not have the line, bested Lou Valori to secure the party's mayoral nomination, that was accomplished. Another reason was to avoid bitter and costly primaries. That was not accomplished."

EVERY SINGER IS NAMED KAREN — "N.J. district erased all holiday names from school calendar. Angry parents want superintendent, board to resign, by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman : "More than 2,500 people have signed a petition calling for the Randolph board of education to resign days after the district voted to remove the names of holidays from the school calendar following a earlier debate about how to refer to Columbus Day. '(Superintendent) Jen Fano and all of the Board of Education Members have disgraced our community and clearly do not have the best interests of our children in anything they do,' the online petition started late last week reads. 'They represent everything that is wrong in education today and are completely incompetent in every aspect of their role.'"

ATTICA FINCH — "Body camera footage produced evidence that led to Paterson cop's excessive force arrest," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico : "For the first time since city police officers began wearing body cameras six months ago, a Paterson cop has been arrested on criminal charges that cite as evidence video from one of the recording devices. The accused cop — 18-year veteran officer Spencer Finch — did not activate his own body camera, according to the affidavit ... But another officer at the scene activated a body-worn camera that produced video cited by the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office as evidence against Finch. The body-camera video shows Finch advance on the man — who was keeping his distance from the police — before Finch hit the man with 'an overhead, open palmed strike to the face,' the affidavit said. The alleged victim, identified as 'B.C.,' was 'brought to the ground, approximately twenty seconds later,' the affidavit said. 'Finch strikes B.C. multiple times with a flashlight.' The court document said the alleged victim was handcuffed about 35 seconds after Finch initially struck him. 'B.C. is then seated in the hallway with his back against the wall,' according to the affidavit. 'B.C. says 'look me in my eye -' when Finch knees him in the face or chest.'"

—" Toms River council battles over whether campaign mailer was antisemitic"

—"Lives are at stake in Atlantic City | Opinion"

—" Whistle-blower says mice, asbestos and mold were ignored in [Montclair] school buildings"

—"Piscataway lawsuit opens new front in fights against warehouse sprawl"

R.I.P. — " Linda Smith, who revived theater, started Morristown Jazz & Blues fest, dead at 72"

—"[North Plainfield] police officer fired for 'sexual adventure' with homeless woman won't get job back"

—" Here's how Rahway plans to address recreational marijuana businesses"

—"Three more students of Nicole Dufault allege abuse by former Columbia teacher"

—" LGBTQIA+ leader argues South Jersey town not doing enough to recognize Pride"

—"Trenton Parking Authority commissioners say they were defamed over ethics leak"

—" New Sacco, Stack bill to protect Palisade Cliffs would create 10-member preservation council"

JOIN TODAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON REOPENING THE U.S.-CANADA BORDER : It's been more than one year since the border between the U.S. and Canada first closed to non-essential travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The unprecedented and ongoing closure imposed economic and social costs in border communities and across both countries. Join POLITICO for an urgent conversation on what's at stake in the border closure, what it will take to reopen safely, and how the pandemic will change the border in the long term. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

THE MICHAEL SCOTT SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT — "Improv theater training is helping a once-hidebound transit agency learn to work smarter. It's a trend that's catching on," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Thomas Fitzgerald: "At the Delaware River Port Authority, there's a smidgen of truth to it. John T. Hanson, chief executive of the bistate authority that runs the Delaware River bridges and the PATCO High-Speed Line commuter rail, was so determined to change the culture of a (by his description) hidebound organization that he studied improv comedy, performing with a troupe in Philadelphia, and later brought in professional actors to teach elements of the craft to executives and managers. 'From my perspective, DRPA and PATCO had a culture that was siloed and compartmentalized,' Hanson said … It's not about learning to be funny at work or discovering the next Tina Fey. Rather, the philosophy and the tactics of improv theater, practitioners say, teach people to listen, to shelve initial skepticism, and, rather than potshotting others' ideas, build upon them.'"

—"Sayreville, NJ group told to remove military flags from Parkway overpass"

—" Investigation into massive N.J. wildfire is at a standstill, authorities say"

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.