News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: It feels like 2013

Monday, June 28, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: It feels like 2013

Jun 28, 2021

Presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

George Norcross and Steve Sweeney traveled to Hudson County Wednesday to hold a meet-and-greet with most of the state legislative delegation in a private room in an upscale restaurant, according to David Wildstein.

The unstated but obvious meaning was that Sweeney wants to run for governor in 2025 and is laying the groundwork early. There have been other signs of that lately, like this bill he's fast-tracked to boost public sector unions' bargaining power. Yes, the same Steve Sweeney who for a decade was the top enemy of the NJEA.

This feels like 2013.

I don't doubt that Sweeney wants to run for governor in 2025. And Norcross apparently badmouthed Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a potential rival. This is almost the same script that played out in 2013, when the gubernatorial race was considered a fait accompli and Democrats began jockeying to succeed Chris Christie well before that November. And who was jockeying? Sweeney and Fulop. Then Phil Murphy started making moves in 2014 and, after a couple years as the guy on the outside, became the presumptive nominee almost overnight.

The next gubernatorial race is such a long time away that it could play out in infinite ways. And Fulop is far from the only Sweeney alternative at this point.

WHERE'S MURPHY — In Montclair for a 10:30 a.m. event with Planned Parenthood, followed by a noon visit to Newark for a school groundbreaking, then to Cyberspace for a 2:30 p.m. coronavirus press conference with the education commissioner et. al.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I'm not demanding an apology. I'm just hoping as he goes forward he chooses his words better. He's a bright man and a passionate man and he's strong in his beliefs. When we disagree, it doesn't mean we can't appreciate where the other is coming from." — Senate President Steve Sweeney, walking back his demand that NJPP's Brandon McKoy apologize for calling three white men making the budget decissions structural racism.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: State Sen. Teresa Ruiz, DOE's Reginald Bledsoe, former Speaker Joe Doria, BPU President Joseph Fiordaliso, former Assemblyman John Wisniewski

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

THE OTHER (THREE) WHITE (GUYS IN A ROOM) MEAT — "What about the pork? Sweeney says he'll make it public. Meanwhile, Democrats pass baton" by The Record's Charles Stile: "Senate President Stephen Sweeney took umbrage that he was trying to shield the sponsors of the pork barrel spending tacked — in the dark — onto this year's state budget in the final days of negotiations. The Gloucester County Democrat vowed to release a list of 'resolutions' — or documents detailing the names of legislators who requested special spending for projects in their districts — as early as Friday. And Sweeney argued his timetable for public disclosure was well within the state senate's rules on such disclosures, which were instituted in 2007 in the wake of budget-related scandals that sent two state senators to federal prison. Disclosing the names of pork-seeking legislators was viewed as a way to reveal potential conflicts of interest. 'The rules are — and you guys said it — you have to release them 14 days before the budget,' Sweeney told reporters after Thursday's session. 'That's not true. They got to be in 14 days before the budget.'"

TESTA: 'A DEBT REDUCTION ORGY WITH FEATURING OTHER SORDID FISCAL ACTS' — "Surprise: Democrats are paying NJ's overdue bills," by The Star-Ledger's Tom Moran: "Gov. Phil Murphy has the liberal ambitions of an FDR, and this year he found himself sitting atop a mountain of gold coins worth nearly $10 billion, about half of it borrowed in the scary days of the pandemic, and half a surprise bounty from an economy that roared back faster than anyone expected. The big fear was that he and fellow Democrats would seize the moment to fund a menu of new progressive programs, forcing big tax hikes when the gold coins were spent. That was a theme this week from Republicans. 'It's not sustainable,' said Sen. Robert Singer, R-Ocean. 'My major concern is that next year we get hit with huge tax increases.' But the amazing part of this story is that didn't happen. Democrats were seized with a fit of responsible budgeting and used most of the windfall to pay down debt and make investments that will cut long-term costs, like a homeowner fixing a leaky roof … They will use $2.5 billion to pay down debt, a miracle of miracles. They will increase pension payments by a whopping $2.1 billion in a single year, a move that will cut future costs. And they set aside $1.2 billion to fund capital projects to reduce future borrowing. That comes to $5.8 billion, nearly matching the spending boost of $6 billion. That's where the big money is going, not to new social programs."

—"N.J. Dems just passed election-year state budget flush with cash, but it's not buying happiness"

HUNGER — "N.J. aiming to be first in nation to have a food insecurity advocate, part of anti-hunger legislation sent to Gov. Murphy," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Alfred Lubrano: "New Jersey could become the first state in the country to appoint an official anti-hunger advocate if a bill that was approved by the Legislature on Thursday is signed by Gov. Phil Murphy. A so-called Food Insecurity Advocate would consolidate the responsibility of oversight of food aid programs that are administered across several state agencies. 'This is remarkable and groundbreaking. It's not being done anywhere in America,' said Adele LaTourette, director of Hunger Free New Jersey."

NO — "Will N.J. opt to limit qualified immunity for police, other public officials?" by NJ Advance Media's Steve Rodas : "New York City, Colorado, New Mexico and Connecticut have done it. Now, some legislators are hoping New Jersey will join the list of states taking a run at rewriting — or eliminating — a controversial legal doctrine that can protect police officers who violate the Constitution while they are on duty. State Senator Nia Gill, D-Essex, introduced a bill, S-3730, in early May that would eliminate 'qualified immunity' for law enforcement agencies or officers in lawsuits if the legal protection helps them avoid 'accountability for wrongful activity … A bill (A-4578) by Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, D-Passaic — that would significantly limit qualified immunity — has languished in the state Assembly since last August."

WELL CLEARLY HE HAS NO SECRET DEAL WITH NORCROSS — "Ciattarelli hopes to phase out 'unfair' $14.5B corporate incentive program," by NJBIZ's Daniel J. Munoz: "Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli decried the state's $14.5 billion incentives as an 'unfair' system that picks 'winners and losers,' and which he would hope to replace with a lower corporate tax rate. '[W]ith that program, New Jersey is in the business of picking winners and losers'" Ciattarelli, a former Republican assemblyman from Somerset County, said in a 21-minute interview on June 25 with NJBIZ. 'Why can't we just have a tax rate that's very very appealing to all businesses?'"

— Murphy says he'll veto mandatory minimum bill for a second time

—Poll: Many New Jersey workers doubt they'll ever return to their office full-time

—" N.J. prison officers know they work a tough job, yet 'we're always the bad guys in the public's view'"

—"New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy extends the state's Atlantic City takeover for four more years"

—" Cities, counties oppose Sweeney bill to give public worker unions more clout"

—Mulshine: "Worker shortage at the Shore: Why labor until Labor Day if you can cash in now?"

—Colligan: " NJ State PBA president on fairness & equality in law enforcement"

—"As Newark eliminates lead water pipes, NJ advances 10-year plan for statewide removal"

—" Homeowner associations could get COVID reopening lawsuit protection if Murphy OKs it"

—"NJ Transit hired procurement official under indictment for bid rigging, kickbacks"

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BIDEN TIME

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR ETC. ETC. — "Is this the end of local ICE detention? That's immigrants' hope—and fear," by WNYC's Matt Katz: "Immigration advocates hoped shutting down the multi-million-dollar contracts would prompt ICE to release the detainees to their families. But the proposed law, which now awaits Governor Phil Murphy's signature, comes as the Biden Administration acts swiftly to move some detainees to detention facilities in other states—taking them farther away from relatives and their attorney ... many detainees have been transferred to facilities in Alabama, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. Detainees who were transferred said they have had trouble maintaining contact with their attorneys and continuing the medical treatment they received at New Jersey facilities … As advocates pushed for the closure of these detention centers the last couple of years, some immigration lawyers warned of unintended consequences—that these immigrants would likely be moved to far away jails, away from their families and attorneys, instead of being released. Now, that's exactly what appears to be happening."

—"Trump organization could face criminal charges in D.A. inquiry"

LOCAL

ON ROCK AND ROLL? — "In the heart of Newark, NJPAC now plans to build its own neighborhood. Here's how,' by NJ Advance Media's George E. Johnson: "The New Jersey Performing Arts Center is set to announce an ambitious plan to build rental apartments, for-sale private residences and a major food venue on the center's campus in downtown Newark, NJ.com has learned. The center plans to break ground next year on its existing parking lots and open space east of the performance hall, which is adjacent to the Newark Light Rail system and McCarter Highway. Separately, NJPAC said it plans to build a 60,000-square arts and education building across from the performance center."

OFFICIALS PROMISE TOWN POLITICS WOULD BE NO LESS INSUFFERABLE — "Could future Teaneck council elections move to November? Voters may be asked to decide," by The Record's Katie Sobko: "Township officials are willing to let the voters decide when their nonpartisan elections will be held in the future. On Tuesday night, the council discussed adding referendum questions on the ballot to determine if future elections should be held in the spring, as they have been in the past, or in the fall, coinciding with the general partisan election held for higher offices. The school district moved its election from spring to fall about a decade ago, after then-Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill allowing districts to make the change. Deputy Mayor Elie Katz expressed opposition to the effort, saying he'd heard of the 'farce' going on around town in an 'attempt to put a nonpartisan election under a partisan day of an election.'"

TODAY IN HYPERBOLE — "Vaughn accuses Gusciora of 'lynching' police director Coley with firing, skate park passes," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: " A legislator compared Mayor Reed Gusciora's decision to fire the city's first Black female police director earlier this month to a modern-day 'lynching.' In making the charged comments, Robin Vaughn of the West Ward claimed Thursday that the mayor had no reason to fire Sheilah Coley other than to appease a fraternity of the police force who wanted her gone. She blasted colleagues for voting 1 to 6 against her measure to restore Coley as police director in what the mayor said would've made for an 'awkward' reunion … In other business, council approved a resolution that allows recreation director Maria Richardson to pursue $1 million in grant money from the state Department of Environmental Protection to help the city build a skate park at the old Amtico Square site … Vaughn didn't like the idea. 'We are the oversight. A fiscal monitor is not going to take my powers. ... Stop voting yes, yes, yes, like we're puppets,' she told colleagues."

CAMDEN RISING — "Supermarket loss for Camden might be temporary, officials say," by The Courier-Post's Jim Walsh: "One of the few supermarkets in a city considered a food desert has closed its doors. But officials say a new operator is expected to take over the former site of a Price Rite market on the 2700 block of Mount Ephraim Avenue. 'We know the importance of making sure residents have access to a supermarket,' said Vince Basara, a spokesman for Mayor Vic Carstarphen. A Save A Lot market is planning to expand to the former Price Rite from a smaller store across Mount Ephraim Avenue, said Kris Kolluri, who is coordinating the city's revival efforts as CEO of Cooper's Ferry Partnership. Representatives of Save A Lot and the Price Rite's operator, Ravitz Family Markets of Cherry Hill., could not be reached Friday evening. It was not immediately known when the Price Rite closed."

ATLANTIC CITY: PIONEERING WAYS TO THROW MONEY AWAY —"Atlantic City embraces esports, recognizing the potential economic and social benefits for the resort," by The Press of Atlantic City's Ahmad Austin: "Thanks to decades of casino gaming experience, and legislation to permit its expansion into esports, Atlantic City could soon set the bar on esports betting. 'When you look where we are today, for the future, there's really only two states right now that have any infrastructure to support the expansion of esports into a gambling environment: New Jersey and Nevada,' New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Director David Rebuck said during a recent panel discussion with industry leaders. 'And Nevada is behind us because they're talking about creating an esports commission to regulate esports. Well, we don't need it. We already have it. We have a system in play in New Jersey by law. Our sports wagering act very clearly allows esports as a sporting event.'"

—"Glassware, CBD, fashion and more. Atlantic City hotel hosts celebration of cannabis"

—" Oakland council overrides mayor's veto of ordinance banning all marijuana businesses"

—"Jews in Fort Lee high-rise say Sabbath elevator was shut down to drive them out"

—" Hoboken Mayor Bhalla kicks off re-election bid in front of big crowd at Pilsener Haus"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

GO SEE KID ROCK OR SOMETHING — "Bruce Springsteen on Broadway: Anti-vaccine protesters demonstrate outside show," by The Asbury Park Press' Chris Jordan: "About three dozen, vocal, anti-vaccine protesters were also outside the theater on Saturday evening. They voiced displeasure that the show is seating only fans who have been vaccinated from the novel coronavirus. 'I think we learned in the '60s that segregating people isn't right,' said a female protester holding a sign that read 'Bruce Springsteen is for Segregation on Broadway.' She declined to give her name. 'You can't segregate a crowd for medical choices. Are you going to start separating people who have AIDS or hepatitis?' A man in a pink bandana and bullhorn said, 'Welcome to Nazi Germany.'"

MORE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT UFOS THAN BUDGET RESOLUTIONS — "The truth is out there? UFOs reported over skies in New Jersey," by The Asbury Park Press' Erik Larsen: "On Oct. 8, 2019, three witnesses reported seeing the same odd thing flying over the skies in Colts Neck. A glowing moving object, first white, then emerald green was seen by one witness over Route 18, before it shot away at a fast speed. Another white object was spotted by a different driver moving above Naval Weapons Station Earle, before it too sped away. And a third motorist that night reported seeing a bright green object near Colts Neck High School on Route 537 before it too, disappeared. What was it that these three witnesses saw, and reported to the National UFO Reporting Center, in the skies over Colts Neck that night? And what can explain the more than two dozen incidents reported over New Jersey in 2021 alone? The truth may well be out there, but for now the mystery remains."

WAIT A SECOND. MARKETS GO UP … AND DOWN? — "The $1 million gamble Everyone knows N.J.'s wild real estate ride is coming to an end. The only question is how quickly?" by NJ Advance Media's Adam Clark: "Though New Jersey's bonkers market has delivered eye-popping sales for more than a year — the state's average home transaction increased $123,727 compared to last spring — the past few weeks have been undeniably slower. Sellers are getting nervous. Buyers feel hopeless. And realtors aren't quite sure how quickly the market is shifting beneath their feet. The overheated market created sky-high expectations, especially in Essex County's affluent suburbs. It's an exclusive world of $1 million budgets and neighbors you can look up on Wikipedia, where zip codes are a status symbol to be bought and sold like commodities. But miss the wave by a matter of weeks in Glen Ridge? Your home price just dropped by hundreds of thousands of dollars."

—"L.A. man arrested after taking over woman's New Jersey home, authorities say"

—"Extremists tried to take over N.J. woman's home. She's not alone"

—"Ch-check it out: Beastie Boys' Ad-Rock lists lakefront home in West Milford"

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