News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: N.J. kicking in for Jersey City's Pompidou Center

Thursday, June 24, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: N.J. kicking in for Jersey City's Pompidou Center

Jun 24, 2021

Presented by PhRMA

Good Thursday morning!

A few weeks ago, Gov. Murphy stood with Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop to announce — after, of course, The New York Times got a first look for its affluent readers — that Paris' famed Pompidou Center would open a branch in, of all places, Jersey City.

It was a big deal for the state and the city, no doubt. But it became a little more apparent why Jersey City was so attractive to the Parisians when it became clear that Jersey City would be picking up a big tab.

But things are looking a little better for Jersey City's price in all this , thanks to the state of New Jersey. Buried in the budget is a $24 million appropriation for a "Jersey City Art Museum Project." That's the only art museum project in Jersey City.

That's one of the biggest "Christmas tree" items, known better elsewhere in the country as "pork," in the budget that's slated for passage. But it's far from the only one. Read more about some of the other hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Christmas tree items from NJ Advance Media's Samantha Marcus and Susan K. Livio, or check out this document for some details on others.

WHERE'S MURPHY — In New Brunswick at 11 a.m. for the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Cancer Pavilion groundbreaking.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Our reputation throughout the world is having the most incarcerations per capita, which has debased and bastardized our Americanism more than anything else. I don't think that there's anything that equals what we've done in this country, in terms of incarcerating individuals to marginalize them, to weaken their family structure, just to establish a false sense of security and superiority for other people." — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman on the war on drugs

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: State Sen. Kristin Corrado, Assemblymember Sterley Stanley, former Rep. Herbert Klein, former Assemblymember Bruce Land, former Rep. Herbert Klein, GOP consultant Ed Traz

A message from PhRMA:

America's unique R&D ecosystem delivered multiple COVID-19 medical breakthroughs in record-breaking time. As we continue our work to help end the pandemic, we are committed to common sense policy changes that will improve our health care system for everyone. Unfortunately, some legislators want to enact changes with price control policies that could threaten access to medicines today and new treatments in the future. Tell New Jersey lawmakers: don't take our state's success stories for granted.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

NEXT TIME WE'LL WRITE ABOUT WHAT WE GUESS IS IN THE BUDGET AND CONFIRM IT LATER — Murphy open to 'window' to limit fast-tracked bills amid outage over budget process, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: With a $46.4 billion state budget bill scheduled for final passage less than 48 hours after it was published online, Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday he'd be open to a mandatory "window" that would give the public more time to review bills as they move through the legislative process. "That's something I'd welcome the opportunity to talk to the legislative leadership about," Murphy said during his regular Covid-19 briefing. "We have talked about it. I think that would be a potentially good step." … Former Assemblymember Jack Ciattarelli, Murphy's Republican opponent in the upcoming election, condemned the rushed budget process and said that if he becomes governor, he will veto any bill sent to his desk that has not been made public for at least one week."

FLASHBACK — "Proposed constitutional amendment would require committee hearings for all bills"

— " Republican lawmakers criticize Democrats for speed of state budget process"

— More money for gubernatorial, legislative support staffing included in state budget

IF MURPHY HAS QUESTIONS HE CAN ASK ASA — " Arkansas, New Jersey governors to head National Governors Association," by The Hill's Reid Wilson: "Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) will run the National Governors Association for the next year after a vote by their peers on Wednesday. Hutchinson, currently the group's vice chairman, will take over from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) as the incoming chairman. Murphy will become the NGA's vice chairman, and next in line to oversee the organization the following year … 'I look forward to working even closer with Gov. Murphy as he becomes Vice Chair of the National Governors Association,' Hutchinson said in a statement to The Hill. 'Gov. Murphy showed a steady hand of leadership during the pandemic and has proven he can work across the aisle to get things done.'"

JOE: SAY IT AIN'T SO — "Sweeney's gift for unions would drive up property taxes," by The Star-Ledger's Tom Moran: "Among the tidal wave of bills gushing through the Legislature this week is one that is almost certain to increase your property taxes by giving public union workers more leverage during contract talks. You might suspect Gov. Phil Murphy was behind it, given his love affair with the unions. But no. The shock is that this assault on the beleaguered taxpayers of New Jersey is mostly the work of Senate President Steve Sweeney, the guy who has done more than anyone in Trenton, governors included, to contain public costs over the last two decades. It's a reverse-course that has his old friends in a state of shock, pleading with him to come home. 'I can't believe Steve is doing this,' says Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, who risked his Democratic neck to support Sweeney's tough pension and health reforms in 2011."

0.43 MASTROS — State budget sets aside $3.5M for legislative and congressional redistricting, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: New Jersey plans to budget $3.5 million for two of the most politically-important processes of the decade. The fiscal year 2022 budget, which the Legislature is expected to pass and send to Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday, sets aside $2 million for state legislative redistricting, formally known as apportionment, and $1.5 million for congressional redistricting. That's a significant increase in funding for state legislative redistricting from 10 years ago, when just under $1.3 million was allocated, according to the state Department of Treasury. But it's a decrease compared to 10 years ago for congressional redistricting, which received $1.8 million in 2011. There could be more money pouring into the process — just not from state coffers — if the two major political parties raise money independently to supplement their efforts.

VOTING RIGHTS — "Millions of people with felonies can now vote after widespread reform. Most don't know it," by The Marshall Project's Nicole Lewis and Andrew R. Calderon: "Only a fraction of the thousands of formerly incarcerated people whose voting rights were restored in time for the 2020 election made it back on to the voter rolls in four key states – Nevada, Kentucky, Iowa and New Jersey, a Marshall Project analysis found … in New Jersey, 83 of the roughly 2,000 people released from prison in 2019 made it back onto the voter rolls … Lack of information hobbles registration efforts. None of the states we examined required automatic notification of the newly eligible voters. Because the corrections department and probation and parole offices interact with many of them, those departments could send letters to people in their custody, organizers said, or provide voter registration applications with their orientation paperwork. 'When you get a law passed, the hardest part is getting people to implement it,' said Pierce, who is on parole in New Jersey."

BUYING VOTES — "Governor's name could appear on homestead, tax rebate checks this year," by New Jersey Globe's Nikita Biryukov: "Gov. Phil Murphy's name may appear on tax rebate checks homeowners and New Jerseyans with dependents are set to receive under tax relief provisions in the coming fiscal year's budget. 'Names on the checks, I don't know if we've made that call yet, so stay tuned on that one,' Murphy said at yesterday's virus briefing. There's historical precedent for politicians' names appearing on checks, though the practice clearly blurs lines between governmental and political practices, especially in election years."

READING A BILL IS NOT FUNDAMENTAL — " Lawmakers rush through sprawling tax break clean-up bill," by NJBiz's Daniel J. Munoz: "State lawmakers approved the bill in a party vote during the June 22 Assembly Budget Committee hearing, even though a copy of the 197-page bill was not available to the public. It was later approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. 'There's no language on the website for the bill … how do we vote on something that the public doesn't have an opportunity to comment on,' said Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, R-13th District. 'I just don't understand how we're running this government.' The 197-page bill is one of the first 'clean-up' bills for the sprawling $14.5 billion economic incentive package, meant to chart the state's COVID-19 economic recovery over the next decade."

— National group petitions U.S. Supreme Court in New Jersey teachers' lawsuit over union dues

— "Lawmakers wanted $50M to fix N.J. unemployment system, but budget calls for $17M"

— "N.J. eviction moratorium would end for families making above certain amount under bill"

— "Biz orgs: New budget could, but does nothing to, stave off July 1 tax hikes"

— "N.J.'s college savings plan is one of the worst in the nation. It's about to get way better, state says"

— "Butler picked to lead Casino Reinvestment Development Authority"

"THE WOMEN REOPENING AMERICA" – HAPPENING TODAY: With more than 100 million people vaccinated against Covid-19, a strengthening economy and relaxed Covid restrictions on businesses and public gatherings, America is on a path to fully reopening. What policies and systemic changes can help women recover from the disproportionate impact of the pandemic? Join today for a "Women Rule" conversation with leading women who are playing a pivotal role in determining what normal will look like for business, politics, schools and the workplace. REGISTER HERE.

BIDEN TIME

THEIR REPUTATIONS WERE MARRED LONG AGO — "Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner distance themselves from the former President and his constant complaints," by CNN's Kate Bennett and Gabby Orr : "Sometimes the former President complains for several hours about the 'stolen' 2020 election. Other times, his frustrations emerge in fits and starts — more likely when he is discussing his hopeful return to national politics. And while he often has a rotating audience of cheering listeners, the gap between Trump and his daughter and son-in-law grows wider by the week, according to 12 former Trump White House officials, former administration officials, family friends, acquaintances and members of Trump's team who spoke with CNN about changes to the former President's current inner circle …

"A person familiar with Kushner says there were visits from the Kushner/Trump family to Mar-a-Lago before Trump's move North, but they were sparse, averaging once every three to four weeks … Kushner is not helping Trump cook up plans for a rally later this month, nor is he intensely involved with the former President's endorsement decisions or frequent public statements, which, sans a social media presence, come via news releases from Trump's leadership PAC, Save America — again, something Kushner has veered away from."

— "Cardinal Tobin warns against 'toxic partisan strife' of denying Biden Communion"

— "Trump voter's anti-Biden signs spark free speech fight. Experts say the law backs him"

— "Despite scrutiny, Malinowski missed June stock trade disclosure deadline"

LOCAL

BLOOMFIELD — "Videos raise questions about police shooting in Bloomfield," by News 12's Walt Kane : "Footage from police cameras and cell phones raise questions about Bloomfield Police's version of an incident in which officers shot and injured a motorist during a traffic stop last November. Bloomfield Police said officers shot Jeffrey Sutton in the arm after he struck four officers with his car and injured them. But cell phone video does not appear to show Sutton making contact with any officer. Police footage shows all four, after the incident, seemingly unhurt, and when a dispatcher asks repeatedly if anyone needs medical assistance, no one replies. Civil rights attorney Michael Poreda tells Kane In Your Corner the police complaint is inaccurate because, 'It talks about how police officers were injured and that he targeted them with this car and you can see in the video that didn't happen.'"

MR. BURNS DID IT BETTER — "Paterson teachers' union chief: Snub 'educator appreciation' event," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "The president of Paterson's teachers' union is urging his members not to attend an "educator appreciation" event being hosted on Friday afternoon by five members of the city school board. This is latest skirmish in the ongoing battle over whether Paterson schools have enough safety measures to protect staff members against COVID-19. The board members — including the president Kenneth Simmons — recently distributed a flier that invites city educators to the Bonfire banquet hall on Market Street for complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Organizers said attendees also would get free beer and wine, with entertainment provided by a DJ. But Paterson Education Association President John McEntee Jr. sent his members a message on Wednesday morning calling the event an 'inappropriate' attempt by the board members to 'pacify our membership for the price of appetizers and a few alcoholic drinks.'"

CAUGHT IN THE ELITE SPIDER WEB — "Sources: AG investigators still pursuing case over secret failed Trenton Wire Works deal," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "Investigators from the state Attorney General's Office appear to be digging into a case that Mercer County prosecutors closed out months ago. Sources told The Trentonian that investigators want to interview council members who were present for a virtual pitch that a shady businessman gave to legislators last year about buying the Roebling Wire Works building. Council president Kathy McBride was surprised to hear about the latest development when asked over text whether she was interviewed by officials from the AG's office. 'For what?' she asked, before clamming up when told the probe was focused on the blown-up deal with Elite Spiders President John Liu. 'No information about this. Please contact the AG's Office.'"

IF OUTDOOR SMOKING LOUNGES ARE HIDDEN FROM SIGHT, NOSELESS PEOPLE WON'T KNOW THEY'RE THERE — "Jersey City Planning Board passes legal cannabis zoning that allows consumption lounges," by Hudson County View's Daniel Ulloa: "The Jersey City Planning Board unanimously approved (7-0) a cannabis zoning ordinance that would permit various businesses within the city limits, including consumption lounges, only ruling out delivery company headquarters … Atlantic City is the only other municipality in New Jersey open to permitting consumption lounges, which must be based at a dispensary … outdoor lounges must be fenced in to be hidden from public view, while outdoor roof lounges need to have a 50 foot buffer from any window on an adjacent building."

— " New Montclair law: Single-occupancy bathrooms must be gender-neutral, even in businesses"

— "More charges due as Cape May City councilman remains in jail"

— " New Brunswick poised to fully embrace marijuana businesses. Here's how"

— "Split Red Bank Democrats forced together by voters"

— " Bayonne Mayor Davis re-elected to another term as Dem committee chair, Martinez new vice chair"

— "Op-Ed: Camden aims to put more teachers of color in the classroom"

— " Suspended Wyckoff principal wants to be reinstated 'now,' his lawyer says in letter"

— "Toms River mayor wants to ask voters for open space tax increase"

— " Point Pleasant Beach, NJ can't find workers to pick trash for $24 an hour"

— "Morris Canal development group president files to run for Jersey City council-at-large"

— " N.J. faces its worst blood shortage in decades. Here's what's at stake"

— "Isley Brothers to be honored with street renaming in 2 N.J. towns they called home during heyday"

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.

EVERYTHING ELSE

BODY CAMS — "Many reluctant police in NJ are changing their minds about wearing body cameras. Here's why," by The Record's Steve Janoski: "When Wallington Police Chief Carmello Imbruglia first brought body cameras to his 22-officer department about four years ago, the officers were less than thrilled … Imbruglia moved ahead anyway. And when members of the public lodged demeanor complaints against Wallington officers, the chief invited them to watch the bodycam footage with his staff. Often, their grievances melted away. And the rank and file slowly changed their tune. Now, Imbruglia says his officers won't leave headquarters without a camera strapped to their chest. It's an oft-told story throughout the Garden State, which has mandated that every uniformed patrol officer wear the devices as of June 1.

"But even as bodycams' popularity soars — both among chiefs who say the recordings clear their officers and among transparency advocates who say they are critical to police accountability — there are still sharp disagreements about the rules governing their use. One such dispute exploded in Trenton this week, as state lawmakers sought to fast-track a bill that would let officers review their bodycam footage before they write their incident reports in most cases."

A message from PhRMA:

America's unique R&D ecosystem delivered multiple COVID-19 medical breakthroughs in record-breaking time. As we continue our work to help end the pandemic—from researching variants to seeking additional therapeutics—we are committed to common sense policy changes that will improve our health care system for everyone.

Unfortunately, some New Jersey legislators want to enact changes with price control policies, such as A2418, that could threaten access to medicines today and new treatments and cures in the future. Instead of ramming through sweeping changes that upend our system without addressing the broader challenges facing New Jersey patients, let's work together to end COVID-19, strengthen the health care system and make health care—including medicines—more affordable. Tell New Jersey lawmakers: don't take our state's success stories for granted.