News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Police unions haven't lost clout in Trenton

Friday, June 25, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Police unions haven't lost clout in Trenton

Jun 25, 2021

Presented by PhRMA

A year after George Floyd's death sparked protests and riots across the country, it seems police unions haven't lost much power in Trenton.

Yesterday, the Senate and Assembly easily passed a police union-backed bill to allow officers to view body camera footage before writing incident reports. The ACLU and public defenders are among the groups that didn't like this, since they think it will make it harder to gauge the officers' state of mind and memory at the time of the encounter.

Meanwhile, criminal justice reform advocates have watched bill after bill stall or fail to get off the ground, from subpoena-powered community police review boards to internal affairs file disclosures to police residency requirements.

Read more about it here.

WHERE'S MURPHY?: No public schedule

QUOTE OF THE DAY #1: "Twelve and a half minutes. That's the amount of time state senators spent Tuesday debating New Jersey's $46 billion state budget — the post-pandemic spending plan that largely ignores major governmental needs laid bare by the COVID-19 crisis. That's slightly less than the length of halftime of an NBA game. You can brew a pot of coffee in roughly that time. And 12 1/2 minutes is slightly faster than my inglorious moment in track and field as a last-minute replacement in a two-mile race against Wildwood High School in 1977 (15 minutes and I came in next to last.)" — The Record's Charles Stile

QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: "All proposed changes to the budget, as well as the author of each change, will be published at least 14 days prior to consideration of the appropriations bill by the Senate." —New Jersey Senate Democrats' press release from 2007 on "Christmas tree" budget item reforms. (They're not available.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Former U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, Attorney Henry Klingeman. Saturday for Rutgers Professor Ross K. Baker, state Sen. Chirsotpher Connors, B4K's Shelley Skinner . Sunday for attorney Gail Gordon, MWW's Scarlett Rajski Martin, Dental Assoc's Jim Schulz

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

SO MUCH PORK LEGISLATORS MAY SOON VOTE FROM CAGES — Legislature sends $46.4B budget bill to Murphy after party-line votes in both chambers, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan: The Democrat-controlled state Legislature, in a pair of party-line votes Thursday, passed and sent to Gov. Phil Murphy a $46.4 billion budget bill for fiscal year 2022 that includes tax relief for hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents, a massive contribution to the state's pension system and billions of dollars to help reduce debt. The Senate approved the bill, 25-15, after about an hour of debate during which Democrats — all of whom voted in favor — defended the plan. Republicans, who all voted "no," argued it doesn't do enough to help New Jerseyans. About two hours later, the Assembly approved the measure, 49-26, also along party lines. The debate in the lower house was similar to that in the Senate. The bill now sits on Gov. Phil Murphy's desk. The governor has not indicated when he will act, but he's expected to sign it, as is, well before the June 30 deadline.

—"N.J.'s huge budget was greased to go. That angered groups who said they were left out"

— "In spending rush, lawmakers find time and money for pet projects."

REMEMBER WHEN THE 2017 RACE WAS GOING TO BE SWEENEY VS. FULOP? — "Norcross, Sweeney meet with Hudson legislators in early stages of 2025 gubernatorial campaign," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein : "The race for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2025 has begun, with Senate President Steve Sweeney and Democratic powerbroker George Norcross travelling to Hudson County on Wednesday for a private meeting with legislators. Sweeney didn't come close to making an announcement, but Norcross repeated the same message to most of the people in the room: 'Let's keep the lines of communication open.' 'It's all about running for governor,' said one lawmaker who was present. 'They're planning early.' While the gathering was billed as a social meeting with no formal agenda, Norcross told several legislators that he would not back Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop for governor and openly bashed Fulop's potential candidacy."

SWEENEY'S 2025 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY PLATFORM — "Despite surge in gun violence, Democratic lawmakers In N.J. ignore Murphy's call for more gun control," by WNYC's Matt Katz : "Gun violence is plaguing the Garden State. State police data shows that the first five months of 2021 saw a 45% increase in shooting victims compared to the same period in 2018. Last year, the capital city, Trenton, reported a record-setting 40 homicides. A mass shooting in a rural part of South Jersey last month left three people dead and 11 injured, but no arrests on murder charges. So what are New Jersey lawmakers doing about gun control? Just about nothing at all. In April, Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, made a public push for eight gun control measures. But the Democratic-controlled legislature didn't do anything in response. Two bills in his package—a requirement for firearm safety training to get a gun permit and a mandate to store firearms in locked containers— passed the state Assembly two years ago but haven't gotten out of a state Senate committee. Senate President Stephen Sweeney, whose power base is in more pro-gun South Jersey, declined comment."

ICED OUT — Bill that would end detention contracts with ICE heads to Murphy, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: The state Senate on Thursday passed legislation that would bar public and private entities in New Jersey from contracting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold immigrant detainees. The bill, NJ S3361 (20R), passed, 23-15, and now heads to Gov. Phil Murphy's desk. The Assembly approved the measure, 46-24, earlier this week. If the measure becomes law, it would wipe out ICE's once-strong foothold in the state, barring private, state and local entities from entering into contracts to hold civil immigration detainees in their jails. It would also bar renewing or extending existing contracts. All existing contract holders have already taken steps to wind down their immigrant detainee populations.

—Assisted living, personal care services get funding boost in New Jersey's FY 2022 budget

—Port Authority approves $80M for planning work needed for new bus terminal

—"'Deliver the Middle': Zisa targets Lagana with Garcia"

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

—"N.J. could soon ban new cosmetics that are developed or tested on animals"

—"Murphy intends to again veto mandatory minimums bill over weaker penalties for public corruption, officials say"

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BIDEN TIME

ALFRED E. MURDOCH: 'WHAT, ME WWORY?' — "Menendez, Booker, & Pascrell unveil new legislation to ensure WWOR-TV provides local news," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "The Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act would require Section 331 licensee holders, like WWOR-TV, to broadcast local news programming, consult with local leaders, and make it easier for the public to participate in the license renewal process. 'Holding an FCC broadcast license is a privilege — not a right — but one that in turn requires the television station holding that license to provide meaningful local news coverage,' Menendez began in a statement. 'WWOR has failed at every turn to deliver for New Jerseyans and … ensuring a well-informed citizenry is a prerequisite for any healthy democracy. Our bill gives the FCC more teeth to go after stations, like WWOR, force them to live up to their obligations, and hold them accountable to the people and communities they are licensed to serve.' The bill would requite that WWOR broadcast at least 14 hours of localized programming during primetime hours, file with the FCC a quarterly disclosure of all local programming, — including a separate list of particularized local content — and consult with local leaders in the market served by the station."

SALEM IDIOT TRIALS — " Salem County man accused of participating in U.S. Capitol riot, assaulting officers," by The Courier-Post's Jim Walsh: "A man with South Jersey ties is accused of assaulting federal officers as part of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Brian Glenn Bingham, 35, 'appeared to throw a punch or a shove' as an officer tried to remove him from the building during the riot, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. It alleges video from an officer's body-worn camera shows Bingham shouting: 'You won't hurt Antifa but you'll murder innocent girls!' and 'Where do you want me to move? Push me again!' Bingham is a resident of Port Charlotte, Florida, but also has an address in Pennsville, Salem County, the federal prosecutor's office said."

—"Judicial nominee O'Hearn described as 'Jersey through and through'"

LOCAL

HE'S ALL SHOOK UP — "DeGise restraining order trial: Hudson County sheriff wanted to 'chase out' peaceful protestors," by The Jersey Journal's Mark Rotundo: "Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari looked for ways to 'chase out' peaceful, law-abiding protestors from in front of County Executive Tom DeGise's Jersey City home late last year, Schillari testified Thursday. The testimony in Hudson County Superior Court was part of a trial to make a temporary restraining order permanent against a group demonstrating against the 10-year renewal a county jail contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) … Schillari testified he was in close contact with DeGise while protests occurred in front of the county executive's New York Avenue property Dec. 3-7. Along with testimony, recordings of calls between Schillari and officers at the scene were played. In testimony, Schillari said DeGise was 'shook up and couldn't leave the house' and that his officers were there to 'protect the whole neighborhood,' because the protesters 'disturbed everybody's life with the noise' … In another recording, Schillari says DeGise is frustrated that officers were sitting in their vehicles doing 'nothing' about the protesters."

TRENTON FAMILIES TO POOL MONEY TO PURCHASE 1.5 MASTRO REPORTS — " N.J. mayor proposes $500 stimulus payments for every household in city," by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman: "Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora wants to send the city's more than 28,000 households a $500 stimulus payment as the capital city recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. The money — $15 million — would come from the $72,913,998 Trenton is receiving from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan, according to a proposal that details how the city would spend its share of $390 billion being sent to municipalities across the country."

IF ONLY HE COULD HAVE WATCHED THE VIDEO BEFORE WRITING THE REPORT — "Body camera video shows alleged assault that led to Paterson cop's arrest," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "City officials released a police body camera video Wednesday evening that shows a Paterson cop hit a man in the face in what appears to be an unprovoked attack and later knee him in the face while the man was handcuffed and sitting down. Authorities said the recording captures the May 26 events that resulted in veteran Paterson police officer Spencer Finch being arrested on June 11 and charged with four crimes, including official misconduct, assault and trying to cover up his alleged wrongdoing by filing a false police report. The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office cited the body camera video as evidence in filing thee charges against Finch, a 44-year-old Mahwah resident who has been a member of the Paterson police department since 2003. The first two minutes of the video, recorded by an officer whose name has not been made public, show the man who later was attacked talking on his cellphone and appearing upset in what seems to be a domestic dispute. The officer whose body camera is filming stands back from the man without intervening."

THE MONTCLAIR KRAKEN HAS FANCY COFFEES AND CRITICAL RACE THEORY BOOKS IN ITS TENTACLES —" Montclair district had zero GOP votes counted in June primary, candidate claims in suit," by The Record's Kaitlyn Kanzler: "A Republican candidate for Essex County sheriff has filed a complaint against Dominion Voting Systems and several Essex County officials, claiming no votes for her or any other Republican candidates were recorded in a Montclair voting district. The petition was filed in Superior Court's chancery division on June 22 by Maureen Edelson. ... Edelson faced off against Nicholas Pansini in the June 8 primary, receiving 1,498 votes to Pansini's 6,049, according to the official results on the Essex County Elections page. The page shows no votes for Pansini or Edelson for the 3rd Ward's 4th district. In her complaint, Edelson claims that her husband and at least one other supporter voted for her in Montclair's 3rd Ward, District 4, in addition to her own vote for herself and other Republican candidates. Edelson's husband, Todd, and supporter Adriana Smyth signed certifications stating they voted for her for sheriff. 'However, the Essex County Clerk and Dominion Voting Systems through the Essex County Clerk, report that no votes were cast in her name,' the court filing reads."

HOW TO BRING MORE ATTENTION TO A SPEECH— " NJ high school valedictorian cut off during speech about LGBTQ identity," by NBC 10's Cydney Long and Hannah Gross: "A New Jersey high school valedictorian said he was censored while delivering his speech at graduation, calling the interruption a direct attack on his sexuality and victory over mental health challenges. Bryce Dershem graduated from Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees, New Jersey on June 17. His microphone was cut off during his speech, which touched on his personal experiences with coming out, mental illness and disordered eating. 'After I came out as queer freshman year, I felt so alone. I didn't know who to turn to,' Dershem said before his microphone was cut off. The school principal walked up to the podium to take Dershem's microphone and his written copy of the speech, according to video ... Robert Cloutier, Eastern Camden County Regional School District superintendent, wrote in an email to NBC10 that graduation speeches are expected to connect the speaker's educational experiences to an inclusive message about the future of all students in the graduating class and their guests."

SOMEONE IS VERY LUCKY LOCALS DIDN'T CATCH HIM IN THE ACT — "George Floyd statue at Newark City hall defaced one week after unveiling," by TAPIntoNewark's Tom Wiedmann and Mark J. Bonamo: "A 700-pound bronze statue of George Floyd unveiled last week near the steps of Newark City Hall was defaced late [Wednesday] night, authorities said. Before 6 a.m. [Thursday], police reported that a sergeant in the area of City Hall noticed the statue of Floyd was defaced with graffiti. The face of the statue was also painted black, and in white paint on the torso of the statue were the words: 'LIFE…LIBERTY VICTORY PATRIOTFRONT.US.' According to Southern Poverty Law Center, Patriot Front is 'an image-obsessed organization that rehabilitated the explicitly fascist agenda of Vanguard America with garish patriotism.'"

—"Camden teachers are getting a 15% raise in their new contract"

—"[Caldwell] Police lieutenant who claimed supervisors called him racial slurs settles lawsuit for $375K"

—"NJ labor shortage: How Monmouth, Ocean businesses stay alive when they can't find workers"

—"What makes a home? New APP reporter to cover affordable housing along the Jersey Shore"

—"Fort Lee puts principal on leave as it investigates complaint"

—"Neptune teachers in contract dispute, sparking online accusations"

—" Palmieri condemns Washington councilwoman over Juneteenth comments"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

—"Silent no more, these NJ moms turned an anti-Asian slur into a movement"

—" Lakewood, NJ couple among missing in Florida building collapse"

—Brent Johnson: "An ode to my favorite N.J. record shop, before it closes forever"

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.