News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Time for some NYC mayoral candidate problems in Fort Lee

Friday, June 11, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Time for some NYC mayoral candidate problems in Fort Lee

Jun 11, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Friday morning!

My cross-river colleagues at POLITICO in New York broke the story on whether top-tier New York City mayoral candidate Eric Adams actually lives in New Jersey.

That's been the question consuming the mayoral race for the last few days, as Adams has been spending most of his nights at his Brooklyn office, but it's been unclear where he lives at other times. He owns a co-op in Fort Lee with his longtime partner, along with other properties in the city.

If you've been following New Jersey politics for a while now, this will seem familiar to you. There were always questions about whether the late senator, Frank Lautenberg, truly lived in his condo in neighboring Cliffside Park when not in Washington, or whether he lived at his wife's New York City apartment.

After Lautenberg voted the last time he was up for election, in 2008, I asked him if he had spent the night in Cliffside Park. Lautenberg offered to show me his dirty sheets.

I took his word for it.

Anyway, New Jersey already has the best pizza in New York, so it follows it should have the mayor as well. And if you want your daily dose of rage early, read this quote from NYC mayoral candidate Scott Stringer.

WHERE'S MURPHY?: In Kearny at noon for a NJ Transit new engineer ceremony, then in Irvington at 1:30 p.m. for a vaccine event

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "My campaign was outspent, outmanned, outmaneuvered and outright done wrong through suppression and intimidation tactics akin to gang 'Affiliated' mobsters and actors rather than neighbors, citizens and or elected officials." — Camden Councilmember and former mayoral candidate Felicia Reyes-Morton

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Senate Prez Steve Sweeney, GSE founder Steven Goldstein, MWW's Marhall Spevak, comedian Joey Novick. Sunday for Assemblymember John Armato, Hunterdon Clerk Mary Melfi , former Christie aide Matt Mowers.

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

Thanks, Governor and Legislature! Pre-k expansion funding's been in every recent state budget! Working families in 150+ school districts have pre-k expansion – but families in 110+ districts still wait. They're waiting in rural, suburban and suburban communities – from east to west, north to south. Continue substantial pre-k expansion THIS YEAR! Visit prekourway.org

WHAT TRENTON MADE

THE PEOPLE DEMAND IT BE SPENT ON OVER 1,000 REPORTS BY RANDY MASTRO — "NJ has an extra $10 billion. The question is what to do with it," by NJ Spotlight's John Reitmeyer: "It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will agree with how the administration plans to deploy the expected windfall, including to pad reserves and prepare for the next rainy day, instead of investing more in things like aid to schools and property-tax relief or the paying down of debt. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) and Budget Committee Chair Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Essex) were still reviewing the revenue update on Wednesday, said Cecilia Williams, a spokeswoman for the speaker. 'It is imperative that we produce a budget that reflects our shared priorities and protects our most vulnerable as well as all of New Jersey's working-class residents,' Williams said. Also still up for discussion as the governor and lawmakers reach the stretch drive for coming up with a new budget is what New Jersey is going to do with more than $6 billion in COVID-19 relief provided through the federal American Rescue Plan Act that President Joe Biden enacted earlier this year. Murphy, a first-term Democrat who faces reelection this fall, has yet to provide specifics on how he would like to use that money."

—" N.J. stimulus checks? You should get cash from state's $5.2B tax windfall, Republicans say," by NJ Advance Media's Samantha Marcus: "Republican state senators said Thursday that New Jersey ought to return some of its $5.2 billion tax revenue windfall to taxpayers through tax rebates and expanded property tax relief. The call for direct tax relief comes a day after state Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio announced tax collections are on track to come in a stunning $4.1 billion higher than expected in the fiscal year that ends June 30 and another $1.1 billion in the next … 'The estimates on what the revenue was going to be were grossly underestimated ... and now we are faced with the situation we have a lot more money than we had anticipated and it's time to give it back to the taxpayers to help reduce their taxes and take care of so many outstanding needs out there,' said state Sen. Samuel Thompson, R-Middlesex, who was joined by Republicans on the Senate's Budget and Appropriations Committee."

VETERANS HOMES — Democrats introduce bills to reform veterans homes where Covid-19 outbreaks surged, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: New Jersey Democrats have introduced a package of bills designed to reform communication and oversight at three state-run veterans homes that played host to the deadliest outbreaks of the Covid-19 pandemic. At least eight bills, four of which are sponsored by Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), were proposed for introduction last week and require the facilities to provide greater transparency to residents and family members about developments at the homes, where more than 200 people are believed to have died from the virus. Other measures would require Department of Military and Veterans Affairs officials with oversight of the facilities to have a clinical background and provide regular updates to the state Department of Health.

$ — Hugin likely to be next Republican state chair, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Bob Hugin, a former pharmaceutical executive who was New Jersey's GOP nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018, is the likely next chair of State Republican Committee, POLITICO has confirmed. Hugin made his interest in the post official on Thursday — the deadline to submit a letter of intent with the committee. Candidates have until 5 p.m. to put their names in the running. So far no others have, according to two sources with knowledge of the process. "With the support of our party's nominee for Governor, Jack Ciattarelli, I intend to run for the Chairmanship of the New Jersey Republican State Committee at the June 15, 2021 reorganization meeting," Hugin wrote.

BETTYLOSE — "DeCroce in defeat: 'NJ has changed, and not for the good of the people of NJ," by InsiderNJ's Max Pizarro: "In an interview today, [Betty Lou] DeCroce attributed her defeat to a number of factors, including low voter turnout, the fact that she didn't get the line in Morris County, bullet-voting, the negative never-ever land attacks against her, and the presence in the Republican Primary of Commissioner Tom Mastraneglo, who drained votes from her … Politically, the assemblywoman faced the dual challenge of a Democratic Party fat with power on the one side, and a GOP ravenous with anarchy on the other, while she tried to serve her district as a moderate, work-with-the-Democrats Republican in the center. It proved her undoing in this environment, and she mulled the question hard not 24 hours after her defeat. 'I can't give you a clear answer on how can a moderate can even survive and try to get some things done' DeCroce said."

THE PRINCE OF LINWOOD — "After five campaigns in four years, does Singh have any political future?" by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Two years ago, Atlantic County Republicans offered Hirsh Singh what looked like the break of a lifetime for a young Republican aspiring to hold public office: a chance to run for State Assembly in a politically competitive district. Singh turned it down, three party insiders told the New Jersey Globe. He said the state legislature was beneath him and that he was destined for greater things than holding local office. After running for office five times in four years and never making it to a general election, Singh's third-place finish in Tuesday's Republican gubernatorial primary has left the 36-year-old Peter Pan-like candidate's fledgling political career in shatters and potentially no path to ever win public office."

PINING FOR THEM — "Gov. Murphy and Sweeney need to work together for the benefit of the Pinelands," by Tom Kean Sr. for The Star-Ledger : "Two well-qualified individuals stand waiting to be confirmed by the state Senate. Yet for three years the Pinelands Commission has been disabled by the failure of the New Jersey Senate even to bring to a vote, much less to confirm, the governor's nominees to fill positions on the commission. (Two more nominees are being blocked by their own senators — Senators Dawn Marie Addiego and Mike Testa — through the practice of 'Senatorial Courtesy.') It is the responsibility of Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney and all the senators to resolve this impasse for the sake of the residents, businesses and natural resources of the Pinelands."

SURVEY SAYS…. — "NJ may drop need for parent permission for student health surveys," by NJ 101.5's Michael Symons: "Schools wouldn't need permission from parents to conduct anonymous student surveys about health topics such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, vaping and sexual behavior, under a bill now one vote from Gov. Phil Murphy's desk. Currently, parents or legal guardians must actively grant permission for their kids to take part in such surveys. A bill, A5597/S3801, would flip that opt-in approach to an opt-out one in which parents would get a letter, email or form and have two weeks to decline a student's participation in a survey. Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-Burlington, said so few students are taking part in health surveys that the state Department of Education can't obtain a representative sample."

—"N.J. primaries once again show candidates they're toast if party leaders say they are"

—"Biggest winner in NJ primary? The power of the party bosses"

—Proposed constitutional amendment would require committee hearings for all bills

—"Special needs advocates worry about the fate of a bill to extend services for students who have turned 21"

—"The cost of medical cannabis could be drastically cut for N.J. patients in need"

—"Senate panel advances Weinberg's anti-harassment bill"

—" 'Silver linings in challenging times': How COVID will change NJ schools in the long run"

—"Showing your driver's license in N.J. could soon be as easy as pulling out a phone"

—" They detained my husband and now my son. Legislators should put an end to ICE contracts | Opinion"

SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel.

BIDEN TIME

JERSEY ANGLE — "Hunting leaks, Trump officials focused on Democrats in Congress," from The New York Times: "As the Justice Department investigated who was behind leaks of classified information early in the Trump administration, it took a highly unusual step: Prosecutors subpoenaed Apple for data from the accounts of at least two Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee, aides and family members. One was a minor … Prosecutors, under the beleaguered attorney general, Jeff Sessions, were hunting for the sources behind news media reports about contacts between Trump associates and Russia. Ultimately, the data and other evidence did not tie the committee to the leaks, and investigators debated whether they had hit a dead end and some even discussed closing the inquiry. But William P. Barr revived languishing leak investigations after he became attorney general a year later. He moved a trusted prosecutor from New Jersey with little relevant experience to the main Justice Department to work on the Schiff-related case and about a half-dozen others, according to three people with knowledge of his work who did not want to be identified discussing federal investigations."

—"New Jerseyan confirmed as first Muslim American federal district court judge"

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

LOCAL

PEA IN THE SCHOOLS — Dead rodents, cockroaches, filth: Paterson school buildings 'unfit' for students, NJEA says, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: When Paterson Public Schools students entered their classrooms this week for the first time in 15 months, they encountered "dead rodents, cockroaches, standing water, mold, broken air conditioners, and filth," according to the New Jersey Education Association. A statement from the powerful teachers union — which decried the state of school facilities last month — said students who came back in-person on June 8 experienced building conditions "so appalling that even rodents and roaches are having a hard time staying alive in them." According to the union, bathrooms were absent of soap and paper products and "have disgusting toilets that were not cleaned since March of 2020." Several windows could not be opened and sinks, when not clogged, spouted brown water, the union alleged.

.... Paterson Schools Superintendent Eileen Shafer told POLITICO in an email late Thursday afternoon the union's allegations are "simply not true." Shafer accused PEA president John McEntee of "serving an agenda" and "raising anxiety among teachers and parents." The district and the Board of Education have worked to "put several layers of protection in place with the help of 19.6 million federal dollars," Shafer said. Still, she conceded, "I'll be the first to say that we need better school buildings in Paterson. I have been saying it for years, including to the New Jersey State Legislature." Despite this, Shafer said "the idea that our district's buildings have not been prepared to function in these late stages of the pandemic is categorically false."

MACHINE LOSES SOME PARTS — "Jersey City insiders devote Election Day to battling over dozens of Dem committee seats," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "The Jersey City Democratic Organization has 366 seats, 56 of which were being contested and 53 of those by progressive challengers affiliated with either the Hudson County Progressive Alliance or the Progressive Democrats of Hudson Count .... The JCDO brought out all their heavy hitters on Tuesday, with Mayor Steven Fulop, Hudson County Democratic Organization Chair Amy DeGise … County Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-4), former Mayor Gerry McCann, and several council members all involved throughout the day. As for the progressive lineup, Ward E Councilman James Solomon, Councilman-at-Large Rolando Lavarro, at-Large candidates Elvin Dominici and Chris Gadsden, mayoral hopeful Lewis Spears, as well as PDHC leader Hector Oseguera all stepped up to try and even the odds. When the smoke settled, preliminary tallies from the Jersey City Clerk's Office that do not include vote-by-mail or provisional ballots — along with nine districts not tallied at all — have the JCDO winning 33 seats and the progressive challengers picking up 20, including 14 off the line bids in Ward E."

EWING — " Feds probe Ewing Police over 2018 excessive force allegations," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "The feds are investigating members of Ewing Police who allegedly used excessive force on a Black teenager three years ago, multiple sources told The Trentonian. The FBI declined to confirm existence of the probe, which centers on allegations that members of the township police kicked snow in the face of a 16-year-old during a January 2018 arrest. The township battled for two years to keep the alleged excessive force incident under wraps, spending six figures on attorneys to oppose The Trentonian's fight for records in the case."

SUSHETEROSEX COUNTY — "Sussex County commissioners taken to task for no Pride Month proclamation," by The New Jersey Herald's Bruce A. Scruton: "Democratic candidates running for seats on the Sussex County Board of Commissioners faced off with current members at Wednesday night's meeting, using the lack of a Pride Month resolution as opening shots. 'The issue here is with lack of diversity,' said candidate Scott Paul. … Fantasia, who serves this year as commissioner director and runs the board's meetings, said the board did pass such a resolution last year 'and we got complaints.' As she spoke , Paul walked out of the meeting, followed by several others."

THIS AIN'T NUREMBERG — " Cultural nuances contributed to Tenafly Hitler controversy," by The Record's Mary Chao: "The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey has called on the public to refrain from further malice toward the child and the family. At a Monday night meeting, a statement on behalf of the anonymous parents of the student was read, describing the harm that social media comments have had on their children. On the sidelines of the social media back-and-forth were Asian American parents in Tenafly who were afraid to speak out on Facebook publicly. Among them was Ellen Jeon, who emigrated to New Jersey from South Korea in 2010. 'Most of the Korean parents are very shy,' said Jeon, 49. 'The social barrier kept them quiet.' Jeon, who is mother to a 19 year-old son, knows the family involved, who are staying anonymous. They have not responded to The Record's requests for an interview. Jeon said the family is not fluent in English and fears coming out of the house. They are traumatized, she said."

BRICK WEED — "Brick settlement pays $25K to end medical marijuana dispute," by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby : "Township officials and a company that once sought to grow medical marijuana on Adamston Road have reached a settlement that ends the company's two-year long lawsuit. On Wednesday, the Township Council agreed to a $25,000 payment to 385 Adamston LLC, a company that proposed converting a former bank into a medical marijuana farm and dispensary in 2018. Facing public opposition and failing to obtain a state dispensary license, the company later amended its application and proposed growing lettuce. After the Brick Board of Adjustment rejected the lettuce proposal, saying indoor farming was not considered a protected form of farming in Brick, 385 Adamston LLC sued the board and township in Superior Court, Ocean County. Company representatives said the board's rejection violated their right to farm. Attorney Edward Liston, who represented opponents of the lettuce proposal, said at the time that the lettuce proposal was a 'Trojan horse waiting for a change in the law so they can do what they set out to do in the beginning.'"

—"Red Bank Democratic primary: Nine votes could mean difference between winner and loser"

—"Middletown Mayor Tony Perry had no primary opponent. So why did he raise almost $92K?"

—"EPA yanking Toms River Reich Farm from Superfund list; water tests planned until 2023"

—"Schirmer stepping down as head of Hamilton GOP"

R.I.P. — "Lightning strike kills golfer, 70, at Burlington Country Club"

—" Princeton emerges as the 2021 cicada capital of N.J. Here's why"

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 22-23.

EVERYTHING ELSE

THE PUPPY'S COURT — "Six-year-old pit bull at center of two-year custody battle," by MyCentralJersey's Mike Deak: "Six-year-old Stewie is at the center of a two-year legal battle over custody. After scores of legal filings, Stewie's case ended up in state appellate court which this week ruled that the dispute may still have to be decided in a lower court. But this not a usual custody case. Stewie is a pit bull. The fight over Stewie is between township resident Lewis Levine and Kelly Tripaldi, the woman whom Levine hired as a live-in nanny for his two children at his homes in Hillsborough and Manasquan."

—" 'Wolf King': Jackson wolfdog sanctuary denies starving, keeping vets away from animals"

—Kelly: "A lifelong NJ Jew become an advocate for the Palestinian cause — here's why"

—" N.J. care center where woman was beaten to death is closed by state"

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

Thanks to the Governor and Legislature, there's been pre-k expansion funding in every recent state budget! That's enabled NJ to expand pre-k for working families into 150+ school districts.

However, families in 110+ eligible districts still wait in rural, suburban and urban communities, and from east to west – and north to south.

The proposed FY2022 budget would continue to recognize pre-k expansion as a priority for now, and for our future. We agree with former Governor Tom Kean, "There are a few priority reforms we need to make to improve education in our state. One of our highest priorities should be the availability of quality pre-k programs for all of our children. These programs offer our best hope for future success in school and life."

Let's maintain pre-k expansion as a statewide priority. Continue substantial pre-k expansion in the coming year for New Jersey, and especially for its working families.

Visit prekourway.org