News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Murphy makes sure voters know where their $500 checks come from

Friday, July 2, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Murphy makes sure voters know where their $500 checks come from

Jul 02, 2021

Presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Good Friday morning!

The state begins sending out $500 rebate checks today to families with incomes of $150,000 or less ($75,000 or less for single parents).

That's a lot of people, even in this very rich state. And they will know who sent it.

While Gov. Murphy's name won't be on the check itself, it will be on a note accompanying the check that could very easily be mistaken for a campaign pitch — one touting his passage of the politically-popular millionaire's tax and using a variation of one of the governor's slogans: "stronger and fairer."

Donald Trump did it. Brendan Byrne did it. I'm sure lots of other politicians have done it.

Does this help Murphy? I can't say I really know, but I do recall reading some speculation that Trump's name on the stimulus checks may have helped him get closer to pulling off reelection than anticipated. Here's what Jack Ciattarelli said about it.

Read more about it here.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It doesn't make any sense to me how people say gambling and smoking go together. Drinking and smoking go together, but you can't go inside a bar and smoke." — Casino dealer Lamont White on making the smoking ban permanent

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Murphy spox Alyana Alfaro, Assemblymember Greg McrGuckin, NJLCV's Ed Potosnak, The Record's Charles Stile, ACLU's Amol Sinha, NJDOL's Julie Diaz, National Guard's Frank Luna, PPAG's David Smith , Dem fundraiser Theo Siggelakis. Saturday for state Sen. Shirley Turner, BPU Commissioner Bob Gordon. Sunday for The United States of America. Born on the Fourth of July: Assemblymember Bob Auth, Assemblymember Annette Quijano , Union County Manager Ed Oatman, WNYC's Matt Katz, Murphy aide Justin Rodriguez, comms consultant Geoffrey Borshof, former congressional candidate Mike Assad. Monday for Kim staffer Ben Giovine, Murphy deputy counsel Kate McDonnell.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: There will be no Playbook on Monday in observance of our nation's independence from Great Britain. And I will be off until July 13. Katherine Landergan will be handling Playbook, so expect fewer annoying puns.

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

Thousands of New Jerseyans face complex social and economic barriers to good health. Those social determinants of health are also responsible for most health inequities. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has teamed up with health care organizations and nonprofits to create Horizon Neighbors in Health, a program delivering personalized help that addresses the social determinants of health. Even in the face of a global pandemic, Horizon Neighbors in Health's results have been extraordinary…

WHAT TRENTON MADE

50 MASTROS — Health care insiders 'floored' by unexpected $450M allocation for Level 1 trauma centers, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: In a normal year, two things are true about New Jersey's state budget: There's never enough money and everybody wants more. But in fiscal year 2022, one of the largest single add-ons to the $46.4 billion appropriations bill caught its beneficiaries by surprise. Health care lobbyists, health care executives and lawmakers say they were stunned when the final budget included $450 million for pandemic-related upgrades across New Jersey's three Level 1 trauma centers — University Hospital in Newark, RWJBarnabas Health's Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and Cooper University Health in Camden. University Hospital President and CEO Shereef Elnahal said he was "floored" when he saw his facility could stand to receive as much as $150 million in American Rescue Plan funds.

RAIN DRAIN — "Billions more in taxes came in, but state drained its 'rainy-day' fund," by NJ Spotlight News' John Reitmeyer: "After becoming flush with cash in the weeks leading up to the deadline for adopting a new budget — a bill rushed into law — legislators said they would use the money responsibly and that included paying into New Jersey's oft-ignored 'rainy-day' fund. Restoring the rainy-day fund, a restricted budget reserve that helps the state prepare for unexpected economic downturns, was also a goal the state treasurer laid out in a written report to lawmakers last month as she delivered news of a massive tax windfall. But that rainy day fund is still dry. Final budget documents for the fiscal year that began Thursday indicate the Department of Treasury transferred the balance of the fund — more than $2 billion — into the state's general fund … To be sure, Treasury's latest budget documents also indicate more than $2 billion has been socked away in another budget reserve, ensuring the state will operate with a roughly 5% margin for error over the next 12 months."

—"NJ spending billions on health care. Is it enough to deal with the next pandemic?"

LABOR — "Worker misclassification legislation makes its way to Murphy," by NJBIZ's Daniel J. Munoz: "Phil Murphy is set to decide on a trio of labor rights bills meant to crack down on worker misclassification, a practice that proponents say cheats the state out of tax revenue and workers out of key labor protections. The three measures were introduced [in June] and garnered final approval in the state Senate on June 30 — the day before lawmakers break for summer recess and begin to focus on their reelection campaigns. Under worker misclassification, employers — often illegally — classify their staff as independent contractors rather than employees–meaning they can skimp out on state taxes and job protections. A task force that Murphy convened to gauge how the state can clamp down on the practice reported that New Jersey misses out on tens of millions of dollars in unpaid employment taxes because workers are misclassified."

'STRONGER AND FAIRER,' JUST LIKE ON THE REBATE CHECK — "Murphy test drives a campaign stop in the arms of political behemoth Essex," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snwoflack : "It had all the trappings of a formal campaign kickoff … Phil Murphy and Sheila Oliver both spoke, as did LeRoy Jones, the state chair of the Democratic Committee. Also speaking were state legislators Teresa Ruiz and Britnee Timberlake. Senate President Steve Sweeney was in the audience — at least in the beginning — as were such Essex County honchos as Joe DiVincenzo, the county executive, Armando Fontoura, the sheriff, and Chris Durkin, the county clerk. Officially, [Thursday's] event at the Mayfair Farms catering hall was a gathering of African-American women for Murphy … The general theme of Murphy's reelection campaign is emerging — The state made it through the pandemic and good times are ahead. 'The economy is starting to bounce back in a big way,' the governor said. A bit later, he said the state is ready to go 'to a place it's never been before.' There's more. The governor also emphasized the steps he's taken to make the state 'stronger and fairer.'"

— "New video shows brutal beatings in N.J.'s women's prison. We analyzed the footage"

—New Jersey officially makes $6.9B pension payment, the largest in 25 years

—"GOP Senate, Assembly leadership contests begin to take shape"

—" NJ Senate passes bill to expand outdoor alcohol consumption"

—"The Freiman war room: Clearing debt in the clearing crisis"

—" Pascrell eyes higher education expansion"

—"The governor's race between Murphy and Ciattarelli is about to heat up. What to expect"

—" How New Jersey may try to bolster diversity in its police force"

—"$500 N.J. tax rebate checks will be in the mail Friday. Here are all the details you'll need"

—" Protecting every NJ child: A Q&A with Sen. Joseph Vitale"

—Mulshine: "On income tax revenues, New York is selling us down the river"

JOIN TODAY FOR A PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH ANITA DUNN: Anita Dunn, a senior White House adviser to President Biden and one of the most influential women in Washington, will join Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to discuss the administration's legislative priorities, including getting the massive infrastructure plan through Congress, the latest on efforts to get 70% of U.S. adults vaccinated against Covid, and preparations for the White House's first big public event on Independence Day. Don't miss this Playbook Live event, REGISTER HERE.

BIDEN TIME

THE TOM TOM CLUB — "Kean will run for Congress in 2022 in rematch with Malinowski," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Tom Kean, Jr. will seek the Republican nomination for Congress in New Jersey's 7th district next year, setting up a widely-anticipated rematch of his 2020 bid to unseat Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes). Kean, the minority leader of the New Jersey State Senate, began making phone calls to key GOP officials on Thursday afternoon informing them of his decision to run, the New Jersey Globe has learned. He will formally announce his candidacy on July 14."

' THE HOUSE OF PAYNE IS INEFFECTUAL' — "Republican trip to the border highlights how proxy voting has changed Congress," by CNN's Annie Grayer, Kristin Wilson and Sarah Fortinsky: "Democratic Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey has voted by proxy for every vote except one: the vote to impeach Trump … Patrick Wright, Payne's communication director, said the congressman is diabetic and intends to continue to vote via proxy until more members of Congress are vaccinated. 'The congressman has employed proxy voting simply because of the fact that it's just better for his health and the health of his colleagues,' Wright told CNN. 'Until everyone in Congress understands the power of the vaccine and the importance of it to getting things back to normal, the congressman is going to have to continue to vote proxy for his own health and health and safety of his colleagues.' Payne returned to Congress on Wednesday for the first time in months to participate in a news conference addressing an upcoming bill on infrastructure. The speaker asked me to be here, and when the speaker calls you tend to answer,' Payne told CNN. He nonetheless voted by proxy during the afternoon."

LOCAL

CAPITAL CITY — "'They need to come down' McBride says of Trenton Kingsbury Towers after air condition out for days," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "Residents of the city's Kingsbury Towers endured scorching heat the last three days while air conditioning was out at the notoriously troubled high-rise. Moms huddled outside with their kids Thursday afternoon, some in canopied strollers to protect them from the sun, as oven-baking temperatures soared in inside the towers, residents said. City leaders called for state officials to intervene before there's another tragedy at the towers, which have been subject of intense scrutiny the past few years. 'It's a Band-Aid operation,' Marge Caldwell-Wilson, the councilwoman of the North Ward and a former member of the tower's board of trustees, said of the complex. She resigned from the board a couple years ago, frustrated over the lack of attention paid to the buildings despite constant gripes from residents. 'Something breaks, they fix it temporarily. This is no way to operate,' Caldwell-Wilson said. City and state inspectors were called in, as legislators feared many 'special-needs children' left suffering inside the towers, including one whose breathing issues were exacerbated by the stifling heat."

SCHOOL DAZE — " Cannabis company announces partnership with Atlantic Cape Community College," by The Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow: "Insa, a Massachusetts-based cannabis company with plans to become the first to legally grow the plant in Cape May County, announced a new partnership Wednesday with Atlantic Cape Community College. Plans include a medical cannabis curriculum, internships at the Insa facility and a pipeline for graduates to get jobs in the newly legal industry. A program could be up and running in 2022."

MICHAEL TESTA, JAMEL HOLLEY CALL FOR RACCOON VACCINE CHOICE — "Cape May County, NJ dropping 'vaccine baits' to curb wildlife rabies risk," by NJ 101.5's Patrick Lavery : "Ever since a late-1990s zoonotic outbreak, rabies cases in Cape May County have trended historically low, and local officials believe the continued deployment of vaccine-filled baits is a major reason why. A collaborative effort between the county Health Department, county Mosquito Control, the state Department of Health, and the state Department of Environmental Protection, these baits are most commonly dropped by helicopter in forested areas that are near county neighborhoods, but considered mostly rural."

—" Many NJ Shore school districts dropping mask mandate for fall. Lakewood is different"

—"New organizational chart leads to cry of discrimination, question of leadership in Jersey City school district"

—"N.J. elections officials probing why some Newark polls lacked voting machines"

—"Milltown may let residents decide on allowing marijuana businesses"

—" Ocean County Commissioner Gerry P. Little: 5 towns undervaccinated"

—"Jersey City Council approves ordinance making single-use bathrooms gender-neutral"

—" Belleville swears in new deputy mayor, the first Latina to hold the post"

—"Phillipsburg police officer cleared of all charges in sex misconduct probe"

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

WELL 'JERSEY SHORE' HAS BEEN OFF THE AIR FOR A WHILE — Report: New Jersey beaches improving, but bacteria still creating unsafe swimming days, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: More than 30 New Jersey beaches were potentially unsafe to swim at on at least one day last year because of high levels of pollution, according to a new report based on state records. The report, released Thursday by Environment New Jersey , shows things are getting better in a state with a legacy of water quality problems, but still cites days when bacteria was found in recreational waters. Usually these problems follow storms, when rain sweeps pollution off land or overwhelms sewer systems. "We need to keep our beaches safe for swimming by working with shore towns to build the infrastructure that will keep the water clean," Doug O'Malley, Environment New Jersey's executive director, said in a statement that accompanied the report.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PATCO — " Michael Landon's childhood in N.J. was hard. Local fan says it's worth commemorating," by NJ Advance Media's Rob Jennings: "Abbe Effron has a mission: To make sure Collingswood never forgets Michael Landon grew up there. That's even if Collingswood for decades seemed wary of embracing the beloved TV icon who often spoke of his difficult childhood in the 1940s and 1950s, back when he was known as Eugene Orowitz, shining an awkward spotlight on what today has evolved into a trendy, inclusive suburb five miles outside of Philadelphia … Landon picked the name under which he became famous a few years after graduating from Collingswood High School, on the advice of a talent agent. He was born in Queens, New York, and moved with his parents at age 4 to Collingswood. Landon often discussed his Collingswood childhood in unsparing detail, and how it shaped his interest in developing shows that emphasized close-knit families and communities — in many ways the opposite of his experience growing up. 'Sam's Son,' a 1984 film directed and written by Landon, was based in part on his childhood in Collingswood."

RIGHT AFTER WE STOP WEREHOUSES, FULL OF WEREWOLVES, FROM TAKING OVER — "Warehouses are taking over New Jersey. Stop building them, now ," by Amy Goldsmith for The Star-Ledger: "The Garden State is quickly turning into the Warehouse State. Open space is being gobbled up, urban areas are reeling from the cumulative impacts of multiple polluting sources and fleets of diesel-spewing trucks are fouling the air, clogging roadways and threatening public health. It's time for a moratorium to put the brakes on rampant warehouse development until regional planning can be devised and mandates put in place for environmental and public health protections, as well as fair working conditions and wages."

—"Bruce Springsteen to play Central Park with Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson"

—"Branchburg, developer settle lawsuit over township's warehouse ban"

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

Factors related to where someone lives, works, learns, or ages should not determine their health or their ability to access quality health care. But they do.

That is why Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey partnered with leading health care providers and nonprofits to launch Horizon Neighbors in Health - the most comprehensive effort in New Jersey to provide personalized assistance addressing the social determinants of health and reducing health inequities.

The results achieved during the first year of Horizon Neighbors in Health have been extraordinary. 2,500 New Jerseyans helped. Housing, food needs, transportation, financial assistance and more provided. And this is just the beginning.

Horizon Neighbors in Health shows what is possible when everyone with a role in health care commits to working together to challenge the status quo and build sustainable partnerships focused on what is best for the patient, and best for New Jersey.