News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: New campaign sexual harassment policies coming in 2022

Thursday, July 1, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: New campaign sexual harassment policies coming in 2022

Jul 01, 2021

Presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Good Thursday morning!

The state may set up an office to deal with sexual harassment complaints in campaigns, and to require all those operations to have policies and a designated point person to hear those complaints.

So when will it happen? That's not clear, but this much is: It won't be before November, when the governor and all 120 seats in the Legislature are up for election.

The bill to create it wouldn't take effect for six months after enactment. So if the Legislature had moved quickly on it when it was introduced in March, and if the governor signed it soon after, we'd have it in place by then. But the Senate only passed it yesterday, and the Assembly hasn't yet. And neither plans to be back in session for the rest of the summer anyway.

So that's a nice move and all, but the earliest major election this bill could apply to is the 2022 primaries — a year in which state races aren't on the ballot.

Read more about it here.

WHERE'S MURPHY — No public schedule

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Free that man!!!!!" — Assemblymember Jamel Holley cheering the overturning of Bill Cosby's rape conviction on a technicality

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Former state Sen. Richard LaRossa

PROGRAMMING NOTE: New Jersey Playbook will not publish on Monday, July 5. After the brief hiatus, we'll be back on our normal schedule Tuesday, July 6. Please continue to follow POLITICO New Jersey.

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

EDNA MAHAN — "Newly released videos show night of violence at troubled Edna Mahan women's prison," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman, Blake Nelson and S.P. Sullivan : "The footage released Wednesday shows officers punching an inmate about the head, yelling 'stop resisting!' as she gasps for air following the cloud of pepper spray. State prosecutors say she was punched 28 times. Other clips depict chaotic scenes of inmates being forcibly removed from their cells. In the videos, some of the women attempt to fight off officers as they teared at their clothes, allegedly in search of contraband. 'Why is a man ripping my clothes off?' said one woman, who claimed her arm was broken as she spit and cursed at the officers. 'They f—ing jumped me!' she screamed."

UP THE OFFSHORE — New Jersey approves major new offshore wind projects, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: New Jersey utility officials gave a pair of companies the green light Wednesday to build two new offshore wind projects, tripling the amount of state-approved offshore wind power expected by the end of the decade. The Board of Public Utilities gave Ørsted permission to expand its Ocean Wind project off the coast of Ocean City, more than doubling the size of power it can generate there. The board also approved the first project from Atlantic Shores, a partnership of EDF Renewables and Shell New Energies, off the coast of Atlantic City. Together, the projects will generate enough energy to power roughly a million homes. State officials say the projects are expected to inject $3.5 billion into New Jersey's economy and create 7,000 full- and part-time jobs. Both companies offered the state a series of sweeteners to go along with the permits, including promises to use and even help fund state ports and support for a clean truck pilot project at Port Newark.

— "PennEast pipeline still faces long road despite court decision"

BRUCK TO RUN ON TICKET WITH GOTTHEIMER. BRUCK-HEIMER WILL TRANSORM NJ POLITICS — Grewal's interim replacement will be New Jersey's first openly gay attorney general, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman : Gov. Phil Murphy plans to announce Wednesday that he will appoint First Assistant Attorney General Andrew Bruck to replace outgoing Attorney General Gurbir Grewal next month, POLITICO has confirmed. Bruck, who will serve in an interim role until a permanent successor to Grewal is confirmed, will be the first openly gay person to lead the state AG's office. "I thank Governor Murphy for the confidence that he has placed in me, and I am honored by the opportunity to continue the groundbreaking work of Attorney General Grewal," Bruck said in a statement. "I share their commitment to protecting public safety, building public trust, and ensuring the rights of all New Jerseyans. I look forward to working with our Department's 7,700 extraordinary public servants to carry out our vital mission."

I'LL COME TO YOUR EMOTIONALLY-ABUSIVE RESCUE — "Chris Christie thinks he's on a post-Trump Republican 'rescue mission.' Really?'" by The Record's Charles Stile: "Why should American voters — let alone anti-Trump Republicans — be taking advice from a person who helped create the Frankenstein who detonated all norms of the American political landscape and, more recently, falsely and dangerously claimed the 2020 election was stolen in a vast conspiracy? Christie also helped Trump the candidate get elected, and stood by his long-time dining partner during Trump's repeated expressions of irrational exuberance during his presidency. Trump is a guy Christie stood by — even when he obviously knew Trump had no business leading the nation and the free world … If Christie is to diagnose the party's descent into madness, wouldn't it be the right time to come clean on his role in helping foment the madness?"

BABY BONDOGGLE — "Why 'baby bonds' didn't make it into the NJ budget, and what happens now," by The Record's Stacey Barchenger: "New Jersey made national headlines last year when Gov. Phil Murphy proposed putting aside a state-funded nest egg for babies born into all but the wealthiest families. It was a progressive pitch that Murphy said would 'break the cycle of economic inequality' and was necessary amid the COVID pandemic that 'laid bare systemic inequities that have disproportionately denied families of color an equal chance to achieve upward mobility.' Ultimately, lawmakers stripped the proposal to fund so-called baby bonds from last year's budget, citing the uncertainty of how COVID would impact state revenues. Yet eight months later, and with the state's bank accounts overflowing with cash, the top-down push for baby bonds has disappeared. Murphy didn't include the investment in his February budget proposal, nor did lawmakers fund it when crafting the state spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1."

THESE ARE THE BREAKS. CLEAN 'EM UP, CLEAN 'EM UP, CLEAN 'EM UP! — "Murphy to decide on 213-page tax break 'clean-up' bill," by NJ BIZ's Daniel J. Munoz: "Gov. Phil Murphy will now be able to decide on a sprawling, 213-page "clean-up" bill for the state's corporate incentive programs, just as those state subsidies are getting off the ground. The state Senate approved proposed Assembly Bill 5939 by a unanimous vote at its June 30 voting session–the day before lawmakers break for the summer recess and begin reelection campaigns. The measure was rushed through both legislative committees last week, having been approved in the Assembly Budget Committee even though a draft of the bill was not publicly available. The full Assembly approved it in a 65-9 vote last Thursday with one abstention."

TRAIL OFF — "Dreams of new trail across North Jersey fade as money problems loom," by NJ Advance Media's Michael Sol Warren: "Dreams of a trail connecting urban North Jersey along an unused train line may be fading due to money troubles. A coalition of groups pushing for the Essex-Hudson Greenway, a proposed 8.6-mile, multi-purpose path from Montclair to Jersey City, have raised the alarm that the whole deal is on the verge of collapse, as Gov. Phil Murphy's administration has yet to commit to a critical loan as deadlines draw near."

NJSA TO MONITOR TEENS' SOCIAL MEDIA FOR FLASH PARTY CHATTER. TUCKER CARLSON OFF LIMITS. — " July 4th-Primed Ciattarelli Says Lawlessness Can be Traced to Murphy," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack : "A Jack Ciattarelli video this week — what he calls a Jack Chat — said, in effect, that fireworks displays being cancelled down the Jersey Shore are Phil Murphy's fault. How's that for political spin? If you can't enjoy a fireworks show, blame the governor … Officials say the problem is that these gatherings, which often include drinking and pot smoking, can get rowdy very quickly … Ciattarelli says in his video that the lawlessness can be traced back to the governor. 'Welcome to Phil Murphy's, New Jersey, folks,' Ciattarelli says. Later, his campaign spokeswoman explained that the Murphy administration and outgoing AG Gurbir Grewal 'have made it more difficult for law enforcement to do their jobs and keep communities safe.' She charged the Murphy administration with 'scapegoating' and 'practically disarming' police."

— "NJ eviction records during pandemic could be kept private under bill"

— Lawmakers send Murphy bill requiring DOH to review nursing home infection plans

— Poll worker pay bump for June primary could be made permanent

— Murphy gets bill exempting charter, renaissance schools from health benefits overhaul

— "Port Authority Bus Terminal was once a marvel. Will the next one meet commuters' needs?"

— " Wainer Apter won't be confirmed before high court's new session, Scutari says"

— "ACLU urges Gov. Murphy not to sign bill allowing officers to review body cam video before writing report"

— " Law requiring cars to move over to pass cyclists, pedestrians headed to Gov's desk"

— Ciattarelli files complaint with ELEC alleging Murphy violated campaign finance law

JOIN FRIDAY 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

ICE — "ACLU sues Biden administration to block transfer of ICE detainees from Essex jail," by The Record's Katie Sobko : "The Biden administration is facing a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union over its policies regarding ICE detainees a the Essex County jail. The suit filed in federal court in Newark is the first targeting Biden's immigration policies. It attempts to immediately block the long-distance transfer of ICE detainees from the Essex County Correctional Facility. The Essex County jail recently announced it would be ending its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and would no longer house detainees, and that detainees in custody would be moved."

— Watson Coleman: "On July 4, recognize the Black and Indigenous soldiers who helped win the Revolutionary War"

— "Here's how much N.J. Sen. Menendez received in wedding gifts last year"

LOCAL

WHY CAN'T WE LET BAYGONNES BE BAYGONNES? — "Take that, mayor! $500K for Bayonne waterfront walkway tossed from state budget to sting Davis, source says," by The Jersey Journal's Teri West: "As New Jersey's $46.4 billion budget came together, $500,000 was tucked away for Bayonne to complete a portion of its Hackensack River waterfront walkway. Then, before the document went to the governor's office for a final signature, the item, worth one-one-thousandth (.001) % of the budget, was quietly removed. The reason, a statehouse source said, was a matter of petty politics. It was a jab at Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, the source said, for ousting Assemblyman and Majority Whip Nicholas Chiaravalloti by running a newcomer, William B. Sampson IV, on the county's Democratic ticket. The $500,000 would have helped Bayonne complete an unfinished section of the waterfront walkway near Don Ahern Veterans Memorial Stadium, City Council President Sharon Nadrowski said."

— "Bayonne law director says he's 'going out with my sword' in recorded convo about BA: 'F*** her'"

HATE CRIME — " Man charged with North Bergen attempted murder for beating WNY man he suspected of being gay," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "A Maryland man has been charged with attempted murder and several other crimes for severely beating a West New York man he suspected of being gay at James J. Braddock Park in North Bergen, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced. José Tobias Carranza Serrano, also known as 'Kevin Lopez,' 18, of Baltimore, MD, was arrested on June 23rd. He was charged by complaint with the first-degree crimes of attempted homicide, bias intimidation, and robbery, as well as second-degree aggravated assault … In the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 22nd, Carranza Serrano allegedly attacked the victim near the south end of the lake at Braddock Park. The investigation revealed that the victim was a stranger whom Carranza Serrano had just met."

BLOOMFIELD TO ALLOW BLOOMING FIELDS — "Bloomfield could get as many as six recreational marijuana retailers under ordinance," by The Record's Kaitlyn Kanzler : "Recreational marijuana stores could be coming to Bloomfield after the Township Council introduced an ordinance to allow six cannabis retailers in the central business district and neighborhood business district. Two retailers would be allowed north of Bay Avenue, two south of Bay Avenue and north of the Norfolk-Southern Railway line, and two south of the railway line under the ordinance introduced Monday. All the retailer licenses would be for a Class 5 retailer, allowing cannabis items and related supplies to be sold to customers."

MR. WILSON HAS A MIXED RECORD ON DEALING WITH MENACES — "Wilson becomes 6th person to lead Trenton Police under Mayor Reed Gusciora," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea : "Retired Trenton Police Lt. Steven Wilson was named the city's next police director Wednesday. He replaces Sheilah Coley, who was fired this month following a drumbeat of criticism of her leadership. Wilson, who has nearly three decades of experience with TPD, starts as interim director Thursday, the mayor's office said. Mayor Reed Gusciora wanted the next director to be 'vested' in Trenton Police. And that's what he getting with Wilson, a 'highly decorated TPD veteran' with respect among the rank-and-file … Wilson has the unenviable task of taking over a department that has chewed up and spit out its leaders."

— "'So I raped you': Charges filed after N.J. woman receives chilling Facebook message"

— "Englewood Cliffs may have to pay $1.8 million to a developer's lawyers. Here's why"

— "As mayoral election looms, Paterson council prepares to pick new president"

— "Judge hands another loss to Millville and its police chief"

— " $43B merger: Valley National Bancorp to acquire Westchester County bank, leave Wayne"

— "Paterson will try to fire cop accused of assault in incident captured by bodycam video"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

HIGHER ED — Cole's retirement may leave void for higher ed advocacy in New Jersey, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: In her 23 years as president of Montclair State University, Susan Cole has become the voice for higher education in New Jersey, advocating for rationality in state spending and reforms to a major student grant program. But when Cole retires Thursday, policymakers and leaders of the state's public colleges and universities will have to confront a changing education landscape and decide who will now speak for them in Trenton. "There is hardly a leader in Trenton who doesn't know Susan Cole," state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg said in an interview. "I'm not sure anybody will fill [the void] quite in the manner she has."

HISTORY MAKERS — "Nathan's Hot Dog-Eating Contest: Local mom-daughter duo bond as competitors," by MyCentralJersey's Jenna Intersimone: " Both mother and daughter will compete in the Nathan's Famous July Fourth Hot Dog-Eating Contest on Sunday, July 4. They are the first mother-daughter pair to do Both mother and daughter will compete in the Nathan's Famous July Fourth Hot Dog-Eating Contest on Sunday, July 4. They are the first mother-daughter pair to do so in the contest's 105-year-old history. in the contest's 105-year-old history."

— " Florida condo was to be fresh start for man who lost wife, parents. He and his N.J. family are still missing"

— "New Jersey sending rescue workers to assist at Florida condo collapse"

— " N.J. hospital mandates COVID vaccine for workers. Others are still debating"

— "New Jersey shuts down El Toro roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure after derailment"

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.