News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: It's not 2009

Thursday, August 19, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: It's not 2009

Aug 19, 2021

Good Thursday morning!

It's not 2009.

A Monmouth University poll released yesterday shows Gov. Phil Murphy leading Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli by 16 points among registered voters. The poll shows Murphy above the 50 percent mark, leading 52 percent to 36 percent.

Really, there's little in the poll that bodes poorly for the governor, save for a slight enthusiasm advantage on the Republican side. Murphy's pandemic performance is seen as a strength by voters despite the state's high per capita death rate, fueled by the roughly 8,000 nursing home deaths Ciattarelli's campaign has keyed in on.

See the full poll results here.

This race isn't over. But the poll makes clear that it will likely take a major development to change its trajectory. As pollster Patrick Murray said, "There is not a lot here to suggest that a focus on turning out different types of voters will lead to a significant shift in the current state of the race. It will require something more fundamental in the issues driving the race to do that."

Over the years, former Gov. Chris Christie and others have promoted a myth that Christie was given little chance of beating then-incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in 2009. Diane Allen said as much in a recent interview. But one only needs to look at where that race stood in 2009, when a Monmouth poll measured Christie leading by 14 points among likely voters and 4 with registered voters. In the end, Christie won by about 4 points.

WHERE'S MURPHY? Coming back from Italy this afternoon. Acting Gov. Sheila Oliver has no public schedule.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Murphy adviser Dan Bryan, MSNJ's Mishael Azam, Mazzeo COS Charity Jeffries, MWW's Brendan Middleton, NJDOLWD's Carlos Merino, U.S. DOL's Analilia Mejia

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We need a new school-funding formula. The current formula is nefarious. It's arbitrary. It's unfair and I believe it's unconstitutional." — GOP gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli on property tax reform

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

LOBBY HOBBY — Reproductive Freedom Act, telehealth bills among most lobbied pieces of legislation, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: 'Abortion, insurance, cannabis and Covid-19 were the topics of legislation subject to the most lobbying during the legislative session, according to a new report by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. While quarterly lobbying reports released Wednesday showed that the state's two budget bills during the 2020-2021 session drew the greatest number of official contacts, 830 in all, a high-profile bill that would codify abortion access for New Jerseyans drew more than 220 official contacts from just 10 groups, most notably the Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ. The Reproductive Freedom Act, NJ S3030 (20R), was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg last year.

It has received public backing from Gov. Phil Murphy but hasn't been heard in committee. Progressive groups and activists pushed for legislative leaders to act on the bill during the spring, particularly as challenges to Roe v. Wade progressed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and its proponents are hoping Democrats will be more likely to act after November's statewide election.

IF HE SAID THIS IN MONTCLAIR HE'D WIN MURPHY VOTES — "'He's not N.J.!' Murphy opponent Ciattarelli slams gov on guns, masks, even Italy in 1st town hall," by NJ Advance Media's Matt Arco: "The Republican gubernatorial nominee held his first town hall at the Broadway Theatre, where hundreds cheered as he accused the man he wants to make a one-term governor, Phil Murphy, of crushing businesses with restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic and mocked him for being an outsider. Ciattarelli threw one verbal jab after another on the campaign trail as Murphy is in the midst of a 10-day vacation with his family in Italy where he owns a multi-million dollar villa — something the underdog in this year's race was more than happy to point out. 'You know what Phil Murphy's problem is? He's not Pitman. He's not Gloucester County. He's not New Jersey,' Ciattarelli said of the Massachusetts native."

HOWZE THIS HAPPEN? — "Taxpayers have paid millions to defend NJ Transit supervisor. Now it's happening again," by The Record's Colleen Wilson : "About a year before NJ Transit hired Kareem Howze, the Hudson County Corrections Department fired him for using excessive force on a handcuffed inmate and then lying about it to internal affairs investigators, documents show … Now, after nearly 15 years working for NJ Transit, Howze has again been fired. NJ Transit fired Howze four months ago after four female bus operators filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, harassment and stalking on the job, which he had been suspended without pay from since December 2020. Now, a fifth woman from NJ Transit has come forward with similar allegations against him and a separate lawsuit … Now, New Jersey taxpayers will again pay to fight lawsuits that allege Howze stalked, harassed and assaulted multiple coworkers."

COMOUTCAST — New Jersey regulators say they, too, dread cable companies. Now they're taking action, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: Everyone dreads calling their local cable company, even the New Jersey officials in charge of regulating them. On Wednesday, the state Board of Public Utilities proposed new regulations that could make the experience at least somewhat less awful. The rules would require companies to put customers quickly in touch with a human being, make repairs within certain time limits, prove that technicians showed up for appointments, and maintain offices in every part of their service territory. The board's commissioners say they, like everyone else, are vexed by the cable industry's approach to customer service. The rules would be the first substantial changes to the cable companies' customer service requirements in seven years. "It seems I've spent a lifetime trying to reach a customer service representative," said Commissioner Bob Gordon. He said he is among those who have experienced the "trauma" of calling for help.

TEMPORARY UNION — "N.J. Democrats Conclude negotiations with new campaign union and await ratification," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "The New Jersey Democratic State Committee's coordinated campaign have agreed to demands made by field organizing employees of the newly-formed NJ Forward 2021 union, which could vote to ratify the agreement as early as this week. The staffers – many young seasonal workers who began arriving in New Jersey after being "'n boarded in May or June – had sought additional compensation and more time off during multiple extended bargaining sessions. 'We are happy to have reached an agreement in principle with our employees on unionization. Forward 2021 leadership respects the collective bargaining process,' said Phil Swibinski, a state party spokesman … New Jersey Globe has learned that part of the plan will be to keep employees on payroll into next year to compensate them for long hours over the next eleven weeks leading into Election Day."

LORD HAVE MERCY — "Guadagno named executive director of Mercy Center," by ROI-NJ: "Kim Guadagno has been named executive director of Mercy Center, an Asbury Park-based nonprofit that aims to help underserved communities — especially women and children. The Mercy Center, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, provides programs and services that empower, enrich and educate people facing socioeconomic challenges to realize their full potential, with a special emphasis on women and children. Guadagno succeeds Sister Carol Ann Henry, who retired this summer after 39 years of service. Mercy Center board of trustees Chair Mary Beth Radke said Guadagno moved to the top of a large candidate pool."

— "As childhood hunger rises, calls grow for free meals in schools for all"

— "Redistricting in N.J. won't begin until next month as state decides to wait for census data in a different format"

— "N.J. Supreme Court decision could boost legislator's license plate frame bill"

BIDEN TIME

KEN KURSON — "Kushner friend who was pardoned by Trump Is charged with spying on wife," by The New York Times' Jonah E. Bromwich and Kate Christobek: "Seven months after being pardoned by President Donald J. Trump, a onetime editor of The New York Observer faces new charges of unlawfully spying on his former wife by secretly gaining access to her computer. The editor, Ken Kurson, a close friend of Mr. Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was charged in state criminal court in Manhattan on Wednesday with eavesdropping and computer trespass, both felonies. Prosecutors accuse Mr. Kurson of using spyware to breach his wife's computer in 2015 as the couple's marriage fell apart. Each crime is punishable by up to four years in prison. 'We will not accept presidential pardons as get-out-of-jail-free cards for the well-connected in New York,' the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., said in a statement announcing the charges."

IT WILL BE THE MOST-ATTENDED CAMPAIGN EVENT IN N.J. HISTORY — "Former Trump Com. Dir. Spicer to join Pappas for campaign event," by InsiderNJ: "Sean Spicer, who served as communications director and press secretary for President Donald Trump, will campaign with fellow Republican Mike Pappas later this month. Pappas is running for state senate against Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-16). Spicer and Pappas have a history, and the communications expert will join the candidate in Branchburg at the Fox Hollow Golf Club on Sunday, August 22nd for a special event beginning at 3:00 PM. 'Sean got his start as my first Press Secretary when I served as a U.S. Congressman,' Pappas said in an email blast. 'I'm honored that he'll be joining us back in Branchburg on Sunday.'"

GOTT BRAINS? — "Clintonism's Zombie: Making sense of Josh Gottheimer's attempts to sabotage the Democratic agenda," by The American Prospect's Alexander Sammon: "At first glance, Gottheimer's current sabotage of the Democratic Party may look curiously like self-sabotage, since his stated policy priority is repealing the cap on state and local tax deductions, a tax cut that will benefit overwhelmingly wealthy Americans, especially those in high-tax, largely Democratic states. But the SALT repeal is part of the reconciliation bill, and his attempt to imperil that bill would also imperil his most sacred proposal. But it's also, crucially, a bit of self-promotion, and donor services to boot. New Jersey's Fifth District, a suburb of New York, is awash with private equity money, and Blackstone has long been one of Gottheimer's top donors, which makes it easier to understand Gottheimer's motivations"

— "N.J. eviction ban possibly threatened after new Supreme Court ruling"

— "'A broken heart.' Afghanistan veteran from Ocean County fears for allies left behind"

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LOCAL

DOUGH-MINION — "Ocean County set to buy voting machines its experts said not to," by NJ Spotlight News' Jeff Pillets : "Against the best advice of its own technical and ballot security experts, Ocean County this week is expected to award a $2.6 million contract for new voting machines to Toronto-based Dominion Voting Systems. Public documents reviewed by New Jersey Spotlight News show that staff professionals working for the county Board of Elections raised a series of red flags during a public meeting of the board in late June, warning against the Dominion purchase. The experts, who had spent more than a year studying the purchase and evaluating competing brands of voting machines, said the Dominion models would be less secure, harder to use for most voters and more prone to mechanical breakdown. Staffers also said it would be harder to train poll workers on the Dominion system than on their major competitor's machines. The June meeting ended with a 2-1 vote by election board members in favor of buying machines from Election Systems & Software …

"But this week, Republicans who control the Ocean County Board of Commissioners are expected to bypass the recommendation of the county experts and award the contract to Dominion in what critics say is a move that shows how deeply politics and campaign money influence the administration of elections in New Jersey … Records show that the Ocean County Republicans pushing the Dominion system have received tens of thousands in campaign contributions from individuals and a north Jersey firm closely affiliated with the voting machine maker."

OY MCVEY! — "Phillipsburg council president charged with misuse of 911 system," by LeHighValleyLive's Kurt Bresswein: "The Warren County Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday charged Phillipsburg Town Council President Frank McVey with a crime for alleged misuse of the county 911 emergency telephone system … McVey is a retired New Jersey State Police captain now employed as senior security manager at the Prudential Center in Newark … The charge stems from an incident Friday, Aug. 13, which began with McVey filing an Open Public Records Act with the town, according to the news release.

"Under the act, the town has seven business days to respond, but hours later, McVey emailed several Phillipsburg Town employees, stating: 'Maybe most of you … work Monday through Friday 7-3 but I don't with this position. Somebody give me an answer and respect the $0.35 an hour that I'm getting for this job. If I don't receive correspondence by 6PM I will be calling 911 asking for an officer to come to my house and to give me an answer on this inquiry,' according to the prosecutor's office. About 6 p.m. Friday, McVey dialed 911, acknowledged his call was not an emergency, identified himself and requested a 'welfare check' on Mayor Todd Tersigni and police Chief Robert Stettner after he had not heard from them in '12 hours,' the prosecutor's release states."

BUT FACEBOOK SAYS... — "Critical race theory not being taught in Egg Harbor Township schools, superintendent says," by The Press of Atlantic City's Claire Lowe: "Critical race theory is not being taught in the township's public schools, Superintendent Kim Gruccio told residents and board members Tuesday during a school board meeting. 'I want to relieve anxiety, angst, misinformation, and let's do it now,' Gruccio said. 'Does the state of New Jersey require the teaching of critical race theory? No, it does not. It is not included in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, therefore it is not included in our curriculum here in Egg Harbor Township.' Gruccio made her announcement seemingly in response to questions she received at a school board workshop meeting last week from parents asking about changes to the curriculum and information they received through social media. Although Gruccio did not give a specific reason for making her statement, the topic of teaching critical race theory in public schools has been circulating through township Facebook pages."

ORTH VS. OR — "Neighbors in Ocean County town concerned over boys religious HS opening without proper permits," by News 12 NJ: "Some neighbors in Brick Township are concerned after a boys religious high school opened without proper permits. The operators of the religious school received a violation notice for failing to submit a site plan on the former synagogue turned religious school. Neighbors say they just want compliance. 'We live in a town that has rules and laws and we are just asking if you want to be a good neighbor, we are asking that you comply, we are looking for compliance,' says Joe Orth. Orth lives a few doors away from the complex, once known as Temple Beth Or. Earlier this year, the synagogue closed due to dropping congregation numbers, but last week, school buses arrived, dropping off young men and boys every morning."

— "[Roselle] settles former cop's gender discrimination suit for $14K, promotes her to captain"

— "Jury awards $300K to former Ocean County detective who claimed he was pressured to lie"

R.I.P. — "Jacqueline Kort, first female mayor of Glen Rock, dead at 94"

— "Sussex wants its money back: NJ keeps misusing tax for 911 services, say commissioners"

— "Camden committee asks residents, businesses to weigh in on cannabis"

— "'I don't want to live in a slum': Little help yet for residents of troubled Camden senior housing"

— "Outside counsel opinion says Bhalla's job offer to make Falco new Hoboken director is legal"

— "Bloomfield gives the OK for marijuana sales in town. Here's how many stores there could be"

— "Will mayor veto Paterson City Council on ban of legal marijuana sales?"

— "Englewood police officer mired in past controversy sues, saying he was denied promotion"

— "Cape May's largest undeveloped property preserved after 30-year legal fight"

EVERYTHING ELSE

HIGHER ED — New Jersey college students, faculty largely complying with vaccine mandates, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Students and faculty members at some of New Jersey's largest four-year colleges and universities are overwhelmingly complying with Covid-19 vaccine mandates. With students set to arrive on campus in the next few weeks, higher education institutions are releasing vaccination numbers en masse, hoping to assuage growing fears over the Delta variant and encourage last minute holdouts to get inoculated. Most schools are requiring that students be vaccinated before returning to campus for the fall semester and a few have mandated the same for faculty and staff. According to a POLITICO analysis, 26 of the 27 senior public and independent four-year universities in the state have vaccine requirements in place. The exception is Thomas Edison University in Trenton, which holds a majority of its courses online.

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