News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Redistricting about to get started

Friday, August 6, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Redistricting about to get started

Aug 06, 2021

Good Friday morning!

It's almost time for redistricting to begin in earnest.

The Census Bureau announced yesterday that it will release the first local-level data — the stuff used for redistricting — on Thursday. And Tuesday is the deadline for the state Supreme Court to choose between the two proposed tie-breakers put forward by Democrats and Republicans, assuming they don't come to some alternative arrangement.

It's hard to see what alternative there could be for the tie-breaker . Since the parties told Chief Justice Stuart Rabner last week that they remained deadlocked despite his entreaty to compromise, they haven't heard back from him.

Also, a tidbit on state legislative redistricting — you know, the process that you all really care about. With both parties tasked to submit a list of potential tie-breakers by Aug. 17, among those being considered is former state Democratic Chair Brendan Byrne. Being considered by Republicans, that is. Former Republican state Sen. Joe Kyrillos suggested Byrne, who despite his long resume — and his dad — was a top "Christiecrat" during the Republican governor's two terms.

It sounds really unlikely Republicans will actually put Byrne on the short list, but their redistricting team's chair, Al Barlas, confirmed he was among the many names under consideration. I heard back from Byrne last night and while he didn't rule out the prospect entirely, even he put a damper on it.

"Probably not, I think, is the best way to put it," he said.

WHERE'S MURPHY? — In East Brunswick at 1:15 p.m. to announce the reinstatement of a school mask mandate (more on that just below) , then Jersey City at 2:30 p.m. for a ribbon cutting ceremony

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Saturday for TAPInto's Liz Meyers. Missed yesterday: First Lady Tammy Murphy

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Who are they, telling us to take it down?" — Clifton Mayor Jimm Anzaldi on the Turnpike Authority's demand regarding a Black Lives Matter mural on a Parkway underpass

WHAT TRENTON MADE

MASKDATE — Sources: Murphy to announce mask mandate for New Jersey schools, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin and Sam Sutton : Gov. Phil Murphy will mandate masks in schools, POLITICO has confirmed. According to four sources with insight into the governor's decision, Murphy will announce the full policy on Friday at an event in East Brunswick. Murphy, a Democrat who is seeking reelection, previously announced that he was expecting a full-time, in-person school reopening in the fall with no masks required on a statewide level. However, with the rising threat of the Delta variant and new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending universal masking indoors at schools for all teachers, students and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, Murphy's decision is not wholly unexpected. The administration recently issued guidance "strongly recommending" that individuals mask up in indoor public settings last week, matching similar CDC recommendations.

#PRIORITIES — "After Cuomo report, NJ's stalled efforts on sexual harassment come under scrutiny," by NJ Spotlight News' Colleen O'Dea: "When the New Jersey Legislature broke for the summer — and likely not meeting again until after the November election — it left on the table three measures meant to prevent sexual harassment or assault by elected officials, state workers and political candidates. Now that unfinished business and the complaints of sexual assaults, harassment and misogyny in New Jersey's political culture that prompted it are getting renewed attention after a five-month investigation found 11 credible accusers that said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former state workers. And while New Jersey lawmakers should act on that legislation, a leading advocate against sexual harassment in politics says they should also go further to prevent anyone from retaliating against accusers, something Cuomo now stands accused of. 'There is absolutely a way to stop men like Gov. Cuomo,' said Julie Roginsky, a longtime Democratic strategist who also sued Fox News over sexual harassment by its former head Roger Ailes … Four months ago, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law seven measures … But three other bills based on the group's work that deal specifically with sexual harassment in state government, the Legislature and political campaigns have not made it to Murphy. Two are stalled, while the third — setting up an office to hear and investigate allegations within campaigns and political parties — will not be considered until after the general election in November, when the governor and the entire Legislature are on the ballot."

POTENTIAL 33 MASTRO COST — "The COVID-era NJ housing help bill Murphy is quietly vetoing," by NJ 101.5's Michael Symons: "After signing $750 million in rent and utility assistance into law Wednesday and enacting other eviction protections, Gov. Phil Murphy quietly revealed he's also vetoing a different COVID-related housing bill that lawmakers had passed unanimously. The bill Murphy won't sign is S3955/A5905, which would establish a Rental Assistance Navigation Program in the state Department of Community Affairs. In it, the DCA — or its contractors — would help tenants navigate the process of applying for rental assistance. 'I am concerned that it could cost as much as $300 million to administer,' Murphy said in a signing statement."

SUCKIN' ON A CHILI DOG… FROM RUTT'S HUT — "Jack and Diane really need to listen to the lyrics to 'Jack and Diane'," by The Trentonian's Jeff Edelstein: "Suckin' on chilli dog outside the Tastee Freez, Diane sitting on Jacky's lap, got his hands between her knees. Jack he says, 'Hey, Diane, let's run off behind a shady tree,' dribble off those Bobbie Brooks, let me do what I please. Hoo boy. This took a turn. Bobbie Brooks are a clothing line for women, and so we're like 30 seconds into the song and Jack is going for it. This feels very un-#MeToo. Saying 'Oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone" (x2) They walk on Yeah, um, that's pretty dark. Let's keep moving along here.'"

MURPHY TO SPEND HIS ENTIRE FORTUNE ON GAS SO TAX DOESN'T RISE IN ELECTION YEAR — "Will NJ's gas tax go up again?" by NJ Spotlight News' John Reitmeyer: "Five years after New Jersey overhauled how it finances transportation projects, the state's gas tax now ranks among the highest in the country. And later this month, motorists should find out whether the gas tax will increase again, or if they are in line for a reprieve. State law requires the state treasurer and another top public-finance official to analyze gas-tax collection figures each year by the middle of August. Their main task is to determine whether New Jersey's current per-gallon gas-tax — now 50.7 cents — is generating enough revenue to keep up with what the state plans to spend on road, bridge and rail projects."

—"DOJ settles lawsuit with New Jersey over voter registration"

—"Public safety first issue Brown wants to address in his new Atlantic City role"

—"In bid to win legislative seats, 39th District Democrats bring in Cryan's campaign manager"

—Steinberg: "Diane Allen will not change dynamics of the contest"

—" PATH settles with two unions, but 8 others still waiting for a new contract"

—Murphy signs bill requiring DOH to review infection control plans

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BIDEN TIME

R.I.P. — AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka dead at 72, by POLITICO's Rebecca Rainey and Tina Sfondeles: Richard Trumka, president of the powerful AFL-CIO labor organization, has died unexpectedly, the federation announced Thursday. Trumka, 72, had served as president of the AFL-CIO, which represents more than 12.5 million workers, for more than a decade and was called a "close personal friend" by President Joe Biden. He died of what was believed to be a heart attack, a source familiar with the matter said. It was unclear when exactly it occurred, though it's believed to be either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Staff at the AFL-CIO were informed of the death on Thursday morning. "He was a relentless champion of workers' rights, workplace safety, worker-centered trade, democracy and so much more," AFL-CIO Communications Director Tim Schlittner said in a statement.

9/11 — "Did Saudi Arabia help 9/11 hijackers? Menendez bill could answer the question," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "Almost two decades after her husband perished on 9/11, Terry Strada still has one big question: Was Saudi Arabia involved? Strada and others who lost family members have gone to court to try to hold the Saudi government responsible for the terrorist attack, as 15 of the 19 hijackers came from that country. But information that they might be able to prove their case has been off limits, classified by order of the U.S. government, which refuses to even review the documents to see if any can be released.

'Critical documents are being held from public view,' said Strada of Basking Ridge, co-chair of 9/11 Community United. 'In fact, in many cases, they refuse to even look at the documents. Instead, our government argues it would just be too much of a burden.' Strada and other 9/11 victims stood beside Democratic U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut as they marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11 by introducing legislation requiring the U.S. government to review its files on the worst terrorist attack in American history and either release the information publicly or offer an explanation on why it can't."

—"ICE continues to pull its detainees from NJ"

—"N.J. man caught with arsenal of weapons, white supremacy propaganda pleads guilty"

—"People in 20 other states can get democracy in a day. New Jersey, unfortunately, isn't one of them. | Opinion"

LOCAL

A THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT EDUCATION — "Just 9% of Newark students met state math standards this spring, data show," by Chalkbeat's Patrick Wall: "Newark students suffered extensive learning loss last school year, according to spring 2021 test scores that show for the first time how profoundly the pandemic disrupted students' academic progress. Just 9% of students in grades 2-8 met state expectations in math based on the results of end-of-year tests taken this spring, according to Newark Public Schools data Chalkbeat obtained through a public records request. Only 11% of students met expectations in reading. The grim results are only estimates of how students would have fared on New Jersey's state exams had they not been canceled this spring. Also, the tests measure student performance against pre-pandemic benchmarks, which do not account for the extreme challenges Newark students faced after COVID shuttered school buildings and shattered any sense of normalcy for more than a year."

ORGANIZERS TO FOLLOW FRELINGHUYSEN EXAMPLE: WILL RUN ON TERM LIMITS AND SERVE FOR A QUARTER CENTURY — "Morristown group gathering signatures to establish term limits for elected officials," by The Daily Record's Jessie Gomez: "A Morristown residents' group is circulating a petition to establish term limits in the wake of Mayor Tim Dougherty's win in the June Democratic primary. Dougherty is running for his fourth four-year term in November. The Morristown Voter Initiative for Term Limits is proposing a two-term time limit ordinance for all Morristown elected officials. 'It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the Town of Morristown to limit the time elected officials can serve as elected officials so that there is more opportunity for citizen participation in the legislative and executive branches and the airing of a greater diversity of ideas,' the proposed ordinance reads."

BLOOMFIELD — "Bloomfield police shooting will go to grand jury," by News 12's Walt Kane: "The shooting of an unarmed motorist by Bloomfield Police will be investigated by a grand jury, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said in a letter to the motorist's attorney. The announcement comes after Kane In your Corner investigations raised doubts about whether police were telling the truth about the shooting of Jeffery Sutton. And a new Kane In Your Corner investigation reveals the police repeatedly changed their story."

TRENTON BAKES — " N.J.'s capital city to welcome, but limit locations for legal weed shops. Downtown may get left out," by NJ Advance Media's Kevin Shea: "As New Jersey municipalities face a looming deadline to get in on the action for legal marijuana sales, officials in the state's capital city have been jockeying on an ordinance that would lay out how cannabis businesses can operate. Trenton's ordinance, which has gone through several changes, would allow five dispensaries in three existing business zones in the city, with the downtown business district excluded."

—"N.J. school that battled over reopening will require students, teachers to mask up"

—"Pumping up the paycheck: Jersey City raising minimum wage for city workers to $17 an hour"

—"East Brunswick is requiring its employees to get COVID vaccine"

—"Asbury Park charter school fighting denial of grade expansion. Where will the kids go?"

—" [Cumberland County] man seeks $50 million in damages for teacher's alleged sexual abuse in the 1960s"

—"DeFusco proposes waiving fees for Hoboken bars that require vaccination to enter without a mask"

—" Police did not investigate alleged sex assault case at doctor's office, lawsuit says"

—"Atlantic County commissioner race recount results expected next week"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

AMERICAN DREAMWEAVER, I BELIEVE YOU CAN GET ME THROUGH THE NEXT MONTH — "American Dream mall drains reserves to make payment on $290M debt," by The Real Deal: "The nightmare continues for the American Dream mall, forced to tap into a reserve fund to make its latest bond payment. The mall in New Jersey's Meadowlands used $9.3 million from a reserve fund on August 2 to make payment on its nearly $290 million debt. The mall now has just $9.3 million left in the fund according to Bloomberg News, enough to make one more debt payment on February 1. The municipal bonds were issued in 2017, backed by a pledge of 75 percent of sales tax receipts from purchases made at the mall. Additionally, developer Triple Five Group sold $800 million in debt, backed by payments it would make to bondholders in lieu of property taxes."

TRIGGERED — "NJ gun sales are still up, and background checks have skyrocketed this past year," by The Asbury Park Press' Erin Nolan: "In 2020, Joe Hawk's Toms River gun shop sold more than eight-and-a-half times as many guns as the year before. The spike in sales, Hawk said, from his store Guns & Roses LLC, could be attributed to the public's growing anxiety in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest leading up to the 2020 presidential election and the widespread protests which occurred following the murder of Minneapolis man George Floyd at the hands of police. But gun sales are still up from pre-pandemic numbers, and Hawk doesn't believe 'the purchasing frenzy' is over yet. 'This is what I hear from customers: 'Yeah it's calmed down a little bit, but you know what? I am going to get the gun anyway,' Hawk said … While data referencing the exact number of guns sold in the state is unavailable, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that the number of firearms background checks being done skyrocketed this past year. At the same time, gun violence is on the rise, the New Jersey State Police report."

EVEN MORE PEOPLE WILL GET TO HAVE A MISERABLE EXPERIENCE AT THE AIRPORT — "$125M Amazon cargo hub — and 1,000 new jobs — coming to Newark airport, " by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "Amazon is coming to Newark Liberty International Airport, and bringing with it 1,000 jobs, after Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioners approved a 20-year lease of two buildings on the airport's north side for a regional air cargo hub. Under the lease, approved Thursday, Amazon will spend $125 million to redevelop two 1990s vintage buildings into a new state-of-the-art 250,000 square foot air cargo campus. The facility, which could open during the first quarter of 2023, is expected to employee 1,000 people, primarily from communities surrounding the airport, said Huntley Lawrence, authority director of aviation."

HEALTH — Judge blocks Hackensack Meridian's acquisition of Englewood Health, by POLITICO's Sam Suttin: A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction blocking Hackensack Meridian Health's acquisition of Englewood Health, setting an important marker in how federal regulators are viewing consolidation of health systems in New Jersey. While the opinion linked to U.S. District Court Judge John Michael Vazquez's ruling is sealed, his decision Wednesday afternoon to grant the Federal Trade Commission's request to halt the sale means New Jersey's largest health system will face major obstacles in further expanding its footprint in Bergen County, its home base.

—"Holy Name's CEO addresses 'outright gossip' amid top doc's leave"

—"NJ Transit passenger charged after racist rant toward train conductor who asked him to mask up"

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