News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Voters' nuanced opinions on Murphy's coronavirus record

Friday, September 24, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Voters' nuanced opinions on Murphy's coronavirus record

Sep 24, 2021

Presented by A Healthy Future, LLC

Good Friday morning!

Majorities of New Jersey voters assign at least some blame to Gov. Murphy for the state's high nursing home Covid death toll and the economic pain suffered by small businesses, according to new Monmouth Poll results.

That would seem to be damning for the governor, especially since Jack Ciattarelli has made those two issues big parts of his campaign. And yet 62 percent say Murphy's done a good job handling the pandemic.

What's up with that? It appears voters don't see this issue in black and white. I asked Monmouth Poll Director Patrick Murray what those voters were probably thinking in holding those two ideas in their minds.

"Part of it was early in the pandemic there were a lot of unknowns," he said. "The other thing is that while the 8,000 or so nursing home deaths were tragic — and some of them were probably avoidable — other actions that Murphy took in terms of mask mandates and social distancing probably saved tens of thousands of lives."

Now, if only there was a way to make a nuanced argument in a 30-second campaign ad.

Read the full poll here.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The court order that Mr. Torres signed and consented to following his guilty plea forever disqualifies him from holding the office of mayor in Paterson. His disqualification is so clear that we will not comment on a hypothetical question about him running as a candidate." — AG spox Steve Barnes on disgraced Paterson Mayor Joey Torres flirting with another run.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Former Mount Vernon President Curtis G. Viebranz. Saturday for Assemblymember Paul Moriarty, Komjathy & Kean's Al Komjathy, NJDEP's Gene Chebra. Sunday for FSHC's Jennifer Mancusio, attorney Sal Anderton. Missed yesterday: Local musician Bruce Springsteen

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com

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Some members of Congress want to fund a partisan $3.5 trillion spending plan on the backs of Medicare patients. Their plan would repeal a safeguard in Medicare protecting seniors and those with disabilities, cutting off access to life-saving medicines. Tell Congressman Tom Malinowski: Oppose cutting Medicare to pay for the $3.5 trillion spending plan. Stop the government from pulling needed prescription drugs from the market. Sign the petition.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER SHORTAGE — 'As adults, we failed': New Jersey's school bus driver shortage grows 'dire,' by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Suzanne Tuttle was about to call the police. Her 4-year old son, Max, should have been home from his first day of kindergarten at J. Harvey Rodgers School in Glassboro four hours earlier, but his bus still had not arrived. Finally, at about 6 p.m., a minibus carrying Max and other children arrived and dropped him off. Tuttle said Max was hungry but otherwise calm. Other kids on the bus were crying. Amid a nationwide bus driver shortage, many New Jersey families say they've been worn down by endless lengthy delays, no-show drivers and poor communication from districts. Three weeks into the school year, parents and school leaders say the shortage is becoming a crisis and they're demanding the state take action. It's unclear how widespread the driver shortage is in New Jersey. The state Department of Education did not respond to multiple requests for comment or to answer questions about how many districts they've heard from with busing issues. But a review of local news stories, district websites and parent Facebook groups reveals kids in Glassboro, Camden, Paterson, Deptford, Jersey City, Wayne, Toms River and dozens of other districts have been left waiting for hours or were never picked up at all.

IS IT CONESTITUTIONAL? — " NJ wants to divest after Ben & Jerry's ends sales in settlements. Will it stand in court?" by The Record's Hannan Adely: "New Jersey plans to pull $182 million in investments from the parent company of Ben & Jerry's after the ice cream maker's decision to end sales in Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. Whether those sanctions can hold up in court is an open question … Unilever, which employs 1,600 people out of its Bergen County headquarters, has 90 days to appeal. In First Amendment challenges to anti-boycott laws in Arizona, Georgia, Kansas and Arkansas, courts have ruled in favor of businesses and individuals that sued after losing jobs because of their alleged support for boycotts. But none of those cases involved challenges over divestment of state pension funds … Legal challenges could depend on the legislators' intent when passing the law, said Amanda Shanor, an assistant professor of legal studies and business ethics at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. A judge will consider whether it was meant to protect a targeted group from discrimination or to clamp down on political speech, she said."

—Mulshine: "In race for New Jersey governor, Jack Ciattarelli is an unknown"

—"N.J.'s problem is that it still spends too much money, new study finds | Opinion"

—"Judges can't ignore jury verdicts in deciding sentencing, N.J.'s top court rules"

—Edelstein: "Jack Ciattarelli needs to dump Trump to have a chance to beat Murphy"

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

BIDEN TIME

CAMPAIGN CASHA — "Casha jumps into the CD-11 GOP primary ring," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: "Now there are five. Larry Casha is the latest Republican to say he wants a crack at Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill in CD-11. Casha, who serves on the state Republican Committee, has sent letters to county committee members saying he plans to run for the GOP congressional nomination. He promised a formal announcement next month. Four people previously have announced plans to run: In no particular order, they are businessman Tom Toomey, lawyer Robert Kovic, screenwriter Hillery Brotschol and Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen. Of that group, Selen, is the only one to have elected experience. Casha, an attorney who lives in Kinnelon, is a longstanding Republican activist."

—Interview: "In major shift, ICE detains few immigrants in New Jersey jails. What happened?"

—" Anti-ICE activists hold vigil outside Menendez's Jersey City office calling for release of detainees"

—"Education secretary backs mandatory school Covid-19 vaccines"

LOCAL

GRAHAM NOT SO GOLDEN — "Top Democrat told Graham to stop using their super PAC in Parsippany, but he was turned down," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "In a move that may be more about landing a lucrative public insurance contract than about political ideology, a Washington-based super PAC with close ties to a prominent New Jersey Democrat has started spending money to help a Republican win a Parsippany mayoral race. The decision to back James Barbiero's comeback bid could force party leaders to ask John F.X. Graham, the founder of Fairview Insurance Agency Associates, to resign his post as Democratic National committeeman, three party leaders told the New Jersey Globe, with Democrats making it clear that they have the back of the Mayor Michael Soriano, who unseated Barbiero in 2017. The super PAC, America's Future First, is controlled by Graham's son, Ryan, and has already sent out a mailer to Parsippany voters attacking Soriano."

BUS-TED — "Jay's Bus Service driver 'raced and tailgated' before crash: Lakewood police report," by The Asbury Park Press' Mike Davis and Susanne Cervenka: "The five-car crash in which a school bus, with children onboard, wound up crushing another vehicle beneath its wheels was caused when the bus driver tried to illegally pass another car after 'racing and tailgating' it for blocks, according to a police report from the Lakewood Township Police Department. Jean Fontus, 50, was charged with reckless driving and improper passing for his role in the crash, according to a police report. Fontus was sent for a drug test after the crash, according to a Jay's Bus Service manager cited in the police report … He had been involved in four accidents since 2018, according to a driver history abstract provided by the MVC. The abstract does not provide details of the incidents nor does it assign fault, either to Fontus or anyone else involved in the crashes. The reckless driving charge issued on Sept. 14 was Fontus' second."

SURE. OK. YEAH. — "Lakewood police chief blames hacking for pro-Trump, anti-Biden tweets on Twitter account," by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby: "A Twitter account used in the past by the Lakewood police chief and which posted politically controversial statements over the past year was hacked, according to township Mayor Raymond Coles and Lakewood police. Police Chief Gregory Meyer's Twitter account, @Greg_Meyer_LKWD before it was deleted Sunday, was used to promote former President Donald Trump's reelection campaign in 2020 and insult President Joe Biden. The account also posted controversial statements about Mexico. On Oct. 29, 2020, the account tweeted: 'Biden is an angry old man. Go back to your basement we're doing ok without you. 47 years of wasted time in politics for sure. #Trump2020Landslide #Trump.' On Sept. 1, the account posted a four-letter expletive before Joe Biden's name. The account also posted derogatory comments about Mexico and immigration at the southern border. The account was deleted Sunday, shortly after the Asbury Park Press called Coles, the mayor, about its content. Coles said he called Meyer about the account, and that the police chief told him the account must have been hacked."

THE IZO CENTER – " Lavarro's IZO measure defeated 6-3 at short yet intense Jersey City Council meeting," by Hudson County View's Daniel Ulloa: "After voting against adding it to the agenda last time, an identical tally voted down Jersey City Councilman-at-Large Rolando Lavarro's inclusionary zoning ordinance measure at a short yet intense 90-minute meeting last night. Ward E Councilman James Solomon and Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey joined Lavarro in voting for resolution, which required 20 percent affordable housing and no buyout provisions and would've [been] sent to the planning board for further review. The other council members argued this would interrupt the planning division's process of crafting a new affordable housing ordinance with the Fair Share Housing Center, who sued the city over the IZO the council approved in October and successfully had it overturned last month."

DELORENZO'S TOIL — "State seizes records from N.J. town after mayor alleges construction official bilked developers," by NJ Advance Media's Anthony G. Attrino: "State investigators raided Belleville Town Hall in Essex County on Monday, just days after the mayor alleged during a public hearing that the town's construction official improperly withdrew thousands of dollars from an account set aside for developers. Mayor Michael Melham told NJ Advance Media he discovered earlier this year that Construction Official Frank DeLorenzo Jr. billed the developers $200 to $750 each time he attended a meeting outside of regular work hours. 'Mr. DeLorenzo is accused of typing up his own invoices for arbitrary dollar amounts and taking money from our developer escrow account for attending meetings,' Melham said. 'The problem is, Mr. DeLorenzo is already paid via stipend to attend the very same meetings.' … His attorney, Christopher Errante of Lyndhurst, said DeLorenzo has worked for the township for decades, has a spotless record and would never do anything illegal."

CUMBERLAND COUNTY — "Chief justice clears county to relocate inmates, proceed with jail shutdown," by The Daily Journal's Joseph P. Smith: "Three terse orders from New Jersey Chief Justice Stuart Rabner on Thursday have cleared the way for Cumberland County to permanently close its jail. The most important order from Rabner declares that the state Supreme Court will not hear an appeal of lower court decisions that found Cumberland County has no legal obligation to operate a jail. Litigation over the jail's future has gone on for almost one year in state courts. Trial and appellate court decisions, on July 30 and August 10 respectively, were in favor of the county and against the plaintiffs, the N.J. Office of the Public Defender and two male inmates. However, judges in both those courts retained inmate transfer restrictions to allow for appeals to be filed. The Supreme Court on August 10 extended the transfer restrictions again, while it considered whether to hear the case."

—"Cumberland County, N.J. public defender write Supreme Court over warden's sudden exit"

RALPH UH OH EMERSON — The Bergen County Clerk's office said its contract printer made an error after a late-addition of a candidate for an unexpired Emerson council term to the mail-in ballots. See here. Bergen Deputy Clerk Steve Chong, who's running election matters because up-for-reelection County Clerk John Hogan has recused himself, said that on Wednesday night the clerk's office re-mailed 597 mail-in ballots with labels explaining what happened, and that they have a system in place in case voters accidentally submit the wrong ballots.

—"Hughes wants to privatize courthouse security, Kemler says he can't"

—"Two Paterson schools damaged by Ida will remain closed for another month"

—" Prosecutors outline 'disturbing' sexual abuse case against Fair Lawn teacher"

—"Man sues [Ewing] school district for $50M, says janitor sexually abused him for years"

—" High levels of lead found in water at 12 schools in [Middletown] district"

—Watch: "Atlantic County Commissioners debate at Stockton University"

—" [Atlantic] City Council passes 2% tax on retail recreational cannabis sales"

—"North Brunswick, NJ cops 'borrow' cruisers after own fleet floods"

BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.

EVERYTHING ELSE

KEVIN O'TOOLE TO DECIDE PLANTING LOCATIONS AS LORD OF THE CEDAR GROVES — "Polluters pick up tab for restoration of threatened tracts of white cedar trees in N.J.," by The AP's Wayne Parry: "New Jersey plans to restore vast tracts of a coastal tree species threatened by climate change, and will pay for it with money from polluters of groundwater. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said Thursday its plan to restore 10,000 acres of Atlantic white cedar would be the largest restoration effort involving the species in U.S. history. The $20 million project will span 10 years and will be paid for from court settlements with manufacturers and distributors of a now-banned gasoline additive that has polluted groundwater throughout the country."

MAN NAMED 'JOSH GOTTNYEIMER' WITH THICK GLASSES, FAKE NOSE TESTIFIES AGAINST — New Yorkers sound off on MTA's congestion pricing proposal, by POLITICO's Danielle Muoio: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Thursday held its first hearing on congestion pricing, kicking off the long process to implement a new tolling system for Manhattan's central business district, drawing a variety of competing concerns over the plan. Details: The meeting is one of over 20 hearings that will be held through June 2022. Dozens of residents testified at the virtual public hearing, which specifically targeted residents in the outerboroughs. Proponents said it would encourage mass transit use and voiced concern over the impact cars have on daily city life — from their involvement in deadly traffic crashes to the pollution they spew into neighborhoods. "Most New Yorkers don't even have cars and the government should encourage those who do to drive less and take mass transit more," said Mackenzie Villow, a Brooklyn resident. Opponents argued the system unfairly punishes residents in the outerboroughs, many of whom live in transit deserts and must rely on cars. Assemblymember David Weprin, a longstanding opponent of the plan who represents parts of Queens, called it an "outerborough tax" that "completely ignores middle class families and small businesses" in the outerboroughs.

—" Amid a teacher shortage and COVID, this is how N.J. is training future educators"

A message from A Healthy Future, LLC:

If Congressman Tom Malinowski and Congress cut Medicare to pay for the $3.5 trillion spending plan, the government could refuse to cover life-saving medicines and prevent breakthrough therapies for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, or diabetes. What about a vaccine for the next pandemic? This is a prescription for disaster. We can't let the government play doctor. We can't give government bureaucrats the authority to deny access to needed prescription medicines and ration care as a way of "saving money" to fund their multi-trillion-dollar wish list. Sign the petition and make sure Congressman Malinowski hears your voice today.