News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: We're not #1

Friday, September 17, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: We're not #1

Sep 17, 2021

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By Matt Friedman

Presented by A Healthy Future, LLC

Good Friday morning!

New Jersey just lost a very dubious distinction.

For pretty much all of the pandemic up to this point, New Jersey has had the highest per capita death rate of any state. That changed yesterday, when Mississippi — currently undergoing a coronavirus surge — took the top position, according to the New York Times tracker and The Associated Press.

While it's better not to be number one in this case, it's not what I would call good news. Nobody un-died . I think any decent New Jerseyan would be more than willing to keep this unhappy position if it meant people stopped dying. And it's definitely worth noting that, nursing home Covid-positive readmissions notwithstanding, New Jersey was hit hard early, before the medical community had as effective treatments and safety protocols.

Mississippi has, according to the Times tracker, the fifth lowest vaccination rate in the country.

WHERE'S MURPHY? — No public schedule

QUOTE OF THE DAY : "I really feel sorry for Donald Trump. Not, you know, Donald Trump the person. But Donald Trump the former president … Because he can't go out to dinner, right? Like, Don't you get tired of eating club food? Wouldn't you like to go out to some restaurant and have dinner with friends? … It just seems like a very cloistered, fishbowl kind of life." — Former Bedminster GOP Committeewoman Sally Rubin in a Business Insider article about life around Trump's golf club.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: WPCNJ's Lisa Kaado, Former Roxbury councilmember Dan Kline, SUEZ's Kevin Watsey. Saturday for Chesilhurst Mayor Jamila Bremmer, AFL-CIO's Eric Richard. Sunday for Kivvit's Maggie Moran, Checkmate's Chris Russell, WaPo's Victoria St. Martin, Assembly Dems Edgardo Cardinali

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

A message from A Healthy Future, LLC:

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 Frank Pallone: 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

ALMOST TWO WHOLE MASTROS — Murphy outlines 10-year vision to bring universal pre-K to New Jersey, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin and Katherine Landergan: Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday announced plans to expand or start new pre-K programs in more than a dozen districts across New Jersey as he charts a 10-year endeavor to make universal preschool a reality. Murphy identified 19 districts across 11 counties that will split $17.5 million in funding to start or expand existing preschool programs. The money has already been accounted for in the FY22 state budget Murphy signed in June. The 19 districts build on the 140 that have received funding for either a new high-quality preschool program or to expand an existing preschool to a high-quality program since Murphy took office. However, some 300 districts throughout New Jersey are still without preschool programs of their own, administration sources said. Providing free preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds in New Jersey has been a cornerstone of Murphy's agenda since he first ran for governor in 2017. While universal pre-K is not a new message for the Democratic governor, the decadelong on-ramp is the most conservative projection he's presented.

—"After going for the jugular on Ciattarelli, Murphy alights in a pre-k classroom," by InsiderNJ's Max Pizarro : "It's less than two months until Election Day, and Murphy's point in Palisades Park this morning seemed to be that while his Republican opponent has maintained a rigorous shady schedule of hillbilly delights in an attempt to look like a Trump backer for the sake of appeasing his base, while subsequently saying publicly, 'What, me?', the governor loves kids. The contest is clear. Trumpies versus children. Not everyone was buying it, of course."

IF WE GO TO ECONOMIC WAR OUR NEIGHBORS CAN EAT OUR BREAKFAST BECAUSE PORK ROLL WILL KILL THEM — Ciattarelli: New Jersey needs to 'declare economic war' with neighboring states, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli on Thursday said New Jersey would become the "envy of the other 49 states" for its business climate if he is elected governor, claiming he would "declare economic war" with neighboring states."I've gone as far as to say we need to be regionally competitive, but we're also going a step further and say that we need to declare economic war on our neighbors," the Somerset County resident said at a press conference, during which he touted his tax reform plan to make the state a more attractive place to do business. "Delaware, Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Texas, are eating our lunch." Ciattarelli, who has made improving the state's business climate a cornerstone of his campaign, assailed Gov. Phil Murphy for being "insensitive" to the struggles employers face.

JUSTICES GRAPPLE WITH QUESTION OF WHETHER PUBLIC RECORDS ARE PUBLIC — "NJ justices hear case over county's 'terminated' corrections officer," by The New Jersey Law Journal's Suzette Parmley: "In Libertarians for Transparent Government v. Cumberland County, attorneys for each side argued before the New Jersey Supreme Court on whether a settlement agreement between a county government and a former employee resolving an internal disciplinary action against the employee is considered a government record — and not a personnel file— under Section 10 of the Open Public Records Act. The case involved a former corrections officer who admitted having sexual relations with at least two incarcerated women, and was later allowed to retire with a pension while the county said it had terminated him. CJ Griffin of Hackensack-based Pashman Stein Walder Hayden represented the plaintiff and said it is a government document that should be accessed under OPRA."

FOP FLOP — "N.J. police union endorses, then drops, Oath Keepers leader seeking State Assembly seat," by New Jersey Globe: "The New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police endorsed a leader of the controversial Oath Keepers group for a State Assembly seat in Bergen County, but then pulled their endorsement three hours later after learning that their candidate played a role in the protests at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The state's second-largest police union, which is staying out of the governor's race between Phil Murphy and Jack Ciattarelli, initially gave their Assembly endorsement in the solidly-Democratic 37th district to Edward Durfee, the Northern NJ Regional Director of the Oath Keepers, an anti-government militia group that prosecutors think was involved planning of the January 6 events. But the FOP claims it didn't know about Durfee's role with the Oath Keepers."

R.I.P. — "Dr. Declan O'Scanlon, Sr., father of senator, dies at 92"

—Labor bureau: New Jersey has recovered 65 percent of jobs lost in pandemic's early days

—"300K workers move to N.J.'s unemployment benefits after federal programs end"

—Murphy: 'Too early to assess' school reopenings amid Covid-19 surge

—"Long-standing teacher shortages could hamper learning gains"

—"NJ's pension fund, by the numbers"

—Video: " Lingering caution about returning to public transit"

—"Atlantic City casinos bounce back, up 31% from a year ago"

—" [Pennacchio]: Treat recovered COVID patients same as vaccinated"

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

ONE WAY TO BE THRIFTY IS TO MULTI-DOSE EYE DRUG VIALS — "Should the government negotiate drug prices? NJ Sen. Bob Menendez emerges as key vote," by The Asbury Park Press' Michael L. Diamond: "Sen. Bob Menendez has emerged as a key figure as Democrats work on a pocketbook issue that in the Garden State is pitting Democrat against Democrat, forcing them to walk a fine line between the state's progressive consumer groups and its powerful pharmaceutical industry. Menendez declined to support a cost-savings proposal long touted by his fellow Democrats — to allow the federal government to negotiate Medicare drug prices with the pharmaceutical industry. Instead, the member of the Senate Finance Committee said this week he would look for other ways to lower drug prices as part of the budget reconciliation package being negotiated in Congress."

GOTT-NOTHING-HEIMER — "Reversal of SALT is in jeopardy as Biden's infrastructure package moves forward," by The Record's Charles Stile: "What happened to the 'no SALT, no deal' defiance of the New Jersey Democratic congressional delegation? Well, the defiance certainly remains. The much-sought provision to fully restore the federal deduction for state and local taxes — SALT — was not included among tax changes Democrats are proposing to finance President Joe Biden's historic $3.5 trillion social welfare package. The omission doesn't necessarily mean that restoring the deduction — which was dramatically limited to just $10,000 under former President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cut bill — is now officially dead in the water. But it does mean that the goal of fully repealing the provision, which has been a rallying cry for Democrats in North Jersey and other northeast states, will be a much heavier lift as the gargantuan, complicated legislation inches its way through a deeply divided Congress."

—"Uprooted, yet again: 150 resettled refugees in New Jersey displaced by Tropical Storm Ida"

LOCAL

STEVE SWEENEY'S CONSOLIDATION EFFORTS FINALLY PAY OFF — "Pine Valley and Pine Hill moving toward consolidation," by The Courier-Post's Jim Walsh: "This tiny town — home to one of the country's most exclusive golf courses and a few pricey homes — is poised for a big change. The borough's commissioners are preparing for the first step in the formal process of consolidating the mini-municipality by year-end with its considerably larger neighbor, Pine Hill. 'This decision was arrived at following a careful analysis and extensive discussions,' the boroughs said in a joint statement Thursday. Reasons for consolidation include 'fiscal and operational efficiencies and land use compatibility,' they added. Pine Valley's commissioners are expected to hold a hearing and final vote on a consolidation ordinance on Tuesday, Sept. 21. The commissioners gave initial approval to the measure on Sept. 8."

EDISON COUNCILMAN HAS THE INSPIRATION, BUT PERSPIRATION LIES AHEAD — "Edison to explore drastic change in township government," by MyCentralJersey's Suzanne Russell: "A township councilman is looking to make a radical change in the township form of government by introducing an ordinance at the Sept. 22 township council meeting to create a council ward system. Edison now has a council president, council vice president and five other council members all elected at-large by voters throughout the township. Councilman Richard Brescher, however, has proposed creating five wards, each with about 20,000 residents, along with four at-large council members … If approved, Edison would join the nearby towns of Woodbridge, Piscataway, Westfield and Plainfield which already have ward council systems."

5.3 MASTROS — "Paterson's insurance questioned as city faces $48M in claims in dismissed conviction suits," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico : "City taxpayers may have to pick up the entire tab for what could be multimillion-dollar payouts in pending lawsuits filed by two men who served more than 24 years in prison before their murder convictions were dismissed. Paterson's current self-insurance program for lawsuits includes an "excess liability" policy under which a private insurer pays for legal expenses, including settlements, when the tab for an individual case exceeds $500,000. But the city may not have had an excess policy when the case in question — the arrests and murder convictions of Eric Kelley and Ralph Lee Jr. — took place almost three decades ago, according to current and former municipal officials."

TRENTON MAKES ENDLESS SCANDAL — "Lawsuit: Trenton employee retaliated against for Delisle complaint," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "Tanzania Green claims her life was upended after she accused ex-housing director Ben Delisle of using a racial slur while they talked at her desk last year. Since then, she has been accused of 'petty misconduct,' stripped of duties and transferred from housing and economic development, where she worked as a program development specialist, to 'less desirable' positions, she claimed in a newly filed lawsuit. Green [said] she wrote to union officials to complain that Delisle used the N-word in front her during a conversation they had in August 2020. She claims that the retaliation at the hands of Mayor Reed Gusciora's administration was so bad that she went out on stress leave for weeks and was diagnosed with a panic disorder."

—"Morristown introduces $12 million ordinances to update municipal airport"

—" Not enough bus drivers in Bridgewater-Raritan impacts 900 students"

—"Police identify body of Oaklyn man who vanished 40 years ago"

—" Competing environmental interests at play in Newark energy plant discussion | Opinion"

—"Two Jersey City councilmembers to introduce resolution to launch investigation into Suez's Tropical Storm Ida response"

—" Jersey City cop pleads guilty to traveling to Atlantic City in attempt to sexually assault 2 minors"

—"Hundreds seek FEMA help as [Gloucester County] recovers from tornado. Florist hit with $5M damage"

—" Investigation launched in Belleville after mayor questions payments made to township employee"

—"7 former students at N.J. school sue for $50M, claim teacher sexually abused them decades ago"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

BECAUSE NJ NEEDS MORE HAX — "Global giant accelerator coming to Newark — bringing commitment to develop 100 hard-tech companies," by ROI-N's Tom Bergeron: "HAX, a hard-tech accelerator run by one of the most-active venture capital firms in the world, [announced] Thursday morning that it is establishing its U.S. headquarters in Newark — and bringing with it a commitment to develop 100 companies in the city over the next five years ... Companies participating in the HAX program are expected to create at least 2,500 new, well-paying jobs in the decade ahead and attract millions in new capital to Newark and New Jersey — as well as greatly enhancing the reputation of the city and the state in the tech ecosystem."

I WAS HOPING KINGSLEY HAD SIGNED ONTO 'CLEAVER II' — "'Jules,' movie starring Ben Kingsley now filming in Boonton," by The Daily Record's Jessie Gomez: "Cameras began to roll for a major movie production filming in the area this week. The town was selected as a filming location for several scenes in a new movie starring Ben Kingsley. Residents can expect traffic and slight delays due as areas around town hall are blocked off."

SENTENCE INFLUENCER — "Wife of Instagram influencer Jay Mazini dug up judge's info as perceived threat, court says," by The Record's Tom Nobile: "Kidnapping charges against Jay Mazini have been transferred out of Bergen County after investigators uncovered evidence that the Instagram star's wife, and alleged accomplice, researched personal information about the case's judge. A judge in Passaic County is now presiding over the case, which involves five defendants, including Mazini and his wife, Joumana Danoun, who are accused of staging a plot to kidnap one of Mazini's rivals. The target, a North Jersey man who allegedly feuded with Mazini online, was beaten and held at knifepoint with a machete during the kidnapping attempt in March, authorities have said. Mazini, of Edgewater, had amassed nearly a million followers on his Instagram account, with videos of him handing out large amounts of cash to random people as gifts. Now, the 25-year-old and his wife face a litany of felony charges: kidnapping, assault and endangerment, as well as witness tampering and bribery."

BREUER IS NOT THE GOAT — "Jersey comedian's views on COVID vaccination are a joke," by The Star-Ledger's Paul Mulshine: "He must be joking. I'm talking about comedian Jim Breuer. The 'Saturday Night Live' alumnus, who lives in Morris County, recently announced that he won't play in any venues (including Montclair's Wellmont) that require proof of COVID-19 vaccination because doing so would amount to 'segregation' of audience members. Of course it's segregation. It's segregating smart people from dumb people."

—"NJ colleges mandated COVID vaccines. Students complied — mostly"

—"Former Cardinal McCarrick, Metuchen Diocese ex-clergymen face more sex abuse suits"

A message from A Healthy Future, LLC:

If Congressman Frank Pallone 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 Pallone hears your voice today.