News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Oliver and Allen have a discussion

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Oliver and Allen have a discussion

Oct 06, 2021

Presented by the Consumer Action Network

Good Wednesday morning!

I watched the lieutenant governor debate last night, and I'm suffering whiplash from last Tuesday's gubernatorial debate.

Gone was the raucous (and maybe a little tipsy?) studio audience, traded for a small, quiet group somewhere in the back of a room comparably tiny to NJPAC.

It featured two long-time former legislators — Democratic Lt. Gov Sheila Oliver and challenger Republican Diane Allen — who at least appeared to respect each other. They had disagreements over abortion, gun rights, the Murphy administration's treatment of women, etc., but, to use a news cliche, barbs were not traded. Perhaps the fact that they were sitting down lent itself more to cordiality. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the circus atmosphere of the last debate, but this one wasn't boring.

Here's a couple things I found interesting : Oliver said she considers herself "fiscally conservative." It's easy to scoff at that — especially after the Murphy administration borrowed $4.5 billion it turned out not to need. But as Assembly speaker, she did play a major role in the Christie administration's cutbacks to public worker health benefits. So there is that.

Allen, unlike Jack Ciattarelli, didn't avoid a question on how she would define white privilege: "The fact is that for many people who are white, we are able to accomplish things and do things thinking we're doing it on our own when in fact we're doing it because we're being given a little leeway because of our color."

And that might be because Allen seemed very comfortable in this format. It looked effortless for her, and she keyed in on a lot of the things that Ciattarelli didn't stress much in the last debate like MVC lines and unemployment benefits — the kinds of things a lot of New Jerseyans have to deal with and can be annoyed by. Remember, she was a TV news anchor for years. And she's been on the moderating side of political debates as well.

For a better, more comprehensive summary of the debate by Daniel Han and Katherine Landergan, click here.

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "In terms of New Jerseyans not knowing who either of us are, I have found that many of our people in this state don't even sometimes know who our governor is." — Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver during last night's debate.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Cranford Township Administrator Jamie Cryan, Senate Dems ED Kevin Drennan, Assembly Dems' Jillian Lynch, campaign operative Megan Piwowar, Pennoni's Jonathan Savage , former Assemblymember Joel Weingarten

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

A message from the Consumer Action Network:

New Jersey families deserve access to health care that works best for them. The state legislature unanimously passed a bill that would allow patients to keep seeing their providers in a way that works best for them. The bill requires that doctors and nurses keep getting paid fairly, just as they have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell Gov. Phil Murphy: Sign the telehealth bill today. Make your voice heard.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

THE CALIFORNIA OF THE EAST COAST — Murphy mirrors Newsom playbook as New Jersey gubernatorial race enters final month, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton and Matt Friedman : Republican Jack Ciattarelli bet that New Jersey voters would view Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy's policies on masks, vaccines and other Covid-19 restrictions as a prime example of government overreach and rule by fiat. But with the Delta variant lingering, it's Murphy who's gone on a Covid-19 offensive, attacking Ciattarelli's laissez faire positions on face coverings in schools and vaccine freedom as out-of-step with Garden State voters. As New Jersey's gubernatorial race enters its final month, Murphy is relying on a similar playbook to the one that helped California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom fend off a recall challenge — taking direct shots at opponents of economic lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions.

DOESN'T THIS VIOLATE THE DIANE B. ALLEN EQUAL PAY ACT? — "Unpaid and unelected, New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy is among the most powerful forces in her husband's administration," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Allison Steele: "Many New Jerseyans likely don't know Tammy Murphy's name, but she's one of the most powerful members of the administration. Since her husband took office almost four years ago, she's built a policy portfolio with goals to improve health care for women and children. She spearheaded a push to get climate change curriculum into schools, making New Jersey the first state to do so. A former Goldman Sachs analyst, she now spends her days working with her staff of three to promote her husband's Democratic agenda. She also figured prominently in his 2017 run for governor, a successful campaign that also sparked his first serious scandal, over allegations of abuse and misogyny by male staffers. … She now oversees the fund-raising arm of his reelection bid, and has been hosting canvassing events and meeting with volunteers as they gather to knock on doors."

THE CHALLENGER — "Ciattarelli: 'Mr. Murphy doesn't like to be challenged'," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: "Jack Ciattarelli was wrapping up an event with about 35 business people and entrepreneurs at the lavish Crystal Plaza this afternoon when the last question was clearly the best. Knowing that functions of this type generally attract supporters — and only supporters — the query was about how Ciattarelli plans to reach those outside the established Republican circle. ... He said he has been going — and will continue to go to places — where no Republican has gone before. Or at least, where they typically don't go. Just recently, Ciattarelli said he met with African American leaders in very-Democratic Englewood and attended a parade along very-Latino Bergenline Avenue in North Bergen. No place in the state is as Democratic as Hudson County. He also mentioned campaign ads running on TV and in the papers. 'I don't mean the Star Ledger,' he said. Ciattarelli explained that his campaign is running ads in ethnic newspapers around the state in hopes of picking up voters who would not ordinarily vote Republican."

HEY COLLIGAN MAN! — New Jersey's largest police union expected to stay out of gubernatorial race, by Matt: New Jersey's largest police union is likely to remain neutral in the governor's race. "No change in the Gov's race. Probably won't change until Election Day," New Jersey Policemen's Benevolent Association President Pat Colligan told POLITICO via text message Tuesday after being asked if his union planned to make an endorsement. Colligan had previously hinted but not said explicitly that the union would not endorse a candidate.

AGE DISCRIMINATION — " N.J. workers who are 70-plus years old now have new protection from age discrimination," by NJ Advance Media's Matt Arco: "New Jersey workers age 70 and older can't be forced out of a job simply because of their age under a new law Gov. Phil Murphy signed Tuesday. The law closes a loophole that requires some government workers in the state to retire once they hit a certain age and also amended current law to give older employees protection from being let go because of their age."

—Congressional redistricting commission to hold 10 public hearings

—Murphy to sign order increasing poll workers' pay to $300

— New Jersey superintendents want school district review process postponed again

—"Associated Builders And Contractors backs Ciattarelli for governor"

—" Gov. Murphy: School mask mandate won't be forever; doesn't anticipate mandating vaccine for kids"

—"Republicans withdraw at the last minute from LD11 debate"

—" Trade groups, elected officials, administration debate cost, impact of electrification in Energy Master Plan"

THE MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE 2021 IS HERE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from one of the largest and most influential gatherings of experts reinventing finance, health, technology, philanthropy, industry and media. Don't miss a thing from the 24th annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, from Oct. 17 to 20. Can't make it? We've got you covered. Planning to attend? Enhance your #MIGlobal experience and subscribe today.

BIDEN TIME

IS JONES ADDRESSING ANYONE IN PARTICULAR? — "Party chairman: New Jersey Democrats must stand with President Biden," by LeRoy J. Jones, Jr. for The Star-Ledger: "Anything less than full party unity will invite political disaster and mean a failure to meet this critical moment. We need to take decisive action now to help working and middle-class families thrive because they do not have the privilege to wait or to slow down progress. They need our help right now. Ultimately, that is the reason that all of us as Democrats entered public service in the first place: to help people. The president's agenda is built around that value, just as his entire political career has been. We need to follow his lead."

STRAIGHT TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF MONTCLAIR — "VP Kamala Harris visiting N.J. Friday to promote vaccinations and Biden's child care proposals," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant : "Vice President Kamala Harris is coming to New Jersey on Friday to highlight vaccinations and a key proponent of the spending bill now working its way through Congress: child care. Harris is scheduled to visit Montclair and Newark to talk about President Joe Biden's spending plan and to urge Americans to take the coronavirus vaccine. … Harris and the rest of the Biden administration have been pushing for Americans to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as the virus continues to spread in areas where residents have not gotten the vaccine and U.S. deaths have climbed over 700,000."

TAYLOR PORK — "These N.J. Democrats have their own demands for their party's big bill, and yes, it's about property taxes," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jonathan Tamari: "Both New Jersey senators and several of the state's Democratic House members are pressing for any final bill to include a restoration of the State and Local Tax Deduction, a valuable write-off that was capped in the 2017 Republican tax bill. With Democrats unable to lose even a single Senate vote and only three House votes to advance their plans, the threats to defect give the New Jerseyans leverage on an issue they've been pressing for years. The write-off allows individuals and families to deduct the state and local taxes they have paid when they file their federal taxes; the deductions reduce the amount of taxable income. … Sen. Bob Menendez (D., N.J.) has said it would be 'hard' to support a final Democratic spending bill unless there is a full repeal of the $10,000 limit on state and local tax deductions. … But the cap is just one piece of the tangled negotiations over a sprawling social spending bill that so far have focused on resistance from Sens. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D., Ariz.). It's unclear if party leaders will side with the New Jersey lawmakers when the final bill arrives."

SALT IN THE WOUND — " Appellate panel denies states' SALT appeal," by New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov: "A federal appeals court shot down a bid by New Jersey and three other states to remove the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deduction Tuesday. New Jersey, along with New York, Connecticut, and Maryland, in 2018 sued the federal government in a bid to overturn the cap, charging it runs afoul of the Sixteenth Amendment. … They also claimed limiting the deduction violates states' rights granted by the 10th amendment by forcing them to abandon favored fiscal policy. The three-judge appellate panel found those arguments unconvincing."

WHO'S PLAYING TO THE DEM REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONERS? — "Gottheimer and Malinowski pursue divergent 2022 strategies," by InsiderNJ's Christine Sloan: "Both lawmakers are betting the way they handle their messaging around two spending packages now before Congress — the Build Back Better Act and Infrastructure bill — will either hurt or save them during the next election cycle. Their messages, though, are very different. … The Infrastructure bill postponement didn't sit too well with Congressman Gottheimer, who represents New Jersey's 5th Congressional District. He blasted fellow Democrat, Pelosi. … Gottheimer didn't stop there. He went after the Progressive wing of his own party. … On the flip side, Congressman Tom Malinowski, who beat his Republican challenger Tom Kean, Jr., by a very slim margin back in 2020, has taken out ads proudly defending his support of the Build Back Better Act. He's not really focusing on the politics surrounding the Infrastructure bill. He's leaning into the $3.5 trillion spending plan despite a new GOP ad campaign attacking him for being a 'tax and spend Democrat just like Nancy Pelosi.' Malinowski and five other U.S. Representatives have also penned a Newsweek op-ed piece, warning infighting could threaten progress."

—" Millions of dollars saved — government forgives Sandy loans to NJ towns"

A message from the Consumer Action Network:

LOCAL

IT'S OK. THE COMMISSIONER SAYS HIS SLUR WAS DIRECTED AT SOMEONE ELSE — "Sussex County commissioner accused of sending 'threatening' text to Frankford BOE member," by The New Jersey Herald's Lori Comstock and Kyle Morel: "A Frankford school board member has accused a Sussex County commissioner running for election in November of sending a text she said was a 'personal threat' to her, though the commissioner said the message was not directed at her. The text was sent by Commissioner Christopher Carney on Sept. 30 to a group of recipients, including Jodi Fernandez. ... A screenshot of the text shows a group conversation among Fernandez, Carney and a person with the initials 'N.C', who was later determined to be Frankford Mayor Nick Civitan. The text included a Facebook announcement of the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners candidates forum event scheduled for Tuesday night with the words 'This bitch doesn't know what she is in for' below it. … The screenshot of the Facebook announcement included in the text shows Fernandez's name, which had been circled. … Sgt. Lawrence Peele, a state police spokesman, confirmed Tuesday that Fernandez filed a report and that the matter is still being investigated. … Carney, in a statement emailed to the New Jersey Herald Tuesday afternoon, apologized to Fernandez 'for upsetting her with a dual text comment that was sent to her but did not refer to her.' He wrote the comment was referring to a member of the League of Women Voters, which organized Tuesday's forum, and the group's 'dishonest behavior.'"

NO LAURELS — "Report says Mount Laurel police mishandled racist claims against man, didn't show favoritism" by The Burlington County Times' Jim Walsh: "Township police did not show favoritism to a white man accused of harassing Black neighbors over an extended period of time, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said Tuesday. But the prosecutor's office still faulted the way police handled an alleged campaign by Edward Cagney Mathews to drive Black residents from their homes at the Essex Place condominium complex. Its report said Mount Laurel police 'approached this matter primarily as a series of incidents, rather than focusing on Mathews, who was the subject of so many complaints from a small group of neighbors, and the suspect in multiple incidents of vandalism and property damage aimed at those same people.'"

—"After feces-smeared note, man accused of racial harassment charged again, cops say"

WELL THAT SHOULD OFFSET CHINA — "Teaneck voters to decide on shifting away from dirty energy to renewables," by The Record's Katie Sobko : "The township will have a question on the ballot this month asking voters to approve a switch to a green energy supplier. A group called Food & Water Watch and five residents petitioned to have a question placed on the ballot about whether the council should approve the 'community energy aggregation program ordinance,' which would change the energy service provider to residents. Residents would have to opt out if they did not want their energy supplier changed. An energy aggregation program allows a municipality to make bulk purchases of energy, which residents can buy for lower cost or to meet clean energy goals. The township will have not one but two questions on the ballot this fall, both of which required court involvement. A judge ordered earlier this month that the green energy initiative be placed on the ballot after it was initially rejected by the municipal clerk."

SEAWEED — "Weed plans for former seafood plant gets boost in Middle vote," by The Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow : "Township Committee on Monday unanimously reiterated its support for a cannabis operation proposed for Indian Trail Road. The resolution will bolster the efforts of Insa of Easthampton, Massachusetts, to get a state license to grow marijuana for the medical market at a former seafood processing plant, said Committeeman Theron 'Ike' Gandy. As approved, the resolution cites the potential economic benefit and redevelopment of an otherwise blighted property."

—" Amazon vehicles can't have 300 spaces at Deptford shopping center, appeals court rules"

—"For Jersey City council candidate Gadsden, the medium is the message in hip hop campaign video"

—" Garfield hires special counsel to investigate Police Department"

—"Op-Ed: Building an oasis in a South Jersey news desert"

—" Orthodox Jewish school in Brick agrees to remain closed until violations are addressed"

—"FEMA to close recovery centers in Morris, Warren counties, reduce hours in others"

HAPPENING THURSDAY – POLITICO'S FIRST EVER DEFENSE FORUM : President Joe Biden is making critical shifts in the Pentagon's priorities, including fully withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, scaling back U.S. military presence across the Middle East and rethinking the positioning of military forces around the world to focus more on China. Join POLITICO on Oct. 7 for our inaugural defense forum to talk to the decision makers in the White House, Congress, military, and defense industry who are reshaping American power abroad and redefining military readiness for the future of warfare. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

—"NJ's minority businesses struggle to rebuild from COVID-19"

—"NJ's largest health system says 99% at least partially vaccinated"

—"Nearly 7 weeks of unhealthy air days in New Jersey in 2020"

A message from the Consumer Action Network:

The COVID-19 pandemic proved that expanding access to care is critical for reaching medically underserved communities and making sure overburdened health systems can meet the needs of New Jersey families. That includes telehealth visits for low-income individuals, people of color, and others who have difficulty getting to a physical facility for their care. It's clear that New Jersey families deserve to have access to health care that works best for them. The state legislature has already unanimously passed a bill that would make this a reality, it's time for Gov. Phil Murphy to sign the bill into law. No state has vetoed a bill supporting expanded access to telehealth services since the pandemic began. New Jersey should not be the first. Tell Gov. Murphy: Sign the telehealth bill today. Make your voice heard.