News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The Statehouse vaccine mandate

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The Statehouse vaccine mandate

Oct 27, 2021

Presented by the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association

Good Wednesday morning!

The State Capitol Joint Management Commission — which between legislative leadership and the governor's office is controlled by Democratic appointees — yesterday established a vaccine or test mandate for the Statehouse. Also included are pretty strict limits in the Assembly and Senate galleries (one-third full) and every-other-seat social distancing in committee rooms.

Republicans opposed it , saying it would disenfranchise unvaccinated members of the public who might not have time to get tested if they just learn of something added to an agenda. And there is, of course, the issue of what the Senate president and speaker will do about allowing unvaccinated members to participate. While it's pretty clear that barring them from voting at full sessions would present constitutional problems, they'll have a lot of leeway in what kind of accommodations they make for them — something not spelled out in the policy.

My question is how do Republicans respond to this? Will they sue? Will they comply come the first voting session in December? And will we finally get a good count on which members — Republicans and Democrats — are not vaccinated?

Read more about it here.

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We believe it will be impossible for the public to comply. Therefore we think it's an exclusionary policy that will deny unvaccinated people the opportunity to participate in the legislative process." — Senate Republican Executive Director Christine Shipley on the Statehouse vaccine or test mandate

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — NJ 101.5's Eric Scott, Hamilton Twp Councilmember Rick Tighe

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

A message from the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association:

The New Jersey Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) – the majority of which comprise the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association -- have been working non-stop to prepare for adult-use cannabis sales in NJ. The ATCs have invested substantial time, money and resources into expanding their operations: hiring more staff, securing supply chains, and expanding cultivation sites. Our ATCs have ample supply to service adult-use consumers now without harming access for medical cannabis patients, who always come first.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

HOUSING DISCRIMINATION — "'We don't take that:' Why illegal discrimination toward Section 8 tenants goes unchecked in NJ," by The Asbury Park Press' Kayla Canne: "New Jersey's rental market is pricey and competitive. So, without even visiting the unit, [Tonya] Wood submitted a $29 Zillow application that included her rental history, proof of income and credit report. A few days later, the apartment's landlord called the 39-year-old Rutgers University criminal justice graduate student … Wood receives federal rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program, more commonly known as Section 8, which subsidizes housing for low-income tenants through direct rent payments to landlords. 'Yeah, we don't take that,' the landlord said in a recording of the call … For nearly 20 years, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination has barred housing discrimination based on an individual's source of income, such as rental assistance like Section 8 vouchers. But the buzzsaw Wood ran into — a landlord who explicitly rejected her application because of her voucher — is widespread, blatant and often occurs with impunity, according to the Press's investigation of income discrimination in New Jersey. The Housing Choice Voucher program was designed to give low-income tenants freedom in choosing where they live, equalizing access to opportunity instead of relegating impoverished citizens into large public housing communities. Yet the same program that intended to break economic segregation has in fact boosted it — putting a scarlet letter on the shoulders of vulnerable tenants looking for a fresh start, while government agencies ignore the landlords who illegally turn them away."

NETFLIX AND PHIL — "Netflix eyes New Jersey Army base for major production hub," by The New York Times' Brooks Barnes and John Koblin: "Netflix wants to turn a crumbling Army base in New Jersey into one of the largest movie and television production hubs in the Northeast, a plan that has at least one important proponent: Gov. Phil Murphy. On Tuesday, Netflix said it would bid for a 289-acre chunk of Fort Monmouth …Bids for the site are due Jan. 12, and Netflix would not discuss the price it planned to offer … Netflix said in a statement that it would transform Fort Monmouth into a 'state-of-the-art production facility,' indicating a mix of soundstages, postproduction buildings and backlot filming areas. 'Governor Murphy and the state's legislative leaders have created a business environment that's welcomed film and television production back to the state, and we're excited to submit our bid,' Netflix's statement said. At nearly 300 acres, the Jersey Shore site would be Netflix's second-largest production complex behind ABQ Studios in New Mexico."

0.11 MASTROS — New Jersey spending $1M on voter education efforts, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan : New Jersey is spending $1 million to educate residents about next week's election and the options for early voting, according to the state Division of Elections. The million-dollar campaign launched Aug. 1 to recruit more poll workers and educate residents about their options for voting. The state has run a litany of ads, including on television, radio, digital platforms and billboards, and has purchased air time on New Jersey cable stations as well as in the New York and Philadelphia markets.

WHERE THERE'S SMOKE THERE'S GUBERNATORIAL INACTION — "Atlantic City, NJ casino workers continue push for permanent smoking ban," by NJ 101.5's Dino Flammia: "At any time while on the job, Pete Naccarelli could be just a couple feet away from six people actively smoking … Naccarelli, a dealer at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, had the opportunity to work in a smoke-free environment for several months due to a temporary ban put in place because of the pandemic, but since July 4 casinos have been able to permit smoking again indoors. 'Every day we see more and more smoke and smokers, people being more comfortable blowing the poison in the air,' said Naccarelli, who's worked in the business for 25 years. Naccarelli is one of many members of the group Casino Employees Against Smoking's Effects, or C.E.A.S.E, which is pushing state officials to put an end to smoking in the nine gaming halls."

WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN? — As nor'easter pounds New Jersey, utility regulator says 'regular rainstorm' a thing of the past, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard : New Jersey's top utility regulator said Tuesday the idea of a "regular rainstorm" is a thing of the past because of climate change. During a morning press briefing on the nor'easter that's dumped several inches of rain across the state and caused widespread flooding and some power outages, Board of Public Utilities President Joseph Fiordaliso gave a glimpse into how the Murphy administration is thinking about storms in the wake of September's deadly flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. "We're not looking outside and seeing Ida today. However, every storm has to be taken seriously," Fiordaliso said during the briefing, led by Gov. Phil Murphy and attended by other top administration officials.

—"Push ahead or pull back? Businesses question climate plans"

QUESTIONS LIKE 'HOW MUCH LEARNING HAVE YOU LOST?' — "Measuring for learning loss comes with questions," by NJ Spotlight News' John Mooney : "The worry of so-called 'learning loss' from the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated the discussion around New Jersey's public schools reopening in full this fall, eventually prompting the Murphy administration to introduce a new expedited battery of state testing to measure who lost what. Those online assessments — optimistically titled 'Start Strong' — were given over the last five weeks to nearly 1 million New Jersey students in 45-minute chunks and measured to their post-pandemic prowess in language arts, math and science. But now comes the hard part: What to do with the results?"

BALLOT QUESTIONS — New Jersey ballot questions could alter state's gambling laws, by POLITICO's Carly Stirin: Sports betting is allowed in New Jersey, but betting on college sports or collegiate-level athletic events is not. Approving the ballot question wouldn't automatically legalize collegiate sports betting, but would allow the state Legislature to pass laws permitting it through casinos and current or former horse racetracks. Proponents say legalizing college sports wagers could supercharge state revenues from sports betting, keep more bettors in the state and regulate what is now an underground illegal practice.

— Hillary Clinton headlines high-dollar virtual fundraiser for New Jersey Democrats

—Bernie Sanders coming to Rutgers to campaign for Murphy

—" Mazzeo leads Polistina 48-41% In Stockton Poll"

—Snowflack: "Murphy, Ciattarelli, and the truth about Project Veritas"

—" More than 80% of early N.J. voters are white"

—"Consolidation coming? Passaic County to vote on early transfer of prisoners to Bergen jail"

JOIN TODAY FOR A PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH SEN. MARK WARNER : President Joe Biden's ambitious domestic agenda is in political limbo as the White House tries to reach a deal among congressional Democrats to vote on a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. Join Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza for a conversation with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who helped write the bipartisan infrastructure bill, to discuss the fate of Biden's legislative agenda, including the more comprehensive reconciliation package as well as Virginia's tight gubernatorial race and what its outcome could mean for the Democratic Party. REGISTER HERE.

BIDEN TIME

PAYNEFUL — "Redistricting shouldn't disenfranchise Black and Brown communities," by Imani R. Oakley for NorthJersey.com: "Democratic officials worried about the make-up of these districts may push to break off strong Democratic sections from reliably blue seats and attach them to more moderate areas. One suggestion going around is that Black and minority-majority sections should be carved out from New Jersey's 10th Congressional District — until recently New Jersey's only Black majority district — and redistributed to shore up incumbents in whiter, more swingy districts … if this is true, reallocating Black voters into a white-majority district is even more nefarious than initially thought. Suppose officials believe that only the largest demographic deserves to be represented by their representative and also that Black voters are needed to shore up 'vulnerable' white-majority districts. In that case, the implication is that Black voters must sacrifice their own representation to preserve the electoral success of Democratic politicians."

—Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who said he left the Democratic Party because it became too extreme, is holding a fundraiser with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), one of the biggest proponents of false 2020 election conspiracy theories, on Friday, Nov. 5. Tickets start at $500.

—"Reps. Andy Kim, Tom Malinowski discuss affordable healthcare during town hall"

—" Compromise on SALT deduction still possible in 'Build Back Better' bill"

A message from the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association:

LOCAL

VITRIOL KILLED THE RADIO LAW — "Ex-Trenton cop tips off investigators over shady radio consultant contract," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "The owner of a technology consultant firm that the city hired to evaluate its woeful emergency radio system was caught up in a forgery case in the Garden State more than a decade ago. Raymond Hayling II is the managing director and chief executive officer of HHW Group and a former deputy director in New Jersey's Office of Information Technology. He was stripped of that post in 2007, when he entered into pretrial intervention to resolve charges of forgery and falsifying or tampering with records for submitting bogus information in applying for a $422,500 home loan, according to news reports. Now questions have resurfaced about his history and how his firm landed a $44K contract with the city to evaluate the emergency radio system, at the center of a power struggle between Mayor Reed Gusciora and Trenton council members."

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BENJIES — "This prominent Paterson official got a $22,600 raise from the city's schools," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Benjie Wimberly, a longtime sports coach in the city and the deputy speaker of the state Assembly, has gotten a $22,600 pay increase for his recreation job at the Paterson school district, officials said. The 15% raise boosts Wimberly's school district pay to $169,778, officials said. An influential political figure in Paterson who has endorsed five of the city's nine school board members, Wimberly gets another $49,000 for his position in the New Jersey Legislature. He is running for reelection to the Assembly next week. Most of Wimberly's school district raise — $13,600 — resulted from a change in his job title from site coordinator for recreational services to director of recreational activities, officials said. Another $4,500 came from an increase in his longevity stipend, according to public records. The rest resulted from a 3% raise that was given this year to all non-union district employees in 'good standing,' officials said."

IS THERE TIME TO CHANGE HIS BALLOT SLOGAN TO 'NOT A FELON'? — "'I made a mistake and I bounced a couple checks': Middletown Dem confirms Arizona charges," by The Asbury Park Press' Alex N. Gecan: "Township Democrats have confirmed that one of their candidates for Township Committee pleaded guilty to theft and forgery charges years ago in Arizona, despite his earlier denials of a criminal history. But, the party officials say, candidate Nicholas W. Babcock is, nevertheless, no longer a felon, the charges having been set aside by that state in 2018. Middletown Democratic Executive Committee Mike Morris confirmed the Arizona guilty pleas of Babcock, 43, a U.S. Navy veteran and small business owner, in a prepared statement Monday. Morris accused township Republicans of 'dirty tricks' in the same statement, alleging they were behind the revelation of Babcock's criminal history, first reported in the Middletown Patch. 'Nicholas Babcock is not a felon,' Morris wrote. 'In 2018, the State of Arizona wiped clean Mr. Babcock's court records and the charges against him were set aside. Nicholas Babcock has the right to purchase and carry a handgun, he holds the right to vote and seek office.'"

FANTASIA — "Sussex County asks voters to OK potential legal fight with Murphy over nursing home docs," by New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov: "The Sussex County Board of Commissioners could be forced into a legal battle with the state over information on COVID-19 deaths in the state's long-term care centers, but only if voters decide that's a good idea. The lone county referendum on the ballot in Sussex this year would, if approved, require the commissioners to 'consider every legal action necessary' to force the disclosure of public documents and information related to COVID-19 deaths in Sussex long-term care facilities. Voters in all 24 Sussex towns will be presented with the ballot question. Dawn Fantasia, director of the Sussex County Commissioner board, told the New Jersey Monitor the county filed a public records request in March 2020 for a series of documents regarding deaths at the Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center II. 'We were held at bay,' Fantasia said."

POO PATROL — "Poo-sniffing dog helps improve Toms River water quality,' by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby: "Remi's black nose skimmed the lapping waves along the shore of the Toms River, where the Labrador retriever-mix sought a trail too faint to be detected by human scent. Her black fur shining in the afternoon sunlight, Remi walked the northern banks of the river to find one thing — a trace of human feces that seeped into the waterway from old infrastructure or leaky septic systems … Feces-sniffing dogs like Remi are faster and more cost effective at finding water pollution sources than extensive water sampling and testing, said Cindy Zipf, executive director of the environmental organization Clean Ocean Action, which is helping to lead the river-cleaning campaign."

—"Jersey City could owe workers millions after state Supreme Court says it won't hear city's appeal"

—"Jersey City Board of Education candidates discuss budget issues, overcrowding and COVID-19"

—"Pandemic politics, critical race theory driving factors behind N.J. school board races"

—"Race for mayor in Wayne presents contrast of priorities"

—"Westfield mayor candidates square off on downtown redevelopment, crime, taxes"

—"[Cumberland] Utilities authority looking for director; chairman steps out of search process"

—Interview: "The Newark Museum Of Art wants to be of, not just in, the community"

—"Jersey City to implement 'safe serenity room' at municipal court for domestic violence survivors"

—"Two Lower Township police officers accused of theft of bikes in Cape May"

—"Scotch Plains Mayor Losardo challenges Sydney McLaughlin to a race in June"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

HEALING THE DEAD — "Plan to heal Barnegat Bay, which has been 'loved to death'," by The AP: "Governments, academics and scientists are proposing an ambitious effort to improve the health of Barnegat Bay, the fragile New Jersey waterway that 'has been loved to death.' The Barnegat Bay Partnership, a constellation of groups dedicated to helping the bay, on Tuesday unveiled a detailed and far-reaching plan to improve water quality, increase the number of days that bay beaches are open for swimming, increase the amount of shellfish, and address an explosion of jellyfish in the bay that are making parts of it difficult to use. Officials from federal, state and local governments signed the pledge, but it remains to be seen what, if any, specific actions will be taken in furtherance of those goals. Many groups say they will begin or continue projects aimed at improving the overall health of the bay."

—"Soil near Mingo Jack's lynching in Eatontown headed to museum in Alabama"

—" Camden diocese boosts fund for clergy sex abuse claims, but still faces criticism"

—"As activists rally in Harrisburg to legalize needle exchanges, a fight to keep them open continues in N.J."

—" How Monmouth Medical Center lowered COVID pandemic death rate"

A message from the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association:

Last November, 67% of New Jerseyans voted in favor of a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis, paving the way for adult-use sales. Current medical cannabis dispensaries would be the first to offer cannabis for adult use, with new licensees to follow.

The August passing of CRC regulations for adult-use cannabis sales signaled progress; however, as of today, New Jersey citizens still do not have a safe and lawful place to purchase cannabis.

The Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) – the majority of which comprise the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association -- have been working non-stop to prepare for adult-use cannabis sales. The ATCs have invested substantial time, money and resources into expanding their operations: hiring more staff, securing supply chains, and expanding cultivation sites.

It cannot be emphasized enough that New Jersey's ATCs have ample supply now to service adult-use consumers without harming access for medical cannabis patients, who always come first.