News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The end of the Statehouse vaccine mandate

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The end of the Statehouse vaccine mandate

Feb 23, 2022

Good Wednesday morning!

It led to loud arguments, a Republican sit-in on the Assembly floor and a quasi-filibuster that caused a December Assembly session drag on for 11 hours.

The Statehouse vaccine-or-test mandate ends Friday. The State Capitol Joint Management Commission, which instituted it twice — in October and November — repealed it 8-0 during a brief meeting Tuesday morning.

Now, the only requirement for entering the Statehouse will be a mask. And that applies just to visitors and staff, not lawmakers. Even those temperature scanners at the entrances will be gone.

This was a policy State Police didn't even enforce at first. Let's see if we ever learn anything about that internal investigation.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I just thought that in 50 years, people should know what transpired there." — Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora on salvaging the signs for the torn-down JoJo's Steaks, where owner Joseph "JoJo" Giorgianni took bribes for former Mayor Tony Mack

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NONPROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE ITS DONORS: 9

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Rep. Jeff Van Drew and former Star-Ledger reporter Ian Shearn

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference. Media "Ask Governor Murphy" at 7 p.m. on your local NPR affiliate

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

JOIN THURSDAY TO HEAR FROM MAYORS ACROSS AMERICA: The Fifty: America's Mayors will convene mayors from across the country to discuss their policy agendas, including the enforcement of Covid measures such as vaccine and mask mandates. We'll also discuss how mayors are dealing with the fallout of the pandemic on their local economies and workforce, affordable housing and homelessness, and criminal justice reforms. REGISTER HERE.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

NO EXIT — Waterfront Commission says it won't help New Jersey leave, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: The Waterfront Commission, formed by New York and New Jersey to fight crime around New York Harbor, says it won't provide Gov. Phil Murphy with the information the state needs to leave compact that established the bi-state agency. In a Tuesday letter, Walter Arsenault, the commission's executive director, denied Murphy's request for the records New Jersey needs. A 2018 law calls on the state to exit the commission and put the New Jersey State Police in charge of fighting organized crime on the New Jersey side of the water. That law was tied up in court until late last year because of a lawsuit filed by the Waterfront Commission, but now Murphy wants to move ahead with the exit plan.

EVERY TIME I LOOK AROUND IT'S IN MY FACE — "'This is so bizarre': Why this NJ political murder-for-hire scandal may just be starting," by The Record's Dustin Racioppi Charles Stile Ashley Balcerzak: "What motivated Caddle to have his longtime friend and business associate killed? Why have prosecutors allowed Caddle out on bail? And is Galdieri's killing connected to a similar, unsolved killing that same year of a politically prominent figure, John Sheridan, and his wife? But the unearthing of this eight-year-old cold case could be the prequel to a more explosive saga, one wrapped up in Caddle's deep connections to politics and the massive amount of money that flows through New Jersey campaigns. Caddle's attorney, Edwin Jacobs, confirmed in the court hearing that his client — who is confined to his Sussex County home until his sentencing in June — is "working, collaborating with the FBI in developing an important investigation.'' Some former prosecutors and defense attorneys have suggested that Caddle must be sharing significant information. People who plead guilty to federal conspiracy to murder charges rarely get the luxury of home confinement with an ankle monitor while awaiting sentencing."

NURSING HOMES — LTC industry seeks delay in booster mandate. Murphy has 'no plans' to do so, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Representatives from New Jersey's long-term care industry are urging Gov. Phil Murphy to follow New York's lead and push back the incoming Covid-19 booster deadline for health care workers — but Murphy's office says the governor has no plans to do so.In a statement to POLITICO, Health Care Association of New Jersey President and CEO Andrew Aronson, whose organization represents hundreds of long-term care facilities across the state, cited staffing concerns as the reason why the state should adjust the Feb. 28 deadline for health care workers to receive their Covid-19 booster shot.

AH YES, THAT CAMPAIGN PLEDGE MURPHY TOTALLY INTENDED TO HAPPEN — "So, where the heck is the public bank of New Jersey?" by Les Leophold for The Star-Ledger: "Over 800 days ago, Gov. Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 91 authorizing the creation of a public bank implementation board. At his press conference in Newark on Nov. 12, 2019, he said, 'With the creation of this implementation board, I am proud to take the first step toward ensuring that our taxpayer dollars are invested here in New Jersey.' Sadly, today we are further away from implementing such a bank than when he made that pledge. The board has been captured by bureaucratic and private banking interests that do not want our tax dollars invested there. Except for two brave souls, his implementation board is wedded to the status quo, which relies on private banking to fulfill New Jersey's financial needs.

"As a former banker, the governor knows that more than $13.2 billion of our tax money is being loaned by the state of New Jersey Cash Management Fund to big banks and corporations, who in turn profit by moving our money all over the world. … But the implementation board must do something, doesn't it? Well, it's about to put out a $250,000 request for a proposal to create a business plan — one which, barring massive public pressure, will avoid any and all efforts to ensure 'that our tax dollars are invested here in New Jersey.' Instead, it will call for a revolving fund supported by donations and/or low-interest loans from private philanthropic organizations that then will be loaned at low rates to support affordable housing and the like. One could easily imagine that large private banks through their charitable arms also could pony up for this non-threatening program."

— "Who says how much? Debate on tax revenues builds"

— " Teacher shortage is a 'crisis,' N.J. state legislators say after educators raise alarm"

— Golden: "Flipping 'on' the light switch is best bet for Murphy"

— "These incumbents kept their legislative districts. They might not survive 2023 anyways"

— "The race for 32nd District Assembly seats is on"

— "Police 'major discipline' list shows 16 Edna Mahan corrections officers were fired in 2021 "

— "NJ legalized weed one year ago. Here's what you can (and still can't) do with marijuana"

— " Inflation surge behind renewed push of tax cut plan"

— " N.J. Authority will pay woman $250K after Trooper stole intimate video from her phone"

— "NJ unemployment offices still closed? Cut their salaries, lawmaker says"

BIDEN TIME

WHY NOT JUST GIVE THE SAUDIS PART OF LIBERTY STATE PARK FOR THEIR OWN GOLF COURSE? — " Trump properties in talks to host lucrative Saudi golf events," by The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey and Jonathan O'Connell: "Former president Donald Trump's company is angling to host events at his golf courses for the controversial Saudi golf league, according to three people familiar with the matter, potentially handing Trump a lucrative business partnership with an oppressive regime he defended as president. At least two of Trump's courses in Bedminster, N.J., and Doral, Fla., could be named as sites for the nascent tour, according to the people familiar with the talks, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Officials from LIV Golf Investments, the apparatus funded by the Saudis to host the tour, have held conversations with the Trump Organization, these people said. … As president, Trump frequently defended the Saudi government even as it committed a wide range of human right abuses, including the 2018 murder of Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi and the imprisonment and execution of gay citizens. … Such a deal would also provide a measure of revenge for Trump against the PGA Tour, an organization that he courted for years but that later enraged him when politics came between them."

— " Menendez: 'The U.S. has to make it very clear to Putin that the consequences begin now'"

— "Don't wait for full invasion of Ukraine to impose sanctions on Russia, [Malinowski] says"

— "As Kean focuses on stock troubles, Malinowski emphasizes good governance record"

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.

LOCAL

YOU'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT CHECK — "Parting gift for former Jersey City schools superintendent: $200K 'boat check,'" by The Jersey Journal's Jake Maher: "For former Jersey City schools Superintendent Franklin Walker, the sweetest goodbye to a 48-year career in the district that ended in January may be yet to come: The Board of Education is set to approve a payment of more than $200,000 for his unused vacation and sick time at its Thursday meeting. Walker retired with more than 300 banked sick days, according to the Jersey City Board of Education's documents. Walker held more than 20 positions in the district over the course of his career. He also had 71.5 days of unused vacation time and 94 days of 'terminal' leave when he retired."

— "Paterson school board weighs 1-year extension for retiring superintendent Eileen Shafer"

NJ WEEDMAN TO OPEN REPLACEMENT SHOP CALLED 'HIGH STEAKS' — " Shuttered steak shop, relic of Trenton political scandal, demolished by city," by NJ Advance Media's Chris Sheldon and Kevin Shea: "A derelict Trenton steakhouse, once run by a man convicted in a bribery scheme that included former city mayor Tony Mack, was demolished Monday afternoon. JoJo's Steak House was among the six homes in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in North Trenton that crews dismantled Monday. It's where proprietor Joseph 'JoJo' Giorgianni discussed and accepted bribes on behalf of Mack in 2012. Both went to prison in 2014 along with Mack's brother, Ralphiel Mack. Before it fell, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora salvaged the sign from out front. The city plans to donate it to the Trenton Free Public Library's Trentoniana history collection. 'I just thought that in 50 years, people should know what transpired there,' Gusciora said."

NEPTUNE ACTING LIKE URANUS — "'Level of arrogance': Neptune GOP says Dem official should quit over traffic ticket probe," by The Asbury Park Press' Suzanne Cervenka: "The township GOP chairman is calling on a Democratic committeewoman to resign because of an ethics investigation stemming from her son-in-law's traffic tickets. Neptune Republican municipal chairman Kevin Sheehan accused Committeewoman Tassie York of using her official position in an attempt to sway the outcome of her son-in-law's tickets. 'The revelations regarding Committeewoman Tassie York's conduct in connection with her son-in-law's automobile incident displays a level of arrogance this town hasn't seen in quite some time,' Sheehan wrote in his statement calling for York's resignation."

— "Newark's 1st Black councilwoman celebrated as a trailblazer who 'led from a place in her heart'"

— "In Newark, Baraka and his team intent on new energy for the city"

— " With aviation developments on the horizon, some believe Atlantic County economy is looking up"

— " Which N.J. schools are going mask optional? A look at the 25 largest districts"

— "Keyport-Union Beach fight: What led to battle over where kids go to school?"

— "Bus driver shortage spurs Jackson to raise pay to $30 an hour"

— " Wallington seeking yet another new administrator, the fourth in five years"

— "After 250 turn up at to Zoom meeting, N.J. community tables marijuana ordinance"

EVERYTHING ELSE

JUST RENAME THE CHICK-FIL-A SERVICE AREA AFTER BABS SIPERSTEIN OR LAUREL HESTER — " Pair of Parkway service areas to be rebuilt under $10M contract that includes Chick-fil-A," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "New Jersey Turnpike Authority officials approved a $10 million agreement to rebuild two Garden State Parkway service areas, including one that has been criticized by Bloomfield officials for including a Chick-fil-A restaurant. The agreement, approved by a unanimous vote by the board of commissioners Tuesday, would reimburse Applegreen Ltd. and Sunoco for $10 million the companies would spend to build new facilities at the Vauxhall service area on the Parkway north in Union and at the Brookdale Service area on the Parkway south in Bloomfield. … Plans to include the Chick-fil-A at Brookdale south were criticized in January by Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia and Councilman Rich Rockwell because of past stand by the franchise on gay rights issues and the company's past support of anti-LGBTQ lawmakers and groups. … A Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in the reconstructed Thomas Edison service area on the Turnpike in June 2019 with no opposition or controversy."

WINNER TO BE CROWNED 'THE GREAT CORNHOLIO', AWARDED TOILET PAPER — "Nationally televised professional cornhole tournament coming to Showboat next month ," by The Press of Atlantic City's Eric Conklin: "Professional sports will return to the resort when the American Cornhole League comes to Showboat Atlantic City for a nationally televised tournament March 18-20. … The free event, like other ACL tournaments, will be broadcasted on ESPN."

IT TOOK 23 YEARS TO NOTICE THIS? — " We mapped Tony Soprano's route home in New Jersey. Here's what's wrong," by The Record's Jim Beckerman: "Smart guy, Tony Soprano. Or was he? True, he directed a criminal empire, got away with murder at least eight times, had a scholarly interest in George S. Patton, Winston Churchill and Sun Tzu, and a connoisseur's taste in cigars, Cadillacs and '70s rock. But could he find his way home? The opening credits sequence of the 'Sopranos' is one of the most iconic in TV history. It thrilled again during the Super Bowl — when a Chevy ad updated Tony's famous drive down the Turnpike, with Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) taking the place of her father (the late, lamented James Gandolfini of Park Ridge). But Jersey viewers, in particular, might have a bone to pick with this famous sequence. Namely: The geography is all wrong."

GOOD FOR THE GOOSE — "Five-day office workweeks may be gone forever. So what happens to all those office parks?" by The Record's Mary Chao: "Built in the booming 1980s in the North Jersey counties of Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Essex — valued for their proximity to New York City — office parks are seeing a decline in occupancy. The fourth-quarter 2020 vacancy rate was 14% in North Jersey, compared with 17% for the same quarter in 2021, according to MRH Real Estate. The pandemic has altered the workplace dynamic, and experts say the North Jersey landscape built on office parks is about to change forever.'"In the Northeast, the five-day-a-week in-office is history,' said Jim Hughes … What's happening with that excess inventory of office space is a work in progress. Some space will be repurposed into housing, some will be made into warehouse space and other sites may receive a facelift to attract new tenants. Whatever the outcome, communities will be reshaped. As offices are bought and sold, those that fetch a price lower than their assessed value can get their property taxes lowered. And offices that lose tenants can also seek a tax adjustment. Both mean revenue losses for the host municipality."

‚— " Nursing home cited by N.J. as among the '15 worst' in state challenges findings"

— "N.J. bride and groom furious as wedding cake goes viral for all the wrong reasons"

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