News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The redistricting blame game

Monday, February 7, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The redistricting blame game

Feb 07, 2022

Good Monday morning!

Democrats have done a lot better than expected this year at drawing districts that favor their party. According to Cook's Dave Wasserman, a New Jersey native, they've caught virtually all the breaks they could — including here in New Jersey. It may not be enough to keep Democrats' House majority in the current political environment, but it may mitigate their losses.

Now a local conservative blog has taken to blaming Chris Christie for the results. Recall that Christie, along with Mike Pompeo and Carl Rove, are the headline names attached to the National Republican Redistricting Trust that framed itself as opposing "far-left rigging the maps to ensure Democratic control."

"The group is reportedly pursing a legal challenge in New York but it's undeniable that the entire 2022-centric midterm mission is off to a disastrous start," Save Jersey's Matt Rooney wrote Saturday.

Despite the Christie group's language about "rigging," let's be honest: In the absence of any significant and universal gerrymandering reforms, this centuries-old process will continue to be a zero-sum game for the dominant political parties. And defining gerrymandering is always going to be at least somewhat subjective, those won't be easy reforms to make.

Democrats have ruthlessly gerrymandered in states where they have the power to do it, as have Republicans.

But we should also look where the impetus for redistricting reform is coming from. I've watched it in New Jersey. Take the New Jersey Fair Districts Coalition, which has pushed for a lot, including more transparency in redistricting. The main organizer is the League of Women Voters, officially non-partisan, but its member organizations are overwhelmingly liberal. And when Democrats repeatedly tried to write their party's dominance into the state Constitution by incorporating the Stokes "fairness formula," Republican lawmakers protested, but the opposition was just as fierce, if not more so, from progressives. I recall few organizations from the right getting involved. Will that change after this year?

Also, don't forget: The Democratic and Republican proposed state legislative district maps will be released today. I don't know exactly when, but expect to find them here.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "This is just a majority of 168 people. And the RNC, most of those folks, were put into place over the course of the four years by Donald Trump. And so, it's certainly Ronna Romney McDaniel is carrying water for Donald Trump in this regard. And so, let's not make it bigger than it is." — Chris Christie on the RNC resolution censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, which characterized the committee investigating the Jan. 6 putsch "persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Assembly Dem staffer Sherwood Goodenough, Fidelity's Kosi Remy

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

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

WHAT TRENTON MADE

JUDGING JUDY — "The woman who needs no introduction: She's the general in N.J.'s war on COVID. And now she sees how the pandemic will end," by NJ Advance Media's Kelly Heyboer: "Nearly two years into the pandemic, Judith Persichilli is starting to get a glimpse of the finish line. She knows this marathon isn't going to suddenly be over when she opens up her computer one morning and sees the COVID-19 cases have dropped to zero. Instead, it will end subtly as the the levels of infections and deaths gradually decline and seem low enough in New Jersey to be the "new normal." Persichilli — the woman who has led the state's fight against the coronavirus in her role as state commissioner of health since the beginning of the pandemic — said she doesn't know when that day will come. Or what the magic number of 'acceptable' cases will be. But it's coming. And when it does, she is moving on. 'My career history is I never leave a position and a facility or a job until I feel that my mission is completed. And it's just not completed yet. We have to get to some type of new normal where we're controlling COVID as much as possible and responding to all of the needs that we have in New Jersey,' Persichilli said, sitting in a Department of Health conference room high above Trenton last week … The seemingly unflappable commissioner became a hero to some as New Jersey's version of Dr. Anthony Fauci … But others view her as one of the villains of the pandemic for allegedly mishandling nursing home outbreaks, leading to thousands of deaths."

PUSH NYC FARTHER AWAY — " NJ has an affordable housing problem. Here's what experts say needs to be done," by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak: "Jersey does not have enough affordable housing. Shelters are barely treading water. People at risk of eviction don't know where to get help. Families are suffering. These were among the repeated refrains from homeless shelter officials, lawyers and housing advocates speaking at an Assembly Housing Committee hearing Thursday that focused on New Jersey's eviction and homelessness crises, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers are repeatedly heralding a renewed focus on "affordability" this session, and housing is one of the largest expenses a family faces."

—" N.J. lawmakers to 'revisit' law that gave Murphy sweeping COVID powers, new Senate president says"

—" NJ bill would turn foreclosed homes into affordable housing, keep families in their homes"

—" He investigated N.J. trooper's infamous murder 49 years ago and doesn't want gunman to get parole"

—"Drivers with E-Z Pass shouldn't get toll violations, legislators say "

—Video: " Does Matt Platkin have the votes for confirmation as NJ's attorney general?"

—" Lawmakers take aim at pandemic unemployment tax hikes in new session"

—"Former Edna Mahan guard sentenced to probation for criminal sexual contact with inmate"

— Senate panel clears bill to preserve employees' pay, benefits after sale of health care facilities

—" Bill would create state division to study school desegregation"

HAPPENING THURSDAY – A LONG GAME CONVERSATION ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS : Join POLITICO for back-to-back conversations on climate and sustainability action, starting with a panel led by Global Insider author Ryan Heath focused on insights gleaned from our POLITICO/Morning Consult Global Sustainability Poll of citizens from 13 countries on five continents about how their governments should respond to climate change. Following the panel, join a discussion with POLITICO White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López and Gina McCarthy, White House national climate advisor, about the Biden administration's climate and sustainability agenda. REGISTER HERE.

BIDEN TIME

WHAT ABOUT BOB? — " Palatucci votes against RNC resolution censuring Cheney; Unclear how Hugin voted," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "At least one of New Jersey's three representatives on the Republican National Committee voted against a resolution censuring Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) for their involvement in an investigation of the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Republican National Committeeman Bill Palatucci was among a small group that voted against the censure, which passed on a voice vote. 'Terrible action by the RNC but too few of us in the room to object and stop it,' said … Palatucci. 'The Resolution we should have considered would commend Mike Pence for standing up for the Constitution and saving the Republic.' Virginia Haines, the Republican National Committeewoman from New Jersey, was not present for the vote. She was in Salt Lake City for the national party meetings but flew home before the censure resolution was considered. It's not immediately clear how GOP State Chairman Bob Hugin voted. He left Salt Lake City after the censure resolution was adopted and his office has not responded to a question of whether he voted yes or no."

—" More than 60 Candidates are running for Congress in N.J. How seriously should we take them?"

—" Biden, Dem lawmakers take cash from convicted terrorist financier"

—" The ongoing republican intraparty slog in Sherrill's CD-11 "

—" Battleground 2022: Who Will survive, who will perish at the Biden Battle of Midway?"

LOCAL

BARAQUA — " When it comes to drinking water, some see Newark as a model for cities trying to get the lead out," by NJ Advance Media's Steve Strunsky: "Less than three years into a city-wide lead service line replacement program originally thought to take close to a decade, city officials say the 'Herculean' task of replacing about 23,000 lines is all but complete. And except for about 700 property owners who each contributed $1,000 to the cost of the work before the program was revised, officials say replacement of the service lines has been paid for entirely by the city. 'We've shown the way to get this done because we had the will to do it,' Kareem Adeem, director of Newark's water and sewer department, told NJ Advance Media … Since 2016, Newark's lead contamination saga has attracted attention and drawn comparisons to the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan. But following criticism of the city's initial handling of the situation, Mayor Ras Baraka's administration has been widely praised for its evolving response, and Newark has been viewed as a model for how municipalities can expedite large projects, which is especially critical now that federal infrastructure funding is on the way."

IT'S CALLED SCRUTINY. WELCOME TO PUBLIC OFFICE — " New Trenton council member blasts newspaper's factual reporting," by The Trentonian's Isaac Acilucea: "Welcome to the big leagues, Ms. Wilkins. The legislative body's newest member said Thursday was surprised to learned that information about her old bankruptcy case was included in a newspaper article about her being appointed to serve out the unexpired term of at-large councilman Jerell Blakeley, who resigned for an out-of-state job. The information was buried in a Trentonian article, but Wilkins, a former city employee and Trenton Housing Authority commissioner, called attention to its inclusion during civic comments. She shamed the newspaper for mentioning a 'very unfortunate and trying time' in her life and quoted Michelle Obama as she shamed the reporting of facts. 'At that time, I had to make a decision on which way to turn,' she said. 'It's a sad day when we highlight the misfortune [of people] instead of the successes. I am the best one to tell my story … When they go low we go high. And, with that being said, Trenton I stand here to serve you.'"

TICKET FIXING — " Neptune official who promised to call 'good friend' on traffic tickets faces ethics board," by The Asbury Park Preds' Susanne Cervanka: "A township committeewoman faces a state ethics panel after she was accused of calling the Neptune Police Department to see 'what we could do' to fix her son-in-law's traffic tickets. The Neptune Township Committee approved a resolution last week asking the state Local Finance Board to review the conduct of Committeewoman Tassie York and the township's municipal prosecutor, James N. Butler Jr., after a July 15 traffic stop involving York's son-in-law … The issue began when an unnamed Neptune police officer saw Tristan Charleau, York's son-in-law, drive onto a grassy area at the former Holy Innocents School to avoid a road detour, according to the Prosecutor's Office letter. The officer issued two tickets for reckless driving and avoiding traffic control signal or sign. Later that day, York called Neptune police to complain about the tickets. According to the Prosecutor's Office letter, York said she was 'not looking for any special favors" but asked 'what we could do' about 'ridiculous' and 'unnecessary' tickets. During that call, which was on a recorded line, York accused the officer who issued the tickets of racial profiling. When the sergeant who took York's call said Charleau could handle the tickets in municipal court, York replied that she was going to call her 'very good friend' Butler and that the tickets would 'probably get thrown out anyway.' Two weeks later, Butler offered Charleau a plea deal that reduced the reckless driving ticket, an offense that would add five points to his drivers license, to violating a 'special right or left turn,"'a no-point offense that occurs when a driver does not heed green arrow traffic lights that control right or left turns. Butler also dismissed the ticket for avoiding traffic control signal or sign, a two-point offense."

TRADING LABARBIERAS— " Paramus mayor rejects council's pick for administrator, as both sides trade accusations," by The Record's Stephanie Noda: "A search will begin for a new borough administrator after Mayor Richard LaBarbiera declined to appoint the council's pick during a special meeting this week. The council hoped to hire Hector Olmo, the borough administrator in Wallington and a Republican councilman in Cresskill who ran for freeholder in 2018, and previously for Bergen County clerk. The administrator salary would have been $135,000. LaBarbiera, however, said there hadn't been a proper candidate search and that he believed the pick was negotiated outside Borough Hall. Republican Borough Council members are decrying his decision to not to fill the soon-to-be-vacant position."

ICYMI — " Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson quietly resigns. What's next?" by MyCentralJersey's Mike Deak: "Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, the county's top appointed law enforcement official since 2016, has resigned to become a partner in a prominent Essex County law firm. Robertson's last day as prosecutor was Friday, according to a prosecutor's office spokesperson. Robertson, whose five-year term as prosecutor expires this year, has joined O'Toole Scrivo as a partner, the Cedar Grove law firm announced. Somerset County First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Chiricella is expected to serve as acting prosecutor."

CONSERVATIVE LOCAL OFFICIALS CALL LAWSUIT 'RED BULLS**T' — "Fair Share Housing sues Morris Twp. over NY Red Bulls training site," by The Daily Record's Jessie Gomez: "New Jersey's sole public entity enforcing affordable housing rules is challenging Morris Township's decision to rezone land to build the New York Red Bulls training complex. Last October, the Red Bulls announced plans for a new privately-funded training facility on a section of the former Honeywell International campus. On Thursday, the Fair Share Housing Center filed a lawsuit against the township alleging it failed to consider the land for affordable housing before rezoning it for the soccer team … Under the Mount Laurel doctrine, all towns in New Jersey are required to provide their fair share of the area's affordable housing. Affordable housing obligations are sometimes adjusted based on a town's realistic development potential, which includes an assessment of empty land available for development. Last year, Morris Township officials rezoned 81 acres of the former Honeywell International campus without revisiting and recalculating the vacant land adjustment that was granted to the township as part of its affordable housing settlement with Fair Share Housing Center in 2017, according to the complaint filed in the Superior Court of Morris."

—" Jersey City school district considers opening state's first girls-only public school"

—" [Trenton] Mayor, council at odds over ordinance paving way for redevelopment agency"

—Moran: " Murphy's political games threaten charter success in Newark "

— "Newark outlines promises to English learners who struggled during the pandemic"

—" Toms River OKs mediation on lawsuit claiming egg farm purchase was to keep Orthodox out"

—" Another lawsuit filed against Palisades Park officer accused of bullying"

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.

EVERYTHING ELSE

YOU CAN BET ON THE RACE ON YOUR PHONE — The race is on to build a casino in New York City, by POLITICO's Joseph Spector: A multi-billion-dollar casino in Times Square? What about rows and rows of slot machines next to Citi Field, home of the New York Mets? Real estate developers and some of the world's largest casino operators are scrambling to search New York City and its suburbs to find the right location for a gambling resort in the nation's most attractive, untapped market. A flurry of behind the scenes deal making and negotiations is underway as state leaders grow increasingly close to lifting a moratorium on new gambling facilities in New York. The high-stakes battle is likely to set off an aggressive lobbying effort in Albany, lead to clashes with community leaders in the five boroughs and attract the attention of a global industry stretching from Atlantic City to Las Vegas to Macau, China.

LONGEST EVER WAIT FOR AN OPRA RESPONSE — " Snow record confirmed in New Jersey — 75 years later ," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Anthony R. Wood: "Four years passed before Philadelphia's snow record was affirmed officially. But that might seem like fast service compared with the latest reported weather-record investigation in New Jersey. The National Weather Service this week decreed that the 29.7 inches reported in Long Branch, N.J., between 4 a.m. Dec. 26, 1947, and 4 a.m. Dec. 27, indeed was legitimate, and surpassed any snow amount that had fallen in the Garden State in any 24-hour period."

—" Big names, enormous publicity expected for NAACP convention this summer in Atlantic City"

—Mulshine: " COVID-19: A study of studies shows lockdowns should be locked out"

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