News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The emergency has ended

Monday, March 7, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The emergency has ended

Mar 07, 2022

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By Matt Friedman

Presented by American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation

Good Monday morning!

On Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy finally lifted the public health emergency, two years in. (Read more about that here).

The governor and Democratic lawmakers took a lesson from the November election: The public wants to move on from most Covid restrictions.

And perhaps that's one of the reasons why, based on the photos I saw online, the trucker "convoy" rallies that the media has written about pretty extensively over the last few weeks didn't look like they broke any attendance records and didn't appear to feature many trucks. (No, I didn't give up a day off to attend one).

There's a difference between people wanting to get back to normal life and the anti-vaccine crowd. Clearly, school shutdowns and other restrictions caused a political backlash. Now that they're ending, we'll see if the 2021 election was an anomaly or if the restrictions unleashed a more permanent political backlash.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 21

WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule other than media hits: CNBC at 8:10 a.m. and Fox 5 at 8:40 a.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I remember when Jon Corzine said to me, 'Dick, I'm going to do self-serve. I said, 'Jon, not a good idea.' … So he did it and after four days he said, 'fuck this, you were right.'" — State Sen. Dick Codey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — LiUNA's Steven Gardner, EASEL Animal Rescue's Wendy Sturgeon, former senator's son Daniel J. Weinberg, former blogger Justin J. Rivera

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

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

No worker should have to choose between their health and a paycheck, but that's exactly what a loophole in state law forces Atlantic City casino employees to do every day. It's past time to eliminate the casino smoking loophole by passing S264/A2151, bipartisan bills supported by legislators across the state and which Gov. Murphy says he'll sign. Learn why thousands of casino employees are speaking out on this life and death matter.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

CADDLE IN THE WIND — "The 2 political operatives at the center of a New Jersey murder mystery," by The New York Times' Tracey Tully : "Mr. Caddle, 44, has been cooperating with the F.B.I. since at least the fall, federal court records show, but the motive for the murder remains unclear. The revelations, combined with a family's request to reopen an investigation into the unsolved 2014 deaths of a couple prominent in state Republican politics, in light of what relatives called 'eerily similar' circumstances to the murder-for-hire killing, have sent tremors through New Jersey political circles. "A lot of people are watching it with bated breath," said State Senator Richard J. Codey, a Democrat and former governor who is the longest-serving lawmaker in state history. "The rest of us are just like, 'Holy moly.'" At the center of the mystery are Mr. Caddle and Mr. Galdieri, both of whom built careers in the shadows of powerful senators, mayors and councilmen in Hudson County, N.J., a famously bare-knuckle political proving ground."

HE WILL HAVE AN ENDURRING LEGACY — "Trucker Ed Durr took down a titan and won instant fame. Now he's more symbol than political force in N.J. ," by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson : "Maybe you read Durr got a congratulatory phone call from former President Donald Trump. Maybe you saw him mentioned on 'Saturday Night Live' and late-night talk shows. Or maybe you learned about the controversial posts he wrote on Twitter about Muslims and the Jan. 6 insurrection. Nearly two months after he was sworn into office, Durr has pretty much no concrete power. The Gloucester County lawmaker is a freshman member of the minority party in the state Senate, representing a single district in South Jersey. So far, none of the conservative-leaning bills he has introduced have even been scheduled for a hearing in the Democratic-controlled New Jersey Legislature. 'I almost feel there should be some kind of rule that bills must be at least moved to the committee and be heard so the public can actually hear what these bills are about and have some input,' Durr told NJ Advance Media in an interview last month at the Statehouse in Trenton. But all that may not be so important for now. Durr is more a symbol than a force these days — a poster politician for an emboldened Republican Party that just gained seven seats in Trenton and has hopes, albeit slim, of retaking the Legislature in next year's elections."

OFF THE WATERFRONT — Shipping industry announces plans to defund Waterfront Commission, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: The shipping industry announced plans Friday to defund the waterfront police around New York Harbor. The shipping industry's trade group, the New York Shipping Association, said its members would not pay the millions of dollars in fees that fund the Waterfront Commission, the bi-state law enforcement agency formed to fight organized crime at ports in New York and New Jersey. The association's announcement comes as New Jersey is preparing to exit the commission, thanks to a 2018 law backed by the shipping industry and the union representing port workers. Supporters of the law, which was tied up in court until late last year, say the commission now makes doing things unnecessarily cumbersome and plodding.

GAS BEFORE GRASS — Murphy open to allowing New Jerseyans to pump their own gas, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy opened the door Friday to crossing what he called the third rail of New Jersey politics — allowing people to pump their own gasoline. During his final Covid-19 briefing, the governor said he's not necessarily signing up for a newly-introduced bill that would allow gas stations to let drivers pump their own gas, but blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for rising gas prices and said he's committed to finding "any way we can make this state ... more affordable." Background: Earlier this week, a gas station industry-backed group called Fuel Your Way NJ and a bipartisan trio of assembly members rolled out legislation, NJ A3105 (22R), that would allow drivers in New Jersey to pump their own gas.

I ONLY WRITE ABOUT IMPORTANT THINGS — Ultimate Frisbee: The New Jersey state sport?, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: The state lawmaker who elevated the humble bog turtle to New Jersey's official state reptile has a new goal in his sights: An official state sport. And just as the bog turtle likely isn't the first reptile you would think of, the sport state Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-Middlesex) has in mind probably isn't the first one you'd think of. It's Ultimate Frisbee, or in the lingo of the game, just "Ultimate." The history: While New Jersey is host to professional football, soccer and hockey teams, none of those sports originated in the Garden State. Ultimate Frisbee did. "It is as New Jersey for sports as it possible could be," Zwicker said in a phone interview.

CARTOON BREAK — "Phil Murphy got you a present," by Drew Sheneman

—Ned Thomson: " NJ gas pumps: It's time to end New Jersey's 73-year ban on self serve gas"

—Mulshine: "Gov. Murphy's property tax plan: Is this the old rebate-and-switch? "

—"'A lifetime in NJ left me unprepared': Garden State residents spill on gas gaffes"

—" Mendez lays down gavel for the last time as Vineland attorney leaves court for new life"

—" More cameras, 'special victims unit' coming to N.J. prisons after Edna Mahan scandals"

—"Should N.J. get rid of test needed to become a teacher? 9 organizations say yes"

HAPPENING TUESDAY, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION ON THE WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN: Join Women Rule editor Elizabeth Ralph for a panel discussion on the future for Afghan women. Guests include Hawa Haidari, a member of the Female Tactical Platoon; Cindy McCain, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture; Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan's first female ambassador to the U.S.; and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Learn how female Afghan veterans are planning their futures, what the women still in Afghanistan face, and what the U.S. can do to help. REGISTER HERE.

BIDEN TIME

THE ISEMANN COMETH — "Morris machine mayhem, and an embarrassment for Kean," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: "That's the bottom line for Morris County Republicans. Their Friday night convention began at 6 p.m. and when the remaining members were dismissed it was past midnight. Larry Casha and Tayfun Selen, the two top vote getters, were ready for a runoff but wait – there were two problems. One was mechanical – the voting machines apparently were not functioning properly. The other was human – many committee members went home, making a quorum uncertain … No matter, the runoff was postponed until next week presumably. There also will be a runoff for the CD-7 endorsement between Tom Kean and John Isemann. It's fascinating that Kean did not win outright but the Morris portion of CD-7 is not all that large … But in "real" news overshadowed a bit by the congressional voting problems, the committee did not endorse sitting commissioner Tom Mastrangelo for another term."

—Pascrell: "Putin, his enablers and Russia must be punished — now"

—"'Problem-solving' critic says certain Dems are obstructionists | Opinion"

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

LOCAL

DOUBLE NORCROSSED! — "Democratic mayor, two councilmembers in big Gloucester town switching parties," by The New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "The Democratic mayor and two Democratic councilmembers in Monroe Township are switching parties, putting Republican control of the Gloucester County municipality of 37,117 people in play for the November midterm elections. Mayor Richard DiLucia says he will seek re-election to a second term as a Republican in the county's second-biggest municipality. He is expected to face Democrat Gregory Wolfe, the council president. Councilwoman Katherine Falcone will also switch parties and will run for re-election as a Republican. Councilman Steven McKinney, whose seat is not up until 2024, is also become a Republican. That will change the Democratic council majority from 6-1 to 4-3. The Monroe party switch comes as Republicans gear up for a bid to take control of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners for the first time since 1986."

"Joey Torres' mayoral papers rejected in Paterson, now he's going to court," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Former mayor Jose "Joey" Torres got turned away at City Hall late Friday afternoon when he attempted to hand in more than 1,000 voter petitions for him to run in Paterson's upcoming mayoral election. In rejecting the 2-foot-high stack of papers bound in several rubber bands, Clerk Sonia Gordon followed the instructions of Paterson law director Aymen Aboushi, who had advised her not to accept Torres' petitions on the grounds that his 2017 criminal conviction precluded him from running for mayor … Undaunted, Torres said he would return to City Hall on Monday with even more petitions and that his lawyer would file a legal challenge to the city's rejection of his candidacy. 'I think it's unfair,' Torres said as his stood in the clerk's office with his petitions sitting on the counter. 'You're disenfranchising more than 1,000 voters who signed these petitions.'"

I HOPE THEY SEND THEM SOME RUTT'S HUT RELISH AS WELL — "Firefighters in Clifton launch statewide collection of gear for counterparts in Ukraine ," by The Record's Matt Fagan: "North Jersey firefighters are watching in awe as their Ukrainian brethren brave missile and sniper fire along with fire and smoke. 'What I'm seeing is nothing less than miraculous as they're working to remove victims with limited resources, regardless of the potential of being killed by Russian attack,' said Passaic Fire Chief Pat Trentacost. With that in mind, it was an easy sell when Clifton's Fire Chief Frank Prezioso reached out this week to enlist his help to collect surplus fire equipment for Ukraine's fire service. Trentacost had seen photos of firetrucks and apparatus buried in rubble after Russian attacks. Prezioso said the idea came from third-year Clifton firefighter Oleg Skachko, who emigrated from Ukraine when he was 14."

NEXT SHE'LL FILE PETITION SIGNATURES TO RUN FOR SOMETHING — "Former payroll clerk sentenced to prison for stealing from N.J. city, officials say," by The Jersey Journal's Noah Cohe n: "A former Jersey City Department of Recreation payroll clerk was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for pilfering about $80,000 by fraudulently inflating payroll hours for multiple relatives and associates, prosecutors said. Angela Rivera, 42, of Jersey City, also must pay full restitution to the city and was permanently banned from public employment, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. She pleaded guilty early last year to theft by unlawful taking. The scheme lasted from Dec. 31, 2016 through Feb. 23, 2018, when Rivera inflated payroll hours for certain former part-time and seasonal employees who are her relatives or personal associates, authorities said."

ARCH RIVAL OF THE 'FUND FOR QUANTITY OF CANDIDATES OVER QUALITY' — "With Fulop as key note speaker, Fund for Quality Leadership raises $80k at Chandelier event," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "With Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop as their key not speaker, the Fund for Quality Leadership raised around $80,000 at an event held at the Chandelier Restaurant last night, sparking conversations about the 2025 gubernatorial race. 'This is a New Jersey continuing committee, it is a fund that is compliant with all of the local state laws and the goal of it, per Ray Greaves who is the founding board member, is to support quality candidates throughout New Jersey,'Fulop said in an interview.

—" Morris GOP convention: Commissioner Mastrangelo loses county line; runoffs to come"

—"Former Trenton clerk Conti hired as consultant over mayor's outrage "

—"A South Jersey school district still refuses to pay tuition for certain vocational students even after state letter"

—"[Paulsboro] is one of 8 in the country being studied for effects of contaminated water"

—" Censure recommended for two Ridgewood school board members in 2020 election dispute"

—"[Jersey City] agency, not our nonprofit, at fault for development's delays | Opinion "

DON'T MISS POLITICO'S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

INDUSTRY THAT LET CITY WITHER WHEN IT WAS AN EAST COAST MONOPOLY HAS SOME ADVICE — "Casino execs: Time to fix Atlantic City as New York casinos loom," by The AP's Wayne Parry: "The likelihood of casinos opening in New York City concerns Atlantic City's casino bosses, but they feel there is still time to fix the seaside gambling resort's woes before that happens. Speaking at a forum Friday sponsored by the local chamber of commerce, executives from Hard Rock, Resorts, Tropicana and Bally's all said New York casinos are inevitable. But they also said Atlantic City still has time to shore up its own business to compete more effectively once that happens … The general consensus at Friday's panel was that Atlantic City has at least three or four years before New York joins the casino fray to correct problems like blight, poor infrastructure and potholed streets, and dirty neighborhoods that do not give the appearance of being safe for visitors. The executives said it is essential that Atlantic City carry out a sustained 'clean-and-safe' initiative. 'If we could wake up and Atlantic City was this perfect seaside community, we would weather those threats,' said Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts Casino Hotel."

GEORGE NORCROSS IS AGAINST SELF-DEALING, APPARENTLY — " Republic Bank board fractures into opposing camps loyal to Vernon Hill or George Norcross," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Joseph N. DiStefano: "The board of Republic First Bancorp, which owns Philadelphia-based Republic Bank and its 33 branches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, appears to have split evenly into two camps. One side is supportive of CEO Vernon W. Hill II. And a rival group is close to Hill's former South Jersey business ally George Norcross, who is seeking to oust him, cut the bank's expenses, and boost profits. In an unusual move, a faction calling itself 'Concerned Republic First Bancorp Directors,' comprising four of the eight directors, on Friday sent a public letter to the bank, urging Hill and three board members loyal to him 'not to pursue self-dealing transactions' that would make a takeover of the bank by dissidents like Norcross more difficult."

—"How the most destructive nor'easter in Shore history primed beach towns for a building boom"

—" N.J. residents sound off on where weed tax dollars should be spent"

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

No worker in New Jersey should have to choose between their health and a paycheck, but that's exactly what a loophole in state law forces Atlantic City casino employees to do every day. It's past time to eliminate the casino smoking loophole by passing S264/A2151, bipartisan bills supported by legislators across the state and which Gov. Murphy says he'll sign. New Jersey should not allow any worker to be subjected to known carcinogens. Atlantic City casinos have been setting revenue records and operating with the fewest employees in years. Now is the time to protect casino employees. Just like restaurants adapted and thrived 16 years ago, casinos will do the same—and going smokefree can be a win-win, as several Pennsylvania casinos have voluntarily gotten rid of smoking and are setting revenue records. Learn why thousands of casino employees are speaking out on this life and death matter.