News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Happy budget day

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Happy budget day

Mar 08, 2022

Presented by American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation

Good Tuesday morning!

This afternoon at 2:00 the governor delivers the annual budget address. Some of you like this stuff. But big numbers frighten and confuse me, so I'll leave the speculation to the experts.

But this much I know: Despite predictions that the pandemic would endanger the budget, revenue collections have been strong. There will be plenty extra to spend, which is why the governor put out a new plan for property tax credits last week — one immediately embraced by legislative leadership.

But what about using federal money New Jersey still hasn't allocated to head off the worst of the unemployment insurance tax hikes that will come due in the following fiscal year? The Senate Labor Committee heard a bill that would require that yesterday, and it passed unanimously. Clearly there's an appetite to do it and not just among Republicans. But the progressive groups that have so often been aligned with Murphy oppose it, favoring instead spending big on rent relief and other programs to benefit frontline workers.

More on the budget below.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 22

WHERE'S MURPHY? In the Assembly chambers to deliver the budget address at 2 p.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "...[H]ow they can say it's bipartisan with a straight face when it's run by an announced Democratic candidate for governor and a long-serving Democratic staffer" — State Sen. Ed Durr questioning the Sweeney Center at Rowan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Assemblymember Erik Peterson, former Lt. Gov. candidate Diane Allen, NJ Transit's Matt McHale, Linden Councilmember John Francis Roman, NY1 reporter Zachary Fink. DEP's Kerry Kirk Pflugh

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

ONLINE BETTING APPS TAKING WAGERS ON NUMBER OF TIMES HE SAYS 'STRONGER AND FAIRER' — What to watch for in Murphy's budget address, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan: It's back to business as usual inside the New Jersey Statehouse. Gov. Phil Murphy will present his Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal to a joint session of the Legislature at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The speech from the Assembly chamber will mark the first time he has addressed lawmakers in person in two years as the coronavirus pandemic is finally waning in New Jersey. The school mask mandate and public health emergency have been lifted and Murphy, a Democrat who began his second term in January, is no longer holding his regular Covid-related press briefings. What will Murphy have to say and how will lawmakers react?

—"NJ budget: Climate, COVID and, yes, property taxes"

TRANSPARENCY — "N.J.'s top court delivers transparency win in records fight over jail guard's retirement," by New Jersey Monitor's Dana DiFilippo: "The New Jersey Supreme Court has ordered Cumberland County to publicly release a settlement agreement that allowed a correctional officer to retire in good standing, despite his admission he had 'inappropriate relationships' with two inmates and brought contraband into the county jail. Monday's ruling will protect public access to all settlement agreements involving public agencies, advocates for transparency say. It overturns an appellate decision that declared such agreements personnel records exempt from disclosure."

THEY WANT A NEW DIRECTION IN NEW JERSEY — "A new bipartisanship is taking root in New Jersey as GOP, Dems find common ground," by The Record's Charles Stile: "The 39-0 vote flashing on the New Jersey Senate's board last Thursday was a rare sight: a unanimous, bipartisan channeling of anger directed at Gov. Phil Murphy's administration. 'I hope they hear us. It is a collective message,'' said Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, before voting on a resolution urging Murphy to clear the backlog of unemployment claims that have sent scores of angry residents flocking to lawmakers' offices in search of help … Scutari, Trenton's second-most-powerful official and leader of the majority Democrats, seemed to be making a larger point. He was offering to let the long-sidelined GOP be an occasional partner in the post-election order in Trenton. The vote — and the frustration vented by other Democrats — also provided another less-than-subtle message. The Democrats have run out of patience with the Progressive, Big-Picture Murphy of the first term. Some still blame Murphy's left-of-center branding for the legislative losses. They now want the agenda focused more on bread-and-butter issues of 'affordability,' which is code for property tax relief and the more mundane matters of governing, like fixing the Motor Vehicle Commission or the unemployment insurance service and the other less glamorous topics of governing."

TRANSPARENCY — "NJ Attorney General's Office dropped stats for civilian complaints against cops in 2021," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Amid promises of transparency and accountability, the state Attorney General's Office this year stopped requiring New Jersey police departments to disclose statistics for new Internal Affairs complaints filed by civilians. For the first time in more than a decade, the annual IA reports compiled by local police for 2021 no longer contained a column that listed the number of civilian complaints about such things as excessive force, improper arrests, improper searches and officers' demeanor. That's because the Attorney General's Office changed the forms for the local police departments' annual IA reports that are made public and started using a new format that omitted the section on civilian complaints … The change in IA annual report forms came about as part of an August 2020 directive that then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said would improve public reporting … In response to questions from Paterson Press, the Attorney General's Office last week said it would revise the annual report forms for 2022 and again make public the numbers of new civilian complaints. The office also said it is considering releasing additional IA data for its 2021 reports, which officials said may include the numbers for new civilian complaints."

TWO YEARS IS ENOUGH — Poll: Most New Jerseyans support repeal of school mask mandate, are ready to get back to normal, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: New Jersey's school mask mandate was officially lifted on Monday and most residents are OK with that, according to a new poll. According to the Rutgers-Eagleton poll released Monday, 68 percent of respondents either "strongly" or "somewhat" agree with Gov. Phil Murphy's decision to end the school mask mandate, which the governor announced almost a month ago, but which only took effect on Monday. Thirty percent "strongly" or "somewhat" disagree. "Parents especially agree with ending the mandate, as do partisans of all stripes, though to varying degrees. Nevertheless, disagreement is sizable and reflects the debate surrounding the issue of masking that often pits politics and public health against one another," Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling, said in a press release that accompanied the poll results.

—"Cannabis zoning restrictions quickly head [to] Hoboken City Council after uproar over proposed dispensary"

—State Senate moves to head off increase in unemployment corporate tax

—" N.J. comptroller's office to examine police accountability statewide"

—"Should tax brackets be tied to inflation? This NJ bill would do just that"

—"Waterfront Commission staffers may soon lose jobs. N.J. State Police says you could work for us"

HAPPENING TODAY, 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

NOBODY KNEW THAT HE WOULD, NOW — "In matchup with Kean, Isemann feels good," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: "Isemann sent out a message to Republicans the day after last week's convention crowing about beating a "sitting assemblyman and former gubernatorial candidate by double digits." He added that it's clear Morris Republicans rejected Kean, who did not get a majority. The Morris County portion of CD-7 is not all that large – it's about 15 percent of a district that ranges over six counties. Still, nudging his way into a runoff with Kean is a good accomplishment for Isemann. It's also an achievement overshadowed by the confusion that reigned at last Friday's convention."

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

LOCAL

A CURIOS CHOICE — "Democratic proposal wins Atlantic County redistricting battle," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "Atlantic County Commissioner Redistricting Commission tiebreaker Georgia Curio chose the Democratic proposal for the county's five county commissioner districts this morning, upending a decades-long status quo that favored Republican candidates. In making her selection, Curio said that while the Republican map had slightly lower population deviation and would cause less voter disruption, the Democratic map was superior because it increases the political influence of the county's minority community. 'Disruption pales in comparison to disenfranchisement,' she said. The chief difference between the Democratic and Republican proposals, both this year and in past redistricting cycles, was the placement of Pleasantville, a plurality-Latino and heavily Democratic city across the bay from Atlantic City. Republicans advocated for keeping Pleasantville with Atlantic City in the deep-blue majority-minority 1st district."

KEVIN SMITH'S LATEST MOVIE: 'CLERKLESS' — "Trenton again clerkless after consultant Conti quits over Gusciora disrespect ," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avliucea: "'I'm out,' said former Trenton clerk Anthony Conti, adding former consultant to his list of titles. 'I thought about it over the weekend. I found myself defending my character. I just couldn't work with the guy. I felt like I got slapped walking into the building. What he said was totally off the wall.' The 'guy' who Conti was talking about is Mayor Reed Gusciora, who, in throwing out the welcome mat to the guy who was seemingly doing Trenton a favor, rattled off a letter to the New Jersey Attorney General, calling out Conti over an apparent conflict. Gusciora felt like Conti was wearing too many hats when it came to oversight of Trenton's redistricting map. So the former Democratic assemblyman clapped at the current Republican chairman of the Mercer County Board of Elections. And Conti, who let council know of his reconsideration Monday, clapped back. Now Trenton finds itself as it did before Conti climbed aboard for a hot minute – without someone running the clerk's office. Missing-in-action clerk Matthew Conlon remains out indefinitely on medical leave and still on the payroll."

GOOWING FOR IT — " Paterson mayor's race: Goow and Velez file petitions hours before deadline,' by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "With convicted former Mayor Joey Torres' candidacy likely heading for a court battle, incumbent Andre Sayegh faces challenges from at least four high-profile rivals in Paterson's upcoming mayoral election. Councilman Luis Velez and former Councilman Aslon Goow submitted their nominating petitions on Monday, hours before the deadline for candidates seeking to run in the May 10 contest. They join council members Michael Jackson and Alex Mendez — both of whom face pending election fraud indictments — as challengers looking to oust Sayegh. Goow, who served as Paterson's 2nd Ward councilman from 2000 to 2012, emerged as a candidate for mayor only during the past month. Some political insiders say Goow's candidacy in the 2014 election helped Torres beat Sayegh because they say he siphoned votes from Middle Eastern residents … Sayegh's rivals say the political coalition he crafted four years ago has eroded and that he has lost support in many circles, especially among African American voters."

—" These Bergen districts are asking voters to OK millions for fields, classrooms and more"

—"Jackson banned school construction five years ago. Now, seven new schools are in waiting"

—"Newark's convicted ex-mayor threatens lawsuit if he can't run for city council"

—" Plenty of smiles, some nerves as 'mask optional' rules start in [Elizabeth] school district"

—" Names of Woodrow Wilson, Columbus removed at 2 more NJ [Trenton] schools"

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

CONSERVATIVE AREA NEEDS MIGRANT WORKERS — "Russia-Ukraine conflict has Jersey Shore businesses concerned about J-1 staffing," by The Press of Atlantic City's Eric Conklin: "Jersey Shore business owners preparing for summer are anxious to know whether they'll have enough workers to stay open all season. Adding to that concern is the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Both countries provide local businesses with employees through the federal Summer Work Travel Program. Some local business owners are concerned that potential applicants will be unable to come over as a result. Struggling to find the visiting workers this year would affect operating hours at Playland's Castaway Cove in Ocean City, park Vice President Brian Hartley said. The situation would be similar to last year, when foreign students struggled to come to the United States in time for summer because of federal COVID-19 restrictions not being lifted in time.'"I have this fear that these kids are going to make decisions and say, 'As much as I want to come, I need to stay home and take care of my family first and make sure everything is OK here,' Hartley said … May County each spring and summer sees about 2,500 J-1 visa workers coming from other countries."

BUT UNITED VAN LINES… —" Bids $500K over, half-hour decisions: The highly competitive North Jersey housing market," by The Record's Mary Chao: "With the pandemic receding, experts had predicted that the frenzy of the real estate market would settle down as more homes came on the the market. Not so fast. The anticipated relief to the housing crunch in North Jersey never materialized. In fact, in 2022, the market is as competitive as ever. There are fewer homes on the market, and people who want to live in the suburbs and work from home are snapping them up fast — for well over asking price — hoping to buy before mortgage rates rise even higher. Home listings fell 21% in Bergen County in January compared with the same month a year ago. The median price in Bergen County is now $590,000, up 5.4% from $560,000 last January."

STONERS ACCUSED OF LOOTING SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE PANTRY — "Investors claim 'looting' at N.J. medical marijuana dispensary, sue to have independent manager run it," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio: "The board president of a medical marijuana dispensary in Hudson County should be removed for allegedly plunging the nonprofit $30 million in debt and diverting funds into a cannabis business in Israel, according to a lawsuit filed by investor-owners last week. Secaucus Investors LLC, which won control of Foundation Harmony in a bitter arbitration battle in October, took the extraordinary step of asking for an emergency hearing in state Superior Court to appoint a "custodian" to oversee the daily operations and prepare it to be sold. A court hearing on the request is scheduled for March 18. If the request is granted, the move would oust Shaya Brodchandel, the former CEO and current board president, as well as board member Yehuda Meer. The lawsuit filed last Monday alleges Harmony has allowed taxes and bills to go unpaid, has hired family and friends for unnecessary work and defied arbitration and judicial rulings that ordered they cede control to and share all financial records with Secaucus Investors."

SOUTH JERSEY GAS TO BRANCH INTO CANNABIS AS 'SOUTH JERSEY GRASS' — " Investment firm to buy South Jersey gas utilities," by NJ Spotlight News' Tom Johnson: "South Jersey Industries, Inc., the owner of two of the state's four gas utilities, is being taken private in an all-cash deal valued at $8.1 billion. The Folsom-based energy company has entered into an agreement to be acquired by the Infrastructure Investments Fund, a group within J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Under the terms of the transaction, IIF will purchase SJI for $36 per share in cash, reflecting a 46% premium on the company's average 30-day recent trading stock price. While some of the state's utilities have changed hands in recent years, this proposed deal would be the first in which a company is taken private. Analysts said the deal reflects how attractive utilities are to investors — even at a time when many clean-energy advocates are pressing for states to phase out use of fossil fuels, particularly natural gas."

—"'It was us against the virus': What did hospital workers learn from two years of COVID?"

—"Ex-cop who ran meth lab out of Jersey Shore home sentenced to decade in prison"

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.