News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Many children killed in Texas

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Many children killed in Texas

May 25, 2022

Presented by AARP New Jersey

I'm very strict about keeping this about New Jersey news, but when 19 children are murdered at their elementary school in Texas, I just can't see how anything else could lead this publication.

Nineteen kids . Two adults. It's too much like Sandy Hook. You probably already know about it, but here's a link to coverage the San Antonio Express-News, the closest big city paper to the massacre.

I doubt anything will really change as a result of this. Other than that, I have nothing to add.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 99

WHERE'S MURPHY? — In Trenton for a press conference in response to the Texas shooting. Media: Fox News Radio at 11:30 a.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY : ""There is no greater responsibility than protecting our children — and our nation is failing this most basic test." — Gov. Phil Murphy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Hamilton Councilmember Anthony Carabelli, Jr.

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

NEED MORE PLAYBOOK? — Sign up here for NJ Playbook PM and get more news in your inbox care of POLITICO's Jonathan Custodio, minus the snarky headlines

A message from AARP New Jersey:

Americans are struggling to afford rising prices on everything from groceries to gas. On top of this, we're paying the highest drug prices in the world. Your elected lawmakers have the power to reduce this burden by enacting S329/A1747 and establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. This board is responsible for investigating high drug prices and recommending action to lower costs for consumers. It's time for real action. Tell Governor Murphy: Stand up to Pharma!

WHAT TRENTON MADE

NOW GO BACK TO OVERCHARGING ON TOLLS — Delaware, the state that New Jersey's official Twitter account has repeatedly derided as its pet , is taking a different approach to weed than its bigger neighbor. Gov. Jay Carney announced Tuesday he won't sign a bill that would legalize possession of up to one ounce of cannabis — a measure already far less permissive than New Jersey's law, which allows possession of up to six ounces. No matter. New Jersey's tax revenues can only benefit from Delaware keeping weed illegal, since its other neighboring state, Maryland, hasn't legalized it. There's a million people in Delaware, and some of them, I'm sure, are already making the trip to buy New Jersey's legal, if expensive, weed. And New Jersey will have to worry a little less about its pet potentially ingesting edibles.

—New Jersey's recreational cannabis sales top $24M in first month

—" N.J. legal weed will soon be sold at 6 more stores"

GROUP HOMES — "Abuse of disabled people in N.J. group homes persists as accountability lags, watchdog says," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio: "Aidan Burke came to school earlier this month with scabbed-over scratches on his chest, grayish bruises on his back and a deep, strawberry-red abrasion line circling his neck. The 19-year-old young man with autism cannot speak, leaving the origin of his injuries a mystery. All his mother knows is Aidan must have gotten hurt at his group home in Sicklerville, Camden County, run by Oaks Integrated Care, and she's determined to find out who is responsible. She's asked the two state agencies that oversee the group home to investigate. 'Abuse and neglect in group homes runs rampant throughout this state. I have seen it and now it has happened to my son,' said Aidan's mother, Johanna Burke, who also is a lawyer representing families with developmentally disabled children. 'There are definitely not enough laws and rules to hold providers and the state accountable.' Burke's sentiment is echoed in the latest annual report by the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families. The frequency with which the Ombudsman's office hears about abuse and neglect signals a persistent problem, according to the report."

—" Watchdog urges N.J. to expand care for residents with developmental or intellectual disabilities"

DRUGS — Murphy-backed prescription drug plan advances , by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Gov. Phil Murphy's prescription drug package cleared a key legislative hurdle on Tuesday, despite objections from industry players over recent amendments and consumer advocates who say the plan does not go far enough to lower costs. The Assembly Health Committee advanced three of the four bills in the package after several hours of testimony, as well as a separate measure, NJ A1747 (22R), to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. That bill, which is opposed by the state's powerful pharmaceutical industry, does not have Murphy's backing. Lowering prescription drug costs is a goal Murphy set early in his second term; the package he proposed in February is designed to do just that.

TRANSPARENCY — New Jersey lawmakers offer up proposals to keep elected officials safe, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: New Jersey politicians on both sides of the aisle are concerned about their own safety, and they're seeking to do something about it. Two lawmakers — one Republican and one Democrat — have introduced measures that were partly written in response to threats they or other New Jersey politicians have received. But that's about all they have in common. One of the measures, NJ A4094 (22R), introduced by Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), would require that the home addresses of elected officials and candidates for office be redacted from public documents and not disclosed under the state's public records law. The other, NJ S2678 (22R), proposed by freshman Sen. Ed Durr (R-Gloucester), would ease New Jersey's strict firearms law so that elected officials would be allowed to carry handguns if they demonstrate at least eight hours of safety training.

SCHOOLS — New Jersey Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin has directed the state police and county prosecutors to increase law enforcement presence at schools throughout the state "effective immediately," according to a statement Tuesday evening. "The safety of our State's residents — including and especially our children — is my top priority," Platkin said. According to Platkin's statement, the State Police will increase their presence at the schools where troopers are the primary law enforcement. Platkin said county prosecutors will direct their municipal police departments to likewise increase law enforcement presence at schools throughout their jurisdictions. — Carly Sitrin

—"Those who live in shadow of Turnpike extension speak out against $4.7 billion widening project"

—" N.J. Supreme Court among country's most diverse. That's not saying much"

—"Gopal to introduce law enforcement legislation in wake of Long Branch party "

—"New Long Branch Pier Village Beach Linkup party flyer appears online. Here's what we know"

—"DiMaio, Wirths propose income tax cuts"

DON'T MISS THE 2022 GREAT LAKES ECONOMIC FORUM: POLITICO is excited to be the exclusive media partner again at the Council of the Great Lakes Region's bi-national Great Lakes Economic Forum with co-hosts Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot. This premier, intimate networking event, taking place June 26-28 in Chicago, brings together international, national and regional leaders from business, government, academia and the nonprofit sector each year. "Powering Forward" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect key decision-makers with thought leaders and agents of change to identify and advance solutions that will strengthen the region's competitiveness and sustainability in today's competitive climate of trade, innovation, investment, labor mobility and environmental performance. Register today.

BIDEN TIME

LET'S KEEP THINGS CIVIL. ALSO, MEMBERS OF THE OTHER POLITICAL PARTY ARE ENEMIES — "CD-5 Flashpoint: Pallotta v. De Gregorio debate," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: "Before Monday's CD-5 debate began, host Kevin McCullough set forth an essential truth of the evening. He reminded Republican contenders Nick DeGregorio and Frank Pallotta that the 'enemy is Josh Gottheimer.' If that was designed to persuade the candidates not to beat up on each other, it worked."

—@GovChristie: "Enormous win tonight for @BrianKempGA. I am so proud of and happy for my friend — and just as importantly for the Georgia GOP and the people of Georgia. They were not going to kick out a great Governor or be willing participants in the DJT Vendetta Tour."

—" Trial opens for ex-Navy employee from N.J. charged with storming Capitol"

A message from AARP New Jersey:

LOCAL

OCEAN'S BIG FISH — "'We need to make Ocean County great again': Gilmore running to get GOP chairman job back," by The Asbury Park Press' Erik Larsen: "George R. Gilmore, the former Ocean County GOP chairman, said a strong Republican Party is needed 'to make Ocean County great again,' as he announced Monday that he is running to get his old job back. The contest to lead one of New Jersey's most influential but now-fractured Republican organizations is expected to come down to a race between Gilmore and Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy, the presumptive establishment candidate. The current chairman, Frank B. Holman III, is not seeking re-election this June. 'Today, I am proud to announce my candidacy for Ocean County Republican chairman because I feel that the commitment to build our party has been virtually non-existent,' Gilmore said. 'The current party chair failed to support Republican candidates in many Ocean County towns including Brick Township, Manchester and South Toms River.'"

—Video: "George Gilmore raises questions about sheriff's personal use of official car"

—"As Gilmore enters race, Mastronardy sweeps endorsements from top elected officials"

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TAKES — " Amid federal probe, Gusciora admits Trenton was 'in danger' of federal grant clawback," by The Trentonian's Isaac Aviluicea: "Mayor Reed Gusciora admitted Monday that the city was in 'danger' of having a $2 million lead-remediation grant clawed back by the feds if the funds weren't spent within a certain timeframe. That warning was relayed to the mayor last year, he said, without providing specifics about the conversation or who relayed the information. His acknowledgement comes days after he seemed to blame a former mayoral administration for the problems he's encountering, months out from an election that will determine whether he serves a second term as chief executive of the capital city."

—"Feds probing Trenton environmental health bureau in apparent time fraud case"

INVESTIGATE THE INVESTIGATORS — " Alleged assault by investigator raises new questions about Bergen sheriff appointees," by The Record's Steve Janoski : "A Bergen County sheriff's investigator has been suspended without pay for nearly seven months after allegedly trying to strangle his ex-girlfriend during a domestic dispute last fall, according to police reports obtained by NorthJersey.com. The Sheriff's Office benched the investigator — Stephen A. Walters, 33, of Hackensack — immediately after city police arrested him on a pair of assault charges on Oct. 30, 2021, according to Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton … The incident has raised new questions about the county's investigators, all of whom have full police power and are appointed directly by the sheriff, allowing him to circumvent the state's civil service hiring process. In February, Cureton hired his nephew, Justin Cureton, as an investigator …. Cureton appointed Walters, a former Camden County police officer, as an investigator in February 2020, according to county payroll records. Police sources said many in the 600-employee sheriff's department believed Walters was related to Cureton because Cureton often referred to him as his nephew or godson. But Cureton denied that in an emailed statement … The investigator title has always been contentious. Created by state law in 1987, it was originally designed to let sheriffs bypass the civil service list and hire candidates with special talents or abilities whom they might not be able to get otherwise. For instance, department leaders could bring in an officer who spoke foreign languages to help work on undercover operations. But over the years, it morphed into a way for elected sheriffs to reward friends, family, supporters and campaign donors with jobs."

IGNOBLECILLA — "N.J. cop tried to warn gang member about raid, arrest, authorities say ," by NJ Advance Media's Anthony G. Attrino: "A now-suspended Hillside police officer faces multiple charges after investigators say he attempted to tip off a gang member that officers were planning to raid his home last year and later used his access to police records to warn of a pending arrest. Officer Fernando J. Noblecilla, 31, of South Plainfield, tried 'to warn a member of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation that a law enforcement operation was or was about to be executed at his home,' acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said Tuesday."

—"From Asbury Park's dancing cop to 'white devil': Patrolman alleges discrimination"

SUPREME COURT: CECILIA SARDINA GUZMAN SHOOK CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM DAILY — "Paterson judge was ineligible to serve, says NJ Supreme Court. Will she stay on the bench?" by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "The New Jersey Supreme Court disciplined Paterson Municipal Judge Cecilia Sardina Guzman with a public censure last week for hearing city cases while she was ineligible to practice law. It's the second time the judge has been rebuked by the state's highest court. Guzman previously came under censure from the Supreme Court's Disciplinary Review Board for lapses in her private law practice in handling two divorce cases. The censure announced last week — essentially a public reprimand — said Guzman violated codes of judicial conduct, but it did not require her removal from her role as one of Paterson's judges."

KUHLING THE HERD — "Hunterdon GOP picks Kuhl for county commissioner seat," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Hunterdon County Republicans have picked Jeff Kuhl to fill a county commissioner vacancy and to run as their candidate in the November general election for an unexpired term. Kuhl replaces Matt Holt, a six-term incumbent who resigned earlier this month and is moving out of New Jersey. A Raritan Township Committeeman and former mayor, Kuhl is the son of the late Henry Kuhl, who served as the Hunterdon County GOP Chairman from 37 years."

IS THERE AN EXCUSE FOR RUNNING MATE VETTING INCOMPETENCE? — " Mayor Baraka: There is 'no excuse' for the county board of election's incompetence," by Ras J. Baraka or NJ.com : "This month's election in Newark was tainted by a game of three-card monte by the Essex County Board of Elections, which shuffled polling places just days before the election, leaving many of my city's residents to guess where to vote. In a nation today, where voting rights are threatened by certain state legislatures, it is incomprehensible that a board of elections would inflict such confusion on our city and force low voter turnout. To be blunt, the people of this city were disenfranchised on Election Day."

—" Report: Montclair firefighters admitted being paid to take others' shifts"

—" Saddle River mayor says official pushed 'personal agenda' in affordable housing fight"

—"3 Hoboken 5th Ward residents file notice of intention to recall Councilman Phil Cohen"

—"[Somerset County's] email system offline after cyber breach"

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

ROBERT DE NIRO HOUSE SEEN SMASHING PAY PHONE — "The 'Joe Pesci House' in Lavallette is being demolished," by Shorebeat's Daniel Nee: "The sprawling West Point Island home owned by actor Joe Pesci, complete with architecture that reflected the glitz and bright colors of Los Angeles, is no more. Two smaller homes are slated to be constructed in its place … Pesci's representatives have said that the Academy Award-winning actor, and North Jersey native, was selling what had been his Jersey Shore home for 30 years in order to retire to California for year-round sunshine and to get in some extra golf."

TIGERS DISAVOW KATZ — " Princeton board fires professor in sexual misconduct investigation," by The Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel: "Princeton University's board of trustees voted Monday to fire Joshua Katz, a tenured professor in the classics department, for failing to fully cooperate with a sexual-misconduct investigation that his supporters say is retaliation for his viewpoints. Katz sparked controversy for a 2020 essay opposing faculty proposals to combat racism at the university after the murder of George Floyd. The backlash against his piece vaulted him to star status among some conservatives who viewed the reaction as an attack on free speech. Amid the attention, allegations of Katz, 52, having an improper relationship with a female student resurfaced, leading to a university investigation that has now led to his dismissal. The board sided with Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber and faculty dean Gene A. Jarrett, who both recommended Katz be terminated for withholding information in a 2018 investigation into his relationship with an undergraduate student a decade earlier."

—"Bruce Springsteen, E Street Band announce international tour to start in U.S. early 2023 "

—"Can you be 100 years old and healthy? NJ woman, now 109, has no health conditions"

A message from AARP New Jersey:

New Jerseyans are struggling to afford rising prices on everything from groceries to gas. On top of this, Americans are paying the highest drug prices in the world. It's time to enact S329/A1747, which establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. This board is responsible for investigating high drug prices and recommending action to lower costs for consumers. Governor Murphy has introduced legislation that addresses prescription drug costs, but it simply does not go far enough. It fails to address the root cause of the problem – the high prices set by drug manufacturers. Tell Governor Murphy: Stand up to Big Pharma!