News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: R.I.P. David Friedland?

Monday, May 2, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: R.I.P. David Friedland?

May 02, 2022

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By Matt Friedman

Presented by The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association

Good Monday morning!

The Jersey Journal reports that former state Senator/Assemblymember David Friedland has died at 84.

But did he, really? When you're known for faking your own death to escape federal corruption charges and then you get caught because your scuba diving business in the Maldives got too successful, you don't get the benefit of the doubt that you actually are dead. And you don't get to avoid that joke.

A lot of rogues have passed through the hallowed halls of the Statehouse over the centuries, but few if any were as colorful, brilliant and politically consequential as Friedland.

For instance, a 36-year-old Republican Assemblymember named Tom Kean became speaker in 1972 because Friedland cut a deal with Republicans and a few Democrats that messed up his own party's majority in 1972. Or Friedland's contribution as an attorney to overturning New Jersey's antiquated Senate representation, back when each county got a senator, no matter the population.

I've always wondered why there's never been a movie made about Friedland's life. Perhaps there's a budding screenwriter out there who's just learning about him. If done well, it could make "American Hustle" look quaint by comparison.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 76

WHERE'S MURPHY? At the Islamic Society of Central Jersey for a 9:30 a.m. Eid Al-Fitr prayer gathering.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The water is pretty murky and we don't want anybody to be the test case." — NJPBA President Patrick Colligan on off-duty police use of weed. It's unclear if he was referring to bong water.

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 The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association:

In the fight to make prescription drugs more affordable, PBMs are the only part of the prescription drug supply and payment chain dedicated to lowering drug costs. In fact, PBMs lower patient prescription drug costs by nearly $1,000 every year, enabling safe and seamless prescription drug delivery to patients, and helping New Jerseyans stay on their medications. Learn more about how PBMs advocate on behalf of patients at https://onyourrxside.org/state/new-jersey.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

BANNING SMOKING IS WHY REVEL CLOSED, IMPLIES POLITICIAN WHO EXPECTS YOU TO BELIEVE THAT — Atlantic City mayor is betting against proposed smoking ban for casinos , by POLITICO's Daniel Han and Ry Rivard: Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. opposes legislation to ban indoor smoking in casinos. "I'm against it," Small said when asked by POLITICO Thursday whether he supports legislative efforts in Trenton to outlaw lighting up in gambling arenas. "We had a perfect example of … banning smoking in a casino with the former Revel," Small said, in reference to the $2.4 billion facility that closed in 2014. Revel had been Atlantic City's only smoke-free casino, but reversed course after facing a myriad of financial issues. Small did not respond to requests for further comment.

—Stockton: "Sixty-two percent supported prohibiting smoking on casino floors, while 31% opposed the proposal and 6% were unsure. However, fewer South Jersey residents (59%) supported the casino smoking ban than in northern New Jersey, where 66% supported it."

JOE CAMEL: 'NO ONE CALLED ME FOR THIS 'POLL'' — Poll: Nearly two-thirds of N.J. residents favor casino smoking ban, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Almost two-thirds of New Jersey residents support a smoking ban in Atlantic City casinos, according to poll results released Friday. The Stockton University survey found 62 percent of New Jerseyans support banning smoking on casinos floors while 31 percent oppose it. But support for the ban is slightly stronger in North Jersey (66 percent), where there are no casinos, than South Jersey (59 percent). New Jersey has banned smoking in almost every indoor public place for well over a decade, but casinos have successfully lobbied for an exception that permits smoking on up to 20 percent of their floor space.

GET BACK TO WHERE YOU ONCE BELONGED — "NJ employers forced to choose tax breaks or work from home. How it could change your week," by The Record's Daniel Munoz: "New Jersey's got a message for workers who've gotten used to the convenience of Zoom meetings in sweats and pajamas: It's time to get back to the office. The agency that oversees more than $8.7 billion in state tax breaks announced this month that businesses claiming those incentives will have to bring people back into the office at least part time starting this summer, ending two years of leniency adopted during the coronavirus pandemic. While many employers have adopted hybrid work schedules, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority hopes its decision will hasten the return of employees – and their dollars – to downtowns still rebounding from the COVID crisis. 'When you incentivize somebody to go to Newark, Paterson, or Camden, or Trenton, it's because you want them in those places,' said Tim Sullivan, chief executive officer of the authority."

NJ TRANSIT HAS GONE DOWN HILL SINCE SIR TOPHAM HATT TOOK OVER AS PRESIDENT — "Why NJ Transit hasn't OK'd a mask-only train car despite pleas from riders, board members ," by The Record's Colleen Wilson: "Board members Bob Gordon, Shanti Narra and Cedrick Fulton, the vice-chair, voiced support for a mask-only train car pilot program at Friday's board meeting, saying it should be considered 'immediately.' But those opposed to the idea said it will be too difficult to enforce … Jerome Johnson, general chairman of SMART-TD Local 60, the union that represents NJ Transit's train conductors, called the idea 'ridiculous.' 'We just went two years of a pandemic and our members have been harassed, assaulted at extreme levels. Enforcement would be extremely difficult,' Johnson said. 'Before any decision is made we would like you to include labor and the people who are actually on the trains.'"

WELFARE — "N.J. families living in extreme poverty need more help from vital safety net, advocates say," by NJ Advance Media's Derek Hall: "A vital safety net for New Jersey families living in deep poverty is shrinking even as the number of residents in need continues to grow amid rising costs and an ongoing pandemic, advocates say. The Garden State's primary cash assistance program, Work First New Jersey, is struggling to reach families trapped in a cycle of extreme poverty, according to a coalition of advocates and policy experts that work with the state's most vulnerable residents. 'Fewer than one in six families living in poverty are supported by Work First New Jersey, and even those who receive assistance do not get enough to make ends meet,' according to Brittany Holom-Trundy, senior policy analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective. Holom-Trundy joined advocates from several statewide organizations at a press conference earlier this week to urge state lawmakers to pass legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, and Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, D-Hudson. The bill, S1642/A3324, would bolster Work First New Jersey by removing some restrictions in the program, including work and education requirements, that have prevented many families from getting needed assistance, advocates said."

NO KIDDING — " Some advocates say tensions are rising on gay rights, visibility," by The Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow: "As critics of new state educational standards become increasingly visible and vocal, supporters of the standards have been difficult to find in Cape May County. The New Jersey Student Learning Standards — Comprehensive Health and Physical Education have drawn sharp criticism from members of the public and elected officials. Attempts to contact groups willing to speak for the other side fell flat. That does not necessarily mean everybody hates the proposals. Advocates for LGBTQ rights say they are increasingly concerned about speaking in public, or even being out. 'I do feel like there is a climate nationally that has people pausing about their visibility,' said Ann McCabe, one of the founders of Equality Cape May. 'I think that people don't trust that it is a safe thing to do.'"

—"Advocates support NJ's new guidelines on teaching gender despite controversy"

—"NJ Transit's one-seat Philadelphia routes to resume in June after issues with Greyhound"

—" GOP asks Wallace to release wang congressional redistricting data"

—"Oroho asks SCI to investigate Sam Wang"

—"In reversal, New Jersey to again allow cops to chase car thieves"

—" N.J. police officers are overwhelmingly white and male, data shows"

—"New report details injuries at NJ Amazon warehouses as activists oppose new facility "

—Moran: "Sage counsel on climate from the retiring CEO of PSEG"

—Opinion: " Repeal the New Jersey inheritance tax"

—Opinion: "Thanks to N.J. courts, it's harder for police to claim qualified immunity. But more is needed "

Top Headlines. Insights. Issues that Matter. News moves fast in the Garden State. Want to make sense of it all? NJ PBS's Reporters Roundtable with David Cruz offers an insiders' view on the stories that are making headlines in Trenton and throughout the Garden State. Hear from the key players making news and the journalists reporting on them and the issues that matter to you, your community, your business, your state. Saturdays at 6pm; Sundays at 10am on NJ PBS. Learn more.

BIDEN TIME

UNITED VAN LINES WAS FULLY BOOKED — "Senate candidate Mehmet Oz says he's a Pennsylvania resident now. So why's he still hanging out in his New Jersey mansion? " by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jonathan Tamari, Ryan W. Briggs and Jonathan Lai: "As he leaps into one of the country's most crucial campaigns, Oz, a Republican, says he moved to the Keystone State late last year, specifically to the Montgomery County home owned by his wife's parents … At the same time, Oz's social media still frequently show him at his North Jersey mansion, long after he says he moved to Pennsylvania. More than 20 posts in the last three months alone appear to show him at his Cliffside Park home, some with New York in the background, others showing the interiors of the house that have been displayed in earlier video clips and magazine profiles … A campaign aide noted that Oz has been filming his TV show in New York and that much of his family still lives in that area, so the 'proud grandfather' still visits. Oz is also still an attending physician at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, he said."

SENATOR'S SON — "U.S. must help Ukraine repel Russia so 'we don't have to send our sons and daughters into battle ,' Menendez says," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "The New Jersey Democrat said Sunday that the aid to Ukraine is needed and is crucial to preventing a victorious Russian President Vladimir Putin from attacking America's NATO allies in Europe and drag the U.S. into war. 'I think we will do what it takes to see Ukraine win because it's not just about Ukraine, it is about the international order,' Menendez said. 'Stopping Russia from getting to that point is critically of interest to us, as well as the world, so that we don't have to send our sons and daughters into battle. And I think that ability not to have to send our sons and daughters into battle is priceless.'"

—Iran talks unlikely to yield good deal, Menendez says

—" N.J.'s own Anthony Coscia renominated to third term on Amtrak board of directors"

—"Ex-South Jersey police chief scheduled to report to prison for lying to FBI in hate-crime assault case"

A message from The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association:

LOCAL

TRENTON MAKES THE WORLD SIGH IN RESIGNATION — "Video of city worker in underwear getting a massage in front of employees prompts investigation," by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman: "A five-minute video that shows Trenton's health officer in her underwear receiving a massage in a conference room in front of other employees, according to a councilwoman, has triggered an investigation by the city and is being reviewed by the prosecutor's office. A since-deleted Instagram video forwarded to NJ Advance Media shows Yvette Graffie-Cooper wearing only a bra and panties as a woman uses a massage device to treat the health officer's shoulders, arms, back, legs and stomach for cellulite reduction … In the video, Graffie-Cooper is wearing a bra and shorts while the masseuse uses an electronic wand on her neck and shoulders. At other points in the video, Graffie-Cooper is wearing only her bra and underwear and is seen laying on her back on a massage table while employees, sitting at a conference table, watch … 'As soon as the city became aware of the video, the (health) director (Dr. Adela Ames-Lopez) began an administrative investigation,' Tim Carroll wrote in an emailed statement said. 'As this is a personnel matter, the city reserves comment at this time.' … In a letter she sent to state Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin on Wednesday, [Councilmember Robin] Vaughn wrote 'I demand that you act expeditiously to address that illicit and immoral behavior displayed on that video by a state-licensed municipal health official in front of her employees.'"

TRENTON. AGAIN. — "Trenton council budget meeting ends early after devolving into chaos," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "A budget meeting was halted early Thursday after two council members abruptly logged off when the meeting devolved into a shouting match between 'duly elected' West Ward leader Robin Vaughn and council president Kathy McBride. Vaughn accused McBride of being a 'rubberstamp' for Mayor Reed Gusciora. 'No one on this call or on this council will shut me down, including you, council president,' Vaughn said. 'I just put you on notice, my friend.' The two bantered back and forth, as McBride shouted for the IT director to shut off Vaughn's microphone. 'Mute her, Mr. Rivera,' McBride said. As the two lashed out at each other, East Ward councilman Joe Harrison came on the line and said he was logging off. He was joined by his compatriot of the South Ward, George Muschal. 'I had enough of this. This is unbelievable. I'm out. I'm out,' Muschal said. The meeting ended before council examined budgets for the housing and economic redevelopment and inspections departments."

PASSA-ICK! — "Rats, mold, sewage leaks, abuse: Suits allege litany of complaints about Passaic jail ," by The Record's Steve Janoski: "Two more former inmates of the Passaic County Jail are suing the county, its sheriff, the warden and others over a raft of alleged abuses they claim to have endured during their stay at the Paterson lockup, driving the number of such lawsuits filed in the last month to nearly a half-dozen. The new complaints, filed Wednesday in state Superior Court on behalf of former inmates Jessica Witman and Travis Mann, read much the same as the first three. They claim the jail has rats, no heat, sewage backups, scalding showers and mold throughout the 64-year-old compound."

—"7 staff, including 2 principals, on administrative leave in Wall Township school district"

—" Toms River supports Parents' Bill of Rights on sex education curriculum"

—" Paterson principal accused of sexual assault of student in the 1980s, lawsuit says"

—"With Paterson police force under fire, mayoral candidates split on reform efforts"

—"HCCC to offer cannabis business degree and certificate programs, N.J. licensing workshop"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

FOR GOD'S SAKE, FORGET VIRGINIA AND FLORIDA UNTIL YOU OPEN A STORE IN MAHWAH — "Wawa plans huge expansion: Double the stores and new markets," by NJ Advance Media's Christopher Burch: Wawa, one of the Northeast's most popular convenience store chains, is planning a huge expansion. The company recently announced plans to double its store count over the next several years … As part of the expansion, Wawa plans to open spots in existing territories, as well as new ones like North Carolina. The company wants to "fill in the market" between Virginia and Florida, and will open about 100 stores per year."

—" University Hospital, a lifeline during COVID, needs a bailout to protect its future, advocates say"

—"Port Authority police officer accused of forging medical records for more pay "

—"Shoppers describe chaotic scene at Garden State Plaza mall after fight at food court"

—" 'Sleight of hand betting game' behind American Dream shooting, documents say"

A message from The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association:

Pharmacy Benefit Managers, PBMs, are working on behalf of millions of New Jersey patients with health insurance to reduce prescription drug costs, expand access to medications, and improve patient outcomes.

Here are the key facts to know about PBMs:

• PBMs negotiate with drug companies to lower prescription drug costs, reducing patient drug costs by nearly $1,000 each year.
• PBMs work with pharmacies to deliver prescription drugs to New Jersey patients safely and seamlessly.
• Over the next ten years, PBMs will save New Jersey patients more than $29 billion dollars.
• PBMs advocate for patients in the fight to keep prescription drugs accessible and affordable.

Learn how PBMs advocate for patients at https://onyourrxside.org/state/new-jersey