News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The Cherry Hills Shuffle

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The Cherry Hills Shuffle

Jun 21, 2022

Presented by New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx

Good Tuesday morning!

When you vote in a primary, you reasonably expect the person you cast your vote for will be on the ballot in the general election.

Not in Camden County , where there was no public announcement until Friday that Commissioner Carmen Rodriguez had resigned several days before the primary to take a job as the new Camden County executive schools superintendent.

Progressive activists call this the "Cherry Hill Shuffle ." Elected officials resign before their term ends so that Camden County Democratic committee members, not exactly known for bucking the party's bigwigs, get to choose an interim successor who then runs as an incumbent. It happens all over but is particularly prevalent in Camden County (see Camden's previous mayor).

This instance is even more brazen, as nobody was told that Rodriguez was gone. The election was covered, to the extent that it was, as if Rodriguez was on her way to another term.

And the Murphy administration, once an enemy of the Camden County Democratic machine, was party to this by giving Rodriguez the job and not being forthcoming about the timing.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 125

WHERE'S MURPHY? — At Rutgers Newark do address Acting AG Matt Platkin's "Summit on Combating Bias, Hate, and Violence."

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "..." — Republican congressional candidates on the Jan. 6 revelations

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Essex GOP Chair Al Barlas, NJDHS' Jon Chebra, NJEA's Beth Schroeder Buonsante, NJDOL's Tennille McCoy , Mt. Laurel Deputy Mayor Stephen Steglik. Missed Monday: Kivvit's Pearl Gabel

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

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

Costs in New Jersey are sky high – and that includes prescription drug costs. Every year, Big Pharma raises the price of life-saving medications. Fortunately, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) negotiate with drug companies to reduce Rx costs for patients. As this legislative session ends, let's remind our representatives to support patient advocates like PBMs and make all entities in the drug supply chain do their part to lower costs. https://www.affordablerxnj.com/

WHAT TRENTON MADE

ENGINEERING CHAOS — "NJ Transit shuts down train service Friday evening over what it calls 'illegal job action'," by The Record's Colleen Wilson and Philip DeVcencentis: "NJ Transit has suspended all rail service Friday evening due to what the agency has called an 'illegal job action' by the union of locomotive engineers. The announcement, made amid rush hour, followed a hellish day for commuters. The apparent job action canceled almost 80 rides — mostly on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines … Commuters who normally return home from work in an hour, or two, were stranded on railway platforms across the agency's service area."

—" Judge orders NJ Transit locomotive engineers return to work after 481 no-shows this weekend," by The Record's Colleen Wilson: "The union whose membership includes the majority of NJ Transit's locomotive engineers — who called out en masse this weekend — is temporarily barred from instigating any future strikes, according to an emergency order issued by a federal judge Sunday. The order, signed by U.S. District Judge Christine O'Hearn, also requires the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen to 'immediately' inform its members to 'cease and desist' any activity related to the work stoppage, according to court documents. The temporary restraining order issued Sunday came two days earlier than a hearing scheduled by O'Hearn because locomotive engineers continued calling out at unusually high numbers Saturday and Sunday, causing hundreds of trains to be canceled throughout the holiday weekend. NJ Transit filed a complaint in federal court Friday asking a judge to force locomotive engineers who were not showing up to work to end the alleged job action."

ALL 564 NJ TOWNS TO MERGE INTO ONE NAMED DEBTFORD — "State debt rose by more than $40 billion ," by NJ Spotlight News' John Reitmeyer: "New Jersey's recent string of positive fiscal news was interrupted several weeks ago by a new audit that indicated overall debt rose across the board during the last fiscal year … [I]t came as somewhat of a surprise that the audit released in late May showed the state's net-pension liability, which appears in the non-bonded category, actually increased by about $4 billion during the 2021 fiscal year. Asked to explain the increase, Treasury spokeswoman Jennifer Sciortino said the auditors had to use figures from the 2020 fiscal year when compiling their assessment of New Jersey's long-term pension liability. At the time, the state had yet to reach full funding of its annual pension obligations. Moreover, the auditors also assumed state pension funding over the next several decades would total much less than the 100% actuarially determined pension contributions that are now occurring as a matter of course, according to Sciortino … But the big reason the state's total for non-bonded debt surged above $200 billion during the last fiscal year was not related to the health of the pension system … Instead, the audit indicated there was a $36 billion year-over-year increase in the state's total for what are known as OPEBs, or 'other post-employment benefits.' That category of non-bonded debt includes the long-term cost of providing health benefits promised to retired government workers in addition to their pensions."

EDUCATION — "Inside the quiet rooms," by NJ Advance Media's Kelly Heyboer: " Although most families probably have no idea they exist, school isolation spaces — known as a seclusion closets or quiet rooms — are perfectly legal in New Jersey. While at least six other states have banned them outright, the rooms have been used for years in some public and private schools across the state to isolate violent or disruptive students as young as 4 or 5. Kids are usually placed in the stark, empty spaces alone until they calm down. Sometimes the doors are locked. Other times, teachers or aides hold the doors shut while children pound on the walls inside, scream for their parents or wet themselves … The use of seclusion rooms has been on the rise in New Jersey schools since Gov. Chris Christie signed a 2018 state law outlining when they can be used, according to disability advocates. The law says isolation rooms should be a last resort when students are exhibiting violent behavior that put themselves or others in "immediate physical danger." But NJ Advance Media interviews with more than 30 parents, advocates, teachers and school officials reveal a darker reality. Some schools appear to be violating the law by locking kids — including nonverbal special education students — in quiet rooms for relatively minor offenses, such as refusing to do assignments, fighting with classmates or taking off their shoes in class."

THE PATH LESS TRAVELED — "PATH is down half its riders. Why its leader is moving ahead with $1B expansion anyway," by The Record's Colleen Wilson: "[PATH General Manager Clarelle] DeGraffe is forging ahead with a $1 billion plan designed to address the root causes of delays. It includes upgrading the signal system, buying more train cars and expanding train sets and platforms to fit another one or two cars, depending on the line. Studies are also underway to examine expanding stations in the Marion neighborhood of Jersey City and at Newark Liberty International Airport. PATH's ridership was growing at a rapid clip before the pandemic … As of May, about 50% of riders have returned to PATH compared with pre-pandemic figures … Despite a slow ridership return, DeGraffe said, the need for improvements to increase capacity is still there. The reasons for it simply changed. 'We had promised adding capacity because of the sardine-like nature of our trains, but that was no longer the issue. What became the need now was the spacing on the cars,' DeGraffe said. 'It's really about being close to people that I don't know, and that's the justification to expand.' Health and safety are the top concerns for customers returning to public transportation, according to research by the Regional Plan Association."

COURTS — " Insurers not liable for businesses' pandemic losses, N.J. appellate panel rules," by New Jersey Monitor's Dana DiFilippo: " A New Jersey appeals court panel ruled Monday that six businesses aren't entitled to insurance coverage for losses they sustained when the governor in 2020 ordered some businesses closed or otherwise restricted their operations to halt the spread of COVID-19. Language in the business' insurance policies required them to prove physical damage to covered properties, which didn't occur, Superior Court Judge Thomas Sumners Jr. wrote on behalf of a three-judge panel. 'We recognize that COVID-19 has caused overwhelming economic losses to untold businesses and individuals dependent on those businesses in our state, nation, and the world,' Sumner wrote. 'Nevertheless, plaintiffs' insurance claims are restricted by the clear and plain meaning of their insurance policies, which we cannot rewrite to cover their unfortunate losses.'"

—"No sugarcoating N.J.'s history with slavery from Murphy at Juneteenth event"

— "The Wiz: 'We need to find a way to get our public space back"

—" Conservative group sues N.J. over voter registration records"

—"Akhter named to top post on governor's staff"

—"As student depression and anxiety soars, N.J. lawmakers demand more from schools"

—Pizarro: " Baraka v. Fulop 2025: A Developing rivalry and what it means"

—Mulshine: "Property-tax relief: I've got a proposition for you, Governor"

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

LIBERTARIAN VOTE COULD SURGE BY ONE IN NOVEMBER — "Ian Smith leaves GOP," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Ian Smith, who lost the Republican primary for Congress in New Jersey's 3rd two weeks ago, has joined the Libertarian Party. 'The change we are looking for starts with the individual and pours out into our families and our communities,' said Smith, a gym owner who won national attention as a critic of Gov. Phil Murphy's Covid policies. 'There is work to be done.'"

—" Lots of candidates with New Jersey ties running for congress, senate in other states"

—Snowflack: "And they're off: Sherrill v. DeGroot"

—"Proposed N.J. wind farm could have major impact on area fisheries, draft report says"

—" N.J. veterans medical clinic would close, new center would open under proposed overhaul by feds"

—"Aspiring Camden County Proud Boy sentenced to two weeks behind bars for role in Capitol riot "

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

LOCAL

STAMPOWN3D — "Haledon mayor loses Democratic primary, cites 'serious voter apathy' as a factor ," by The Record's Philip DeVencentis: "Mayor Domenick Stampone said he was 'shocked' at the outcome of this month's Democratic primary, which saw his opponent squeeze out a victory by 18 votes to clinch a spot on the November ballot. It is the first local election Stampone ever lost, and the first time that former Councilman Michael Johnson has won in three tries since a falling-out with party bosses … Stampone, who sought a fifth four-year term, said 'serious voter apathy' was a factor. 'I'm shocked — I'll say it — I'm shocked that only 600 voters bothered to vote,' he said of the approximate number of ballots cast by registered Democrats. 'I'm shocked that you can kind of bounce around ideas on social media that make no sense, and people somehow believe that that's a good thing. I'm shocked about a lot of it.' Out of 5,646 registered voters, 704 cast ballots for a turnout by both parties of 12.5%."

PARAMESS — "Hiring of mayor's son caused months of litigation. Paramus made sure it won't happen again ," by The Record's Stephanie Noda: "An anti-nepotism ordinance was approved in the borough, more than a year after council members and the mayor were at odds over lawsuits filed over the hiring of the mayor's son as a police officer. The ordinance was passed in a 5-1 vote on Tuesday evening, with Democratic councilwoman MariaElena Bellinger casting the sole dissenting vote. Previously, Bellinger had questioned the motivation and timing of the ordinance by the rest of the council."

DISCARDED CONLON — "Trenton appoints new clerk following Conlon's messy exit," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "The city is moving on from the fiasco that was Matthew Conlon. Council voted in new Trenton Clerk Brandon Garcia for the next three years at an annual salary of $122,000 at Thursday's meeting. His appointment comes following the departure of ex-clerk Conlon, who left the clerk's office in disarray before abruptly walking off the job during a council meeting ... He never returned from medical leave after going MIA following a sparring session with South Ward Councilman George Muschal over his job performance. Conlon was found to have sexually harassed three women in his office and fell behind on hundreds of public records requests. He exited the city with a $140,000 settlement after filing a whistleblower suit against members of Mayor Reed Gusciora's administration, claiming he was retaliated against for cooperating with authorities into allegations of widespread corruption at City Hall. Enter Garcia, who served as clerk in Edgewater Park Township for the last couple years."

—"With 'pop-up' parties canceled, Jersey Shore towns bask in quiet weekend "

—"Carteret ferry service to Manhattan moves closer to reality"

—" Money in Bergen County executive race shows 300-to-1 funding ratio for one candidate"

—" NJ election commission: 2 Paterson council candidates violated finance reporting mandates"

—"Could bidding war cost Montclair money? Controversy over Glen Ridge fire contract heats up"

—"Missing Haledon man Felix DeJesus' family says cops broke NJ's body camera rules"

—" Linden mayoral primary ends in a tie"

—"Rodriguez blisters rivals in goodbye speech to Trenton "

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EVERYTHING ELSE

PINELANDS FIRE — "Huge N.J. forest fire expands to 11,000 acres, could be largest wildfire in 15 years," by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman: "The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said backfiring operations will continue all day to help contain the blaze in the Pine Barrens, which is burning in Washington, Shamong, Hammonton, and Mullica townships in South Jersey. The fire could consume as much as 15,000 acres before it is fully under control, said Greg McLaughlin, the Chief of the NJ Forest Fire Service at a Monday afternoon press conference. No one has been hurt, though 50 people who aren't residents have been evacuated from the area. Two roads remain closed, Route 206 from Chew Road to Atsion Road and Route 542 from Green Bank Road to Columbia Road. The fire's cause remains under investigation, though natural cause have been ruled out, officials said."

A POX IN NONE OF YOUR HOUSES — "N.J. probing first likely case of monkeypox," by NJ Advance Media's Spencer Kent: "The state is investigating its first probable case of monkeypox in New Jersey, but officials say most residents are not at risk of infection. Over the weekend, the state health lab detected orthopoxvirus in a person from North Jersey, according to a statement Monday from the New Jersey Department of Health. Monkeypox belongs to the orthopoxvirus group of viruses, along with smallpox and cowpox … Jersey City's official government Facebook page announced earlier Monday that the patient lives in Jersey City."

STATE VIOLATES NUMBER 1 AMENDMENT BARRING NUMBER 2 LICENSE PLATE — "Over 1,300 personalized plates were rejected by NJ MVC in 2022. Here are some reasons why," by The Record's Katie Sobko: "The requests for so-called "vanity plates" — personalized tags that cost $50 — can be anything from the tame like GR1TTY to the wild like FASTAF. It's the Motor Vehicle Commission's job to rein in the requests and keep the highways (well, at least the license plates) Rated G. Among the 1,300 license plate requests that were rejected last year were SUCKIT, N0T2DAY, LOUDAF and BISHBYE. And those were just the PG examples … 'The most common reason for rejection is because the applicant is requesting a plate combination that is already reserved for other special plates in New Jersey,' MVC spokesman Bill Connolly said. 'The second most common reason for rejection is for a plate combination deemed vulgar or obscene.' … There were dozens of plate applications in 2021 that included foul or inappropriate language. While some were tame, like 'B00GER,' others are more likely to be found in R-rated movies. Here are a few of the examples we're comfortable repeating: B00TY WISEASS BADA5S SMARTAS TURD LMAOO"

— " Inside N.J.'s last Kmart, a depressing bastion of forgotten retail. How long will it last?"

—"American Dream makes $14 million bond payment, but bank says it's still in default"

—"'Just killing ourselves': No days off for Shore business owners with summer labor shortage"

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

We can all agree that costs in New Jersey are already sky high – and that includes prescription drug costs. Year after year, big drug companies raise the price of life-saving medications to increase their profits. Patients deserve better. As this legislative session comes to an end, let's remind our elected officials in Trenton to hold Big Pharma accountable and make all entities in the drug supply chain find real solutions to increase access to affordable prescription drugs without impacting services. That means supporting patient advocates like Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that negotiate with Big Pharma to reduce Rx costs and put money back in the pockets of New Jersey families. It's time to stand up to special interests, cut unnecessary red tape, and let these advocates do what they do best - save patients money. https://www.affordablerxnj.com/