News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The house wins in the Statehouse

Thursday, June 2, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: The house wins in the Statehouse

Jun 02, 2022

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By Matt Friedman

Presented by New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx

Good Thursday morning!

Even in the Statehouse, a different house always wins.

The Press of Atlantic City and ProPublica take a deep dive this morning into the casino tax break bill the governor signed late last year.

From one of the articles: "The industry in Atlantic City reported roughly $767 million in gross operating profit in 2021, its best year in more than a decade. But, as a result of the change in the law, it will pay $110 million in a key local tax — the smallest amount in the history of the five-year-old levy and $20 million less than the year before." What's more, despite the industry saying the revenue numbers are distorted and that in-person gaming was fighting to recover from the pandemic, "The industry's most recent financial reports, released by state regulators last month, show revenue from in-person gambling has surpassed pre- pandemic levels."

There's more: With the state refusing to say how much the casinos would have had to pay under the old tax formulas, reporters did the math. "According to our analysis, the gaming industry's nine properties would have collectively owed $165 million in PILOT in 2022, a $35 million hike compared to 2021. Two of the city's nine casinos would have actually seen a decrease in their PILOT."

Meanwhile, I'm seeing articles about an uptick in gambling addiction in New Jersey. I know, it's hard to believe that could happen when you let gambling companies do advertising blitzes and people can place bets from the comfort of their La-Z-Boys, or after riding their bikes across the George Washington Bridge.

It's always struck me just how little thought New Jersey lawmakers and governors have put into the deleterious effects of gambling as they continually expand it, while they barely were able to get a legal weed law on the books despite two-thirds of New Jerseyans supporting it. One involves brain chemistry that's altered by a substance that's introduced into the body. The other involves brain chemistry that's altered by outside stimuli. But ultimately, you're dealing with something similar.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NONPROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE ITS DONORS: 105

WHERE'S MURPHY? — No public schedule. Media: Bloomberg TV at 6 p.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: ""I want to be treated like a person, as someone that has a family, that has a home, that has a life." — Bellmawr Amazon warehouse worker Vinny Carroll

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — "Labor goon" Chris Aikin, CPA Ken Deitz, former Passaic GOP Chair John Traier, Pleasantville Council President Judy Ward

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

RESTRAINT — New Jersey doesn't provide data on how many students are restrained, secluded in school , by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Shane Camardo said he was "floored" when he first saw the photos and videos on the school's parent messaging app of his then-4-year-old son, Cole, wearing pale pink ankle weights in class in October 2021. Neither he nor his wife had given the Cherry Hill school district permission to use ankle weights, he said, but there was Cole, who is autistic, climbing ladders, playing with classmates and crawling through tunnels — with weights strapped to his still-developing legs. Camardo said Cole is "an active little guy" and when the family reached out to his teachers about why the restraints were being put on their son without their permission, they asked, "are they being used to slow him down?" "Yes," Camardo said they were told by an occupational therapist at the district. The Camardos' story is one example of how a school district may be interpreting New Jersey's relatively new restraint and seclusion policy for students with disabilities, but it's also illustrative of how opaque that data is in the state.

NURSING HOMES — "'The situation is absolutely dire... '," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman and Susan K. Livio: "Like most nursing homes in New Jersey, Woodland is facing a serious staffing shortage. Unlike most long-term facilities in the state, however, the place could soon be forced to shutter its doors amid serious allegations of abuse and neglect that state officials said led to the untimely deaths of some, and put other lives in danger. In an almost unheard-of move on Friday, the Department of Health issued a notice revoking Woodland's license, citing the 'immediate and serious risk of harm to the health, safety and welfare' of its residents, while seeking to remove and transfer everyone who lives there. In an equally extraordinary decision, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, earlier in the week said it would terminate all of Woodland's federal funding as of June 25, which by itself would almost certainly force the nursing home to shut down."

DOWN TO THE WIRE — "Still no timetable on NJ rules for experts on people high at work," by NJ 101.5's Michael Symons: "After exasperated lawmakers demanded action on setting up rules for workplace impairment recognition experts required as part of legalizing recreational marijuana, the state's cannabis regulators offered assurances it's a priority, though still no timetable. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission offered an update on its progress at its monthly meeting last week, recapping months of meetings and research and acknowledging the topic's importance. CRC Chief Counsel Christopher Riggs said work on setting the standards for workplace impairment recognition experts, or WIREs, began last September, a month after the overall regulations for legal adult-use sales were adopted. The legalization law directs the CRC to try to cooperate with the Police Training Commission on WIRE regulations, but Riggs said by November it was obvious there would be an issue with that."

WATER PICK — DEP releases water project picks, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: New Jersey environmental officials on Wednesday released their picks for the most worthy water projects in the state. Water systems and local governments across New Jersey asked the state to help pay for $6.79 billion worth of water infrastructure. That's far more than the state can pay for at any time. Even with an influx of federal infrastructure money, the state has about $230 million a year to spend on water projects.

— " 'Treated like dogs:' After NJ's silence on housing inequities, advocates offer solutions"

— "NJ Transit drivers sue, saying complaints about passenger who exposed himself went ignored "

— "Lawsuit challenges N.J. bans on sex offenders' use of social media, pornography"

— "N.J. legal weed could soon be sold at a 19th store"

— " State creates path for more prospective teachers, as shortages grow"

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

ANTIFA'S FAULT — "Trump called on Republicans to challenge Chris Smith, but the former president stayed out of N.J. primary," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "After Rep. Chris Smith bucked his party and voted for President Joe Biden's $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill last year, former President Donald Trump called on his fellow Republicans to challenge New Jersey's longest-serving congressman in this year's party primary. 'You will have my backing,' he promised. With New Jersey's primary less than a week away, that support never materialized. No endorsement. No campaign contributions. No campaign visit. … [Smith] supported Trump almost two-thirds of the time, according to Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight. Smith voted against both impeachment resolutions, opposed the Democratic-led probe into Jan. 6 that was set up after Senate Republicans blocked an independent probe, and worked with Trump and his administration on several issues, including China and Hong Kong, stopping human trafficking and fighting lyme disease. That could be the reason why Trump decided to sit out this GOP primary, Smith said.

— "Election officials say they're ready for N.J. primary. They just need voters to show "

— "Gored by a 'RINO': Scattered MAGA-branded candidates brace for Kean"

— " 9 Independent Candidates File To Run For Congress In N.J."

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

LOCAL

STRAIGHT UP NOW TELL ME DO YOU WANNA ELECT ME FOREVER? OR AM I CAUGHT IN A HIT AND RUN? — "Holmdel School Board president guilty of failing to report crash with student ," by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: "Board of Education President Elizabeth Urbanski was involved in a car accident in which she ran a stop sign, struck a student's vehicle and left the scene, according to a police report. She was later found guilty of two municipal traffic violations: disregarding a stop sign and failing to report an accident, records indicate. The related municipal court fines totaled $730, court officials said. Urbanski did not respond to a request for comment. Her attorney, Kevin Buchan, issued a statement calling the incident 'a minor motor-vehicle incident with no injuries and very limited property damage for which the other driver was fully compensated.' ... After three court hearings beginning in January, the case was finally resolved on March 1, when Urbanski was found guilty on two of the three counts — the charge of leaving the scene of an accident was dismissed. Lisa Ledo said she and her daughter objected to the dismissal, saying that was the most flagrant of the charges."

SUBURBANITES WHOSE FAMILIES LEFT TRENTON DECADES AGO TO BE OUTRAGED — " N.J. district renames Woodrow Wilson, Christopher Columbus schools," by NJ Advance Media's Steven Rodas: "Two schools in Trenton named after Christopher Columbus and Woodrow Wilson will soon be known by new names. Starting July 1, Columbus Elementary School will become Dr. Crosby Copeland Jr. Elementary School and Wilson Elementary School will be known as Darlene C. McKnight Elementary School. The changes follow an unanimous vote taken by the Trenton Board of Education on May 23."

I CAN HEAR IT COMING TO THE AIRPORT TONIGHT, OH LORD — "Opponents want court to review Trenton-Mercer Airport expansion plan," by NJ spotlight News' Jon Hurdle: "A petition to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals was filed late last month by the group Trenton Threatened Skies, plus 27 named individuals, one homeowners association, a local business and two towns on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River. The group is challenging the FAA's 'Finding of No Significant Impact' when earlier this year it approved a plan by airport owner Mercer County to expand the terminal building, redesign traffic patterns, build a parking garage, and relocate a fire-fighting facility. The county says the changes are needed because the existing terminal is much too small for current passenger volumes, and that the project will result in only a modest increase in air traffic. But opponents say the project is a Trojan horse for a much bigger increase in flights, which will increase noise, air pollution and traffic congestion in a densely populated community"

WILL CAPONE ARM THEM WITH TOMMY GUNS? — "Middletown will place armed retired police officers in all schools ," by Patch's Carly Baldwin: "At their meeting Tuesday night, the Middletown school board voted to place armed, Class 3 police officers in every school in the district starting in September. This was a unanimous vote: All nine BOE members voted to hire and place armed Special Law Enforcement Officers – Class 3 in all 16 schools in the Middletown school district. This was in response to the Uvalde, Texas school massacre, where 19 elementary school students and two teaches were shot to death, said Middletown school board vice president Jacqueline Tobacco, who strongly supports and advocated for this step. … [Middletown BOE President Frank] Capone also said Gov. Phil Murphy and the state teachers' union should be reimbursing schools for the cost of having armed officers in schools."

— "Paramus council proposes anti-nepotism law. Why is the mayor calling members hypocrites?"

— "Should Marlboro dump local police dispatchers to save $4 million?"

— " Bergen County proposes first budget with tax decrease in years: What it means for you"

— "Democratic nomination for Haledon mayor pits former allies"

— "Hoboken council to vote on pilot program where parking enforcement wear body cameras"

— " Adults voting from parents home could determine outcome of Hunterdon school referendum"

— " Veteran prosecutor named to lead Burlington office is first woman, person of color in role"

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

PASSA-ICK! — "Hazard NJ: The long wait to make polluters pay for cleaning up the Passaic River," by NJ Spotlight News' Jeff Pillets: "Since the Passaic River was placed on the Superfund list, tens of millions have been spent to chart the extent of the pollution, assess its impact on human health and animal habitats, and explore alternatives to remove the poisons and reclaim the river. Records show New Jersey taxpayers have also spent a small fortune paying lawyers to pursue the main polluters, which include the Occidental Chemical Corp. of Texas, one of the nation's biggest chemical manufacturing companies. Dioxin and the other major contaminants in the river, meanwhile, have spread throughout Newark Bay and associated waterways, migrating with the tides some 17 miles upstream. An initial $1.4 billion plan approved by the EPA calls for dredging eight miles of riverbed in the lower Passaic. … Over the course of four decades, the government's commitment to the Passaic project has ebbed and flowed under shifting political winds."

A NEW JERSEY CONNECTION — "4 N.J. ministers named in list of Southern Baptists accused of sexual abuse ," by NJ Advance Media's Brianna Kudisch: "Four New Jersey ministers — including one who is still a pastor at a Trenton church — are among the hundreds of people linked to Southern Baptist churches who have been 'credibly accused' of sexual abuse, according to a list released by the denomination. The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., released the 205-page report Thursday. It included more than 700 cases, mostly related to ministers and other church employees accused of sexual misconduct dating back decades."

SCARLET FEVER — "Wondering what COVID variant you're infected with? Rutgers scientists developed a real-time test for this," by WNYC's Monique Brouilette: "Scientists at Rutgers University announced that they have developed a new color-coded test that will deliver information about the variant along with regular PCR results. Their research shows it offers a much faster and more streamlined approach than the current technology. Current PCR tests can deliver a readout in about a day, but variant sequencing, which relies on deeper analysis at off-site labs, can take up to two weeks. Scientists hope these new tests will be able to identify variants in a broader swath of patients, which could improve public health surveillance and help make better treatment decisions."

— "Rutgers plans to go tobacco-free by 2023"

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/.