| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx | Good Friday morning! Get ready for concealed carry in New Jersey, whether or not you want it. The Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a New York law that's very similar to New Jersey's "justifiable need" statute, which basically requires you to show a threat to your safety in order to get a permit to carry a handgun. That's all but made it impossible for anyone except retired cops and some security workers to get the permit. No longer. The decision on the New York law means New Jersey's similar law is as good as dead, or as Attorney General Matt Platkin told the AP, "effectively shut down." And certainly not by popular demand. A 2019 Fairleigh Dickinson University poll found that 30 percent of New Jersey residents favored relaxing the law to allow more people to carry guns. (Maybe there'd be one more favorable respondent in favor if Justice Samuel Alito still lived in Hamilton.) But the Constitution says what the Supreme Court interprets it to say . And so here we are. So what now? More people will be allowed to carry guns , though they'll still have to go through the permitting process, including safety training. With the Supreme Court's decidedly conservative bent, expect more of New Jersey's strict gun control laws to face challenges. But New Jersey Democrats, with public opinion on their side, will likely try other methods of restricting where guns can be carried. Perhaps they'll try to restrict them in more "sensitive" areas? But how many of those changes could withstand court challenges? Right now we can only guess. DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 128 WHERE'S MURPHY? — In Trenton for an 11:45 a.m. press conference about the SCOTUS gun decision with the AG and State Police superintendent. Then Rider University at 1:30 p.m. to address the American Legion Jersey Boys State Commencement Ceremony QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Based on a deeply flawed constitutional methodology, a right-wing majority on the United States Supreme Court has just said that states can no longer decide for ourselves how best to limit the proliferation of firearms in the public sphere. Let there be no mistake – this dangerous decision will make America a less safe country." — Gov. Murphy on the SCOTUS concealed carry ruling HAPPY BIRTHDAY — State Sen. Kristin Corrado, Assemblymember Sterley Stanley, former U.S. Rep. Herb Klein, former Assemblymember Bruce Land, former Murphy administration staffer Katie Brennan, GOP consultant Ed Traz. Saturday for attorney Henry Klingeman, former U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance. Sunday for Rutgers Professor Ross K. Baker, state Sen. Christopher Connors, Tepper Foundation's Shelley Skinner 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 | |
DEFINITELY SOMETHING ONLY WORTH OF A FEW MINUTES OF DISCUSSION — Massive overhaul of New Jersey's campaign finance law takes first legislative step, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: A bill that would drastically overhaul New Jersey's campaign finance law — doubling contribution limits, removing many "pay to play" donation restrictions and requiring quick disclosure of major donations — began advancing in the state Senate on Thursday, just a week after it was introduced. The bill, NJ S2866 (22R), dubbed the "Elections Transparency Act," was approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee by a vote of 5-0 after just a few minutes of discussion. State Sen. Vince Polistina (R-Atlantic) said New Jersey's current campaign finance restrictions encourage donors to go around the laws using other organizations, like super PACs, that are not subject to state restrictions. "They're going to find ways around every campaign finance reform you try to do. So I think transparency is the key," Polistina told the committee. "I think it's more transparent when you have it going directly to candidates as opposed to super PACs or any other entity."
The bill, sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Union) and Minority Leader Steve Oroho (R-Sussex), was introduced June 16 and is the latest iteration of a bill Scutari has been pushing since last year. The measure was amended during Thursday's committee meeting to change the definitions of an "independent expenditure committee" and "electioneering communications" in an effort to require "dark money" nonprofit organizations that spend money to influence elections to disclose their donors. A dark money disclosure law the Legislature passed in 2019 was blocked by a federal judge. WELCOME TO THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA OF THE EAST — New Jersey state government seeing its largest job vacancy rate in a decade, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin : There are more than 3,000 departmental vacancies at New Jersey's state agencies, meaning 6 percent of state executive branch jobs are empty — the most in more than a decade, POLITICO has calculated. These vacancies represent empty desks or open positions in 16 departments tasked with overseeing the state's public school system, health care network, motor vehicle offices, corrections facilities, unemployment services, veterans affairs and more. While the vacancies may reflect larger employment challenges both in New Jersey and across the country — the U.S. labor market is experiencing a record number of job openings — in state government, they mean services won't be provided, phones won't be answered or potholes won't be filled. Vacancies can also mean more work is being heaped on those who remain, which can lead to a domino effect of more people leaving, creating a "brain drain" in agencies needed to provide services to taxpayers.
| | | | 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. | | | | | YOU CAN UN-RING MY BELL — Assembly committee thrown into disarray after premature vote on EMS bill, by POLITICO's Daniel O'Connor: Discussion over a bill that would update working requirements for emergency medical services was thrown into confusion Thursday after the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted before giving everyone who wanted to testify on the measure the chance to speak. The committee voted to amend and advance the bill, NJ A4107 (22R), after several people had testified in favor. But three people, all of whom were scheduled to testify against the bill, had yet to speak. After moving on to discuss and vote on another bill, Assemblymember Lisa Swain (D-Bergen), the committee chair, realized the mistake. "Are we looking to un-ring the bell and do the vote over again?" one committee member asked. After much debate over parliamentary procedure, Swain allowed the members of the public to address the committee, but said the committee would not vote again. — Scutari: Lawmakers taking 'balanced approach' on gun legislation —"Protesters want Murphy to deny future fossil fuel projects" —" Designer hired for Penn Station addition as group suggests merging NJ Transit with regional railroads" —"Liberty State Park legislation keeps rolling, despite enviros' objections to privatization" —Opinion:"NJ needs a moratorium on infrastructure projects that rely on fossil fuel" —Opinion: " NJ lawmakers: Don't drive car insurance off an affordability cliff"
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FUTURE NARRATOR: 'N.J. LET EVERYONE DOWN' —"Murphy tells Dems 'we will not let you down' if they give N.J. early 2024 presidential primary," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "The pitch could have been made for tourists to vacation in New Jersey, or for businesses to settle here. And Gov. Phil Murphy was a chief salesman. But this was a presentation to a purely political audience — the Democratic National Committee's rules and bylaws committee — as Murphy and state Democratic Chair LeRoy Jones Jr. on Thursday made their case to add New Jersey to 2024′s early presidential primary states."
| | | | A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
INZELBUCKS — "Arthur Lang's fight against the 'decimation' of Lakewood's public schools ," by NJ Spotlight News' Ian T. Shearn "[W]hen it comes to Lakewood schools, Lang came to realize there is one person who calls the shots. His name is Michael Inzelbuch, the school board attorney who has drawn considerable scrutiny and criticism. Inzelbuch has received over $1 million annually in tax-funded legal fees for the past two years." REMOTE VOTING WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED AT THE OK CORRAL — " Turnbach wants judge to prohibit remote voting In Ocean Democratic chairman election," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "The race for Ocean County Democratic chairman is headed to court to stop remote voting in the June 29 election. Terrance Turnbach, a former Toms River councilman who is challenging longtime incumbent Wyatt Earp , says that the decision to offer a remote voting option rather than in-person violates the party's bylaws. He wants a judge to stop county committee members from voting remotely next week and require that they be in attendance in order for their vote to count." RIVALS REFUSE TO GET TOGETHER AND FEEL ALRIGHT — " Paterson political rivals spar over police security at Jamaican heritage festival," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Should the organizers of a Jamaican heritage festival expected to attract more than 1,500 visitors to Eastside Park be required to hire more than five off-duty police officers for security? That's the question facing the Paterson City Council as it weighs municipal permits for the Bill McKoy Foundation's privately funded, two-day Jamaican Day Bazaar, scheduled for the first weekend of August. As is often the case in Paterson, the issue is entangled in politics — in this instance the bitter rivalry between McKoy, who represented Paterson's 3rd Ward on the council for 20 years, and the man who ousted him in 2020, current Councilman Alex Mendez. The two men engaged in a nose-to-nose confrontation at last year's Jamaican festival, a dispute that prompted Mendez to file a criminal harassment complaint against McKoy, charges that are still pending in Municipal Court. Mendez mentioned the 2021 incident during Tuesday night's council meeting when he questioned whether McKoy's group is providing enough security for this year's event." MONTCLARK — " Black student at Montclair school target of racist bullying for nearly 2 years, suit says," by The Record's Julia Martin: " A Montclair parent has filed suit in Essex County Superior Court alleging that her daughter, who is Black, was the victim of racist bullying for nearly two years and school officials did nothing to address it. The complaint, filed on June 17, names as defendants the schools' superintendent at the time; the principal and vice principal at Buzz Aldrin Middle School; a teacher; an aide; a bullying coordinator; and more than 30 minors. More than 50 instances are detailed in which the girl was allegedly taunted in person and in an online chat group, based on 'her race, skin color, hair texture, body type and singing ability,' beginning in September of 2018, when she transferred from West Orange as a seventh grader." EVERYONE YOU DON'T LIKE IS A PEDOPHILE — "Offensive comments on the county's Facebook page which were initially hidden, will now remain visible as the county works on policy regarding social media," by TAPIntoScotch Plains/Fanwood's John Mooney: "An event marking Pride Month and the opening of Tëmike Park, the county's new inclusive playground and park area within Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield, was subject to dozens of offensive comments on the county's Facebook page. The offending comments, which were initially hidden, will now remain visible as the county works on policy regarding social media, a spokesperson for the county said. The county's Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs hosted a "Pride in the Park" event at Tëmike Park on Saturday, which began with a ribbon cutting and featured a Drag Queen Story Hour, Drag Dance-Off, slam poetry hosted by the Association for the Creative and Performance Arts, and all-day activities such as arts, crafts and lawn games … Several comments in reply to the county's Facebook post about the event characterized it as inappropriate for families and labeled the drag queens participating as pedophiles." — "Elected officials call for fair casino worker contract to avert strike as NAACP convention looms" —"Lawsuit:: Black Mercer County analyst cleaned up boss' fecal, treated worse than White workers" —" [Former Passaic County surrogate] barred from public jobs after falsifying records charge" —"Atlantic City Council pushes for higher wages for casino workers to avert strike " —"Schaffer unopposed for new term as Somerset Democratic chair" —" New Ocean Gate councilman was a foe of disgraced ex-mayor" | | | | 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 | |
EVERYBODY CAN'T BE DAVID SAMSON — "United to cut 50 flights a day from Newark airport summer schedule," by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman: "United Airlines will slash 50 domestic departures a day from its schedule at Newark Liberty International Airport starting next month in an attempt to minimize delays caused by a combination of airport construction and a shortage of air traffic controllers. While United says it has enough pilots, crews and support staff, 'ongoing congestion challenges' led it to ask for and receive a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration that allows the carrier to trim its schedule for the rest of the summer, according to a memo to employees from Chief Operating Officer Jon Roitman. Other airlines' more robust schedules out of Newark are also a factor, United said. The 50 flights represent about 12% of United's daily domestic departures at Newark"
RUTGERS TO BE INUNDATED WITH NSFW TEXTS FROM MEN WHO MISREAD THIS HEADLINE — "Rutgers wants your tick pics: Research to help monitor tick-borne disease spread in NJ," by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby: "Rutgers University wants photos of your ticks. Researchers hope that collaborating with the public will help them map the distribution, species and activity levels of these blood sucking parasites. That information will help them better understand the spread of tick-borne diseases that sicken humans. 'The purpose of the effort is to better understand who is getting bit by which ticks and where,' Dina Fonseca, director of the Center for Vector Biology at Rutgers University, said in a news release … The researchers plan to use the information to build a map of New Jersey showing when and where different species of ticks are active. The Center for Vector Biology will also include information on which repellents are effective against ticks and how to reduce tick habitat." ASBURY PARK PRESSED — "Jewish Lakewood woman targeted in Asbury Park Press racist photo caption sues paper, others," by The Lakewood Scoop: "The Frum Lakewood woman whose photo was published last year on the Asbury Park Press website alongside a caption considered by many to be racist and misogynistic, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the paper, Gustavo Martinez – the reporter who took the photo, the paper's parent company Gannett and several editors who are employed at the paper … The lawsuit, which was filed in New Jersey Superior Court, is accusing the 6 defendants of defamation and economic damages, which the plaintiff says was due to the negative publicity resulting from the story. The lawsuit also claims that the 'false and defamatory statements' were made with 'the intent to destroy plaintiff[s] professional reputation and career.'" —"Excessive injuries, low pay at Amazon warehouses cause high turnover, report claims" —" Weed is legal. But are there health risks? Two N.J. experts weigh in" —"Why high gas prices might actually be good for Jersey Shore tourism business " | | | | 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/ | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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