News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: What New Jersey's budget lacks in dedication

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: What New Jersey's budget lacks in dedication

Jun 29, 2022

Presented by New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx

Good Monday morning!

Most seem to agree that New Jersey Transit could use a dedicated funding source to head off diversions and raids from other pots of money, including its own capital budget.

So you would think a year when the state has an $11 billion windfall would be the time to enact it.

But that didn't happen. So if not, when? That's what I talked to public transit advocates about yesterday. To say the least, if it isn't happening now, they're not optimistic about it happening in the future.

Granted, the Murphy administration considers the hundreds of millions of dollars the Turnpike Authority transfers to NJ Transit to be a dedicated fund, and it's scheduled to run through fiscal year 2028 and then "to continue unchanged until such time as NJ Transit has fully eliminated" its capital budget to operating budget transfer and "can maintain financial stability with a lesser or zero amount." But that's a memorandum of understanding — not a law.

Happy budget day! The Senate is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. and the Assembly at 1 p.m., but experience tells me they'll likely start significantly later. The board lists are long. See them here and here.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 133

WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Most of the casinos are making money, and we want to be a part of that … I don't believe in this day and age there are any workers out there to bring in." — Ruth Ann Joyce, a bartender at Harrah's and Hard Rock, on the potential strike.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Assemblymember Claire Swift, Free Press' Mike Rispoli, Former House candidate Adam Gussen

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

I BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN AREN'T OUR FUTURE. TEACH THEM MEH AND LET THEM GO AWAY— New Jersey's coffers are flush with cash, but schools will remain underfunded, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: New Jersey's public schools will remain underfunded for another year, even as the state's coffers overflow with cash and the Legislature is poised to approve a record-setting surplus as part of a $50.6 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins Friday. It would only take some $600 million more to get New Jersey's schools to full, constitutionally-mandated funding levels but the Legislature's negotiated budget deal with Gov. Phil Murphy — released late Monday evening — fails to close that gap.

Instead, legislative leadership and Murphy have decided to continue the state on its seven-year pre-planned redistribution of state school aid under NJ S2 (18R). Senate Budget and Appropriations Chair Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) told reporters late Monday night after his committee voted to advance the budget to the full chamber that the reason lawmakers are not fully funding schools is Murphy's expanded ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program. "The ANCHOR program is a $2 billion property tax program. So ... at the end of the day, we couldn't do it all," Sarlo said.

SCARLET KNIGHTS TO CHANGE NAME TO 'SKY RED' — " Rutgers sports scores big in proposed N.J. budget, will get $100M for arena, practice facility," by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson and Ted Sherman: "In a deal quietly hammered out last week, New Jersey leaders agreed to earmark $100 million in taxpayer money to Rutgers to help fund the renovation of the state university's aging basketball arena and kick-start a multi-million-dollar indoor football practice facility, NJ Advance Media has learned. Another $150 million in state funding was appropriated for the university's medical schools and $50 million for a massive research complex being built in downtown New Brunswick, legislative sources familiar with the agreement said … It was Murphy's administration that facilitated the Rutgers deal after meeting with school officials during the final stretch of budget negotiations with lawmakers … [T]he $100 million in capital funding for two long-sought athletics facilities privately rankled some lawmakers … Last year, Rutgers athletics rang up the largest deficit in school history."

—"Lack of transparency in budget process frustrates Republicans, advocates"

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OR YOU COULD HAVE, YOU KNOW, AMENDED THE BILL THAT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO PASS — "After Liberty State Park bill funding cut to $50M, Stack says Caven Point will be preserved ," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "After the Liberty State Park Conservation, Recreation, and Community Inclusion Act was amended to cut funding down to $50 million and increase the size of the task force, state Senator Brian Stack (D-33), a prime sponsor, says Caven Point will be preserved … Stack says he will introduce a new bill to protect Caven Point. "While S2807/A4264 reiterates that Liberty State Park is under DEP control, I will be introducing additional legislation to make clear that Caven Point shall remain as it does today – a nature habitat and public space.""

DARK MONEY REFORM DONE IN THE DARK — "Progressive, labor groups urge Democratic leaders to abandon campaign finance bill," by New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov: "A coalition of progressive, environmental, and labor groups are urging Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Gov. Phil Murphy to stop a plan that would radically change New Jersey's campaign finance law. In a Tuesday letter to the two Democratic leaders, 25 groups — including the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Communications Workers of America Local 1032, and Service Employees International Union 32BJ — asked the powerful Democrats to step back from a bill that appears poised to pass the full Senate on Wednesday. 'Ironically, at the same time as our elected leaders are promising a renewed focus on 'affordability,' this bill would drive up costs for taxpayers by removing checks on corruption and government spending that benefits politically connected companies,' they said in the letter."

OFF THE CHARTERS — "Hundreds of charter students are wondering where they will attend school next year," by NJ Advance Media's Tina Kelley: "600-700 students [are] scrambling to find a school before the fall, after the state department of education denied expansions to seven charter schools this past year. The students are either applying to other charter, magnet, or private schools or trying to find room in their neighborhood public schools, said Harry Lee, president of the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association … Lee, who formerly worked at the Office of Charter Schools at the Department of Education, noted that only 30% of schools that wanted to expand had received permission since 2018. Two charter schools were closed outright, as well."

UNHAPPY GILMORE — "Some Ocean GOP legislators could be on the chopping block if Gilmore wins county chairmanship," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "At least five incumbent lawmakers may be at risk of losing their seats next year if George Gilmore is successful at regaining his old post as Ocean County Republican chairman in a vote next month. Several Republicans told the New Jersey Globe that Gilmore has sought to leverage seats in the 9th and 10th legislative districts in his campaign against Michael Mastronardy, the Ocean County sheriff, Frank Holman, who won the post after a 2019 federal conviction on tax-related charges forced Gilmore to resign, is not seeking re-election.

"Three Republicans who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of future retaliation, confirmed that Gilmore has dangled support for seats in the legislature and on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners in exchange for votes in the county chairman contest … But Gilmore disputes any allegations, saying that he's made no promises of support to anyone and that he had no plans for any purges of Mastronardy supporters."

—" Fired-up N.J. Senate President calls opposition to costly auto insurance plan 'nonsense'"

—" Court ruling on tinted windows a win in fight against unjustified police car stops"

—"NJ Superfund lawsuit offers tribal land a path from contamination to cultural restoration"

—Opinion: "Shut down N.J.'s juvenile detention centers and stop traumatizing our children"

—" Costco's plan to sell gas to members only doesn't violate state law"

—"Newark Airport parking rate hiked 59% – but you can avoid it"

—"Seven judicial nominees advanced for confirmation in effort to slash judge shortage"

—"How to fix power grid again at center of green-energy plans"

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

BIDEN TIME

—"How the Jan. 6 panel's star witness drew a roadmap for Trump's culpability"

—@Wildstein: "Always a Jersey connection: Cassidy Hutchinson is from Pennington."

—Snowflack: " CD-7 and the gun question"

—Mulshine: "Supreme Court ruling shoots holes in New Jersey's gun laws "

LOCAL

POMPIDOUS AND POMPIDON'TS — "Report: Pompidou was the brainchild of developer Charles Kushner," by The Jersey City Times' Aaron Morrill: "The Jersey City Times has learned that Charles Kushner, the developer of the massive 1 Journal Square apartment complex next door, gave Fulop the initial idea of partnering with the French museum and locating Pompidou x in the Pathside building … According to real estate professionals, Kushner stands to benefit financially from Pompidou x. "Museum developments enhance neighborhoods and boost the value of real estate nearby," Williams College economics Professor Stephen Sheppard told the Wall Street Journal in 2018. Sheppard studies the impact of new museums on nearby real estate … The Jersey City Times has also learned that earlier this year, the mayor made an unpublicized trip to Paris with Jersey City's director of the Office of Cultural Affairs to meet with Pompidou officials."

DOWN AT THE SHORE — "Monmouth and Ocean school enrollment is dropping fast, data show," by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: "Monmouth and Ocean County public school districts lost nearly 6,200 students over the last two years, state data show, worsening a multiyear trend and leaving educators searching for answers. Data show decades of declining birth rates likely are reducing incoming class sizes, while some experts say the increasing cost of living in many Shore towns is playing a role.'"For the last 15 years both nationally and in New Jersey the fertility rate has been declining and is below replacement level,' said James W. Hughes, former dean of The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and a current professor … Observers point to COVID-19 virtual learning for some of the cutbacks, but with all state-mandated COVID restrictions lifted the pandemic is not seen as a major contributor to the decline."

TO IMITATE TO CATCH A PREDATOR — "NJ officials to residents: Stop trying to 'catch a predator' on your own," by NJ 101.5's Dino Flammia: "Before anyone else gets hurt, officials in New Jersey are warning residents: stop making your own attempts to catch online predators. New Jersey 101.5 has reported on a handful of these cases throughout the state over the past couple of years, and with each, officials have advised against the vigilantes' actions. But the incidents persist. A warning just this month from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office noted an uptick in citizens attempting to lure individuals suspected of criminal activity to public locations."

—" Camden Democrats pick new county commissioner"

—" Former Camden principal heralded for pandemic outreach has started a cross-country mission to continue her work"

—"Paterson school board begins search for district's next superintendent"

—"Holy Name joins Teaneck to fight residents' lawsuit opposing expansion. Here's what's next"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

HIGHER ED — "New Jersey City University president steps down; school declares financial emergency," by The Jersey Journal's Ron Zeitlinger: "New Jersey City University is asking the state for a $10 million lifeline after its board chairman declared a 'financial emergency' Monday at the school board's quarterly meeting. At the same time, school President Sue Henderson announced she is stepping down after 10 years at the Jersey City school. Jason Kroll, vice president and chief strategy officer has been named acting president.

"'The university is facing an unprecedented challenge, which is a direct result of historical underinvestment in the university and in black and brown communities, as well as a dearth in funding in comparison with its peer institutions,' board chairman Joseph Scott said in a letter to the NJCU community … Scott, the former president and CEO of the Jersey City Medical Center, also said the school has appealed to the state Legislature for more aid."

PINEYS SUSPECTED OF HARBORING RUSSIAN INTERIOR DECORATOR WHO KILLED 16 CZECHOSLOVAKIANS — " 'Piney' was once a four-letter word. Today, many in Pinelands embrace the former slur," by The Courier-Post's Celeste E. Whittaker and Carol Comegno: " Jason Howell has no problem with you calling him a Piney, the term historically used to describe people of the Pine Barrens. 'Piney Power'' can be found proudly signaling from many a car bumper of those who call the Pinelands home, but it wasn't always that way. Outsiders have long used Piney as a slur. Words like inbreds, imbeciles and degenerates have sometimes accompanied the word, most notably by former New Jersey Governor James Fielder, who once advocated for sterilizing the people of the Pines in the early 1900s, according to multiple newspaper accounts. 'My take is it's still used as a derogative by people outside looking in,'' said Howell, who grew up mostly on the outskirts of Hammonton, as well as in Mays Landing and Folsom. People inside don't use it that way. They have embraced it as a term of endearment. Almost like an in-group kind of a thing. A way to identify oneself as being a little bit different from the rest of New Jersey.''"

SERF'S UP — "Medieval Times workers will vote on forming the company's first union ,' by The Huffington Post's Dave Jamieson: "Working at the famous dinner-theater chain Medieval Times comes with some unique occupational hazards. For instance, sometimes a guest who has emptied one too many goblets of booze starts banging the Middle Ages-style plates and bowls together. Clanging the heavy dinnerware can spook the horses in the arena, endangering the knights as they joust for the queen's honor … 'You can hear it backstage sometimes, it's so loud,' said Purnell Thompson, a stablehand at the Lyndhurst, New Jersey, location. 'We've had people thrown off their horses from the horses getting spooked. There's only so much you can do to keep them under control at that point.' Safety concerns are a big reason Thompson and other Medieval Times employees in Lyndhurst are trying to form the chain's first union, workers told HuffPost. They have been organizing their location with the American Guild of Variety Artists, an AFL-CIO union that represents performers at theaters, theme parks and touring shows, including the Radio City Rockettes and entertainers at Disneyland."

—" N.J. strip club at center of 'family-run prostitution ring,' authorities say"

—"This NJ man may be the last of 'Piney' hunter-gatherers, living off land in Pine Barrens

—" N.J. is becoming more diverse, but that change is not happening everywhere, study finds"

—" Lifeguards are key to Jersey Shore summer safety, but they're in short supply"

—"Turnpike Authority approves $28M widening project for Parkway service areas"

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/