| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx | Good Friday morning! Jack Ciattarelli, who plans to run for governor in 2025, now has a PAC to help him along. The two-time former GOP gubernatorial candidate this week began fundraising for the PAC, which, like so many PACs, isn't officially tied to him. It's called Mainstream Majority. "With your help, we can build a Mainstream Majority — one that is pro-taxpayer, pro-law enforcement, pro-parent, and pro-small business, one that makes sure smaller government better serves the people who pay for it," Ciattarelli wrote in an email blast. Setting up a PAC is normal for anyone running for governor. And I'm thankful it's a PAC rather than a dark money group that, ahem, some people close to a potential candidate for the highest office in the land have seen fit to set up (I'm still hoping they'll voluntarily disclose their donors). In fact, Ciattarelli's new PAC isn't even a super PAC. Just a regular old New Jersey continuing political committee. Ciattarelli has been slower to adopt the PAC-before-candidacy model than many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, from former GOP gubernatorial rival Doug Steinhardt to potential 2025 opponent Steve Fulop, whose wife's business partner is administering a super PAC with $5 million in the bank. I should note that Ciattarelli did get help from a super PAC late in last year's election, funded mostly by real estate developer Richard Kurtz. The horror! I still don't know why Kurtz dropped nearly half a million to help Ciattarelli so late in the election. Let me know if you do. DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 121 PROGRAMMING NOTE: NJ Playbook will not publish Monday in observance of Juneteenth. WHERE'S MURPHY? — No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: "There's more holes in [the bill] than there is on a golf course." — Retired Sierra Club New Jersey Director Jeff Tittel on the Liberty State Par bill HAPPY BIRTHDAY — NJ Director of Federal Affairs Alex Hermann, Rowan's Ben Dworkin, Vianovo's Matt Miller, BurlCo Dems Ivan Alvarez, former gubernatorial tease Joe Piscopo. Saturday for consultant Matthew Frankel, White House's John McCarthy, NJYD's Brian Boyell, Camden County Commissioner Carmen Rodriguez. 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 | |
SHOCKINGLY, NOTHING IN THE BILL PREVENTS DEVELOPMENT OF CAVEN POINT — Bill to redevelop Liberty State Park advances in Senate, with some limits, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: — A bill to redo Liberty State Park cleared a key Senate committee on Thursday with amendments that tempered but did not fully satisfy criticism the legislation could commercialize sections of New Jersey's most visited park. The Jersey City park, which overlooks the Statue of Liberty and New York City, has been the subject of years of debate about how to best clean and improve it. But attempts to overhaul the park have been complicated by the involvement of Reebok billionaire Paul Fireman, the owner of the nearby Liberty National Golf Club, which has been attempting to expand for years. Fireman has backed plans to place three new holes on the 22-acre Caven Point Peninsula. Language that could have enabled that expansion was slipped into a budget bill a few years ago before it was removed amid outcry. On Thursday, an architect working for the People's Park Foundation — a newly created group that supports the bill — presented a grand vision for the park to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. The renderings included a community center with a pool, ballfields, a track, an amphitheater and community gardens and orchards. The foundation, which paid for the renderings, is partly funded by Fireman, Nevins McCann, the group's representative, confirmed.
ABORTING THE EFFORT — Scutari on Murphy's abortion proposals: 'There's not enough votes' for passage, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Senate President Nick Scutari said Thursday that Gov. Phil Murphy's proposals to expand abortion access in New Jersey are unlikely to pass the Democrat-controlled Legislature. "There's not enough votes," Scutari told reporters at the Statehouse. In May, Murphy, a progressive Democrat, proposed strengthening abortion access ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court's likely decision to overturn Roe V. Wade. While abortion rights would not be directly impacted in New Jersey if Roe is overturned — the state recently codified abortion rights into state law and has case law protecting a person's right to the procedure — Murphy revamped calls for abortion measures he had previously supported, as well as other measures that would go beyond the state's existing laws. CONSIDERING THIS, IS IT SO HARD TO IMAGINE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES' PARENTS DEMANDING GENITAL INSPECTIONS OF RIVAL PLAYERS? — " As violence on sports fields escalates, new bill proposes stiff fines, jail time," by NJ Advance Media's Matthew Stanmyre: "Legislation to address a rash of bad behavior playing out on youth sports sidelines across New Jersey would strengthen penalties for assaulting an official and add harassment charges for spectators found to be verbally tormenting referees … The bill, crafted by first-term Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-Monmouth), is expected to be introduced in the Assembly over the next few weeks … The legislation would increase the penalty for threatening bodily harm to youth sports officials, coaches, players or staff at recreational, travel, high school or college events from fourth-degree simple assault to fourth-degree aggravated assault. In addition, any assault against a sports official would be upgraded to third-degree aggravated assault if an individual injures a sports official or makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature. The bill also would establish mandatory minimum fines and jail time for convictions, and implement fourth-degree harassment charges for individuals whose verbal or non-verbal behavior causes an official to feel potential bodily or mental harm." —Politi: " As another umpire is attacked, it's up to sane parents to save youth sports" FOUND ON ROADSIDE DEAD FROM POLLUTION — "New Jersey sues Ford over Ringwood pollution, seeking millions in damages," by The Record's Scott Fallon: "New Jersey filed a lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. on Thursday seeking millions of dollars in damages for widespread pollution dumped more than 50 years ago in Upper Ringwood next to a neighborhood that has been home to generations of Native Americans. It is the latest action taken at a Superfund site with a troubled history of mismanagement and questionable decisions. The lawsuit — known as a "natural resource damage" claim — seeks money to restore tainted soil, groundwater and wetlands, and to compensate the public for its loss of those resources. Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced the lawsuit at a news conference in Ringwood." BACKSTREET BOYS: 'TELL ME WHY?' — "Juneteenth is celebrated Friday in N.J. But the federal holiday is Monday. Here's why,' by NJ Advance Media's Matt Arco and Brent Johnson: "For only the second time ever, New Jersey will celebrate Juneteenth as a state holiday on Friday. But the federal holiday for Juneteenth — which celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. — will be Monday. That means state courts and offices, including MVC offices sites, will be closed Friday. And while it will be normal business for state government Monday, the federal holiday means federal courts, mail delivery, and other federal services will pause. The reason? New Jersey passed the state holiday before the federal government did. And leaders decided it should have a fixed day every year: the third Friday of June." —Ciattarelli: "How can New Jersey best invest its budget surplus? Here are some ideas" —" Sentencing guideline for young offenders not retroactive, N.J. Supreme Court rules" —"DeCroce will seek comeback in GOP primary against Webber, Bergen " —Assembly passes 8 election bills, including one allowing teens to serve as poll workers | | | | 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 | |
ON-BRAND PAUL — "Rand Paul refuses to talk with N.J. judge whose son was murdered, then blocks judge protection bill," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "Two days after Congress passed legislation to increase security for U.S. Supreme Court justices and their families, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul blocked an effort to do the same for other federal judges. Paul, R-Ky., prevented passage of a bill designed to make it harder for people to obtain personal information about federal judges. His action came shortly after he refused to talk with U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas when she approached him in a Senate office building hallway, according to a video from U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. The measure was named for Salas' 20-year-old son, Daniel Anderl, who was killed in July 2020 at her family's home in North Brunswick by someone claiming to be a FedEx delivery driver who came to the door planning to murder the judge."
WHEN THE IDIOM BECOMES LITERAL — "Feds seek prison for Jan. 6 rioter who gave TV interview with blood on hand," by NJ Advance Media's Kevin Shea: "Thomas Baranyi lacks remose about his conduct at the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, made disturbing comments afterwards and has no respect for the law as he was among the vanguard of violence that day, according to federal prosecutors. The Mercer County resident was next to Ashli Babbitt when a Capitol officer fatally shot her as she climbed through a broken window, and he showed her blood on his hand in a TV interview outside … Baranyi, 30, pleaded guilty in February to entering and remaining in a restricted building. His lawyer sees the case much differently, and portrays Baranyi as a victim who is suffering post-traumatic stress, and whose life has been threatened." —"Clarence Thomas should resign over his wife's efforts to overturn Trump loss, [Pascrell] says" —" N.J. congresswoman [Watson Coleman] attests positive for COVID a second time" | | | | A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:   | | | | | LOCAL | | IN PATERSON, ONE LAW FIRM'S PAY IS EQUIVALENT TO EDUCATING 18 STUDENTS — "Paterson Board of Education doubles lawyer's contract to $550,000 ," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico : "The city school board this week voted to more than double its 2021-22 legal services contract with its general counsel, Souder, Shabazz and Woolridge, raising the total to $550,000. The Newark-based attorneys also are one of 11 law firms covered by a $600,000 special council contract for the fiscal year that ends June 30. Paterson Press asked the school district how much it had paid the Shabazz firm under the special counsel contract, but city education officials did not provide an answer. Khalifah Shabazz had been Mayor Andre Sayegh's first law director at City Hall, but she resigned in 2019 after about a year in the job and took the more lucrative school district job in June 2020. Without any public discussion, the school board on Tuesday night approved increasing the Shabazz firm's original $265,000 general counsel contract for this year by another $285,000." BUT I THOUGHT THEY COULDN'T COORDINATE — "Fulop helped Roselle councilwoman win Dem primary ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, viewed as a potential candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025, is continuing to dabble in Union County elections. A super PAC aligned with him, Coalition for Progress, paid for two mailers in the recent Democratic primary in support of Denise Wilkerson, the Roselle Council President. 'Coalition for Progress supports Democratic candidates who share our vision of fighting for the middle class, and we were proud to promote a true champion for those values in Councilwoman Denise Wilkerson,' said Drew Nussbaum, the PAC chairman." IT'S WEEHAWKEN NOT ME-HAWKEN — "Weehawken's waterfront pool complex must open to nonresidents, NJ DEP tells township," by The Jersey Journal's Haresh Oudhnarine: Vis"itors to Weehawken's multimillion-dollar municipal swimming pool complex on the Hudson River waterfront can cool off as they take in the stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. But only if they are residents of Weehawken. The township opened the $10.5 million pool and spray park complex north of Hoboken last August. However, some of the funding came from the state's Green Acres program, which means the facility should be open to all, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the program. Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner told The Jersey Journal that the two main reasons access to the pool has been "severely restricted" are due to the uptick of COVID cases in the area and the ongoing construction of the facility … In a letter to Turner dated June 8, the state DEP said that it expects nonresidents to be provided immediate access to the pool and that funds for ongoing projects in the community will not be released until the department has confirmation of pool access for nonresidents. The letter states that the DEP "has received multiple complaints about nonresidents not being able to access the facility."" MURPHY SHOCKED TO DISCOVER CAPE MAY COUNTY DEMOCRATS EXIST — " Murphy stumps for Cape May County Democrats," by The Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow: "Gov. Phil Murphy attended a Democratic fundraiser Wednesday at the Chalfonte Hotel, planting a flag deep in heavily Republican Cape May County … State Democratic chairman LeRoy James also spoke at the event, which culminated with Murphy's comments from the lawn, with those attending gathered on the porch of the historic hotel. Along with the other speakers, Murphy spoke about protecting abortion rights, gun safety and protections for the LGBTQ community, along with ensuring voting rights and protecting the environment … There are a handful of elected Democrats in the county — most of them were at the Chalfonte — but Republicans have a huge advantage in the numbers of registered voters, with more than 32,000 Republicans to fewer than 19,000 Democrats, along with about 24,000 voters who are not declared." LYNCHING REMEMBRANCE — "Murder of Mingo Jack in Eatontown, NJ's only known lynching, won't be forgotten again," by The Asbury Park Press' Dan Radel: "In 1886, Samuel 'Mingo Jack' Johnson's life ended in a moment of terror, when a vengeful mob of white men lynched the Black man at present-day Wampum Park … He never got a trial for the alleged crime of which he was accused. His murderers got off scot-free. This Saturday, 136 years later, an historical marker will be placed there to remind all of the events that took place on this ground. In the bigger scope of things, the historical marker will join a trail of markers that are being placed at documented lynch sites across the country. Johnson is the only documented lynching to have occurred in New Jersey ... Johnson, a 66-year-old Black man and former horse jockey known as Mingo Jack, was whisked away on March 5, 1886, from his home by Constable Hermann Liebenthal for the alleged sexual assault of a young white woman. Johnson had a wife and five children. They never saw him alive again … In subsequent years, two white men confessed to the rape, though neither was charged. Likewise, no one was ever charged for lynching Johnson." —" Why Paramus won't give in to mayor's push for recreational marijuana sales" —"'Beloved' longtime South Brunswick custodian killed in crash outside school" —"Haddonfield School District has agreed to apologize for 'monkey sounds' incident at May baseball game" —" Asbury Park police investigating possible 'pop-up party' planned on beach this weekend" —"Holmdel Township Committee loses a member to Dartmouth College job " —"Another 2 N.J. school districts add armed security" —" Potential salary increases for Paterson NJ city officials would come with 'opt-out' clause" | | | | 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. | | | | | | | LOCAL | |
MAY IT BE AT LEAST A LITTLE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THE SUPER BOWL — "MetLife Stadium to host 2026 World Cup soccer games," by NJ Advance Media's Noah Cohen and Larry Higgs: "MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands was selected to host some of the 2026 World Cup soccer games, FIFA's president announced during an event Thursday evening in New York City. Boston, Miami and Philadelphia were also selected as East Coast host cities. The announcement was made as New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy and other officials hosted a watch party in Liberty State Park, where they awaited the news."
PAUL FIREMAN THOUGHT ABOUT MAKING ROBOT LEGISLATORS BUT DECIDED IT WAS UNNECESSARY — " NJ restaurants say robot waiters are here to stay. Here's how dining out will change," by The Record's Daniel Munoz: "They're slinging burgers in Jersey City, boiling noodles in New Brunswick and rolling out ramen in Cranford. Like "The Jetsons" come to life, robot helpers have arrived at a handful of eateries in New Jersey, filling the gap left by pandemic worker shortages. Since January, Japanese restaurant chain Ani Ramen has employed "Rosie the Ramenbot" in its Cranford shop. Sleek and squat, the three-tiered robo-waiter glides through the aisles delivering steaming bowls of soup and capturing internet fame. 'She's really big with the kids,' said shift supervisor Estevan Luciano. 'She rolls by and people are smiling, laughing, pulling out their cameras trying to record her.' Rosie is part of a trend toward automation in the restaurant sector, but some fear she's also a harbinger of world where wait staff — like auto workers, bank tellers and checkout clerks before them — are the next victims of technology's march. Restaurant owners like Luck Sarabhayavanija, Ani Ramen's owner, say they want to avoid that. Automated staff will likely be relegated to fast-food joints and casual establishments, they predict, with mechanized workers employed just to make up labor shortfalls." —" Disco fries and a dead guy in the trunk: Just about anything can be found at a Jersey diner. Sometimes even the victim of a mob hit" | | | | 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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