News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Legislature taps the brakes on massive campaign finance bill

Thursday, June 30, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Legislature taps the brakes on massive campaign finance bill

Jun 30, 2022

Presented by New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx

Good Thursday morning!

Trenton's voting session Wednesday was a mammoth one. Lots of bills reached the governor's desk, including a budget with more than $50 billion in it — the largest in state history. A lot more on that below. Up here, I'll focus on something that didn't pass.

The "Elections Transparency Act" — a name that does not come close to describing this massive proposal that would dramatically change New Jersey's campaign finance system — stalled ahead of votes in the full Senate and Assembly after making rapid progress through committees over the last week. It was introduced just two weeks ago.

A coalition of progressive groups began pressuring Speaker Craig Coughlin and Gov. Phil Murphy to oppose the bill on Tuesday, focusing largely on the fact that it would curtail the state's pay-to-play laws, including the dozens of local ordinances. And Coughlin, I'm told, had some issues with the bill's quick reporting requirements.

But unlike some pieces of legislation I've ranted about before, this one — at least most of it — addresses some real problems. New Jersey's campaign finance limits for most candidates haven't been increased in 18 years. This bill would double them and then increase them based on inflation. And after reporting on campaign finance for years, I do think it's reasonable to surmise that pay-to-play laws haven't so much cut down public contractor money in politics as driven it to super PACs and (probably) dark money groups. And the bill would seek to force more disclosure by dark money groups.

I think it's pretty clear that New Jersey's campaign finance laws are outdated. But this bill was not only large, but confusing. There were parts I had trouble understanding, and a lawyer who's an expert in campaign finance law couldn't answer one of my questions about it. A bill of this scope needs more than two weeks of consideration, especially as the Legislature considers more high-profile legislation.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NONPROFIT SHOULD ITS DISCLOSE DONORS: 134

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Cranford at 11:30 a.m. to sign the budget

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I hear from clerks all over the state: 'Couples are lining up to take advantage of the $28 marriage license holiday. People who don't even like each other are getting married.' I guess some things never change." — State Sen. Declan O'Scanlon speaking ahead of the Senate's passage of the budget

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — State Sen. Troy Singleton, Hopewell Borough Mayor Paul Anzano, Stu Loser & Co's Stephanie Miliano, DiVincenzo chief of staff Phil Alagia, KZG's Jeannine LaRue, Lumberton Mayor Gina LaPlaca

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

TIRED: STRONGER AND FAIRER. WIRED: BIGGER AND FATTER — Legislature approves, sends to Murphy record $50.6B state budget, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: New Jersey's record $50.6 billion budget deal passed the full state Legislature on Wednesday and is on track for Gov. Phil Murphy to sign Thursday. "I think this is the single greatest budget New Jersey's ever going to pass," Senate President Nick Scutari said just before the vote in the upper house. The budget bill was approved on the Senate floor in a 25-15 vote with one Republican, Sen. Vincent Polistina (R-Atlantic), voting in favor and the rest of the GOP caucus opposed. In the Assembly, it passed 48-30 with Atlantic County Republicans Don Guardian and Claire Swift voting with all Democrats in favor.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE, HOW LOVELY ARE THY ITEMS — "New NJ budget: A look behind the numbers of $50.6B spending proposal," by NJ Spotlight News' John Reitmeyer: "Among this year's add-ons are $3 million in funding for a skating rink and rec center in East Brunswick, $7.5 million for a park in Newark and $10 million for 'parks and trails' in Camden County, according to budget documents. Meanwhile, written 'budget resolutions' that are supposed to indicate which lawmakers requested individual spending add-ons have yet to be released by legislative leaders in either house. And the rushed approval of the annual spending bill by budget committees late Monday night made it virtually impossible for the public to comment on — or even for lawmakers to understand — nearly 370 separate changes made to the original budget proposal that Murphy drafted in March."

— "Dear Santa: The list of what got added to new NJ state budget"

— " Budget would give Governor Murphy control over more federal aid spending"

— "Legislature sends Murphy a third package of gun control bills"

DUAL OFFICEHOLDERS ARE AN INCREASINGLY ENDANGERED SPECIES — "Caride headed to bench, Schaer is possible candidate for cabinet post," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Gov. Phil Murphy is preparing to nominate Commissioner of Banking and Insurance Marlene Caride to a Superior Court judgeship, with Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) emerging as a possible candidate to replace her, the New Jersey Globe has learned. Caride and Schaer had been running mates in the South Bergen-based 36th district for six years before Murphy picked her for a cabinet post after the 2017 gubernatorial election. Highly-regarded in Trenton as a former chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, Schaer has served as a legislator since 2006 and as a Passaic city councilman for the last 27 years, most of them as council president. He spent decades in the financial services industry. Schaer does not have a lock on the appointment, and several other candidates are being considered by the Murphy administration."

BUT UIY? — Senate pulls bill to head off increase in unemployment corporate tax, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: The state Senate pulled a bill from its voting board at the last minute Wednesday that would have paid back hundreds of millions of dollars in federal advance loans that kept the state's unemployment insurance fund afloat during the pandemic. "The only bills to provide any real relief to small businesses got inexplicably yanked from our voting session today," Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) said on the Senate floor. "This just seems like a slap in the face. … I don't understand what it is we are doing or why."

CRAVEN POINT — Liberty State Park bill heads to Murphy's desk, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: A controversial bill to redevelop much of Liberty State Park in Jersey City reached Gov. Phil Murphy's desk Wednesday after winning relatively easy approval in the Legislature. The bill, NJ S2807 (22R), would appropriate $50 million to create a task force within the Department of Environmental Protection to redesign the 1,200-acre park with views of the New York City skyline — down from the $250 million initially included. The bill passed the Senate, 35-1, and the Assembly, 57-20, with one abstention. … There was no debate on the bill in the Senate. In the Assembly, Vicky Flynn (R-Monmouth) unsuccessfully sought to amend it to protect Caven Point from development. 'While I believe these enhancements are necessary and are going to create a one-of-a-kind environment for our Hudson County neighbors. ... I would also argue that we use this opportunity to preserve the natural resources of Liberty State Park,' Flynn said."

WHAT'S A TELEGRAM? — "Democrats are scared, Republicans are powerless. That's a sweet spot for a good state budget ," by The Star-Ledger's Tom Moran: "Republicans hate this budget, they spent the afternoon heaping disdain on it, and they almost all voted against it. But we are in a rare political moment in New Jersey today, one when both parties are blocked from acting on their worst instincts by the other. Democrats, sitting on a mountain of unexpected cash, would love to have launched a slew of new progressive programs. But they were restrained by last November's election when they got walloped, losing six seats in the Assembly and one in the Senate. One or two more red-wave elections like that, and they will lose power. 'The lesson we got from leadership is voters sent us a telegram,' said Sen. Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, after the vote."

— "NJ on track to pump nearly $2 billion into Schools Development Authority"

R.I.P. — " David Schwartz, former assemblyman, congressional candidate, dies at 83"

— "NJ's longest-serving family law judge steps down after two decades on the bench "

— "Gill signs off on Platkin, leaving Codey as sole holdout"

— " Legislature passes abortion bills aimed at countering restrictive out-of-state laws"

— " NJ Transit could see $814M for Newark Penn, Hoboken and 5 other stations if bill passes"

— Jasey: "This bill ensures that women have equity and access to abortion in New Jersey"

— Senate passes amended version of early vote counting bill

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BIDEN TIME

AH, THE ERA THAT GAVE US THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT — "The vanishing moderate Democrat: Their positions are popular. So why are they going extinct?" by The New York Times' Jason Zengerle: " Early last year, as Democrats were preparing to control the White House and Congress for the first time in a decade, Josh Gottheimer met with Nancy Pelosi to discuss their party's message. Sitting in the House speaker's office in the U.S. Capitol, he opened up the YouTube app on his iPhone. There was something he wanted to show her. … He pressed play and his iPhone screen filled with waving American flags as an old but familiar voice emerged, proclaiming, 'I am honored to have been given the opportunity to stand up for the values and the interests of ordinary Americans.' The video was a television advertisement from Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign …

"In April, almost a year and a half later, Gottheimer screened the ad again, this time for me . He provided his own color commentary as it played. 'Fiscal responsibility ... jobs ... tax cuts ... he put cops in the ad!' Gottheimer, who served as a White House speechwriter during Clinton's second term, exclaimed. When it was over, he sighed. 'Think about how different that message is,' he said. I asked him what Pelosi's reaction was when he played it for her. Gottheimer demurred. But the answer seemed obvious. The message that Pelosi and the Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and President Joe Biden and the rest of the Democratic leadership had chosen for their party, the message that Democrats would be carrying into the 2022 midterm elections, was not the one that Gottheimer, and the disembodied voice of Bill Clinton, had counseled."

— Stile: "NJ officials are no strangers to Trump tantrums. Here's where we've seen it before"

— "Hopatcong woman admits sending money, lending advice to Syrian terrorists"

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

LOCAL

NEVERMIND THE BULLOCK — "'It's frustrating.' Settlement pre-empts jury verdict in Warren County abuse lawsuit," by LehighValleyLive's Glenn Epps: "Jurors never got to weigh in on whether Warren County knowingly allowed former sheriff Ed Bullock to sexually abuse an 11-year-old boy nearly 40 years ago. The jurors spent two hours deliberating on Wednesday and said they were on the cusp of a decision when attorneys for the county and the plaintiff, identified in court papers by the initials "W.M.", reached a settlement. The terms of the settlement weren't disclosed. … Warren County was accused of ignoring signs that Bullock was sexually abusing W.M. and other young boys in the late 1980s. The county argued that it had no knowledge of Bullock's criminal behavior and did not appoint him to his position as sheriff. … The jury was visibly upset by news of the settlement. 'I was in tears,' said a woman who identified herself as 'Kelly.' She served as juror number six. 'We wanted to send a message to W.M. that 'Hey, we believe you, and we're so proud of you for coming forward.' I even told him that afterward,' she said."

LIKE ICE CAPADES BUT WITH GUNS — " Trenton Mayor Gusciora doubles down on guns after defending councilman's gun-capade," by The Trentonia's Isaac Avilucea: "Mojito-sipping Mayor Reed Gusciora declared he favors more gun control a week after one of his political allies was imperiled for toting a gun during an encounter with cops a year ago. The stiffest part of the hands-off 'Ask the Mayor' event at Sabor Latino Bar and Restaurant came when the incumbent leader, sipping from a strawberry-and-coconut alcoholic concoction, was asked about the implications on New Jersey of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down a century-old gun law in New York."

— " McBride to 'reckless' Trenton school board: I'm not budging on budget"

— "Passaic student named high school and college valedictorian simultaneously. Here's how "

— "Buena council appoints new member amid ongoing fire company dispute"

— " After lengthy discussion, here's how Teaneck council [approved] Holy Name's expansion plans"

— " SPU president: N.J., Jersey City failing students by allowing marijuana businesses near colleges"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

LAID OFF STAFF RELIEVED TO LEARN THAT A POMPIDOU CENTER WILL OPEN TWO MILES UP THE STREET — "Layoffs begin at NJCU after announcement of 'financial emergency,'" by NJ Advance Media's Joshua Rosario: "Less than 24 hours after New Jersey City University officials announced a "financial emergency," employees at the Jersey City school began paying the price — virtual pink slips in their email. At its quarterly meeting Monday, the board of trustees announced the school only had enough cash on hand for 25 days. Joseph Scott, chairman of the board, said in a letter to the community that a temporary 90-day budget would allow for 'rightsizing,' a euphemism for layoffs and deep cuts. School officials are hopeful that state Sen. Brian Stack, D-Union City, could procure an additional $10 million in aid for the school in the new budget. But that hasn't stopped the axe from falling on mostly non-union, management-level employees. … Sources said that as many as 15 employees, including some who started there before most current students were born, have been laid off so far"

HEALTH CARE — DOH staff recommends CarePoint minority sale of Bayonne hospital be denied, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: "Department of Health staff is recommending the state deny the minority sale of CarePoint's Bayonne Medical Center, claiming the Hudson County health system disregarded state regulators as it changed its ownership structure. The heart of the issue, DOH staffers wrote, is that CarePoint in May announced that its majority interest was converted from a for-profit company to a newly formed nonprofit entity after principal owner and CarePoint co-founder Vivek Garipalli transferred his ownership of the health system to the nonprofit. The conversion was done without health department approval and the ownership structure of the Bayonne hospital is now in question, staffers wrote."

SHORTLY BEFORE JERSEY NICK AND JERSEY CRAIG POSTED A BILL TO LOOSEN TEEN LABOR LAWS — "Jersey Mike's Subs hit with nearly $25K in labor law fines over teens working late," by The Asbury Park Press' Michael L. Diamond: "Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems Inc. paid $24,660 in penalties after regulators found child labor law violations at franchise stores in New Jersey and threer other states, the U.S. Labor Department said Tuesday. Among the violations: At least some of the stores allowed 14- and 15-year-old employees to work past 7 p.m. on school nights; past 9 p.m. during the summer; and more than three hours on school days, the department said. 'Child labor laws exist to protect employed minors and ensure their work experience does not compromise their health, well-being, or education,' said Charlene Rachor, wage and hour district director based in Lawrence."

CONTEXT — "Teens in N.J. will be able to work longer hours under new bill"

TURTLE IS NAMED CHRIS SHELLDON — " Slow-moving turtle sparks 3-car accident on N.J. road," by NJ Advance Media's Chris Sheldon: "A driver who stopped for a turtle trying to cross a road in Cape May County caused a three-car crash Tuesday afternoon, officials said. The collision occurred on Stone Harbor Boulevard in Stone Harbor, a road that is notorious for the constant crossing of turtles this time of year. … It is egg-laying season and turtles come up out of the wetlands onto dry land to lay eggs, thus exposing themselves not only to natural predators, but also to the far more deadly threat of motor vehicles."

— " There is an unpaid workforce of older caregivers in N.J. who would benefit from tax credit, poll finds"

— " The cost of youth sports is out of control — and crushing a generation of N.J. athletes"

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/