News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Murphy signs the Liberty State Park Unprotected Act

Friday, July 1, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Murphy signs the Liberty State Park Unprotected Act

Jul 01, 2022

Presented by New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx

Gov. Phil Murphy yesterday signed the controversial bill to redevelop Liberty State Park — a bill pushed by groups funded by billionaire Paul Fireman.

When I say controversial, I mean with environmentalists and park advocates. It wasn't very controversial with legislators, who overwhelmingly approved it Wedesday. There was no fanfare from the governor's office. It was one of 30 bill signings the office announced in a press release.

What's controversial isn't so much what the bill would do: Appropriate $50 million and create a design task force for the park . Though a Fireman-backed group's mock-up of potential plans, which included stadiums and an amphitheater, drew some gasps. The main controversy is with what the bill doesn't do: Protect Caven Point, the wildlife refuge Fireman previously unsuccessfully sought to use for his exclusive golf course next door, from development.

The people in support of the plan during hearings pooh-poohed the idea that Fireman has designs on the public park land for the course, which costs around half a million to join. But when advocates asked lawmakers to amend the bill to protect Caven Point, they refused.

And given the sneaky budget maneuver to try to get the land two years ago, this isn't just some fantasy. State Sen. Brian Stack said he'd introduce separate legislation to protect Caven Point, but the long-stalled Liberty State Park Protection Act would already do that.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 135

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Newark at noon for Mayor Ras Baraka's swearing-in ceremony, then in Jersey City at 1:45 p.m. to sign the two abortion bills, then in Long Branch at 3:30 p.m. for Mayor John Pallone's swearing-in.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I used to think I could eat pizza every day, and having eaten pizza for about seven days in a row before yesterday, I think I may have been wrong." — Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, who I used to think was a true New Jerseyan, but having heard him say that, I think I may have been wrong

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Former state Sen. Richard LaRossa. Saturday for Assemblymember Greg McGuckin , Murphy spox Alyana Alfaro, The Record's Charles Stile, NJLCV's Ed Potosnak, ACLU's Amol Sinha, NJDOL's Julie Diaz, National Guard's Frank Luna, PPAG's David Smith , Dem fundraiser Theo Siggelakis. Monday for The United States of America, Assemblymember Bob Auth, Assemblymember Annette Quijano, Union County Manager Ed Oatman, WNYC's Matt Katz, CRC's Justin Rodriguez, comms consultant Geoffrey Borshof, former congressional candidate Mike Assad. Sunday for BPU' Bob Gordon.

PROGRAMMING NOTE — No Playbook on Monday in observation of our nation's independence from Great Britain.

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

BUDGET — Murphy signs $50.6B budget: 'This is how we make New Jersey more affordable in the long term', by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday signed a record $50.6 billion state budget, driving home themes of "affordability" and fiscal prudence amid the understanding New Jersey may never again find itself with a surge in tax revenue like it had this year. "Even as this budget invests in our year ahead, and in the immediate affordability crisis that we face, it is also focused on ensuring that the New Jersey that we leave for our kids and grandkids is in better financial shape than it is now," Murphy said, appearing alongside legislative leadership at the signing event at Cranford High School. "This is how we make New Jersey more affordable in the long term. "

WOULD FASCIALE'S CONFIRMATION BE FACILE? — "Fasciale short-listed for N.J. Supreme Court seat as part of plan to fill vacant seats," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Douglas M. Fasciale, a veteran state appellate court judge from Westfield, has emerged as a leading candidate for one of the three vacant seats on the New Jersey Supreme Court under an agreement being worked out between Gov. Phil Murphy and Senate President Nicholas Scutari, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed. A Republican, Fasciale would replace Faustino Fernandez-Vina, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in February. That would keep the partisan balance of the court intact. The potential deal still hinges up on Scutari's ability to get State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale) to sign off on Murphy's nomination for Rachel Wainer Apter to replace retired Justice Jaynee LaVecchia … Superior Court Judge Maritza Berdote-Byrne had once been on top of the list to replace Fernandez-Vina. She has been interviewed by the governor's office but is no longer under active consideration for a seat on the Supreme Court. Last week, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner temporarily assigned her to the appellate court."

ADDING INSULT TO PERSONAL INJURY — " Bill hiking minimum car insurance coverage clears Legislature," by New Jersey monitor's Dana DiFilippo: "New Jersey drivers may have to pay more for car insurance under a bill lawmakers passed Wednesday over objections from some Republicans about affordability. The bill would hike the minimum coverage required for standard car insurance policies and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to between $25,000 and $70,000, depending on when a motorist renews their policy. The minimum now required is $15,000 … The bill's sponsors — Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) and Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Union) — are both attorneys. Scutari bristled when asked if the bill was a conflict of interest for him to sponsor, saying: 'Absolutely not!'"

—@MattArco: "A touch odd because he's on record saying it wouldn't affect his bottom line as an attorney while the GOP sponsor, also an attorney, is on record saying it probably would."

GUN BABY GUN — Supreme Court tosses ruling upholding New Jersey's 10-round magazine limit, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman : A state law that limits the size of ammunition magazines New Jerseyans are allowed to possess could be in trouble after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a New York gun control law last week. On Thursday, the nation's highest court vacated a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit upholding a 2018 law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, which the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs had challenged, and sent it back to the appellate court for reconsideration. The law reduced the permitted size of magazines from 15 rounds to 10 rounds. Context: While the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision last week regarded a New York law that put strict limits on who can carry handguns, it also set new standards for determining the constitutionality of gun laws — that they're "consistent with this Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation." The 3rd Circuit must now decide the constitutionality of New Jersey's magazine law under that standard.

—"Coughlin: It's 'possible' lawmakers meet over the summer to address concealed carry laws "

MERCURY RISING — Mercury Public Affairs, which has a habit of hiring the top aides to New Jersey's highest-ranking officials, announced a new one Thursday: Kevin Drennan, the longtime former executive director of the state Senate Democrats under Steve Sweeney. He'll by the managing director of Mercury's Jersey's office. Drennan's last day in the state senate, where he stayed on as a transitional adviser after Sweeney's electoral defeat, was Wednesday.

—"NJ to set aside $45M in family planning funding in wake of court's Roe reversal"

—" Lawmakers approve protections for New Jersey's 130,000 temp workers"

—"Workers would be able to get an actual appointment to review N.J. unemployment claim under new bill"

R.I.P. — "Doc Villane, former assemblyman, Community Affairs commissioner, dies at 92"

—" Insider NJ's 2022 Insider OUT 100: LGBTQ Power List"

—"Bill headed to Murphy would help low-income bidders buy foreclosed homes in NJ more easily "

—"N.J. lawmakers OK less testing, more money for schools as they finish their session"

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BIDEN TIME

MUCH OF THE SHORE VOTED FOR IT — 'Shocking' and 'disgraceful': Supreme Court climate ruling sparks anger from Democrats, environmentalists, by POLITICO's Zac Colman, Kelsey Tamborrino and Josh Siegel: The Supreme Court's Thursday decision restricting the Environmental Protection Agency's power to confront climate change sparked an uproar among climate hawks in Congress, environmental activists and the clean energy industry. But it also left them facing big questions about what their Plan B will be, amid Democrats' struggles to push President Joe Biden's climate agenda in Congress … House Energy and Commerce Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said the decision "makes a mockery of the clear separation of powers outlined in our Constitution and subverts decades of settled law. The Clean Air Act is emphatically clear that EPA has both the authority and the obligation to protect public health and regulate dangerous air pollution like greenhouse gases."

MR. SMITH REMAINS IN WASHINGTON — Republicans who backed Trump Jan. 6 probe face fierce backlash at the polls, by POLITICO's Ally Mutnick: Never in nearly 42 years in Congress has Rep. Chris Smith had a primary quite like his last — when he spent the final weeks getting bombarded by angry constituents who felt he crossed President Donald Trump. The New Jersey Republican won renomination with his lowest primary vote share ever, after he voted to create a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. And his opponent seized on it, stoking an angry and anti-incumbent mood sweeping through Republican primaries around the country. Republican members from Utah to Texas to South Dakota who also voted for the Jan. 6 commission have had a similar experience, marking an especially intense primary season for the GOP. The bottom has dropped out for the Republicans who did support a Jan. 6 investigation: They are running 13 points weaker than their average colleague in their primaries, according to a POLITICO analysis of 2022 primary results so far.

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

LOCAL

OUT OF STEP — "Lakewood relies on nonprofit to solve landlord, tenant issues. Is it working? " by The Asbury Park Press' Juan Carlos Castillo: "Lakewood has not had a Rent Control Board since 2016. Mayor Ray Coles said the board was dissolved because it was difficult to find volunteers who wanted to be part of it and that the board seldom received complaints. 'We got no complaints over the course of several years,' Coles said. 'In that time period, we contracted with STEPS (Solutions To End Poverty Soon) and they handle a lot of the issues for us as far as tenant/landlord relationships.' Currently, the township budgets $15,000 annually to cover the cost of STEPS office space and $120,000 a year for salaries, said Michael McNeil, STEPS director. In return, when the township refers tenants with landlord issues to STEPS, the nonprofit mediates between the two parties. STEPS doesn't submit reports to the township on how they are helping people. However, McNeil and Eugenio Espinosa, Community Service Coordinator at STEPS. said the agency works with an estimated 250 Lakewood tenants every month … In the last year, Lakewood's median house sales price increased 45.3% … While neighboring townships, such as Jackson and Toms River, have code enforcement departments to help resolve landlord/tenant issues, Lakewood relies on a non-governmental organization to handle those issues. 'That's pretty irresponsible,' said MaryAnn Sorensen Allacci, Lakewood resident and director of the Projects for Environmental Health, Knowledge and Action, a research and advocacy nonprofit focused on community well-being."

PATERSON — "Paterson mayor says he will not accept $21K pay raise," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Mayor Andre Sayegh on Wednesday afternoon said he would not accept his $21,000 pay raise, which was included in a salary ordinance approved by the City Council the night before. Two of the nine council members — Al Abdelaziz and Shahin Khalique — also said they would not accept their $6,182 pay raises. The other council members and Councilman-elect Md Forid Uddin did not respond when asked if they would take the extra pay. Despite criticism from members of the public, the governing body voted 5-4 on Tuesday night to adopt an ordinance that increased the salary for the mayor to $140,000 and for City Council members to $47,395. But the ordinance included an opt-out clause that allowed elected officials to decline the increases."

—"Paterson's main library reopens after two-year closure"

IF HE COULD TURNBACH TIME — " Ocean County Democrats re-elect Wyatt Earp chairman over challenger Terrance Turnbach," by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby: "Wyatt Earp, chairman of the Ocean County Democrats since 2005, won re-election to his leadership position Wednesday despite a vigorous challenge from former Toms River Councilman Terrance Turnbach. Earp, 61, won with 260 votes, while 45-year-old Turnbach trailed with 204. Earp said his goal as county party chairman is to "make people proud of their elected officials… not because they're a Republican or because they're a Democrat, (but) because they believe that they care the most about their town, which I believe is the Democratic candidate more times than not."

—"Ventnor is becoming bougie, but has the Jersey Shore left the middle class behind?"

—" [Salem] County jail illegally strip searched me multiple times, N.J. woman says in suit"

—"Judge to rule if Middlesex Boro schools racial discrimination lawsuit expands "

—"Bayonne BA Mathews resigns instead of taking her prior clerk position at City Hall"

—"Jersey City schools' business administrator files lawsuit, claiming discrimination by superintendent, HR officer"

—" Governor's idea for free NJ parks brings traffic woes to shore"

INTRODUCING POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don't miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY.

EVERYTHING ELSE

AC — "Last-minute deal averts casino strike in Atlantic City," by The AP's Wayne Parry: "The main union for Atlantic City casino workers reached agreements on new contracts with four casinos on Thursday, providing for what one its president called "the best contract we've ever had" and labor peace that will avoid a strike on Fourth of July weekend, one of the casinos' busiest of the year. Local 54 of the Unite Here union reached tentative agreements with the Borgata, which is owned by MGM Resorts International, and three Caesars Entertainment casinos: Caesars, Harrah's and the Tropicana. A Sunday strike deadline remains against the Hard Rock casino, but the new pacts appear to greatly increase the likelihood of a deal getting done with Hard Rock as well."

TOLL HIKES TO BENEFIT BIG TROLL — "Tolls for historic Dingmans Ferry Bridge will double starting Friday," by The New Jersey Herald's Bruce A. Scruton: "Cash tolls for the historic Dingmans Ferry Bridge will double to $2 each way for passenger vehicles and motorcycles starting Friday. Dingmans Choice and Delaware Bridge Company, which owns and operates the last privately owned toll bridge on the Delaware River, said "after delaying as long as possible, we have found it necessary to increase tolls," in a message on its website. The last time there was a toll increase was 14 years ago. The bridge connects Pennsylvania Route 739 with Sussex County Route 560 in Sandyston and crosses the river within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area … There are less than two dozen privately-owned toll bridges remaining in the United States"

—"Wharton State Forest slowly reopens following wildfire"

—" Satellite images show scar left by wildfire in Wharton State Forest"

—"Ferry wars? Seastreak wins contract, knocking NY Waterway out of Monmouth County-NYC route "

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/