News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: New gun control laws brought to you by... Ed Durr?

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: New gun control laws brought to you by... Ed Durr?

Jul 13, 2022

Presented by NextEra Energy Transmission

Good Wednesday morning!

It was a slow day yesterday, and I love irony, so here's some: State Sen. Ed Durr (R-Gloucester) is arguably the most vocal gun rights supporter in the Legislature. And yet his defeat of Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester), who balked at posting many of the Gov. Phil Murphy's latest gun control proposals, looks like it paved the way for Murphy to sign a new batch of gun control measures last week.

The governor's top outside adviser on guns, Bill Castner, pointed this out on Twiter on June 30:

"Many in the reform community were criticized about celebrating [Sweeney]'s defeat," Castner wrote. "The truth is there's no chance all of these gun safety bills would have been posted without a change in leadership. A gun rights candidate beating Sweeney actually led to stronger gun safety."

If you've been around more than a few years, you'll recall that Castner, a former chief counsel to former Gov. Jon Corzine and Assembly Democratic executive director, used to be a key ally of Sweeney and power broker George Norcross. He's now close to the governor, with whom he's more of an ideological match.

I called Sweeney about this shortly after Castner's tweet . First, he said he would have supported about half the gun bills that the governor wound up signing, including one that makes it easier for the state to sue gun manufacturers. But he doesn't think they'll do anything to make New Jersey safer, and would like to see more of a focus on combating illegally-obtained guns that are often used in street crime.

"My point is: When are we going to get the package of gun bills that get the bad guys. I was there for a little while. I never saw it," Sweeney said.

Sweeney also bristled at progressives celebrating his defeat after he helped usher through several other gun control bills, minimum wage increases and increased pension payments. "I was either prime sponsor or one of the sponsors, and voted for them all. That's the irony of it," he said.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 147

WHERE'S MURPHY? Italy

WHERE'S OLIVER? In East Orange at 10:30 a.m. to highlight housing investments

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I'm not into the computer … I'm an old-time, white-bread, hit the ground running and just work, blue-collar guy. I was nervous if we did something wrong it could jeopardize my business." — Roger Schnorrbusch, owner of the Park Wood Deli in Midland Park, who's become a reluctant Tik Tok sandwich star

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — APP's Steve Stirling, Murphy aide Medinah Muhammad, Horizon's Sarah E. Jones, Washington Post's Josh Dawsey. Missed Monday: Former CCC commissioner Sharon Harrington. Missed Tuesday: Barrington Councilmember Vincent Cerrito

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

BONDS BONDS BONDS — "N.J. Debt Totals More Than $248 Billion, Led by Benefits Burden," by Bloomberg's Elise Young: "General obligation borrowing under New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy was the highest in at least a decade, driven by pandemic bond issues. The state's overall debt climbed 22% in the 2021 fiscal year, according to an annual accounting. Murphy borrowed roughly $4 billion to fill anticipated shortfalls but that ended up being unnecessary as higher-than-expected tax revenue meant the state could weather the crisis without the extra cash. Now, he's stuck with bonds, structured as non-callable, that can't be paid off early. The bond figures, in the fiscal 2021 debt report, are to be made public on Wednesday at a New Jersey Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning meeting …

"Jen Sciortino, a spokeswoman for the state treasury department, called the report 'a point in time,' and said the state now is in better financial shape than during the period documented. 'As a result of steps taken during the past year, the state's current bonded debt load is now (end of FY 2022) lower than at any point since FY 2015,' Sciortino said in an email.'"

TRANSPARENCY — " Nearly two weeks after budget passage, lawmakers' spending requests still not public," by New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov : "Nearly two weeks after the Legislature approved a voluminous $50.6 billion budget, requests for additional spending submitted by individual lawmakers have not been publicly released. The delayed release of the budget resolutions — a top Senate Democrat said they may be available for public review in the next few weeks — has been sharply criticized by at least one Republican lawmaker, who said the lack of transparency on spending requests is intentional."

SHROOMTARI — " After marijuana, are psychedelic mushrooms next?" by NJ Spotlight News' Jeff Pillets: "Scutari, in an interview Monday with NJ Spotlight News, said the homegrown provision, like the rest of his bill, is a 'wish list,' a starting point for a conversation he wants the state to engage in during the coming months. 'In all reality, we're going to see a multitude of proposed amendments as we go forward,' Scutari said. 'But that's the good thing about being Senate president. I know my bills are going to get a hearing.' Scutari, a Democrat from Middlesex County, said he wrote the mushroom bill to give mental health providers and patients another avenue for treatment. The science supporting the controlled use of psychedelics, he said, is solid and growing. 'If you look around the country, there simply is not a lot of opposition to measures like this,' he said. 'That's because the benefits are proven.'"

HOPE THEY SENT THE LETTER TO ITALY — "'Union busting' allegations at New Jersey universities ensnare Murphy," by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: POLITICO obtained a letter addressed to Murphy and signed by the leaders of the national American Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union, American Association of University Professors and Communications Workers of America alleging Rutgers and Rowan are using partnerships with health care systems to circumvent their respective medical school bargaining units. While the local union members and universities continue to negotiate over the details of the disputes, the involvement of national labor organizing voices is putting new pressure on Murphy as he hopes to raise his profile nationally. "Our demands that Rutgers and Rowan stop busting our unions have fallen on deaf ears. We therefore ask you to immediately put a stop to these union busting practices," the union leaders wrote in their letter to Murphy. "In light of the seriousness of the issue, we ask for a meeting with you and our union leaders to discuss this matter."

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ROE BEING OVERTURNED? JOIN WOMEN RULE ON 7/21: Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade , abortion policy is in the hands of the states and, ultimately, voters. Join POLITICO national political correspondent Elena Schneider for a Women Rule "ask me anything" conversation featuring a panel of reporters from our politics and health care teams who will answer your questions about how the court's decision could play out in different states, its impact on the midterms and what it means for reproductive rights in the U.S. going forward. SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS AND REGISTER HERE.

CLEAN ENERGY, DIRTY POLITICS — "How raiding the Clean Energy Fund hurts the climate fight -- and the poor," by The Star-Ledger's Tom Moran: "Even this year, when Trenton is awash in cash like never before, Murphy's budget takes $87 million from this fund to plug gaps in his regular budget, according to the Department of Treasury. Since these annual raids began in Jon Corzine's final year in office, the fund has lost $1.7 billion, with former Gov. Chris Christie the worst offender. 'This was the year to end the raids," says Doug O'Malley of Environment New Jersey. "It's a lost opportunity.' The Clean Energy Fund is financed by a surcharge on your electricity bill that raised $345 million last year, before Murphy's raid. The money is dispersed to a range of green initiatives, everything from subsidizing electric cars and solar energy, to retrofitting homes of low-income families … It is all about politics. Electricity rates are set by the Board of Public Utilities, an unelected body that most voters have never heard of, at meetings that are sparsely attended by energy insiders and a few consumers groups. Few people even know whom to blame for high electricity bill. Tax hikes, by contrast, can end political careers."

SENATE — State senator is now a partner at Port Authority chair's law firm by POLITICO's Matt Friedman : State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) began working as a partner at the firm, O'Toole Scrivo LLC, last month. O'Toole is one of the firm's two managing partners, along with Tom Scrivo. The senator departed her previous job as a vice president at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck early in the pandemic, then briefly restarted her own law firm before joining O'Toole Scrivo. "I've known Kevin and Tom for quite a long period of time. During the pandemic, after I left Holy Name, I restarted my own law firm. And it became a little bit difficult to juggle the type of clients I have with no support network," said Schepisi, who works in corporate, land use and municipal law. As a state senator, Schepisi has a vote on nominations for the Port Authority commissioner seats, though she's not on the Judiciary Committee, which vets them.

R.I.P. — "Labor leader James Grogan dies at 83"

—"N.J. leads nation in unfunded pension liability, report says"

—" To boost Medicaid funding, NJ tweaks formula"

—Mulshine: "New Jersey's under the gun after that Supreme Court decision on the Second Amendment"

—Opinion: "Senator Scutari, drop your opposition to same-day voter registration"

—DePhillips: " New Jersey taxpayers won't find relief in Phil Murphy's budget"

—"N.J. reports 2,738 COVID cases, 14 deaths. Hospitalizations hit 4-month high "

—"Some N.J. rent assistance payments have gone missing, frustrating tenants and landlords"

A message from NextEra Energy Transmission:

BIDEN TIME

THE OAF CREEPERS — "The far-right Oath Keepers who call New Jersey home," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "And at least 550 of them live in New Jersey. That's according to data gathered by the journalist collective Distributed Denial of Secrets, which in September 2021 downloaded information for more than 38,000 alleged members of the Oath Keepers … Included among the 550 alleged dues-paying Oath Keepers in New Jersey are a trio of semi-prominent political names: Ed Durfee, who ran for the State Assembly in the 37th district as a Republican last year; Peter Rohrman, the 2017 Libertarian Party nominee for governor; and King Penna, who managed Hirsh Singh's failed 2021 gubernatorial campaign. (Bill Hayden, a candidate for Sussex County Commissioner whom Rep. Josh Gottheimer accused of being an Oath Keeper in 2020, is not listed.) But the vast majority of the names on the list are unknowns – retirees, military veterans, businesspeople, and others who chose to involve themselves in a dangerous and allegedly seditious organization … One of those Hamilton residents is Christopher Rupp, the director of public works in next-door Robbinsville. Rupp told the New Jersey Globe that his involvement in the Oath Keepers has been minimal … 'Over five years ago, I purchased an Oath Keepers tee shirt and a couple of bumper stickers,' he said."

—" Gottheimer calls for a national car theft taskforce"

—"Booker pushes for bill to curb bank fees for overdrawn accounts "

—"Senator Menendez: $30B Gateway Tunnel 'is a project of national significance"

LOCAL

HE REFUSED TO CURRIE FAVOR AND GOT NO LOVE FROM CASSANOVA — " 'Politics at its worst': Fired Passaic County aide claims Democrats retaliated," by The Record's Kristie Cattafi: "Leo Arcuri was fired from his full-time position in the office as a confidential assistant to the surrogate in February. He said he still has not been given a reason for why he was let go, but a lawsuit filed in Passaic County last week said sit was in retaliation for not offering financial support to the Democratic Party and for socializing with local Republicans. He is suing the county of Passaic; Passaic County Surrogate Zoila Cassanova; John Currie, individually and as chairman of the county Democratic organization; and the Passaic County Democratic Committee … Arcuri said that when he asked Currie about why he was fired, Currie said, 'We had a tough campaign for surrogate and you didn't show your face.'"

HUNTERDON COUNTY MIGHT AS WELL JUST SAY 'WE'RE NOT LIKE THEM'— "'Explore the other side of New Jersey': Hunterdon County launches new tourism campaign," by MyCentralJersey's Mike Deak: "Hunterdon County launched its new tourism campaign to let the thousands expected to attend the New Jersey Lottery Festival Ballooning at the end of the month that there is more to see. The new campaign is part of the county commissioners' effort to boost Hunterdon's economy by promoting the county as a multi-faceted tourist destination in the metropolitan area between New York City and Philadelphia. One of the dominant themes plays on the stereotypical image of New Jersey and invites tourists to 'explore the other side of New Jersey.'"

SAME SCHI DIFFERENT TRIAL — "Rabbi Eisemann to be granted a new trial," by The Lakewood Scoop: "New Jersey Superior Court Judge Joseph Paone has issued an order granting a new trial for SCHI founder Rabbi Osher Eisemann … At a hearing on Friday, Rabbi Eisemann's legal team presented new evidence which they said exonerated the beloved Lakewood resident, and asked for a new trial in light of that. In addition, defense attorney Lee Vartan made the case that prosecutors knew about the evidence and withheld it from the defense. In his ruling, the judge noted that defense's argument that the newly discovered evidence "would probably lead to a different result" if shown before a new jury. However, the judge maintained that the prosecution did not engage in "willful misconduct" or that it intended to withhold the information, which would have resulted in the case being dismissed "with prejudice" and will therefore instead head to a new trial, barring an appeal from the prosecution"

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THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC — "Montclair Starbucks workers to vote on joining union; understaffing a key concern," by The Record's Julia Martin : "Employees of the Starbucks in downtown Montclair will vote this summer on whether to join Starbucks Workers United … In a letter to Starbucks CEO Howard Shultz, James Cruz, a member of the store's organizing committee, said the store is understaffed, workers are improperly trained, and equipment doesn't work properly. Just one employee calling in sick can close the store, the letter reads. Cruz writes that a hostile environment of union busting has fostered a culture of fear, which stands 'in stark contrast to Starbucks' values.' In response to worker complaints about understaffing, management has cut hours, the letter reads."

—"Absecon's deputy fire chief demoted following probe into social media posts"

—L.A. Parker: " Dumbfounded by Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora's double-speak on guns"

—"Bad programming blamed for multiple Vineland voting machine failures on primary day "

—"Buena appoints new solicitor amidst ongoing legal dispute over century-old fire company"

—"As Hoboken seeks ponders rent control reforms, landlords are dominating the conversation"

—" Prison sentences delayed for six officers in Paterson police corruption case"

—"$50M contract would begin addressing flooding in Union Beach"

—"Jersey City high school teacher assaulted two girl students in class, lawsuit claims"

—" Proposed $480M [Gloucester Couny]. youth-soccer development complex still 'on track'"

EVERYTHING ELSE

AC — "Workers OK deals at 5 Atlantic City casinos; 2 more remain," by The AP: "Workers at five Atlantic City casinos have ratified new contracts giving them significant raises, and are now turning their attention to the two that have yet to settle, their union said Tuesday. Officials with Local 54 of the Unite Here union said 99% of workers who voted in ratification elections Monday approved the new pacts, under which housekeeping employees will immediately see their hourly salary increased to $18, up from varying levels at different casinos. Their pay will increase to $22 per hour at the end of the four-year contract. 'It's hard to sell a housekeeping job at $16 an hour," said union president Bob McDevitt. "It's a lot easier to sell one at $20 or $22 an hour.'"

—"Rosie's Diner of Little Ferry won fame in '70s TV ads. How did it become a Michigan eyesore?"

—" NJ enviro agency defeats farmer's oyster seizure suit"

—"Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band detail 2023 U.S. tour "

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NextEra Energy didn't become the world's largest generator of wind and solar power overnight. We've been building and operating large-scale energy projects across North America for decades and powering New Jersey for nearly a quarter-century. Our first solar farm in the Garden State was built in West Deptford. Yet, our contributions have gone far deeper—from counseling local businesses on how to reach clean energy goals and operating battery storage facilities to providing dozens of solar sites on buildings from Cape May to High Point and working to help New Jersey reach its offshore wind goals. We know how to get big, complex projects done on time and on budget. We power homes, neighborhoods, and entire cities, all while putting customers first, prioritizing the environment, and working with local communities to create jobs and limit disruptions. NextEra Energy Transmission is committed to empowering a greener New Jersey.