News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: New Jersey's media landscape expands

Friday, July 15, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: New Jersey's media landscape expands

Jul 15, 2022

Presented by NextEra Energy Transmission

Good Friday morning!

Big news for the New Jersey media landscape: The Weekly World News, without which we'd have never learned about Bat Boy, is expanding its footprint in New Jersey.

Did you even know that the publication, which brands itself the "World's Only Reliable News Source", is based in New Jersey? I didn't. It's in Ho-Ho-Kus, according to the Vineland Daily Journal, which reports the former supermarket tabloid has plans to open a TV, film and podcast production facility in Vineland where it plans to shoot a film called "The Zombie Wedding."

It's too bad that the News no longer publishes in paper form. Otherwise, given its new location in South Jersey, I wouldn't be surprised if local county governments attempted to shift their legal notices into that publication.

I'd say the Weekly World News should open up a Statehouse bureau, but I'm afraid that its readers simply wouldn't believe the kind of stories that come out of Trenton.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 149

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Maine to become president of the National Governors Association

WHERE'S OLIVER? In Perth Amboy at 11 a.m. to highlight the 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Hotline

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "You gotta shut the fuck up and listen to me. You are so condescending. You're pathetic. How are you a freaking reporter?" Trenton mayoral candidate Moses Sutton to The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea after Avilucea pointed out that the city had no record of a $10,000 donation Sutton said he made to fix potholes.

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Assemblymember Raj Mukherji, TAPinto's Michael Shapiro, Pollster Tom Bonier. Saturday for PlayNJ's David Danzis. Sunday for Essex County Clerk Chris Durkin, Atlantic City Councilmember Kaleem Shabazz, Closter Councilmember Scott Devlin

A message from NextEra Energy Transmission:

NextEra Energy is the world's largest generator of clean, renewable energy from the wind and sun. We have unrivaled experience completing complex, large-scale energy projects, doing them on time and on budget while putting customers first, prioritizing the environment, and working with local communities to create jobs and limit disruptions. It's what we do and what we'll do for New Jersey. That's because NextEra Energy Transmission is committed to empowering a greener New Jersey.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

NOMENTUM — "N.J.'s child welfare system can end 20 years of court oversight with a new law. But it's stalled," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio: "It's taken almost 20 years and billions of dollars of investments in technology, personnel and social services, but New Jersey's child welfare agency is nearly at the finish line of an unlikely transformation — going from one of the most neglected and poorly run agencies of its kind to what many say is now one of the nation's best. What the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency will need to operate independently, without the supervision of a federal judge, is for the top two leaders in the state Legislature to pass a bill they themselves introduced in March. The legislation would create a volunteer board that would make sure the agency does not return to the days of workers drowning in unmanageable caseloads and losing track of children — conditions that led to the state settling a lawsuit and agreeing to a court-supervised overhaul …

"The legislation's lack of momentum was a topic of discussion Wednesday during a virtual biannual check-in session with U.S. District Court Judge Stanley R. Chesler, who has overseen the case since it began during Gov. Jim McGreevey's tenure … Scutari's and Coughlin's representatives issued a statement late Wednesday when NJ Advance Media asked what was going on with their legislation. "This is an incredibly complex issue involving multiple government agencies and tens of thousands of workers," the legislative leaders said in their statement. 'Keeping children safe and families together is a priority, we need to do that right and will continue to work together with the Governor towards that goal'"

THEY'LL GET PREGNANT — "Will NJ schools that refuse to teach new sex education standards face consequences?" by The Record's Mary Ann Koruth: "Sexual predators. Schools. Jails. The disturbing combination of words was said during a public session of the Garwood Board of Education in May when a group of parents gathered to demand the district refuse to teach parts of the state's new standards for sex education New Jersey is mandating be implemented this fall. 'Anyone pushing this material in schools is a sexual predator and should be in jail,' one woman told the school board … In response, the Garwood school board passed a resolution stating the district refuses to implement the new standards in the curriculum set forth by the 2020 Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards. Of New Jersey's nearly 600 school districts, a handful are pushing back against the new standards including Garwood, Montague, Sussex-Wantage, East Hanover and Jackson. The state has responded by saying school districts that flout state standards will be penalized."

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.

A4451: A SPACE ODDITY — N.J. lawmaker wants to ban drugs that can electronically monitor patients, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: In New Jersey, sometimes referred to as the "Medicine Chest of the World" because of its large pharmaceutical industry, a lawmaker wants to ban the manufacture and even the prescription of an emerging medical technology. Assemblymember Parker Space late last month introduced a bill, NJ A4451, that would prohibit any drug that electronically monitors a patient after they've ingested it. "My fear is with the world today and the socialist form of government that seems to be controlling the United States, where would this end?" Space (R-Sussex), one of New Jersey's most conservative lawmakers, said in a phone interview. Space also said he's concerned drugs that electronically communicate with outside sources could be vulnerable to hacking. State Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Middlesex), who chairs the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, said that if patients want to take an approved drug that electronically monitors them, the state shouldn't stand in their way.

'LITTLE NICKY' FAN ALBIN SADDENED TO LEARN THAT FIRM DOES NOT INCLUDE ADAM SANDLER — " Former N.J. Supreme Court Justice Barry Albin lands at top law firm," by NJ Advance Media's Suzette Parmley: "One week after stepping down from the New Jersey Supreme Court, former Justice Barry T. Albin has landed at Lowenstein Sandler, a top law firm. The new job starts today. The former justice, who penned more than 400 opinions during his 20-year state Supreme Court run, is a partner in the firm's Litigation Department and Chair of the Appellate Practice Group, the firm told NJ Advance Media .. Albin, 70, said he looked forward to joining the firm with a national reputation for taking on cases with huge public policy implications, where some of his former clerks now work as lawyers, and is committed to public service. Albin, 70, said he looked forward to joining the firm with a national reputation for taking on cases with huge public policy implications, where some of his former clerks now work as lawyers, and is committed to public service"

—"Changes coming to jury selection in New Jersey"

—" Murphy could bolster national profile as he prepares to lead governors group"

—"Wainer Apter and the ghost of Joel Jacobson "

—Weinberg: "We need protection from the 'bombs' that rumble through New Jersey"

—" Judge seals court records after intended target in Sudhan Thomas indictment was identified"

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BIDEN TIME

BACK TO THE FUTURE — "Hogan: 'There's a future for Chris Christie in the Republican Party," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "When former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ran for president in 2016, one of his most prominent endorsements was from a fellow Republican governor in a blue state: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who said in 2015 that he was 'extremely excited about the prospect of Chris Christie as president of the United States.' Today, Hogan – who is term-limited out of office this year and potentially considering his own presidential bid in 2024 – affirmed that he and Christie remain friends and that he believes Christie is still relevant in the modern Republican Party. 'There's no question there's a future for Chris Christie in the Republican Party," Hogan told the New Jersey Globe while attending the summer meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA). "He's one of our true leaders, and he's a very good friend. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Governor Christie, and we're going to continue to work together."

THE LAND OF OZ — Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman hired Snooki on Cameo to troll his opponent, Mehmet Oz, over his recent Jersey residency. Snooki: "I heard that you moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania to look for a new job… And don't worry, because you'll be back home in Jersey soon. This is only temporary." For the record, Snooki isn't originally from Jersey. She grew up in Marlboro, N.Y., which happens to be across the Hudson River from my hometown but — to be clear — is a very different place.

—" Congressman [Gottheimer] threatens to 'defund' NYC congestion pricing plan unless N.J. commuters get toll credit"

— "No prison for friends - one a former N.J. jail guard - who stormed Capitol together on Jan. 6 "

—Snowflack: "An early InsiderNJ look at competitive House races"

—Kelly: " An explosive debate on Saudis and 9/11 is coming to Trump's NJ golf course"

—"Fighting 'extremely alarming' voting laws a big priority as NAACP convention begins in N.J. "

—"Extreme heat killed Marine recruit from N.J. during 'crucible' training, mom says"

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LOCAL

MOSES SIGHTED PREPARING TO PART THE FALLS — "'Crisis of epic proportions' in Paterson schools? Teachers warn of 'mass exodus'," by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Malinconico: "The city teachers' union is asking for 15% annual pay raises for five years, increases that its president said are needed to prevent "a mass exodus" of educators leaving for better-paying jobs. Paterson Education Association President John McEntee Jr. disclosed his group's salary request on Wednesday morning, after contract negotiations ended the night before with the union declaring that the talks had reached an impasse. During a phone interview, McEntee acknowledged that the request for 15% raises may seem 'extremely high.' But he said Paterson teachers are underpaid compared with educators elsewhere in New Jersey. The union president asserted that Paterson teachers must work for 11 years in the district before they reach what he said is the $62,000 starting salary in Newark Public Schools. As a result, he said, teachers are going to other districts after a year or two in Paterson."

A DROP IN THE OCEAN — "Monmouth, Ocean losing teachers faster than most of NJ ," by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: "Monmouth and Ocean County school districts are losing teachers faster than most of the state, data show, as school aid slows, enrollment falls and teachers leave the workforce. Shore school districts have lost more than 400 teachers since 2020, or nearly 3 percent, according to an analysis of newly released Department of Education data. Education administrators say the COVID-19 pandemic altered the priorities of many, and fewer teachers are responding to available jobs. "The candidate pool for open positions has been dramatically reduced," said Brick Public School Superintendent Thomas G. Farrell said in an interview. 'I see it firsthand. When I first got here two and half years ago we'd get about 100 applications for a general education (teaching) position. Now we get about 10. You are not seeing a diverse or large candidate pool for these positions and that has been a struggle.'

THEY TRIED TO MAKE ME GO TO REHAB I SAID DO, DO, DO AC — "Prosecutor's Office, lawmakers tackling 'quality-of-life crimes' in Atlantic City ," by The Press of Atlantic City Eric Conklin: The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said it has had enough of letting crime persistently harm Atlantic City's quality of life. The Prosecutor's Office will begin using 'new policies and procedures' to help thwart rising crime rates in the city, Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said on a video posted to Facebook on Wednesday afternoon. Low-level offenders are going to be 'tracked, brought to court and be given an option' 'You have help, or you have justice,' Reynolds said in the video,' and justice may be probation, it may be jail, it may be rehab. The choice is theirs'"

—Video: "Trenton mayor wants state to take over city budget process"

— " Trenton testing for larvae in city water after resident finds small inchworms in home water filter"

—"Atlantic City, welcoming the National NAACP Convention, looks at its own Black origins"

—"Ironworkers remove leadership of North Jersey local, Sweeney sent in to fix it"

—" Newark delays tax break decision on massive redevelopment of Bears stadium site"

EVERYTHING ELSE

REEFER REAL ESTATE MADNESS — "NJ legal weed dispensaries want to open in your downtown. Here's why," by The Asbury Park Press' Mike Davis: "When the New Jersey cannabis industry took off this year with the start of recreational marijuana sales, it faced a problem more in common with warehouses than retail stores: There's nowhere to go. The result has been a real estate frenzy in the towns that opted into legal weed, with cannabis entrepreneurs and multi-state operators jumping at any chance to open a dispensary somewhere, and, after the COVID-19 pandemic decimated retail businesses, municipalities that welcomed cannabis sales are happy to have them. But it's not only the newly-built, cannabis-specific spaces that garner interest. Many of those same shuttered storefronts and shops — or soon-to-be-closing gyms — don't stay shuttered for very long. 'That property that may have been considered a dump is now gold,' said Colby Piper, a cannabis real estate specialist"

THIS IS WHAT THE FIRST NEGOTIATION WILL LOOK LIKE — " Jousting with management? Medieval Times cast may join NJ's growing unionized workforce Friday," by WNYC's Karen Yi: "The knights, squires and royal court of Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, New Jersey are preparing for what could be their most consequential performance to date — voting for the first time to join a union. On Friday afternoon, 42 workers at the Bergen County dinner theater will decide whether to join the American Guild of Variety Artists, which represents performers including the Rockettes and the members of Cirque du Soleil."

—"Foreclosure surge hits NJ hard, 2nd-highest rate in U.S.: report"

—" Former co-owner of Tony's Baltimore Grill and ex-Ventnor cop plead guilty in vast Shore benefits-plan conspiracy"

—"Learning remotely, but NJ college students still required to get COVID booster "

A message from NextEra Energy Transmission:

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.