News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Where's the Moderate Party?

Monday, July 11, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Where's the Moderate Party?

Jul 11, 2022

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By Matt Friedman

Presented by NextEra Energy Transmission

Good Monday morning!

U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski's "Moderate Party" gambit always seemed like a longshot.

But as David Wildstein points out, it's even more so now.

The plan was to file petitions to run Malinowski under the "Moderate Party" banner as well as the Democratic Party so that Secretary of State Tahesha Way could reject the bid, enabling them to challenge New Jersey's century-old ban on fusion voting in court.

Well, Way did as expected over a month ago. As of Friday, "Moderate Party" leaders were asking her to reconsider but had not actually filed the lawsuit. Despite that, Malinowski had an op-ed in the New York Times last week promoting the "Moderate Party."

Getting a court victory to allow fusion voting by the November election was a huge longshot from the get-go. Now it's even more unlikely, if that's possible. But if you haven't filed a lawsuit more than a month after announcing the effort, it seems harder to convince people — and maybe the courts — that this is an urgent issue.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 145

WHERE'S MURPHY? Italy

QUOTE OF THE DAY: " The mayor is trying to hijack the council's meeting… Mute him right now." — Trenton Council President Kathy McBride

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

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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

HOW DARE SOMEONE SUGGEST N.J.'S FAMOUSLY CALM MOTORISTS COULD BE DRIVEN TO ANGER? — "Thousands of N.J. residents expected to seek permits to carry a gun after Supreme Court ruling ," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: "State officials, bracing for what the State Police have predicted could be as many as 200,000 new carry permit applications in the wake of the controversial court decision, said gun owners will still be required to obtain permits, albeit without the requirement showing justifiable need. In the meantime, though, the court ruling itself and a change in the New Jersey Legislature's political leadership may do more to add new restrictions on firearms in the state than might have ever been possible a year ago, some say. 'No one in New Jersey wants to see a guy with a Glock next to their kids at Six Flags or ShopRite, or waving one around on the Turnpike,' said attorney Bill Castner, an adviser to Gov. Phil Murphy on firearms."

FOLLOWING LIBERTY STATE PARK BILL SIGNING, CLEAN ENERGY FUND TO BE REPLACED BY DIRTY MONEY FUND — "Giant NJ budget again funnels money away from energy fund," by New Jersey Monitor's Tom Johnson: "Once again, the Legislature and Murphy administration diverted money away from the Clean Energy Fund to pay for other government operations, angering advocates who noted that the raids continued even as the state expects record high tax collections and is flush with billions in unspent federal aid. The fund, supported by utility customers who pay a surcharge on their monthly bills, is designed to help New Jersey achieve its ambitious climate policy goals and quicken the state's transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. But the fund has been repeatedly tapped by this administration and previous governors and legislators to help plug fiscal holes or for other purposes. Since the practice began, well over $1.7 billion in ratepayer money has been used for other than its legally dedicated purposes."

—"Lawmaker renews push for 10-year-old bill after millions paid out on unused sick leave"

—"N.J.'s only public hospital just got $50M in the state budget. Some say it desperately needs more"

—O'Toole: " New York and New Jersey can continue to collaborate — through the Port Authority"

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BIDEN TIME

YELLOWBELLYSTONE — "Gottheimer: Delaware Water Gap National Rec Area shouldn't be national park," by The Pocono Record's Kathryne Rubright: "U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey's 5th District, has come out against the proposal to redesignate Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as a national park. 'As I said from moment one, I believe that this matter required significant local input because it directly impacts many North Jersey townships, boroughs, and residents. I have immense trust in the mayors and local governments of the Fifth District and their ability to represent the views of our shared constituents,' Gottheimer said in a statement released Thursday. The designation of a National Park Service unit can only be changed by Congress … In April, the Sussex County, New Jersey, commissioners voted against supporting the redesignation without more information, citing 'limited insight, information, communication and clarification as to the scope and effect of said designation.' The Sierra Club chapters of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as former recreation area Superintendent John Donahue, have been advocating for the redesignation. That name would raise Delaware Water Gap's profile, they say, and they are hopeful that more federal funding could follow."

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK EXPRESSWAY — " Fetterman to attack Oz's residency in ads — including with airplane banner over New Jersey beaches," by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Julian Routh: "TV advertisement and an airplane. That's what U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman will launch this weekend in an attempt to contrast his Pennsylvania roots — born and raised — with Republican Mehmet Oz's longtime residency in New Jersey, a central theme of the attacks against him for months. Mr. Fetterman, facing Mr. Oz in one of the country's most important federal races, will go up on the airwaves across Pennsylvania this weekend with an advertisement that calls the Republican nominee 'Doc Hollywood,' and — flashing images of the candidate's New Jersey mansion of a video of him kissing his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — says he's 'not one of us.' The Democrat will also send an airplane over the beaches of the South Jersey shore, carrying a banner that will read, "Hey Dr. Oz, Welcome Home To NJ!'."

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LOCAL

MCBRIDE'S RULES OF CHAOS — "McBride sabotages nomination of Trenton at-large replacement," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "Out of order is putting it politely. Dubbed by one political pundit as the state's most dysfunctional governing body, Trenton council remains down a legislator after Council President McBride on Thursday sabotaged the nomination of Elvin Montero to replace departed At-large Councilman Santiago Rodriguez. McBride deemed South Ward Councilman George Muschal's nomination of Montero, a familiar name in Trenton politics, 'out of order' according to Robert's Rules of Order. That led to a lengthy squabble between council members about whether the motion was, in fact, allowable. After council attorney Edward Kologi explained the procedure to settle the issue, council took up a vote that failed in a 3-3 tie that effectively upholding McBride's out-of-order ruling, meaning legislators never voted on Montero's nomination."

—"Trenton councilman Muschal calls Vaughn 'sick' after censure fails in tie"

SUESSEX COUNTY —"Former Sussex County counsel says he was axed for calling out unlawful acts," by The New Jersey Herald's Lori Comstock: "The former legal counsel of Sussex County who was out of state when he was unknowingly 'terminated' last year by the county's Board of Commissioners says it was an act of revenge after he opposed using county money to pay Sheriff Michael Strada's 'personal' attorney for years — the same lawyer who now serves as legal counsel for the county. Attorney Kevin Kelly, whose contract expired and was not renewed on June 30, 2021, a day before he was expected to return from his son's graduation from the U.S. Army's Ranger School in Georgia, also said the decision to abruptly remove him as counsel came after he and other county officials rejected an immigration-related ballot question intended to promote the Republican sheriff and commissioners' political agendas during an election year. The county of Sussex and three of its commissioners, Chris Carney, Dawn Fantasia and Herbert Yardley, are accused of violating state law by retaliating against Kelly after he brought to light unlawful actions, according to a lawsuit filed in state Superior Court in Sussex County in late June."

DOING AC — " NAACP national convention returns to Atlantic City," by The Press of Atlantic City's John M. O'Connor: "Come Thursday, a large crowd of delegates will start arriving for the 113th annual NAACP National Convention, a weeklong event that will highlight rich pieces of the city's Black history while it draws thousands of visitors to the resort this summer. Yolanda Melville, vice president of Atlantic City's NAACP chapter, said the return of the national convention here is the culmination of four years of hard work lobbying, organizing and prepping. 'We are all ecstatic that the convention is back in Atlantic City and can't wait for everything to get started on Thursday,' Melville said. Melville, a local attorney, was instrumental in getting the proposal off the ground."

—"Atlantic City's Chicken Bone Beach to be 'recreated' at NAACP national convention. What was it?"

AN 'OH SCHI' MOMENT — " Lakewood SCHI founder's fate hangs in the balance," by The Asbury Park Press' Kathleen Hopkins: "Rabbi Osher Eisemann, founder of Lakewood's School for Children with Hidden Intelligence (SCHI), has a date with a judge here next month. But Eisemann doesn't know if that judge will be sending him to state prison on Aug. 9 or giving him a second chance to convince a jury he didn't launder funds belonging to the school and engage in misconduct as its chief executive. Superior Court Judge Joseph Paone on Friday scheduled the August court date and said it will either be for Eisemann's resentencing on money laundering and corruption charges or for a conference to discuss a new trial."

MCGOVERN III ON THE III%ERS — "Judge refuses to reinstate GOP candidate's defamation lawsuit against Sussex Democrats," by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: A Superior Court judge on Friday denied a Sussex County commissioner candidate's attempt to reinstate his defamation lawsuit against the local Democratic Party, according the candidate's lawyer. Michael Hanifan, the attorney for Bill Hayden, a GOP nominee for county commissioner, said he plans to file a motion for reconsideration. Judge William McGovern III, sitting in Newton, dismissed the case for lack of prosecution in late April after Hayden did not respond to a motion to dismiss. 'We're going to demonstrate that we never received any notice of any form in this situation,' Hanifan said. Hayden, a member of the Republican State Committee and president of the Skylands Tea Party who since filing the lawsuit won the GOP nomination for county commissioner, sued the Sussex County Democratic Committee, several of its leaders and a local Democratic activist over public statements tying him to right-wing extremist groups.

HERE'S SOMETHING RUTGERS ATHLETICS WILL NEVER DO — "Cash-strapped NJCU suspends staff credit cards, announces other spending restrictions ," by The Jersey Journal's Haresh Oudhnarin: "New Jersey City University has suspended all employees' school-issued credit cards in a bid to rein in spending that faculty critics have called an "abuse of taxpayer money." Chief Financial Officer Ben Durant Thursday night announced a handful of cost-cutting steps – including a moratorium on all non-essential spending and catered meals for employee-related on campus events -- in an email to the NJCU community … Among the questionable charges by a handful of school administrators were physical therapy and dental bills, expensive hotels, fast food, and $1,000 restaurant charges."

—"[Cedar Grove] school gender identity survey lead to recall election, claims of harassment and intimidation"

—" Chemicals in tap water caused testicular cancer, lawsuit against [Middlesex County] utility says"

—"Mahwah OKs amendment to affordable housing plan, awaits court ruling"

—"Donelson elected Salem GOP chairman"

—" Jersey City moves closer to reopening Reservoir 3, even if contaminants remain at site"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

R.I.P. — "Tony Sirico, an eccentric gangster on 'The Sopranos,' dies at 79," by The New York Times' Anita Gates: " Tony Sirico, the actor best known for playing the eccentric gangster Paulie Walnuts on the hit HBO series "The Sopranos," died on Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 79. His death, in an assisted living facility, was confirmed by Bob McGowan, his manager. No cause was given. Paulie Walnuts — that was Paul Gualtieri's nickname because he once hijacked a truck full of nuts (he was expecting television sets) — was one of the mob boss Tony Soprano's most loyal, oversensitive and reckless men. Paulie was the kind of guy who would participate in an intervention for a drug addict and, when it was his turn to speak, punch the guy in the face. He loved his mother (although he found out she was really his aunt), and she loved him because he wrote the checks to keep her in an expensive nursing home."

AMAZON — "'A new standard' — opponents celebrate collapse of Amazon's plans for Newark airport," by Gothamist's Karen Yi: "Labor unions and environmental activists are celebrating the end of a deal between Amazon and the Port Authority to build a massive cargo hub at Newark airport. At a Friday press conference, a coalition of nonprofits chanted "shame, shame, shame, our communities are not a game," claiming victory after a 10-month fight opposing the 250,000 square-foot cargo facility. They'd said it would spew pollutants and emissions in an already polluted area and could displace union jobs that better protect workers … The Port Authority initially approved its partnership with Amazon last August, but community groups said they didn't have an opportunity to weigh in. They criticized the deal as secretive and fast-tracked."

SOMEONE FINALLY MOVED OUT OF HIS PARENTS' HOUSE — "Hirsh Singh announces he's a candidate again," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Hirsh Singh is mounting his sixth campaign for office in five years, but this time he is setting his sights on something a little lower than Governor or the United States Senate. The 37-year-old Singh is now seeking a seat on condo board for the Ocean Club, twin high-rise building in Atlantic City. The race for a condo board seat follows unsuccessful bids for the Republican nomination for governor in 2017, U.S. Senate and Congress in 2018, U.S. Senate in 2020, and Governor in 2021. 'To the amazing residents of the Ocean Club, I'm running for the board,' Singh said in a post on the condo's Facebook page. 'I was born in Atlantic City and have represented South Jersey in the political environment.'"

—"Newark Airport's neighbors want a voice in what's next now that Amazon is not building a hub there"

—" Man convicted in slaying following Eagles Super Bowl win gets another trial"

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.