| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by NextEra Energy Transmission | Good Tuesday morning! Could the O'Toole family dispute lead to something bigger than a lawsuit and embarrassing headlines? You probably missed it if you don't watch WNBC's local news broadcast, but the station reported late last week, based on anonymous sources, that the Attorney General's Office is investigating claims by Cedar Grove cop Eileen O'Toole that her brother, Port Authority Chair and former state Sen. Kevin O'Toole, used his influence with Cedar Grove Manager Tom Tucci to derail her promotion to chief over a family dispute. The report had no other details. Though one lawyer source said a purported text message from O'Toole to his sister mentioned in the lawsuit — "Eileen, I got each and every job, and you can't acknowledge it — check the math w sergeant test" — could be problematic, which the Daily News editorial board noticed . I would like to think, and I have not seen an indication otherwise, that this investigation is not political in nature. But it's impossible not to notice that a Murphy administration office is investigating someone that the governor likely wouldn't keep as Port Authority chair if he had that option. O'Toole, a Republican, has managed to hold on to that seat thanks to his relationships in the Legislature, and despite being one of former Gov. Chris Christie's most valuable allies. Prior to the news of the investigation , people we talked to doubted that Eileen O'Toole accusations, ugly as they are, would endanger O'Toole's position. I doubt the existence of an investigation will change that. Now we'll just have to wait, likely a long time, to see whether it bears any fruit or just fizzles like so many before it. DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 160 WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "You should never leave the scene of a crash. I think the responsible thing is to wait for law enforcement and follow the law. I don't think there's any circumstances where that's really justifiable." — Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop in response to a question about his political ally , Councilmember Amy DeGise TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY — State Sen. Steve Oroho, Assemblymember Verlina Reynolds-Jackson | | | | 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 | |
BENE-FITS OF RAGE — Increased use of services causing proposed hike in public employees' health care premiums, Murphy says , By POLITICO's Daniel Han : Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday a post-pandemic surge in obtaining health care services is partly to blame for a proposed increase in premiums for public employees, although he stopped short of saying what his administration plans to do to mitigate the hikes. "First of all, this is largely formulaic, if not entirely formulaic," Murphy told reporters after an unrelated press conference. "Number two, it reflects, I think, based on the evidence that we have, a surge, post-pandemic, in the pursuit of medical services [and] medical attention. Thirdly, it's not unique to New Jersey. This is a phenomenon around the country, if not around the world.Rates for state, county and local public employees on the State Health Benefits Program could increase as much as 24 percent, according to local government lobbyists. The proposed increases have drawn pushback from top lawmakers in the Legislature. Senate and Assembly Democrats have requested justifications for the proposed increases.
—" Heavy criticism over public workers' health insurance rate hikes ," by NJ Spotlight News' Lilo Stainton: "Three years ago, Murphy's administration lauded a decrease of up to 4.8% in premium costs for the system, the State Health Benefits Plan, and credited various reforms that prioritized savings and efficiencies. They predicted the changes — which included a new three-year contract with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (the state's largest insurer, with 3.8 million members) to exclusively provide benefits to the public employees — would produce hundreds of millions in savings, some of which would reduce the toll on local taxpayers. 'The fiscally responsible path we're putting New Jersey on — a dogged pursuit to lower the cost of health care, collaboration with our public union partners, and bolstering our pension system — is the right one,' Murphy said in 2019, acknowledging the burden these benefit programs have on local taxpayers. But the benefit plan reforms — and Horizon's contract — are now attracting new concerns, with legislators from both political parties quick to condemn the proposed increases last week … They also chastised the committees for not notifying lawmakers in advance" PLATKIN: AFTER CREATING THIS GREAT ACRONYM, WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT AN OFFICE FOR IT — " N.J. launches new effort to take gun industry to court ," by NJ Advance Media's S.P. Sullivan: "New Jersey officials on Monday announced a new office established to sue firearms companies over gun deaths where firearms are used in violation of existing states laws, saying they'll use new legislation signed by Gov. Phil Murphy to hold them legally responsible. The Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement, of SAFE, Office is being stood up specifically to bring civil enforcement actions against gunmakers and dealers that 'knowingly or recklessly contribute to a public nuisance in New Jersey through unlawful or unreasonable conduct,' acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin said '"We're going to have a team that's singularly focused on this work and prepared to bring the tough fights on behalf of the people of New Jersey,' Platkin said in a phone interview Monday morning, comparing the types of suits the office will bring to those that have targeted opioid makers and the tobacco industry in the past." TRANSPORTATION — " As fiscal cliff looms, NJ Transit forges ahead with ambitious spending plans ," by The Record's Colleen Wilson: "As NJ Transit's board approved its $2.75 billion budget and revised an ambitious capital plan at Wednesday's meeting, the forecast in the coming years is even more dire than predictions made by the agency four months ago. According to board documents from March, in 2026 — the fiscal year when COVID relief funding is expected to run out — the budget gap was predicted to be $549.3 million. In board documents presented Wednesday night, that number is now $842.6 million — a 53% increase. This prediction is in large part due to lower revenues from tickets and fewer COVID-19 funds available to make ends meet that year. The federal COVID funds could have been stretched through fiscal year 2026 if Gov. Phil Murphy's office had stuck to the formula when negotiating how to split federal funds, which instead resulted in surrendering $849 million to New York. Meanwhile, Murphy has not raised fares for five straight years." TOM BRADY TO WALK AROUND NJ STICKING PLUGS IN HIS CHEST — "Murphy, Pallone promote incentives for electrical vehicle purchases, charging stations," by Asbury Park Press' Charles Daye : "Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday $60 million in incentive programs designed to increase the number of electric vehicles and charging stations in the Garden State. …The Charge Up New Jersey program offers up to $4,000 in incentives for New Jersey residents who purchase or lease electric vehicles. The state Board of Public Utilities' program previously provided residents up to $5,000 off the purchase or lease of new, eligible zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric models retailing for less than $55,000. The incentive was changed to $4,000, according to the board, to 'allow the existing funding to go further and provide more incentives for EVs in New Jersey.'" —" NJ tells schools to administer Start Strong test in the fall to further assess students " —" N.J. starts in-person help for unemployment claimants " —" First COVID, now inflation. $52M program to feed NJ's hungry is keeping restaurants open " —Calavia-Robertson: " Schools teach kids to swim in other states. Why can't N.J. do it? " | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today . | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | | MAKE NJ-7 A TOSS-UP AGAIN — " NJ House races could be upended by Trump announcing he'll run in 2024. But how?" by The Record's Charles Stile : "Such a step would create a Nightmare on Elm Street scenario for the GOP. Instead of talking about unpopular President Joe Biden and his failure to prevent spiraling inflation, the campaign would be about Trump and his daily carnival of disinformation and divisive antics — not to mention the stream of updates on his growing legal troubles stemming from his 'Big Lie' attempts to overthrow the 2020 election … You could almost envision House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holding a celebratory parade, possibly in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, where the two-term incumbent Democrat, Rep. Tom Malinowski, is in danger of losing to challenger Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr. It wouldn't be surprising to see the cavalcade stop by the entrance to Trump's golf club in Bedminster, which is in the sprawling 7th. I can even imagine Pelosi blaring through a bullhorn, 'Thank you, Donald! Now we have a fighting chance.' Don't plan on it anytime soon. Pelosi recently refused to discuss the effect that the 'former occasional occupant of the White House' will have on the midterm elections. But other seasoned pros from both parties acknowledge that it would be a potential game changer for demoralized Democrats who fear a GOP blowout this fall. 'It would be a gift to Democrats if Trump announced his candidacy before the midterm elections,' said Michael DuHaime." —Steinberg: " The condemnation of Trump by Kean, Sr. – and the dilemma it poses for junior " JOCKEYING TO REPLACE THE LATE JOCKEY — " An open Assembly seat in New Jersey's most sprawling legislative district ," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "The sad news arrived this weekend that Assemblyman Ron Dancer (R-Plumsted) died at the age of 73 after a lengthy illness … And as always happens when a sitting politician dies, the news has set off an awkward shuffle among New Jersey Republicans as they begin jockeying for Dancer's 12th district Assembly seat while still honoring his death. The timeframe to replace Dancer is precariously efficient. State law dictates that the Republican county committeepeople representing the 12th legislative district's four counties meet 7 to 35 days after the vacancy occurs to fill the seat, a period which begins this coming weekend and ends in the final week of August … Gilmore now faces the task of reuniting a fractured county party – committeepeople in some parts of the county, especially Lakewood, voted strongly for Mastronardy – and Dancer's open Assembly seat is the first test of Gilmore's second era. Gilmore will naturally want an Ocean Republican to fill the seat, in accordance with the original 12th district agreement, but it may not be so simple. Jackson and Plumsted, the two Ocean towns in the district, don't have nearly enough votes to get a candidate across the finish line on their own, so alliances will have to be forged." NOT LITERALLY, RIGHT? — " NJ's Bonnie Watson Coleman as abortion bills head to Senate: 'Blow up their phones' ," by WNYC's Louis C. Hochman: "U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman said activism for abortion rights, like the kind that got her and 16 other House members arrested outside the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month, isn't likely to stop — and shouldn't … 'The Senate across the nation from the red states to the blue states top the purple states, whatever it is they represent, needs to hear we as people in this country believe that a woman has the right to make these decisions in here life, and we need Roe v. wade and the protections which were under that decision to be codified,' Coleman told Lehrer. She encouraged supporters of reproductive rights to 'blow up their phones,' saying if they do so, 'then I honest to God believe that the will of the people will prevail.'" —" GOP internal poll has Norcross ahead by 5 points in NJ-1 " —" Fishermen fear Hudson Canyon sanctuary will mean more restrictions: 'Why do we need this? '" —" [NJFOP] head will take temporary leave to deal with health issues " | | | | A message from NextEra Energy Transmission:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
VALDES RUNS AGROUND. IS SHE LEAKING SUPPORT? — " As Passaic prosecutor faces ire of police unions, battle simmers over her renomination ," by The Record's Steve Janoski: "It was a symbolic gesture — no-confidence votes carry with them no real consequences for their target. But it thrusts Valdes into the public eye — for all the wrong reasons — just as she's waiting for the state Senate to confirm her to a third term. It isn't clear if the PBA vote will affect her future — and Valdes said she's not worried. 'I know what my relationships are with the chiefs of police and the departments in the county,' Valdes said. 'But nothing is done until it's done.' … Gov. Jon Corzine first tapped Valdes — a former Newark municipal prosecutor, deputy state attorney general and assistant U.S. attorney — to serve in the position in 2009. Gov. Chris Christie in 2015 nominated her to a second term, which expired in June 2020. But the third time has been anything but a charm. Although Gov. Phil Murphy renominated Valdes on Feb. 28, county sources said state Sen. Kristin Corrado, a Totowa Republican and former Passaic County clerk who represents the state's 40th Legislative District, has blocked Valdes' confirmation by invoking 'senatorial courtesy."
JUST WHO ARE THE BAD BOYS? — " Paterson police will be featured on new reality show and activists are not happy. Here's why ," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "City police officers are participating in the revival of a law enforcement reality television show that was canceled two years ago amid protests over George Floyd's death. Mayor Andre Sayegh said he was "honored and excited" that Paterson is part of the police documentary-style show, 'On Patrol: Live,' which will air on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to midnight on the Reelz cable network. Paterson police are scheduled to be part of the first broadcast … But local social justice advocates are questioning Paterson's involvement in the show. 'It's sad that Paterson has chosen to be part of something that dehumanizes people,' said Liza Chowdhury of Reimagining Justice, a local group that conducts violence intervention programs. Chowdhury said there's a great deal of "distrust" among city residents because of the recent problems in the Paterson police department." — " School board race mobilizes mayor Flora against system that 'hate(s) America' " —" [Cedar Grove] school board member could lose seat in backlash over survey about gender identity " —" Court upholds firing of Gloucester County borough cop for repeatedly having on-duty sex with a female subordinate " —" A $7.9M upgrade is coming to N.J.'s Great Falls National Park " —" Ed boards across Hudson will see new faces as incumbents, including one board president, step aside " —" Bayonne BOE race has two 4-person slates vying for 4 seats, one independent running " | | | | 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 | |
AN ELEPHANT NEVER REGRETS — " Lucy the Elephant supporters apologize for language used in fund-raising letter recalling the Holocaust ," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Stephan Salisbury: "Fund-raisers seeking to restore Lucy the Elephant, the Margate seaside attraction, have issued a formal apology for using language long associated with Holocaust remembrance in a fund-raising mailer sent to potential supporters. The mailer featured a photo of Lucy the Elephant in 1973, when the attraction was threatened with demolition, next to the phrase, 'Never forget, never again.' … On Sunday, the Save Lucy Committee board of directors formally apologized for use of the language, which, the board maintained, was not intended to offend. In a statement signed by president Davida Ross, the board said that 'we now fully understand that saving Lucy did not appear to measure up to using this phrase, no matter how well-intended.'"
R.I.P. — " 'The nicest human': Paul Sorvino, 'Goodfellas' actor with Jersey connection, dies at 83 " — " Amazon waves off rumors over worker's death in Carteret, NJ " —" Majority of Bruce Springsteen concert tickets were sold at face value, says Ticketmaster " —" Unprecedented challenges, pre-pandemic demand collide at Newark airport " —" [Cape Regional Medical Center] will cease maternity care. What it means for women " | | | | 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. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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