News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Always a N.J. connection, for better or worse

Monday, August 15, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Always a N.J. connection, for better or worse

Aug 15, 2022

Presented by Anbaric Development Partners

Good Monday morning!

There's always a New Jersey angle, even if you don't want one. In this case, it's the fact that the man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie is from the Garden State.

Twenty-four-year old Hadi Matar is from Fairview. While Rushdie was seriously injured, it appears this is the latest in a long string of failures to carry out the fatwa Ayatollah Khomeini issued against him 34 years ago over The Satanic Verses. Authorities haven't released an alleged motive yet, but it seems possible that it's related to Khomeini's edict, and there are already reports suggesting it.

Meanwhile, there's already been one violent incident and increasing threats from the American far-right following the FBI's raid of Mar-a-Lago. Rather than waiting for more information, some mainstream GOP politicians who weighed in early employed rhetoric that at the very least implied an abuse of power by the FBI. It even came up at a special convention to elect a new Republican Assembly member last week.

But following the latest news, especially the Washington Post's report that some of the documents seized by the FBI were related to nuclear weapons, those same politicians are scrambling for new defenses of Trump. That task is made more difficult by not knowing the exact nature of the documents the FBI removed. But they'll find a way!

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 180

WHERE'S MURPHY? On TV: "Ask Governor Murphy" on News 12 at 4:30 p.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We all wish to wave the magic wand so traffic would disappear, pollution would not exist, and unicorns would safely stroll down Washington or Grove Street." — Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative Director Mark Longo on opposition to the Turnpike widening

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Dem strategist Jennifer Holdsworth, Kaufman-Zita's Christopher Hughes, Drew University's Raymond Saa, sister-in-law Lizzie

A message from Anbaric Development Partners:

How offshore wind energy connects to the grid is critically important to the growth and success of the industry. New Jersey's clean energy goals cannot be fully realized without thoughtfully planned transmission. Anbaric's future-focused transmission solution will grow alongside the state's offshore wind industry. By avoiding costly grid upgrades and reducing impacts, our Boardwalk Power Link portfolio will support renewable energy for decades. Learn more about how Anbaric plans to fully support a carbon-free future.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

WALLET HUB STUDY FINDS NJ IS THE MOST OPEN-MINDED STATE THANKS TO LACK OF JUDGING — "Despite pledge to chip away at shortage of judges this summer, NJ lawmakers have done little about it ," by The Record's Katie Sobko: "Six weeks after Senate President Nick Scutari promised summer sessions to address New Jersey's 'crisis' of judicial vacancies, his chamber has done little to bridge the gap even as more judges retire or leave the bench for other career opportunities. And Scutari himself contributed to the backlog, pulling a judge off the bench to serve on his staff. With a little less than a month until Labor Day — the unofficial end of summer — the Senate has confirmed just four judges, all last week, bringing the total number of vacancies to 59. But that number — already twice what it should be, the state's top judge has said, and roughly what it was six months ago — could soon tick higher with another vacancy anticipated at the end of August, according to the state's Administrative Office of the Courts … Scutari said the Senate is screening the judicial nominees as it receives them but that lawmakers don't 'just turn around and confirm people at the drop of a dime when they give us a nomination.' But the shortage didn't happen suddenly."

TESTING PATIENCE — " Is this test required? New teachers await Governor's answer before school starts.," by NJ Advance Media' Tina Kelley: "The state Assembly and Senate unanimously passed a bill eliminating a time-consuming, unpopular test [EdTPA] as a requirement for new teachers on June 29, the last day of the legislative session, amid a flurry of last-minute bills. But more than six weeks later, the bill remains unsigned by Gov. Phil Murphy, and some teacher candidates are tapping their watches, wondering if they will be able to enter classrooms in September to help address the state's teacher shortage."

ON THE DOWN SIDE, IT'S COMPLETE CHAOS OUT THERE AND VERY DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE LEGALIZATION — "N.J. is sparking up, bringing in millions in tax revenue from cannabis," by New Jersey Monitor's Sophie Nieto-Munoz: "New Jersey raked in $4.6 million in tax revenue in the first 10 weeks since recreational cannabis sales launched. The tax revenue came from nearly $80 million customers spent on legal recreational marijuana between April 21 and June 30, the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission announced in a statement Friday. It includes more than $219,000 in social equity excise fees."

LONG-TERM CARE — Bills to reform long-term care industry have Murphy administration's backing`, sources say, by POLITICO's Daniel Han : Gov. Phil Murphy's office is supporting a package of bills that would impact the long-term care industry, including legislation to address troubled facilities, expand the scope of the state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman and prohibit drastic rent increases for nursing home facilities, according to four people familiar with the matter. The bills, which were introduced just before the Legislature went on its summer break, mark the latest in a series of reforms of the long-term care industry, which has been especially hard hit during the pandemic. More than 9,400 long-term care staff and residents have died from Covid, according to state Department of Health data.

—"At least 1.1M N.J. drivers will pay more for auto insurance next year. Here's what you need to know"

—" Officials blame inflation, post-COVID rebound for proposed public health benefit hikes"

—New Jersey opens 4 more monkeypox vaccine centers

—Sumter: "We have a historic opportunity to give everyone ultra-fast internet service"

—" N.J. temp workers could get sweeping new rights under bill now on governor's desk"

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

WALKITBACKHEIMER — "Democrats drop pledge on NJ tax breaks, but get historic legislation in return," by The Record's Charles Stile: "Yes, House Democrats will be voting Friday on the massive bill with the credulity-straining title, the 'Inflation Reduction Act.' And yes, they have gift-wrapped a line of attack for GOP candidates in the handful of competitive races against Democrats who vowed to restore the full write-off for state and local taxes … While Republicans have a gotcha soundbite, the Democrats will have historic legislation, the kind of landmark that can define the current era and shape the next one. It is the largest policy assault on climate change in U.S. history, offering $369 billion for climate and clean energy provisions largely through incentives, not mandates that set right-wing Republicans' hair on fire with claims of socialism. In a state with a long history of belching refineries, and one that bore the brunt of Superstorm Sandy a decade ago — not to mention the Idas, the Irenes, the Isaiases or the other hurricanes that have soaked and destroyed the Garden State — this bill offers a first real chance of curtailing the extreme weather mayhem that lies over the horizon."

MARGIN OF ERROR FOR MALINOWSKI'S NAME IS PLUS OR MINUS 11 PERCENTAGE POINTS — " Demystifying Malinkowski," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: "Tom Kean is beating Tom Malinkowski. The margin is 46 to 38 percent, according to a CD-7 poll done by RMG Research, which also asked respondents if they supported term limits. Most did … They certainly are to Malinowski's camp. The congressman's team quickly noticed that a summary of the poll misspelled Malinowski's name and did not specify that the Republican candidate is Tom Kean Jr."

—"The powerful drug industry just suffered a rare loss in D.C. How voter outrage made it happen "

—" Congress again failed to restore your N.J. property tax break. Is the fight over?"

—"Kushner says Christie Tried to return book advance to get Trump White House post "

—"Friendly Fire: Garland speaks, Biden surges, and congestion gets pricey"

—Moran: " Congressman Andy Kim worries about war with China. Here's why"

A message from Anbaric Development Partners:

LOCAL

JERSEY CITY DEMOCRATS UNMOVED BY PUBLIC PRESSURE — "Jersey City councilwoman's hit-and-run case is moved to Essex County ," by The Jersey Journal's Ron Zeitlinger and Jake Maher: "The hit-and-run violations against Jersey City Councilwoman Amy DeGise will be heard in Essex County Superior Court, court officials in Newark said Friday. The case against the 36-year-old DeGise, who struck a cyclist in Jersey City July 19 and fled the crash scene, was moved from Jersey City Municipal Court because of DeGise's position as at-large councilmember. Another factor in moving the case out of Hudson County is that DeGise's father is Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise … DeGise, who has withstood calls to resign from her seat, is facing two motor vehicle violations — failure to report a accident and leaving the scene of an accident. The cyclist, Andrew Black, suffered minor injuries. Her first court appearance had been scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 15 in Jersey City Municipal Court, according to the state courts website"

COP NOT FIRED FOR FALSIFYING DOCUMENTS — " Highest-ranking female officer in N.J. police department demoted for ditching OT job ," by The Record's Richard Cowen: "The highest-ranking woman on the Lodi Police Department has been demoted three ranks to patrol officer for repeatedly leaving roadside construction details without permission. Capt. Theresa Grillo has more than 23 years on the job, but hearing officer John Molinelli upheld Lodi Police Chief Donald Scorzetti's recommendation that she be demoted all the way down to patrol — a change that will cost her hundreds of thousands of dollars in reduced pay and benefits. Molinelli, the former Bergen County prosecutor, released his written decision on Tuesday and acknowledged that Grillo had been an 'exemplary' police officer for much of her career. But he accepted as fact the finding of a Lodi Police Internal Affairs investigation that showed Grillo skipped out on portions of six roadside details between November 2020 and January 2021, then falsified vouchers to get paid for the full overtime shift … Her attorney, Gina Mendola Longarzo … said other officers have left their roadside details without permission, but no one else has been brought up on charges. With Grillo, Internal Affairs took the extraordinary step of using GPS to track her movements during six roadside details between November 2020 and January 2021, she said."

AMID LABOR SHORTAGE, TOWNS HAVE TROUBLE HIRING STRANGERS TO HAND OUR SCARCE CANDY AT UNFINISHED PLAYGROUNDS — "Roadwork, cop cars, Halloween candy: How supply chain issues are affecting Bergen towns," by The Record's Megan Burrow: "From playground equipment to police cars, municipalities are grappling with the same supply chain issues that have become a familiar headache for consumers over the course of the pandemic. The problems have delayed projects, limited services and in some cases raised costs considerably. Officials are waiting months for equipment deliveries that used to come in days. Some have already purchased bulk orders of candy months before Halloween to avoid coming up short at their annual 'trunk or treat' events. 'It's very frustrating for me to try and get these projects done when the money has been allocated in the budget and then it has to wait two years,' said Dean Kazinci, Teaneck's township manager. 'The taxpayers suffer, and there's a lack of services for the residents.' Construction on a new playground in Teaneck's Terhune Park was supposed to be done in time for last summer, but delays in delivery of the playground equipment have pushed the project's finish line to October."

PREVAILING RAGE — "Non-union laborers constructing Newark high school for trades ," by TAPIntoNewark's Thomas Wiedmann and Mark J. Bonamo: "A gleaming new public high school envisioned for training Newark students in the construction trades is being built with non-union laborers who are being underpaid for their work, according to complaints filed by workers and union officials. Last year, Newark Public Schools entered into a $160 million lease with a real estate developer to build the future Newark High School of Architecture & Design at the site of the former St. James Hospital in Newark's Ironbound. The school will offer classes in construction technology, architecture and traditional trades such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC … But according to complaints filed with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and interviews with union officials, the workers are not getting paid prevailing wage, which the union argues is required under New Jersey law. In addition, the union alleges the developer has also failed to follow public contracting law, because the project was not competitively bid, nor is it following public works contractor registration law, because certain contractors were not registered."

ROBBINGVILLE — " Robbinsville, NJ police dispatcher accused of stealing over $250K in equipment," by NJ 101.5's Erin Vogt: "A l
ongtime employee of the Robbinsville Township Police Department has been charged with stealing more than a quarter of a million dollars' worth of property and equipment from the department — and selling it for personal gain. Eric Coran, 41, of Medford, was fired on Friday after being suspended without pay since July. The massive, year-long theft was uncovered after Motorola contacted the police department that month, about servicing an apparently stolen radio, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri and Robbinsville Township Police Chief Michael Polaski announced on Friday. He has been charged with second-degree official misconduct, multiple counts of theft, criminal computer activity and impersonation, and second-degree money laundering."

—"McBride faction skips 2nd Trenton council meeting over dispute with Gusciora"

—" Bike Hoboken member says city council should ask for Amy DeGise to resign in Jersey City"

—" Camden Schools superintendent gets a new 3-year contract to continue leading the struggling district under state control"

—"Margate homeowners get pushback on third-story decks and seven-bedroom plans, but the building goes on at the Shore "

—"Stench from tanker leak could linger for days in N.J. towns, officials say "

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EVERYTHING ELSE

MAASS ACTION — "COVID pandemic working conditions spurred nurses at this NJ hospital to unionize," by The Record's Lindy Washburn: Nurses at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville voted overwhelmingly this month to form a union, the largest organizing accomplishment among health care workers in New Jersey since the COVID pandemic began early in 2020. They are the first nurses' union at a New Jersey hospital to be part of 1199SEIU, the powerful New York-based labor group. More than 500 registered nurses at the hospital, which is part of RWJBarnabas Health, will be represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the union said. The vote of 282-to-84 was counted Wednesday by the National Labor Relations Board. At Clara Maass, front-line workers were hit hard during the pandemic. Three employees died of COVID-19 … The hospital, along with many other New Jersey health care institutions, was fined by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to provide enough equipment and other protections to health care workers who fell sick and died during the pandemic."

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? — " YouTube 'video vigilantes' say they are coming to N.J. to nab alleged child predators," by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman: "The YouTubers have been praised by supporters, including some law enforcement officials, for helping prosectors charge men who prey on kids. But, others say video vigilantism is a dangerous trend fueled by 'clicks' and 'likes' on YouTube. [Cameron] Decker — who runs the YouTube channel MrWeb — and fellow YouTuber Shafiq Blake, who runs Predator Catchers PA, recently teamed up to ensnare 17 men in Atlantic City. All of the men allegedly thought they were meeting underage teenagers for sex. But they instead met Decker and Blake, who had cameras rolling … Decker, a Tampa, Florida-area resident with more than 7,000 subscribers to his channel, said he travels to Atlantic County often for his stings because of the positive reception he's received from law enforcement.

That is far different from how he says he's often treated by authorities in his home state and elsewhere in New Jersey … [John Jay College of Criminal Justice Professor Adam Scott] Wandt's primary concern is that YouTube 'video vigilantes' engaging with men looking for sex further feeds the predators' compulsion or "disease" — especially if they end up up not getting arrested."

—"Steakhouse stakeout From dives to high-end dining, the FBI's targets ate well during this N.J. sting operation"

—" 'Too harsh' and 'out of step': Survey finds NJ Catholics want a more inclusive church"

—"NJ State Troopers save 3 puppies in a 10-feet deep trench "

—"Experts consider where to bury bones of Revolutionary War soldiers found in N.J. field"

A message from Anbaric Development Partners:

Governor Murphy has advanced New Jersey's position as a national leader in the fight against climate change—and Anbaric is proud to have worked alongside the state to prioritize offshore wind transmission during its historic solicitation process.

Our climate crisis demands bold solutions enacted by leaders focused on the future. As the long-term lone industry advocate for a planned transmission approach, Anbaric is positioned to bring offshore wind energy to shore while prioritizing ratepayers, the environment, and the future.

Our Boardwalk Power Link portfolio featuring a range of projects offers an unparalleled proposal in response to the state's first-in-the-nation offshore wind solicitation. By maximizing strategic onshore interconnection points, such as the Deans Substation in Middlesex County, our transmission infrastructure is designed to bring clean energy to shore through a strong, reliable network.

With decades of experience throughout the Northeast, Anbaric is prepared to power New Jersey's clean energy revolution.