| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Anbaric Development Partners | Good Wednesday morning! Since George Gilmore won a surprise victory last month to re-take leadership of the Ocean County GOP, there's been a lot of talk about what that means for cooperation with the rest of the Republican establishment going forward, and especially for the 2025 gubernatorial race. His re-ascendancy to the chairmanship, for instance, was seen as a troubling sign for Jack Ciattarelli's planned campaign, since Gilmore worked against him in the 2021 gubernatorial primary and Ciattarelli's former campaign manager advised Gilmore's opponent for chair, Michael Mastronardy. On Monday night, the NJ Republican Chairs Association went to Gilmore's turf for a meeting that was headlined by former Gov. Chris Christie. Christie's message: To build Republicans' shot at winning the governorship in 2025, focus on the next few races. It's more common sense than hard-nosed political strategy. But consider that there's lots of jockeying going on right now for the Republican nomination for governor in three years. And at the helm of New Jersey's biggest solidly Republican county, Gilmore's going to have a big say in it. Far-right radio host Bill Spadea is teasing some kind of "announcement" and even has lawn signs. Would GIlmore back someone like Spadea, as he did in 2021 with Phil Rizzo? Or, back in power, will he rejoin the establishment and go with a candidate who might actually have a chance in a general election? Read more about the meeting here. DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 182 WHERE'S MURPHY? At Hudson County Community College in Jersey City for an 11 a.m. announcement QUOTE OF THE DAY: " New Jerseyans have a very specific reputation in the country for what we're like, and the gulls are kind of like that. There's a lot of them. They are very loud. And they are, you know, trying to feed their families." — NJ DEP's Christina Davis TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com | | | | 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 | | NEW BRIDGE WILL FEATURE BOWLING ALLEY-STYLE BUMPERS TO PREVENT AMY DEGISE FROM DRIVING OFF IT — "Murphy says he supports controversial $4.7B plan to widen N.J. Turnpike extension ," by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson and Larry Higgs: "In his first public comments on the matter, Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday signaled his support for a $4.7 billion plan to widen the New Jersey Turnpike extension to and from the Holland Tunnel that has drawn the wrath of some environmentalists and local leaders. 'It's quite ambitious, it's needed,' Murphy said during his TV show on News 12 New Jersey. In the face of concern the project will lead to more pollution, the Democratic governor also stressed the expansion will allow for a 'dramatic increase' in electric vehicles … The project would widen and repair the 8-mile extension that connects the Turnpike to the Holland Tunnel into Manhattan. It also includes replacing the Newark Bay Bridge that was opened in 1956. But Murphy's comments put him at odds with fellow Democrats who lead Hoboken and Jersey City and have come out against the plan. At the same tIme, environmentalists say the project conflicts with Murphy's climate change goals. The critics say the plan would divert more traffic onto local roads and cause more pollution … Murphy's comments supporting the project come less than a week after a top laborers union blasted Hoboken and Jersey City council members for opposing the plan."
| | | | 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. | | | | | LIV AND LET DIE — "Events like recent Saudi-backed LIV golf tournament at Trump's club could soon be banned in N.J.," by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson : "Just a few weeks after former President Donald Trump hosted the controversial LIV Golf tour at his Bedminster club, a pair of state lawmakers have introduced a proposal that would ban such an event from ever happening again in New Jersey. The bill from state Sens. Andrew Zwicker and Richard Codey, both Democrats, would prohibit sports organizations that operate primarily with money from sovereign wealth funds from hosting sporting events in the Garden State. That would include LIV, the professional golf tour that aims to rival the PGA but has faced blowback because it's backed by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund." —"NJ gambling revenue up 6.7% in July, but 5 casinos still lag" —Snowflack: " Golfing with Bucco – and friends"
| | BIDEN TIME | |
THE ART OF DEAL — Former President Donald Trump is headlining a fundraiser for a political candidate in — where else? — Deal. NY1's Zach Fink, whom you might remember from NJN, tweeted the news . The candidate: New York Republican gubernatorial nominee Lee Zeldin. Perhaps this is one group that the town leaders won't try to keep off the beach. Shlomo Schorr fills in some detail here.
—Snowflack: "Trying to move 'Forward' "
| | | | A message from Anbaric Development Partners:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
MCBRIDLED — "Trenton district on verge of layoffs, cuts to after-school programs over tax levy rift with McBride," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "Extracurriculars in city government are inducing panic in the school district. School officials said they'll have to cut extracurricular activities for the upcoming school year if the district doesn't receive $24.2 million in city tax funding. The doomsday scenario was laid out in court filings from the New Jersey Education Association and the Trenton Education Association, which filed a friend-of-the-court brief as part of the Trenton Board of Education's ongoing legal fight against the Kathy McBride-led council. The district said the withheld tax levy is 6 percent of its $419 million budget for the 2022-23 school year. Without the funds, after-school programs, clubs and COVID-19 makeup programs are on the chopping block … The tax levy has been in limbo for months over objections from council members Kathy McBride and Robin Vaughn, both members of the Board of School Estimate who skipped out on the March meeting when the tax levy was set. McBride, who didn't respond to a phone call or text message seeking comment, has cited opposition to funding for city charter schools and the impact of rising inflation on taxpayers in refusing to put the tax levy up for a vote."
AREA IN NEED OF WAWA — " Sheraton sues Mahwah to overturn 'area in need of redevelopment' designation," by The Record's Marsha A. Stoltz: "The Sheraton Mahwah Hotel "is not blighted" or in need of condemnation, its owners assert in a complaint filed against the township in state Superior Court in Bergen County earlier this month. The complaint seeks to overturn a June Planning Board resolution that was subsequently approved by the Township Council that identifies the Sheraton Hotel and Crossroads Corporate Center as 'an area in need of condemnation redevelopment.' The complaint also seeks to restrain the township from acquiring the 142-acre property 'by eminent domain' or applying 'area in need of redevelopment' guidelines to the site. 'Stained carpets and unchanged lightbulbs do not qualify as evidence of untenable disrepair' the complaint states" OPT IN AND OUT — "Toms River Regional, parents weigh in on district sex-ed lessons. Here's what they said," by The Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle : "Parents will be able to remove their children from sex education lessons that conflict with their 'conscience or sincerely held moral and religious beliefs' as the Toms River Regional school district moves to implement a controversial state-mandated health and physical education curriculum this year. Rachel Cicala, director of elementary curriculum for the 15,000-student district, said that opt-out forms will be available on the curriculum page of Toms River Regional's website, and parents will also be able to view lesson plans and materials teachers will use. In response to questioning by Toms River resident Joseph Steffer, Citta said that the state Department of Education did not give districts the option to 'opt-in' to each segment of the curriculum … Some parents who spoke at the meeting said they are still disturbed by the curriculum and urged the district to ignore the state mandate and refuse to implement the lessons. 'This is a violation of people's religious liberty,' said Toms River resident Sergio Fossa. 'There need not be any sex-ed in schools' … Other parents welcomed the new lessons on diversity and inclusion. 'Developmentally appropriate and evidence-based instruction about sexuality is important,'said Toms River resident Cynthia Rossi, a family physician who has three children attending Toms River schools. 'The U.S. has the highest rate of teen pregnancy out of all industrialized countries in the world.'" —"Let's stop wasting $175,000+ on unused mail-in ballots, Atlantic County clerk says " —" Craig Guy appears next in line for county executive seat after DeGise decides to retire" —"Salary for new Paterson school administrator sparks criticism among some officials " —"Piscataway councilman drops re-election bid after winning contested primary" —" Ocean City has decided not to reinstate remote meetings, for now" —" Teaneck made mistakes approving Holy Name Hospital's expansion, residents' complaint says" —"Judge tosses defamation claim filed by former Cape May official" —"[Trenton] Police officer charged with strangling, threatening to kill woman" | | | | 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 | |
IT TAKES A FUNK TO FIGHT A FUNK — "Woman sues for $1M over leak that caused putrid odor for days in South Jersey," by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman: "A Gloucester County woman has filed a $1 million federal lawsuit against two companies following last week's chemical leak from a parked tractor-trailer that caused a nasty odor to linger across much of South Jersey for days and sickened an unknown number of people. Gina Slavin-Borgesi, who lives in the Turnersville section of Washington Township, alleges that the widespread smell caused her and her child to experience nausea, vomiting dizziness, cough, headaches, lung irritation and eye irritation. Slavin-Borgesi's attorney Adam T. Funk filed the negligence suit Monday against Baytown, Texas, chemical hauling company TransChem and chemical manufacturer Lubrizol in the Eastern District of Texas."
GHOST, EXPECTING HAND TO MOVE THROUGH ENVELOPE, SUCCESSFULLY PUSHES IT — "Top Rutgers neurosurgeon returns after 'ghost surgery' charges. But report says he 'pushed the envelope ," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: "A high-profile Rutgers neurosurgeon placed on paid administrative leave last year in the wake of so-called 'ghost surgery' allegations is getting his job back, after an investigation by an outside law firm found insufficient evidence to conclude he was not present during critical portions of two medical procedures he had scheduled. At the same time, though, that investigation raised questions about the length of time that Dr. Anil Nanda had actually been in the operating room, and whether his actions made it appear that "he was not prioritizing his patients … Nanda, who had been relieved of all his management roles as well in April, including his chairmanship of the Departments of Neurosurgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and New Jersey Medical School, and as Chief of Neurosurgical Services at University Hospital in Newark and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, is not being restored to any of those top management roles" THE LEGEND OF JOHN CURLEY'S GOLD — "One of the oldest rodeos in America is in New Jersey ," by The New York Times' Tracey Tully: " Tucked along the rural western flank of a state better known for suburban sprawl, mobster lore and its tangle of highways, Cowtown has held rodeo competitions in Salem County, N.J., nearly every week since 1955, rain or shine. The only exceptions were six Saturdays at the start of the pandemic. No other rodeo in the United States has operated a weekly show for longer, according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Cowtown and its longevity have long been local points of pride in New Jersey. But over the last two years, the beloved if incongruous entertainment oasis has enjoyed something of a pandemic moment as rodeos have surged in popularity nationwide. Cowtown's ticket sales last summer were 50 percent higher than ever before, its owners said. On a recent Saturday, the rodeo's 4,000-seat outdoor stadium hosted its first-ever event for the Professional Bull Riders — rodeo's equivalent of the N.B.A." BEECLINE — "These days, it's tough to be a bee: Concerns mount over wild bee decline in NJ and beyond ," by The Record's Scott Fallon: "For six summers, researchers at Rutgers University visited the watermelon fields of central New Jersey and painstakingly recorded the number of bees spreading pollen from flower to flower to produce fruit that in a month would be sitting under a Jersey Fresh banner at a farm stand or supermarket. What they found was concerning. The bee population plunged in the last two years of the project, reflecting a global trend that saw bee populations drop in New Jersey and beyond, a newly published study by Rutgers researchers shows. Driving the decline was the number of wild bees, which dropped at a greater rate than honeybees managed by beekeepers." PROOF THAT COLLEGE SPORTS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH LEARNING — "Rutgers football footage is private, court rules. N.J. father can't obtain it for teen daughter to study," by NJ Advance Media's Keigh Sargeant : "The father insisted he was seeking a confidential football video because his teenage daughter might have a future as a coach. The Rutgers football program contended the video wasn't for public consumption. A state appeals court Tuesday sided with the trial judge who dismissed the father's Open Public Records Act request to obtain an insider's view video copy of a Rutgers' 2020 game against Penn State. The appeals judges, in an 18-page decision, again found that Rutgers had the right to deny John Caroff's request for the "all-22 film" of the Dec. 5, 2020 game. An official in the Rutgers OPRA office denied the request a month later, claiming the all-22 video did not qualify as part of the public record because it would give the Scarlet Knights' future opponents a "competitive advantage." While all Rutgers football games are televised, college football coaches preparing for upcoming opponents typically use the all-22 video for scouting purposes because it gives a full view of the field and all 22 players on it." —" National accreditation agency seeks additional info from New Jersey City University" —"75 years ago, these NJ parents ignited a national movement for kids with disabilities" —Delle Cava: "Between two acronyms, a world of difference for New Jersey solar power" | | | | 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. | | | | | | | 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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