News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: SALT effort licked

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: SALT effort licked

Aug 10, 2022

Presented by NextEra Energy Transmission

Good Wednesday morning!

The thing about lines in the sand is they can easily be erased by a wave. And in the case of some New Jersey Democratic House members, all it took was the threat of a wave — a Republican one.

Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Mikie Sherrill and Tom Malinowski, who represent wealthy districts that are considered at least somewhat competitive, have all come out in support of the "Inflation Reduction Act" — even though negotiations to include a roll back of the Trump era $10,000 cap on federal deductions for state taxes fell through.

Gottheimer insists that the "line in the sand" he drew has not been washed away because the bill does other good things for his constituents.

"This bill doesn't raise taxes one penny on families or small businesses in my district," Gottheimer said in an interview Monday with POLITICO's Joe Spector. "We also stopped those in red states trying to further gut SALT, and those who wanted to raise taxes on individuals and small businesses in Jersey. The bill will actually save people thousands of dollars on prescription drugs, energy and health care costs. We won." Sherrill and Malinowski also explained their support in statements. And, as you can imagine, Republicans seized on it .

Read more about the reaction here.

It's pretty obvious that the Democrats figure getting this major legislation passed ahead of the midterms outweighs seeking to block it on a point of principle and risk making themselves pariahs within the party. Keep in mind that many progressives view the repeal of the SALT cap as a favor to wealthy constituents. And come on, do you really expect any politician to be completely stubborn and consistent on a pledge?

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 175

WHERE'S MURPHY? Israel

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It's fair game." — Former Gov./U.S. Attorney Chris Christie on the FBI search of former President Donald Trump's Florida home

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — EDA's Tai Cooper, Dover Dems' Edward Correa, Former Record reporter Michael Linhorst, former Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Maya Rao, Former Senate ED John Samerjan

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

UP IN SMOKE — " AC casino dealers reject designated smoking area proposal ," by The AP's Wayne Parry: "Atlantic City casino dealers opposed to smoking indoors are rejecting an idea being floated among state legislators to create designated outdoor smoking areas that employees could opt out of staffing. Pete Naccarelli, a Borgata dealer and a leader of a group of Atlantic City casino workers pushing for a full indoor smoking ban, said Tuesday the opt-out suggestion is not the solution to protecting workers and customers. 'The so-called opt-out idea only forces workers to risk their health for a paycheck,' he said. "It is not a solution at all."

—" New Hard Rock Atlantic City boss looks past his casino walls \"

DANCER SUCCESSION — " No clear favorite among Cuozzo, Sauickie, Martin in 12th District special election ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Three Republicans filed to run in Thursday's special election convention for the 12th district State Assembly seat of Ronald Dancer (R-Plumsted), an 11-term lawmaker who died last month, setting up an early test of newly elected Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore's strength in an intra-party contest that is too close to call. Gilmore is backing Dominick Cuozzo, a Plumsted township committeeman and the pastor of the Bible Baptist Church. Cuozzo faces two candidates from Jackson, a large Ocean County municipality that is divided into multiple factions: Council Vice President James Sauickie III and Scott Martin, a former three-term councilman. Brenda Dancer, the late assemblyman's widow, is supporting Sauickie. In rules agreed upon by the four Republican county chairs, there will be just one ballot with no runoff in the machine vote, meaning that the ultimate victor could win with as little as 34% of the vote … Jackson is likely to be split, and there is a pocket of Republican county committee members in Old Bridge who are expected to support Cuozzo based on some long-term relationships with Gilmore. It's not clear where the rest of Old Bridge is headed; they had a meeting yesterday to discuss the race … Burlington has just a handful of votes, and the race could be decided by the Monmouth section of the district. Cuozzo backed Phil Rizzo in the 2021 Republican gubernatorial primary and Mike Crispi in his challenge to Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester) in the 2022 primary."

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PRINCE: I 'SHOULD HAVE KNOWN' BY THE WAY YOU PARKED YOUR CAR SIDEWAYS THAT IT WOULDN'T LAST — Scutari: Legislature 'should have known' about proposed rate hikes for public employees' health insurance, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: The Legislature should have been made aware during the budget process of the proposed large rate increases for public employees' health insurance, Senate President Nick Scutari said. But while Scutari said "anything could be on the table," it's unclear what steps he plans to take to lower the proposed increases, which are as high as around 20 percent for next year. Scutari said there was "very little [the Legislature] could probably do about it" — even though several bills have been proposed — and that much of the issue lies with the commissions that set rates. "The Senate and the Assembly, we should have known about this during the budgetary process," Scutari told reporters after a rare August voting session on Monday.

PUBLIC ORDURR — GOP state senator wants to bar protesting in front of private homes , by POLITICO's Matt Friedman : When gun rights supporters protested in front of Steve Sweeney's West Deptford home in 2015, the then-Senate president turned on his lawn sprinklers to drench them. The town later banned picketing within 100 feet of private residences. Now, the man who ousted Sweeney in November is pushing similar restrictions on protesting in front of homes, but statewide. State Sen. Ed Durr (R-Gloucester) introduced a measure, NJ S2964 (22R), this week that would establish the offense of "targeted picketing" and bar the disclosure of a person's address to encourage protesting there. Durr said he decided to introduce the bill in part because of pro-abortion rights protests earlier this year at the home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and because a woman found Durr's address and showed up to his door "just babbling," after first showing up to his son's house and his mother's house.

NEW BREWERY RULES ALSO PUT STATE ON DRAUGHT WATCH — Save water, New Jersey officials urge as drought watch is declared , by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: New Jersey officials are gradually elevating their concerns about state drinking water supplies following a hot, dry summer with no substantial rains in sight. The whole state is now in a drought watch, the Department of Environmental Protection said Tuesday morning. A watch is the first formal action agency officials can take to show the urgency of their concerns.

R.I.P. — " Tony Sartor, Port Authority commissioner who spearheaded rebuilding of World Trade Center after 9/11, dies "

—" Got a tip? NJ state comptroller begins probe of NJCU's finances with call for leads "

—" Gottheimer, legislators combat NYC congestion pricing by offering incentives to keep jobs in N.J. "

—" NJ Senate Republicans push back against worker benefit cost hike"

BIDEN TIME

TIME FOR LESS TRAFFIC IN FORT LEE — " N.J. legislators want to fight congestion pricing by luring NYC businesses here ," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "A day before New York's MTA publicly releases an Environmental Impact Statement about its controversial congestion pricing plan, a trio of New Jersey legislators and a congressman detailed their plans to fight the proposal by luring Manhattan businesses to New Jersey. Seizing on a 'Stay in Jersey' campaign, launched by U.S. Rep Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., in May, State Senator Joe Lagana, and Assemblymembers Chris Tully and Lisa Swain, D-Bergen, announced plans to introduce a bill to provide $15 million in tax credits to encourage Manhattan businesses to open satellite offices here."

—" Menendez, Booker tout Inflation Reduction Act to NJ seniors "

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LOCAL

NEWARK — " Huge main break spawns NJ Water emergency; Hospitals delay surgeries as drought watch hits ," by News 4's Brian Thompson and Jen Maxfield: " A monster water main break wreaked havoc in New Jersey's largest city and nearby communities Tuesday, impacting more than 100,000 people as hospitals grappled with diversions and officials planned door-to-door outreach. At the same time, emergency crews responded to at least one case where a woman's car was swallowed by a sudden sinkhole. The 140-year-old pipe broke in Branch Brook Park on the border of Newark and neighboring Belleville around 8 a.m."

TRENTON — " Election complaint claims Trenton at-large candidate lives in Hamilton ," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "At-large council candidate Yazminelly Gonzalez faces allegations that the city address where she claims to be living is a vacant flophouse and she's actually living in a neighboring township. If true, that would disqualify Gonzalez, the daughter of late city activist Juan Martinez, from running for a seat on the governing body as legislators must live in the cities they're representing or where they're seeking office, per state law. The at-large candidate's campaign manager fired back in an interview with The Trentonian on Tuesday, claiming the allegations were false and Gonzalez has been living at her boyfriend's Trenton home for the last year."

COGELJA'S LEGACY IS IN THE TOILET — " Anti-LGBTQ curriculum emails spurred a new club in Hackensack. Now, it's won a $10K grant ," by The Record's Megan Burrow: "Three years after a city Board of Education member's criticism of LGBTQ curriculum sparked calls for her resignation, a gay-straight alliance club that formed in the wake of the controversy is thriving at Hackensack Middle School. The club, for LGBTQ youth and their allies, is now among the school's largest, with more than 100 members. This school year, a $10,000 grant from the It Gets Better Project — one of 50 the nonprofit awards to a school in each state — will support the club's work to encourage inclusivity … In February 2019, board member Frances Cogelja criticized the requirement to teach LGBTQ curriculum, in emails to acting Superintendent Rosemary Marks, after New Jersey became the second state in the nation to mandate that schools create lessons about the contributions of individuals who are gay or transgender. 'I find it repugnant that someone's sexual preferences have anything to do with their contributions or achievements in society,' Cogelja wrote. 'Everywhere I turn, this alternate lifestyle narrative is being shoved [down] our children's throats. Where does it end???' … Cogelja refused to resign, but she eventually did step down in November 2020after accidentally broadcasting while on a bathroom break during a board meeting."

SHAMEFULLY PUSHED BY BIG COW — " Plan for Parsippany's first Chick-fil-A advances. Why that has some residents up in arms ," by The Daily Record's William Westhoven: "Parsippany is inching closer to getting its first Chick-fil-A restaurant despite objections that the popular fast-food outlet would increase traffic on Route 46 and congestion in the adjacent neighborhood. Residents have raised those concerns at recent meetings of the township Zoning Board of Adjustment. But last week the board approved preliminary and final site-plan applications for variances the company needs to redevelop a 3.2-acre strip of land on the highway west of Beverwyck Road. The restaurant would be only the second Chick-fil-A in Morris County"

—" St. Peter's University sues to block Jersey City cannabis lounge ,"

—" EPA warns of increased cancer risk in two N.J. towns from air pollutant "

—" Murphy nominates Brown as New Warren surrogate "

—" Ethics charges against Marlboro Superintendent dismissed "

—" Ex-N.J. school board member fires back at critics who campaigned to oust her "

—Opinion: " Hudson Dems' recent track record is disgraceful "

—" As Fisher continues crusade against Story Dispensary, she wants Hoboken council colleagues to join her "

—" Hoboken, NJ landlord tried raising rent by $3,000 a month in eviction battle "

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EVERYTHING ELSE

AMAZON DEATHS — " Three NJ Amazon warehouses. Three weeks. Three worker deaths. Now, OSHA is investigating ," by Gannett's Matthew Korfhage: "At about 8 a.m. on July 13, emergency medical services responded to a 911 call at Amazon's EWR9 fulfillment center at 8003 Industrial Highway in Carteret … But the worker did not survive … [T]he death has spurred a federal investigation, outcry from workers at the warehouse and calls for further scrutiny by Democratic U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross of New Jersey … But it would not be the only death at a New Jersey Amazon warehouse in the next month. Two more workers at Amazon facilities in Central Jersey have since died, confirmed Leni Fortson, director of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor office in Philadelphia. This adds up to three deaths, at three facilities, in just over three weeks. All are being investigated by the department's Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Fortson said … Fortson declined to release further details, including the workers' names, citing open OSHA investigations. In response to each death, Amazon issued a statement saying it was "deeply saddened." and said it was offering counseling services to employees."

MAKE IT EASIER TO GAMBLE, MORE PEOPLE WILL GAMBLE. MAKE IT EASIER TO BAN ONESELF FROM GAMBLING, MORE PEOPLE WILL BAN THEMSELVES — " In New Jersey, online gamblers 7 times more likely to join self-exclusion list. Here's why ," by The Courier-Post's Aedy Miller: "In 2013, about 1,000 people opted into the self-exclusion program, with just 35 excluding themselves only from internet gambling. As of last month, more than 16,000 people were part of the program, 88% of whom excluded themselves only from internet gambling. The self-exclusion program allows people struggling with problem gambling to ban themselves from casino, or 'land-based,' and internet gambling for one- or five-year terms or life. Individuals on the casino self-exclusion list are automatically put on the internet list, but the reverse isn't true … Opting into one- and five-year terms on the internet-only exclusion list can be done through the Division of Gaming Enforcement's website, she said. However, those seeking to exclude themselves from land-based gambling as well as lifetime terms on either list must apply in-person at the Division of Gaming Enforcement's office in Atlantic City or to one of the New Jersey Racing Commission's four offices."

NEW JERSEY'S MOST IMPORTANT CELEBRITY — " Cole the Deaf Dog named American Humane's Therapy Dog of Year ," by The Daily Journal's Deborah M. Marko: "Once discarded, a New Jersey deaf pit bull is now one of the most regarded dogs in the nation. Cole, partner of Chris Hannah of Millville, topped the therapy dog division in the 2022 American Humane Hero Dog Awards competition after the results of over one million votes cast were announced on Monday. The belly-rub lover is one of seven finalists to be celebrated Nov. 11 at the Hero Dog Award gala in Palm Beach, Florida, where the top dog will be revealed."

—" Edison woman collected child support for daughter killed by boyfriend, affidavit charges "

Correction: Yesterday's edition of this newsletter misspelled the name of New Jersey State Bar Association President Jeralyn L. Lawrence.

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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.