News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: R.I.P. Jim Florio

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: R.I.P. Jim Florio

Sep 27, 2022

Presented by NextEra Energy Transmission

When an important figure dies, you typically don't read a lot of negative things about him in the obituary. That's the case for former Gov. Jim Florio, who died Monday night at age 85 (Sorry I missed it in yesterday's edition).

But Florio had plenty of negative things said about him when he was in office. I was a child when Florio was governor. I didn't even live in New Jersey. But I remember sitting in my aunt's house in Edison in the early 1990s, shortly after Florio signed an income tax and sales tax hike/extension and hearing her utter an expletive followed by "Florio."

Florio and his Democratic Party suffered for it, and it would forever define his tenure. But the years have been kinder to the former governor's legacy. When Christie Whitman defeated him in 1993 and set about slashing taxes, her pension bonding plan set the state on a course for a huge unfunded liability that it only really began to address in the last decade or so, and will take many years to solve. Florio, derided as fiscally reckless while in office, was reassessed by many people I talked to over the years as someone who made difficult, politically unpopular but prudent decisions.

In his final State of the State speech, a week before leaving office, Florio urged people not to get caught up in the "politics of the moment."

"Short-term expediency as a way of avoiding the long-term public interest is, in the ultimate reckoning, a sure-thing losing cause," he said.

Read my obituary of Florio here .

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 233

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Former Bergen GOP Chair Rob Ortiz

WHERE'S MURPHY? Media: "Ask Governor Murphy" on your local NPR affiliate at 7 p.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY #1: "'New Jersey was the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights. I will not stand idly by while you try to be the first one to rescind it.'' — Charlton Heston during a New Jersey speech in 1990 as state lawmakers considered an assault rifle ban

QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: ''This isn't 'The Planet of the Apes'. 'This is New Jersey.'' — Former Gov. Jim Florio

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

STILL ASPIRING — "NJ lawmakers rushed $7B in corporate tax breaks into law. Almost nobody is using them," by The Record's Daniel Munoz: "New Jersey officials touted a $14.5 billion economic recovery package in late 2020as key to undoing the financial mess wrought by the coronavirus. But a review of public records shows two key programs accounting for almost half of those corporate subsidies have gone virtually unused in the two years since the package was approved, raising questions about whether state leaders rushed them through too quickly … The legislation allocated a combined $1.1 billion a year to two programs, NJ Aspire and NJ Emerge, with enough funding for at least six years. NJ Aspire was meant to bolster real estate projects, focusing on urban areas, affordable housing and development around public transportation. It opened for applications this January, but the state has so far issued no awards under that subsidy. NJ Emerge was intended to keep and create jobs by offering per-employee tax breaks to companies that do businesses in the Garden State. The state has approved two awards since it began accepting applications in May 2021: one for a Party City Corp. office with about 700 positions in Woodcliff Lake, in northern Bergen County, and another to the financial tech firm Fiserv that brought 3,000 jobs to Berkeley Heights … Tim Sullivan, the authority's CEO, said in an interview that roughly a dozen applications are currently under review for the two incentives … One reason for the paltry use of the two tax breaks may be that state officials have drawn out the review and payment process after Murphy criticized the use of such programs under his predecessor, Gov. Chris Christie."

TIME TO THROW IN THE TOWEL ON THE BULLSHEET LAW? — "Can you get COVID from hotel towels and sheets? N.J. law requiring daily laundering called 'absurd' " by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio: "In the bewildering early stage of the coronavirus pandemic, people sanitized their mail, wiped down their groceries and cleaned anything else they touched. Within several months, however, scientists advised that the disease was primarily spread by airborne droplets emitted from infected people's noses and mouths. But as the death toll quickly mounted across New Jersey, the nation and the world, any risk seemed too great. From these fears emerged a bill that Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law in June 2020 that required hotels and motels to provide fresh towels and sheets every day, even if the same guests occupied the room for days at a time. On Thursday, state Sen. Declan O'Scanlon, R-Monmouth, introduced a new bill that would repeal this portion of the hotel sanitation law. He said he knew it was 'nuts' and 'an overreach' when it coasted through the state Legislature more than two years ago. Research has more than demonstrated the law is 'anti-science,' he said … 'It should be repealed,' Professor Emanuel Goldman of the Department Of Microbiology, Biochemistry And Molecular Genetics at the Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School told NJ Advance Media. 'It's expensive and unnecessary — totally unnecessary.'"

ROLLING BACK VICES — " People in NJ are suing Walmart over drug testing," by NJ 101.5's Michael Symons: "Walmart faces a potential class-action lawsuit in New Jersey after a Gloucester County resident says he lost a job offer after testing positive for marijuana, which is now legal for recreational use by adults. The lawsuit was filed in June in state Superior Court but served in August against Walmart and Sam's Club, its warehouse club division. Walmart successfully got the case moved to federal court earlier this month, both because the company is incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Arkansas and that the damages sought – back pay, front pay and punitive – could exceed $75,000 … The state law, as well as guidance issued earlier this month by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission, says employers can't refuse to hire someone or take disciplinary action against them due solely to the presence of cannabinoid metabolites, unless they are visibly impaired. The lawsuit seeks to overturn Walmart's drug testing policy, provide back pay and restore the employment of Zanetich and anyone else similarly affected."

GUN FREE ZONE FREE ZONES — " N.J. legislators haven't acted on 'gun-free zones,' three months after high court ruling on guns," by New Jersey Monitor's Sophie Nieto-Munoz: "When the U.S. Supreme Court loosened concealed carry laws nationwide in June, New York acted swiftly. Lawmakers there met for a two-day special session, and in July Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a sweeping bill into law that created gun-free zones near bars and schools and in tourist locations like Times Square. Here in New Jersey, where Gov. Phil Murphy called on legislators to create gun-free zones around the state, little progress has been made. 'I think we need to be thoughtful with public safety. It's a real concern to get it right,' said Thurman Barnes, assistant director of the Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University. Legislative officials told the New Jersey Monitor that lawmakers are close to introducing another major gun bill, which could include expanding gun-free zones, creating a new permitting and regulatory structure, and mandating liability insurance."

—Stile: "The original political disruptor? It was New Jersey's Jim Florio"

—Moran: "Jim Florio was unlike today's politicians. That's our loss"

—" From Superfund law to Pinelands protection, Florio remembered as an environmental champion"

—"Former Gov. Jim Florio remembered as an 'American patriot' and 'giant of New Jersey politics' "

—"Murphy orders flags lowered for two weeks in tribute to Florio"

—"The best of Jim Florio "

—"New Jersey's voting systems see repeated reforms since 2020"

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BIDEN TIME

UNEMPLOYMENT — "N.J. gave out $245M in fraudulent payments under unemployment insurance program, watchdog says,"by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant and Karin Price Mueller: "New Jersey handed out $245 million in fraudulent payments under a supplemental program created to bolster unemployment benefits for people who lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic, a government watchdog said. New Jersey had the fourth highest amount of fraudulent benefits among the 19 states reviewed, according to a report by the Department of Homeland Security inspector general. Fraud in the program, which offered an added $300 per week payment to the unemployed, occurred because the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), assigned to oversee the program, did not take steps to ensure that the funds were properly disbursed to eligible individuals, the report said."

DESANTAIR — "Migrants may still be en route to NJ. Is that good — or bad — for Phil Murphy?" by The Record's Charles Stile: "If DeSantis dispatches the next plane or bus to New Jersey, will Murphy seize its arrival as an opportunity? Will he use this as a chance to draw a sharp contrast between cruel political theater and compassionate and pragmatic crisis management? …. Or is he now a careful centrist who would rather avoid having New Jersey become a battleground on an issue that has Democrats on their heels? … Earlier in the week, Murphy called the flights 'reprehensible,' and on Friday he said the state was 'absolutely ready' to handle an influx of migrants if necessary … Still, Murphy refused to call out DeSantis or Abbott by name, and his remarks lacked the fire of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who called the Martha's Vineyard stunt 'repugnant,'labeled DeSantis as 'America's bully' and challenged him to debate the issue … In some ways, Murphy's muted tone is not surprising. Murphy is not a flame thrower, but a creature of corporate culture and a former U.S. diplomat."

FEDS TO ENVIROS: 'DO YOU LIKE OUR HATS?' 'WE DO NOT' 'GOOD-BY' 'GOOD-BY' — " 12 storm surge gates: Army Corps proposes $52 billion barriers for New York-New Jersey waterways," by WNYC's Nathan Kensinger: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a report Saturday detailing their proposed $52 billion plan to protect the New York City metropolitan area from storm surges and coastal flooding. It marks a major step forward in a long-delayed study initiated in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The Army Corps report provides significant new details for a proposal that was picked from a range of five options, as part of the NY & NJ Harbor & Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study (HATS). The tentatively selected plan, Alternative 3B, now proposes a 14-year construction project that would build 12 storm surge gates across some of the largest waterways around the New York City region … Several environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Riverkeeper, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Guardians of Flushing Bay, and Newtown Creek Alliance, have expressed grave concerns about the barriers. Riverkeeper, a non-profit working to protect the entire Hudson River watershed, has described the HATS study as 'fatally flawed' and said storm surge barriers would pose 'a threat to the very life of the Hudson & Harbor.'"

—" NJ congressman: 'Buy low, sell high' approach to oil could help drivers at the pump"

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LOCAL

YOU'LL FIND NO HEROES HERE — "Three men charged with fraud in $100 million New Jersey deli scheme ," by CNBC's Mike Calia and Dan Mangan: "Three men were charged with fraud and other crimes in a scheme involving a company that was worth $100 million in the stock market despite having only a small-town New Jersey deli to its name, federal authorities said Monday. The men – James Patten, 63, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Peter Coker Sr., 80, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Peter Coker Jr., 53, of Hong Kong – were charged with 12 counts, including conspiracy to commit securities fraud, securities fraud and conspiracy to manipulate securities prices … Your Hometown Deli, the business at the center of the probe, was located in Paulsboro, New Jersey, over the Delaware River from Philadelphia. The deli, lauded for its cheesesteaks and Italian subs, had under $40,000 in annual revenue and closed earlier this year …

Prosecutors said Patten convinced the owners of the deli, which was established in 2014, to put it under the control of an umbrella company, called Hometown International. "Unbeknownst to the deli owners, almost immediately after Hometown International was formed, Patten and his associates began positioning Hometown International as a vehicle for a reverse merger that would yield substantial profit to them," prosecutors said in a release."

PALISADES INTRIGUE — "A surprise councilwoman works to flip Palisades Park red," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "The Democratic mayoral nominee is Councilman Chong Paul Kim, who got the organizational line and unseated [Mayor Chirstopher] Chung 57-42% in the June primary … The wounds of the Kim-Chung primary still aren't entirely healed, leaving a potential opening this year for Republican Councilwoman and mayoral nominee Stephanie Jang. Jang was elected last year in something of a surprise result, defeating Democratic Councilman Jongchul Lee by 24 votes. The educational director at the Palisades Park Korean American Association and a 2020 Democratic candidate for borough council, Jang came in second overall, behind none other than Chong Paul Kim. Jang's victory was a dramatic change of fortune for Palisades Park Republicans, who lost local elections by landslide margins in 2018 and 2019 and didn't even field a slate of council candidates in 2020."

—"New Jersey Supreme Court declines to hear Jersey City PSOA case to halt CCRB"

—"Widow of restaurant owner killed by driver fleeing Paterson police seeks $20M"

—" Driver charged in fatal H2oi wreck was fleeing another accident before crash that killed 2, cops say"

—" Dad hospitalized by Wildwood, NJ crash seen in disturbing viral H2Oi video"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE BRITISH POUND — "Cooling tower at former B.L. England plant set to come down Thursday," by The Press of Atlantic City's bill Barlow: "Residents of the Beesleys Point section of the township are in for a big boom on Thursday morning as crews are expected to implode the cooling tower at the former B.L. England power plant. The new owners of the plant, the Beesley's Point Development Group LLC, say they've been working for months toward the demolition by implosion, set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday. That includes extensive asbestos abatement at the tower.'"

LOCAL MUSICIAN IS ON THE CUSP OF FAME — " Bruce Springsteen mysterious backwoods road post leads to speculation of new album," by The Asbury Park Press' Chris Jordan: "Where does this road lead to? Bruce Springsteen's social media posted a mysterious picture of a two-lane backwoods road on Monday, Sept. 26. What does it mean? … The image is certainly mysterious, but it does remind one of the backstreets of Monmouth County, where many of the Boss' early songs were set. The last time Springsteen's social media posted a random, artistically rendered pic was as a tease for the solo album 'Western Stars' in 2019. Could something similar be in the works now? Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner disclosed that he's currently listening to a new Springsteen album that's due to be released in the fall, according to a Billboard interview with the publisher."

WOOFINGS FROM ASBURY BARK — "What's the most popular dog name in Asbury Park? Hint, it's not Bruce," by The Asbury Park Press' Charles Daye : "You might think Bruce (a nod to music legend Bruce Springsteen) is Asbury Park's most popular dog name. Not quite. However, Bruce is tied on the city's list of most popular dog names in 10th place with another classic moniker, Rocky. That's according to the city's dog license data collected from 2020 to 2022 … So what is the town's most popular dog name? Bella tops the list."

—" Rutgers University lifts mask requirement in classes, libraries, indoor events"

A message from NextEra Energy Transmission:

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