News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Unions vs. the Murphy administration

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Unions vs. the Murphy administration

Sep 13, 2022

Presented by NextEra Energy Transmission

Good Tuesday morning!

If you're like me and you've been around New Jersey politics for too long, you'll remember the frequent public union protests from the previous decade, targeting former Gov. Chris Christie's budget cuts.

Today, there's another large union rally planned. It probably won't be as big as the ones we saw in 2010 and 2011, as the stakes are quite a bit lower. Back then, unions were protesting the benefit cutbacks pushed by Christie and shepherded through the Legislature by then-Senate President Steve Sweeney and then-Assembly Speaker/now-Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver.

But this is no small thing. The unions are urging Gov. Phil Murphy's administration to hold off on major proposed health care plan rate hikes, which are scheduled for a vote on Wednesday. Some workers could see their rates go up as much as 24 percent.

A couple things are unusual about this. One is that the target is Murphy's administration. He's the most sympathetic governor to public workers' unions in memory. Another is that the unions are aligned on this with management, in the form of The League of Municipalities and the New Jersey Association of Counties,.

Asked about this yesterday by POLITICO's Daniel Han, Murphy insisted that the rate hikes are mostly formulaic but said "we are working doggedly, including yours truly … to try to find some common ground that supports and has the back of our public sector employees."

So, is there another development to come?

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 220

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Seton Hall's Matt Hale, NBC News' Ginger Gibson, former Assemblymember Jamel Holley

WHERE'S MURPHY? Media: "Ask Governor Murphy" on News 12 at 5 p.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The man stood on the side of a building, penis in hand, pissing in public. That greeted me the first time I pulled up to The Trentonian's Perry Street office nearly eight years ago to interview for the court-reporter opening. For better or worse, New Jersey's capital city makes unforgettable first impressions." — Isaac Avilucea's swan song for The Trentonian

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

MUOIO: TAKE A HIKE — SHBP health insurance rate hikes 'must' be approved Wednesday , Treasurer says, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio has told labor leaders that proposed health insurance rate hikes for public workers on the State Health Benefits Program "must" be approved on Wednesday … In a letter to labor officials dated Sept. 9, Muoio — who chairs State Health Benefits Commission that oversees the health insurance for hundreds of thousands of state and local government employees — said the rates had to be approved at Wednesday's commission meeting to avoid interfering with the open enrollment period that starts Oct. 1 … Labor groups had urged Muoio to put off voting on the proposed rate increases at Wednesday's commission meeting, and have been looking to reach an agreement to mitigate the rate hikes

MURPHY'S FITCH PITCH STICKS — Early in the pandemic, citing "severe limitations on economic activity", Fitch downgraded New Jersey's credit rating from A to A- — a small political blow to Gov.Murphy, who was ultra-critical of the frequent credit downgrades under the Christie administration and who has made two other recent upgrades a point of pride. Yesterday Fitch gave New Jersey back its A. It also upgraded some other ratings I'm not going to pretend to be familiar with. Fitch: "The upgrade of New Jersey's [issuer default rating] to 'A'/Positive Outlook reflects Fitch's view that the strong fiscal momentum of recent years and consistent policy actions to confront its long-term fiscal and liability challenges reflect a notable improvement in budget management."

HOUSING — "Packing more punch: NJ groups that oppose affordable housing projects wield new tools," by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak: "Deciding where to build affordable housing in New Jersey rarely goes smoothly, and residents who oppose projects with low-income units have been growing even more organized. In towns across the state, from Park Ridge and Saddle River to Millburn and Haddonfield, community members have created nonprofits and LLCs to organize petitions and recall campaigns, raise their concerns in court, and voice their opposition in town meetings. They will point to problems they see in proposed plans: A complex doesn't fit the 'neighborhood feel,' there's no sewer hookup, the development will generate traffic, there are environmental risks, and so forth. The trend alarms affordable housing advocates. 'It's a trend that you see the most in extremely wealthy and often extremely white towns, where people have the money to hire lawyers and donate funds for a tax write-off to pursue their private interests,' said Adam Gordon, executive director of the Fair Share Housing Center, a Mount Laurel-based nonprofit. 'It's holding up the process, which comes at a real cost at this time when New Jersey is becoming less affordable than ever,' Gordon said."

DOMO ARIGUTO MR. CAPUTO — " An unbroken district called brotherhood," by InsiderNJ's Max Pizarro: "Pitted against each other by the political machine, Ronald L. Rice and Ralph Caputo found an enduring friendship born of a Newark age suffered and mutually shouldered. Belleville's Caputo occupied the organization's LD28 slate in 2007, headed by D. Bilal Beasley, Caputo's friend and fellow commissioner. The job was to get rid of Rice. Rice wouldn't cooperate, beating Beasley 52-48% to retain his seat. Caputo and Cleopatra Tucker defeated Rice running mates Craig Stanley and Oadline Truitt, however. 'There are always casualties,' Rice said at the time. But shortly thereafter, he and Caputo surfaced at the same press conference in the Richard J Hughes Justice Complex, and Rice extended a hand. 'We're going to be together,' the senator told Caputo."

SUISSE MISS — "Credit Suisse trial, set to begin today after nearly 9-year wait, postponed for new judge," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "A trial scheduled to begin today in the state attorney general's $3 billion claim against Credit Suisse has been postponed so a new judge get can up to speed on a nine-year legal battle in what may be the biggest and most complicated civil lawsuit in New Jersey history. The New Jersey Bureau of Securities filed a lawsuit against Credit Suisse in 2013 alleging that they engaged in fraudulent and deceptive practices during the sale of mortgage-backed securities. Superior Court Judge Timothy Lydon set a September 12 trial date last October, but his resignation from the bench last month to become the executive director of the Senate Majority Office has delayed the trial. The courts did not publicly announce the delay until late Monday."

KING LATIFAH — Bramnick makes a plea for unity, by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin : New Jersey Republicans, like their national peers, are facing a sharp divide within the party, but one former GOP leader is calling for unity. State Sen. Jon Bramnick, (R-Union) appeared alongside Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy at Ridge High School on Monday to deliver what he said was a "very important" and "simple" message. "You can get along with people you disagree with. You can get along with the other side of the aisle. Actually, it is imperative for the future of this democracy that we stand together, and we work together," Bramnick said. "I deeply believe our democracy is under attack from within."

— "Sarah Cruz open to potential Assembly bid "

—"Towns welcome 'guidance' on handling warehouse boom "

A WOMEN RULE CONVERSATION ON LEADING FROM THE GROUND UP: Join POLITICO's Women Rule on Sept. 15 for conversations focused on creating and leading sustainable, healthy and inclusive communities. The program will feature a Member Exchange panel followed by a keynote discussion exploring the most pressing issues facing women in their communities and women in leadership roles who are best positioned to solve these problems. REGISTER HERE.

BIDEN TIME

ABORTION — "Malinowski claims Kean scrubbed abortion language from campaign website – but it's still there," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "Over the last several weeks, media outlets have noted that a number of Republican candidates around the country, fresh off of bruising primary fights, have removed hardline language on abortion from their websites in an effort to tack to the center for their general election campaigns. Today, NJ-7 Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) tried to tie his Republican opponent, former State Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), to that same trend, accusing Kean of 'scrubbing' a portion of his website that said Kean would 'protect the unborn from egregious abortion laws.' But Malinowski's attack isn't really true. The homepage of Kean's website never linked to the page referencing abortion, titled 'Tom Kean Jr.: The Conservative Leader' – in other words, there was nothing to 'scrub' from his main site. And although it's not readily searchable, the page was never taken down from the internet and is still accessible today … Naree Ketudat, Malinowski's communications director, argued that the page showed Kean's true colors on abortion, regardless of whether it been fully 'scrubbed' from the internet."

—" Malinowski vs. Kean Jr.: familiar face-off in 7th District"

—"12K N.J. policyholders dropped their federal flood insurance. Rising rates are the reason, senator says "

—Super PAC funded by Healey's mom unleashes $400K ad buy in 3rd District

A message from NextEra Energy Transmission:

LOCAL

CHEFF'S SPECIAL — "Paterson 'robbery squad' police sergeant Michael Cheff gets 33 months in federal prison," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Former Paterson police Sgt. Michael Cheff didn't get rich off the robberies committed by the rogue cops he supervised, said United States District Court Judge Katharine Hayden. Nor did Cheff ever direct his underlings to shake somebody down when he needed cash, Hayden noted. In all, the evidence in the trial against Cheff cited just two specific instances of him taking money, the judge added. But federal prosecutors asserted that the robbery squad of rogue cops would have been unable to prey upon the people of Paterson for so long and so often without Cheff looking out for them and helping conceal their crimes. Hayden on Monday cited the 'gravity' of the impact of the crimes on the Paterson community and Cheff's "moral culpability" as a ranking officer in sentencing him to 33 months in federal prison, a longer term than those given to his subordinates who patrolled the streets looking for people in expensive cars to rob. 'Rather than make them good cops, he let them be bad cops,' the judge said."

KRAEMER VS… WHOMEVER — " 0-11 Essex Republican seeks a governmental 'meritocracy'," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack : "Adam Kraemer has no trouble remembering his won-loss record as a candidate. 'I'm 0 and 11,' he says without regret as we chatted recently at the local mall. Kraemer is a Republican in Essex County, so his losing streak is really not all that surprising. But what is surprising – and even a bit refreshing – is Kraemer's perseverance. After losing races over the years for school board, county clerk and freeholder, Kraemer, 55, is on the ballot again – this time he's challenging no less a political power than Joe DiVincenzo Jr. for county executive."

IT'S THE 1970S AGAIN — "Plan to integrate schools, cut 'courtesy' busing roils N.J. school district," by NJ Advance Media's Brianna Kudisch: "[A]bout 90 students … lost busing this year when South Orange-Maplewood eliminated free "courtesy busing" for kids who live less than two miles from school. The busing change comes as the district is also implementing an integration plan to move some students to other local schools to create more racial diversity. Some parents said the new busing policy presents safety and logistical issues, forcing kids to walk unsafe routes and parents to rearrange work schedules and childcare options. But others said some criticism of the busing changes — but not all — is actually disguised hostility toward the district's integration plan … South Orange-Maplewood's Intentional Integration Initiative, known as III, is the latest effort to address racial segregation in the districts' schools by considering family income and other factors when assigning students to schools. The initiative began last year with the kindergarten class and extended this year to the middle schools."

R.I.P. — "Phil Matalucci, Legendary Cape May GOP Chairman, Dies At 91 ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Philip R. Matalucci, Jr., a popular former Cape May County Republican Chairman whose political influence extended throughout the state and was a fixture at national party conventions for massive elephant hats that adorned his head, died on September 7. He was 91. Matalucci served as the GOP county chairman from 1975 until his retirement in 1986. He also served as Cape May County Treasurer from 1973 to 1991. For a time, he was the chairman of the New Jersey Republican county chairmen. He was an early supporter of Ronald Reagan's bid for the presidency … Matalucci and his brothers ran Sand and Gravel, Cape Concrete, Avalon Trampoline Center, Avalon Miniature Golf, Avalon's Tastee Freeze and the Sea Isle Inn. He once won nearly $4 million in the state lottery."

CUSTOMERS TO WONDER WHERE ALL THE FIGS ARE — "Newton to get its first retail cannabis shop in former carpet store on Water Street," by The New Jersey Herald's Bruce A. Scruton: "The Romano family, which owns Shoprite grocery stores, has preliminary approval to open a new business — selling cannabis products in an old carpet store on Water Street … g. The former Carpet Outlet is one of two places which the town has spotlighted as probable locations for a retail cannabis shop."

— "Online petition supports LGBTQ students at Ocean City High School "

—"Where things stand on security in Bridgewater-Raritan schools"

—" After 143 days, appellate judges hear Howell ballot challenge"

—" After a failed recall effort, [Burlington County Regional school board's] vacant seat is filled -- for now"

— "N.J. mayor lied to investigators about illegal billing to get back at public works director, lawsuit says "

—"Historic Cape May could get its 1st new hotel in 50 years in huge $150M project"

—" Two new residential towers proposed for Jersey City waterfront next to Goldman Sachs"

—"Evesham: A Battleground within a Battleground "

Join POLITICO Live on Tuesday, Sept. 20 to dive into how federal regulators, members of Congress, and the White House are seeking to write the rules on digital currencies, including stablecoins. The panel will also cover the tax implications of crypto, which could be an impediment to broader adoption and the geopolitical factors that the U.S. is considering as it begins to draw regulatory frameworks for crypto. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

SCIENTOLOGY — "See inside Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's Jersey Shore house," by THe Asbury Park Press' Jerry Carino: "At a glance, walking along East Avenue, it's one in a long line of picturesque late-Victorian homes in Bay Head's historic district. Except there's a large bronze plaque on the front porch, next to the door. Presented by the borough's historical society, it commends the 'restoration and preservation of a home of historic merit.'This is where L. Ron Hubbard wrote the bestselling book 'Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health,' which became a foundational text for the Church of Scientology. Inside, the six-bedroom, four-bathroom residence has been restored to look as it did in the winter of 1949-1950, when Hubbard produced Dianetics on a Remington typewriter. In 2018 the house earned a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Within Scientology, it is akin to a pilgrimage site. But it's not open to the public, and outside of the religious movement it mostly flies under the radar, upkept by rotating caretakers who live there."

—"[Rider U]niversity averts strike after professors reach deal on new contract "

—"GoFundMe started for MLB pitcher turned Port Authority cop killed en route to 9/11 memorial"

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.