News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Monmouth County is not in Central Jersey

Thursday, October 13, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Monmouth County is not in Central Jersey

Oct 13, 2022

Good Thursday morning!

Assemblymember Roy Freiman and state Sen. Andrew Zwicker should've known better than to venture into the New Jersey geography debate.

They introduced a bill that would require the state Division of Travel and Tourism to promote Central Jersey. The bill defines it as "a minimum of the counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset."

Every time this debate pops up over whether Central Jersey exists and its boundaries, people complain about how tiresome it is. Then they argue about it for hours. That's what happened on my Twitter feed. The most common complaint this time was that the definition does not (but technically could) include Monmouth County.

But Freiman told me there's a reason for that. The Shore doesn't need much more help with promotion, since it's one of the state's most famous features. The rolling hills and fall foliage of much of Central Jersey, he said, gets short shrift. And the pandemic-era downturn in business travel has really negatively affected the area, he said.

Freiman referred me to this map that shows how the state currently divides up its regions for tourism purposes. "You'll scratch your head and say, 'wait a minute. We're in the Skylands region here in Hillsborough?"

So I asked Gov. Phil Murphy's office about state state laws that define Central Jersey, and there are a bunch — usually as something similar to what Freiman proposes. ( This one considers Burlington County to be Central Jersey, which I believe almost nobody agrees with). And Murphy, who considers his home county of Monmouth to be Central Jersey, tweeted his own proposed map back in 2021.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 249

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "No news on any investigation coming out of the vaccine uprising… Thank God those days, I hope, are forever behind us." — Gov. Phil Murphy on the status of an investigation into the State Police's refusal to enforce the Statehouse vaccine mandate last year, which Murphy had pledged to make public

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Attorney General Matt Platkin, former Assemblymember who's currently being prosecuted by Platkin Jason O'Donnell, Carpenters' Anthony Abrantes. Missed yesterday: Garwood Councilmember Vincent Kearney

WHERE'S MURPHY? — In Union Beach at 4 p.m. for "Ask Governor Murphy" on News 12

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.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

THE GUNDEN STATE — Highly anticipated gun carry legislation expected to be introduced Thursday, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Highly anticipated legislation in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling earlier this year in favor of those carrying guns outside the home is expected to be introduced in New Jersey on Thursday, according to a Democratic lawmaker who said he will be the prime sponsor of the bill. "It is one of the most progressive handgun safety bills in the country," Assemblymember Joe Danielsen (D-Somerset), himself a gun owner, said in an interview Wednesday. … Danielsen declined to share a draft of the bill, but said it would call for mandatory training, a list of locations where guns would be prohibited and a revamping of New Jersey's current gun laws. … The bill will also require that gun owners obtain liability insurance, Danielsen said.

—"Credit card move on gun sales wins praise from NJ"

APTER HOURS — State Supreme Court nominees to get confirmation hearings Thursday, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Two nominees to the state Supreme Court could be confirmed by Monday. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday will consider the nominations of Rachel Wainer Apter and Doug Fasciale to the state's highest court. A Senate session has been scheduled for Monday. Though no board list has been released, the timing makes it likely that there will be a confirmation vote on the two in the full chamber

TRANSLATION: CUT NY PATRONAGE POSITIONS, NOT NJ PATRONAGE POSITIONS — " NYC congestion pricing 'comes at the expense' of New Jersey," by Bloomberg's Elise Young: "New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy threw up another potential hurdle to block Manhattan traffic-congestion pricing with an inquiry into the potential revenue hit to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The plan would cut bridge and tunnel toll collections 'without a commensurate increase in revenue from an alternative source,' Murphy wrote to Port Authority Executive Director Richard Cotton in an Oct. 11 letter obtained by Bloomberg News. 'I want to be clear that any reduction in the Port Authority capital plan because of congestion pricing should not come at the expense of any New Jersey projects,' wrote the governor, a 65-year-old Democrat and retired Goldman Sachs Group Inc. senior director who won a second term last November. Tom Pietrykoski, a Port Authority spokesman, said in an email that such an analysis 'is already underway' and its results will be reported to the governor."

CHECKING THE BOAT CHECKS — "Can NJ cut down on towns overspending on employee payouts? Proposed bill would try ," by The Record's Kristie Cattafi: "A proposed bill would crack down on New Jersey towns abusing unused sick time and vacation payouts to employees following a report that found a "staggering" amount of municipalities violated state law. The bill comes after a report by New Jersey acting State Comptroller Kevin D. Walsh that found nearly all 60 towns his office surveyed violated some part of statewide reforms approved in 2007 and 2010 that capped how much a town could pay its employees at retirement. Towns found still cutting checks to employees over the $15,000 cap could face stiff financial penalties such as the state withholding property and tax relief aid, according to a bill introduced to the Legislature last month. The bill would also close a loophole to avoid additional sick or vacation payments agreed to in a collectively negotiated agreement that surpasses the cap."

WILL THE INCREASES DRIVE THEM INTO THE STRONG ARMS OF CONNER? — State, local officials demand relief for SHBP increases, criticize Murphy administration , by POLITICO's Daniel Han: State and local government officials are demanding state intervention to offset the impending increases in health care premiums for local workers on the state-run public workers health insurance program, while criticizing the Murphy administration's handling of the increases. During a press conference Wednesday, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Association of Counties and the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, as well as several lawmakers, called for long-term and short-term action to offset the increases, which will be around 20 percent for local government workers. Local leaders said the increases, which are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, would devastate to municipal budgets.

—"'Unsafe, unhealthy': NJ renters struggle to find affordable housing in safe environments"

—" Judge to rule this week on stay of decision striking casino PILOT amendments"

—"NJ small biz could soon be getting crucial assistance to survive "

BIDEN TIME

KEAN VS. MALINOWSKI: The first of two debates between Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski and Republican challenger Tom Kean Jr. will take place this morning in Clark, a town known for its elected officials' tolerance and transparency. The Gateway Chamber of Commerce-sponored event starts at 8:30 a.m. and will be livestreamed here or on C-SPAN.

NOT TOO PROUD TO BEG — "Proud Boys member from N.J. will plead guilty to Jan. 6 crime, lawyer says," by Kevin Shea for NJ.com: "A Rockaway man and member of the far-right group the Proud Boys will plead guilty Friday to a federal crime for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 rioting at the U.S. Capitol, his lawyer said. Shawn Price will admit to obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, in person in federal court in Washington, D.C., his lawyer, Harley D. Breite, announced Wednesday. The crime carries a potential five years in prison. Breite said he will argue for much less in the sentencing phase"

— " Veteran labor leader Rosenstein argues the need for human campaign contact"

—"Somerset Dems Chair Schaffer: 'Our… fundamental rights are on the ballot' "

—Steinberg: "Can Josh Shapiro conduct an effective campaign swing for Malinowski in late October?"

—"Navy officers in charge of candidate from N.J. who died during 'Hell Week' are disciplined"

—" CD-1 flashpoint: Gustafson goes off on 'wokeness'"

—"U.S. labor official from Bloomfield admits to collecting thousands in OSHA training scam"

LOCAL

MONMYWOOD — "Is Netflix coming to Fort Monmouth with a winning bid on the Mega Parcel? It says yes," by The Asbury Park Press' Dan Radel: "Streaming giant Netflix says it is the top bid in the race for Fort Monmouth's Mega Parcel, the largest property every put up for sale at the former U.S. Army base, though details remain unclear. Spokespeople for the company told the Asbury Park Press on Wednesday that it's bid was the 'preferred choice' for the 293-acre parcel out of four possible bidders. Officials at Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA), the state agency in charge of the fort's redevelopment, did not immediately confirm Netflix was chosen, but its executive director told the press the highest bidder had been contacted … A spokesperson for Netflix told the press that their proposal is for a 'state-of-the-art production complex,' at Fort Monmouth, which once served as fort for the Signal Corps, before being closed by the Army in 2011"

TIM TOAST — "Video shows Republican elections official taking down Democratic signs in Passaic County," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "A top Republican election official in Passaic County who serves on the board that counts votes was caught on camera this past weekend pulling down Democratic campaign signs. Video obtained by the New Jersey Globe shows Tim Troast, a member of the county board of elections who also serves as the Pompton Lakes GOP municipal chairman, removing signs for Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik, County Commissioner Pat Lepore, and County Commissioner Terry Duffy and loading them into his car. Law enforcement is reportedly aware of Troast's actions … As a member of the board of elections, Troast is responsible for hiring election workers and counting mail-in and provisional ballots, among other responsibilities."

AC — "Amid rising seas, Atlantic City has no plans for retreat," by The AP's Ted Shaffrey: "Some cities around the world are pulling back from shorelines, as rising seas from climate change increase flooding. But so far, retreat appears out of the question for Atlantic City, New Jersey. The breezy getaway town is on the water on a barrier, which was once reachable only by boat but in modern times via a causeway. The city fully occupies a small piece of land, water on either side, just above sea level … There is no obvious place for 38,500 residents, about 33% Black, to go. The city, popular with vacation goers in the Eastern U.S., particularly in the summer, brings in billions of dollars in revenue, another incentive to keep it intact as long as possible. 'Atlantic City is a seven billion dollar a year economic engine" that benefits all of southern New Jersey and must be maintained, said Jim Rutala, an Atlantic City planning contractor. Still, the flooding is getting deeper and more frequent.' … City leaders have no plans to take state offers to buy and demolish homes in flood-prone areas, according to Rutala. Instead, officials are spending $100 million, from 2016 through next year, to 'fortify and armor' the city from rising sea levels by installing sea walls, pump stations and bulkheads, according to Rutala"

R.I.P. — "Camden's Rosa Ramirez remembered as a 'social justice warrior'," by The Courier-Post's Phaedra Trethan: "In a 1992 profile, Rosa Ramirez told the Courier-Post she wanted to be remembered 'as a friend of everybody.' 'I loved and I tried my best,' Ramirez said, 'I want to be remembered as a person who wanted to help everybody, so that they could say, 'I went there and she gave me a hand.' There are many in Camden and elsewhere who were on the receiving end of Ramirez's helping hands. The longtime Camden resident, social justice advocate and activist died Oct. 7 at the age of 80"

METROPARKOPOLIS — " MetroPark to become more than a train station under plan to build offices, apartments," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "A 'soulless' 12-acre parking lot that's sat dormant since the coronavirus pandemic next to the MetroPark train station in Woodbridge will become a mixed use development with several hundred apartments, office space and retail stores under a transit-oriented development plan announced Wednesday by Gov. Phil Murphy. 'We are standing on this soulless commuter surface parking lot that is going to change in a big way,' said Murphy at an event held on the parking lot's cracked asphalt"

—" State initiates 'direct operational oversight' of embattled [Trenton] water utility"

—"Gay cop who was demoted three ranks sues N.J. town for discrimination "

—"Violence spoils NJ football: [Long Branch] district bans all game spectators"

—" NJEDA awards $42.7M in tax credits for renovations of Jersey City's Loew's Theatre"

—" Asbury Park mayoral candidates talk community bona fides, policing with election weeks away"

EVERYTHING ELSE

UNRECOOPED — "Cooper loses bid to recoup $15 million related to abandoned Lourdes Health acquisition in 2017," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Harold Brubaker: " For almost five years, Cooper Health System has been trying to recoup $15 million related to its abandoned 2017 bid to acquire hospitals in Camden, Willingboro, and Trenton from Trinity Health. Cooper alleged in a December 2017 complaint that potential liabilities of as much as $100 million uncovered during due diligence gave it the right to back out of the three-hospital deal and recover the $15 million it had put into escrow while final terms were worked out. After a six-day trial last month in U.S. District Court in Camden, a jury disagreed, reaching a verdict Sept. 30 that the $15 million in escrow should be paid to Trinity, which is based in Livonia, Mich."

NJ 101.5 TO RECRUIT BEER-THROWER AS NEXT DRIVE TIME HOST — "No charges for patron after beer thrown at comedian, Point Pleasant Beach police say," by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby: "Borough police did not charge a man who threw a beer Saturday at a comedian at the Uncle Vinnie's Comedy Club and disrupted a stand-up performance. The man, who was not identified, threw a beer at Ariel Elias, a New York City comedian originally from Kentucky, after an exchange between the comedian and the man's companion turned toward presidential politics. 'It's really disappointing if he (the beer thrower) faces no legal consequences,' Elias said in a private Twitter message to a Press reporter. 'But ultimately, he has to live with himself and that's probably punishment enough … The video has brought national attention to Elias and the Point Pleasant Beach community. Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel showed interest in booking Elias through a Twitter exchange between the two on Sunday."

HERE COMES THE BRINE — "This South Jersey couple said 'we do!' at a pickleball wedding," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Rita Giordano: "It wasn't love at first dink, but it was pretty close. Kristen Mueller of Cherry Hill and Troy Clemmer of Marlton sensed something special from the start. They met at a pickleball outing with friends, before either had mastered the game's signature skill shot. She noticed his style of play — scrappy, aggressive. Kind of like her own. Quietly, he noticed the same … As partners in love, pickleball, and business, becoming partners for life was the next happy step. And for this couple only one kind of wedding would do: a pickleball wedding. Actually, make that a pickleball extravaganza."

—"Men laughed while one wrote a racial slur on a Black student's dorm door, video shows. Rowan police say charges will not reflect a bias incident"

—" United to add more international flights from Newark as travel rates rise"

—"Undergraduate enrollment slips 10.1% at William Paterson University, president says "

— "In Ocean County, this 'best-kept secret' is working to predict the next Superstorm Sandy"

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