News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Why is Walsh waiting?

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Why is Walsh waiting?

Oct 11, 2022

Good Tuesday morning!

Last week, I wrote about how Acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh has been "acting" for three years because Camden County's two Democratic senators have been blocking the Merchantville resident's nomination.

This weekend, The Star-Ledger's Tom Moran published a column in which he asked Democratic power broker George Norcross about it. And that's reasonable, because state Sens. Jim Beach and Nilsa Cruz-Perez (both D-Camden), are not known for being willing to talk to the press off-the-cuff, or for taking stances not exactly in line with the local Democratic machine.

Writes Moran: "When I reached out, Norcross snarled, threw out a few choice personal insults, and signed off. No surprise there."

That's an interesting reaction, given that Tom Moran has been one of New Jersey's more friendly columnists to Norcross. Moran's written plenty of critical stuff about Norcross, but he's also a believer in the Norcross legacy.

But this is more than just about whether Walsh loses the "acting" in front of his name. The Comptroller's Office is supposed to have protection from political interference: They can only be fired "for cause." But that only applies to comptrollers who have been confirmed. So why are South Jersey Democrats depriving him of that?

Read more from Tom Moran here .

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 247

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "At the end, the newscasters said, 'That's the future of the country' … And I thought it would be great to explore our current times, to explore love and hate, through the lens of Barney." -South Jersey filmmaker Tommy Avallone, whose new documentary "I Love You, You Hate Me," explores the hatred engendered by Barney the purple dinosaur

WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Hudson County GOP Chair Jose Arango, former Assemblymember David Wolfe, , Democratic consultant James Devine, Lambertville Councilman Ward Sanders, NJCASA's Patricia Teffenhart Missed Friday: New Jersey Energy Coalition's Erick Ford

JOIN WEDNESDAY FOR A TALK ON U.S.-CHINA AND XI JINPING'S NEW ERA: President Xi Jinping will consolidate control of the ruling Chinese Communist Party later this month by engineering a third term as China's paramount leader, solidifying his rule until at least 2027. Join POLITICO Live for a virtual conversation hosted by Phelim Kine, author of POLITICO's China Watcher newsletter, to unpack what it means for U.S.-China relations. REGISTER HERE.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

SHBP WTF? — State knew of increased health care costs months before higher premiums were approved, by POLITICO's Daniel Han : State officials had strong indications in February that costs for the state-run public employees health insurance program were higher than expected — seven months before double-digit premium increases were approved. Yet the Murphy administration apparently did not share that information with key players, even after circulating internal documents that showed big increases in health care utilization for state and local government workers in New Jersey. The administration provided vague answers to questions from legislators and the state's nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services about the costs and failed to inform local governments of the extent of what it knew, according to documents obtained by POLITICO and interviews with nearly a dozen lawmakers and others familiar with the process. "If, in fact, they knew utilization was going to be up, that ultimately dictates how expensive the plan is going to be," John Donnadio, executive director of the New Jersey Association of Counties, said in an interview. "They should have certainly shared that info with us during the budget process, so we could have had more time to effectively plan for this."

DERAILED — " Is NJ Transit's customer advocate position dead? Why riders still lack a voice," by The Record's Colleen Wilson: "Cobwebs and dust metaphorically coat the office of the vaunted customer advocate position that's been vacant since Oct. 5, 2020. Gov. Phil Murphy and lawmakers touted the new position in 2018 as a much-needed voice for NJ Transit riders and the sign of a new era for the agency after years of trouble. But the person they hired flamed out after 18 months of criticism that he was a transit "spokesperson" rather than advocate. In two years, and after two job postings, NJ Transit has not been able to find one person in a region of 18 million people to be the voice for riders. Former state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, who helped draft the law that created the position, threw the blame on NJ Transit. 'This is a classic example of the bureaucracy overseeing NJ Transit who does not wish to see the law properly implemented,' Weinberg said. 'I would hope that Governor Murphy might also get involved to find out why the law that he signed has not been fully implemented.'"

JOKER CHASED OUT OF GOTHAM — " Amid player abuse report, Gotham FC owner Temares offers to step back from club governance," by The Record's Melanie Anzidei: "Gotham FC owner Steven Temares, who has come under fire after the release of a report outlining years of systemic abuse in professional women's soccer, on Sunday offered to remove himself from club governance pending the results of the ongoing NWSL and NWSLPA joint investigation. The report commissioned by U.S. Soccer brought to light years of abuse at Sky Blue, now Gotham FC, and raised questions about how the team's former head coach, Christy Holly, an allegedly abusive and unlicensed coach, was able to get another coaching job in the league after being fired from Sky Blue. Fans of the club have called for Temares to be removed from ownership over how he handled a reference check on Holly, who at the time was in the running for a new job at Racing Louisville FC. Temares said in a statement on Sunday that he intends to remain 'uninvolved' in Gotham FC's day-to-day operations and would step aside for the time being. 'In addition, to avoid any potential distraction to the Club, I am offering to remove myself from the Club's governance pending the final report from the NWSL and NWSLPA,' he said."

DIMAIO IS ALL OVER IT — " GOP leader: This fresh blow to newspapers and other businesses must be stopped," by John DiMaio for The Star-Ledger: "New Jersey's definition of an independent contractor, and the Murphy administration's strict enforcement of it, is a threat to the state's struggling news industry. A free press is vital to keeping government in check as the watchdog for the people. That is especially true in New Jersey considering our state's sordid, but earned, political reputation. Treating the men and women who deliver newspapers as employees, for the first time in state history, would cost The Star-Ledger about $3 million a year in taxes for worker benefits, and many businesses that the state could target face a similar fate … Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, New Jersey's test for independent contractors is stricter than the federal government. This not only jeopardizes the future of newspapers but has already threatened businesses throughout New Jersey that don't have the power of the pen and access to hundreds of thousands of readers to call for help. The Star-Ledger should speak for them, too"

SACCO: IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY THAT FULOP GETS A TERM — " Sacco on Fulop for gov: 'North Bergen & Hudson County have made him our favored son'," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "State Senator (D-32)/North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco went all in on Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop's potential 2025 bid for governor at his annual mayor's ball last night, exclaiming that 'North Bergen and Hudson County have made him our favored son.' 'Steve Fulop is running for governor. We in North Bergen and Hudson County have made him our favored son and we're moving forward with our plans to see a governor again from Hudson County – something we haven't seen,' Sacco said at the podium. He may not want me to be saying this, but we're ready to go for him: completely and totally. Fulop for governor.' Fulop, who backed Sacco's re-election bid in May a few minutes prior, thanked Sacco and asked the over 2,000 on hand 'who's better than Nick Sacco?' to applause."

—"Counties, towns weigh withdrawal from state health plan"

—" Man can argue he needed handgun because police did not protect him, N.J. court rules"

—"Jones projects confidence at Democratic convention"

—"Widow fights to have defibrillators on every floor of N.J. courthouses to prevent tragedy that took husband's life"

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.

BIDEN TIME

NJ HAS MANY ELEVATORS TO DUCK INTO — In pivotal New Jersey congressional race, Kean Jr. eschews local press, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Tom Moran, the editorial page editor for New Jersey's largest newspaper, said it hit him like a "sucker punch." Former Republican Gov. Tom Kean, generally considered the most revered living figure in New Jersey politics, slammed the veteran Star-Ledger columnist in an interview with NJ Spotlight News after his son, Tom Kean Jr., publicly refused to sit down with the newspaper's editorial board. "Tom Moran has put things in the paper that are inaccurate, unfair, and he's never been given a chance to answer those things. If it happens again and again and again, eventually you just give up," the 87-year-old elder statesman said … Kean Jr. … has avoided most interview requests from the local press and has not given advance notice of his public appearances, banking instead on his famous name and the local media's decreased relevance amid shrinking newspaper circulations and declining TV news viewership.

THE ATM STATE — "'There is so much at stake right now,' Vice President says during fundraiser in Princeton ," by NJ Advance Media's Matt Arco: "Vice President Kamala Harris' motorcade rolled into an exclusive Princeton neighborhood Monday morning to meet with a small group of supporters and deliver a stark warning: elections have consequences and nothing should be taken for granted ahead of the looming midterms. 'Twenty-nine long and 29 short days from the midterms,' Harris told the crowd of about 20 people inside the home of Deepak Raj, the founder and managing director of a private investment firm and a major Democratic contributor. Raj was one of 14 New Jersey residents who raised at least $100,000 for Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign … She arrived shortly after 11 a.m. and posed for pictures followed by a 15-minute speech and a closed-door question-and-answer session, departing Princeton about an hour after her arrival."

IDENTITY POLITICS, MEET GRIEVANCE POLITICS — "Republicans hit Dems over Columbus Day messaging," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "Tapping into the unsettled debate over Columbus Day versus Indigenous Peoples' Day, two Republicans running for Congress, 3rd district candidate Bob Healey Jr. and 5th district candidate Frank Pallotta, trashed their Democratic opponents this morning for purportedly disrespecting Italian Americans. Healey, who's running against two-term Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), took aim at Kim's decision last year to post a 'Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day!' message on Facebook. 'It is extremely regrettable that last year, when Congressman Kim was not up for reelection, he jumped on the woke bandwagon in seeking to replace [Columbus Day] with 'Indigenous People's Day,' Healey said … So far this year, neither Gottheimer nor Kim has released a statement mentioning either holiday"

—"Hakeem Jeffries boosts — and courts — Gottheimer at N.J. event"

—Stile: " These are stances Tom Malinowski, Tom Kean Jr. took in impromptu policy debate"

—Golden: "Christie fails to ignite "

—"Booker channels Edmund Burke"

—" Pro-choice advocates rally in Montclair ahead of midterm election"

—"'What Bronze Star?': Wall Vietnam veteran battles red tape, gets medal 55 years later "

—"RNC chair coming to N.J. to boost Kean"

LOCAL

THEY'RE NOT RATS, THEY'RE 'COOPERATING WITNESSES' — "Passaic prosecutor had staffer wash her rugs, clean attic, pull rats from trash, suit says ," by The Record's Steve Janoski: "For nearly six years, Daisy Vargas allegedly served as Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes' reluctant right hand. Valdes first took a liking to Vargas — who was hired as a bilingual stenographer nearly two decades ago — after Vargas redecorated an office bathroom in 2013, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in state Superior Court in Paterson. Then it snowballed. First, Vargas helped her boss redecorate the bathroom in her Totowa office, the suit said. Then Vargas helped Valdes and her daughters move. Then she redecorated Valdes' townhouse. Before she knew it, the lawsuit said, Vargas was catering Valdes' parties on her own dime, putting up Valdes' Christmas decorations, cleaning her attic, shampooing her rugs, pulling dead, decaying rats from her garbage cans, pleading with her husband to fix Valdes' car for free and dropping $1,000 on a deposit for Valdes' father's funeral, among other things. In return, Valdes granted Vargas a promotion and her own office, according to the suit. But when it became too much and Vargas ended the friendship in 2019, Valdes allegedly retaliated by creating a work environment so hostile that it sent Vargas into the hospital for a psychological condition and severe depression, the lawsuit said."

'NOT A CONFLICT' — "Hoboken Mayor Bhalla taps Nastasi, popular architect for city projects, for home renovation," by The Jersey Journal's Teri We st: "Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla is embarking on renovations to his Garden Street brick rowhouse that will include a three-story addition to the rear of the building, according to a construction permit issued in May. His contractor? Nastasi Builders, one of the most prominent in Hoboken and the architect of Bhalla's envisioned municipal complex on Adams Street … 'He selected Mr. Natasi because of his excellent reputation and that he can also serve as the job's general contractor — making it one stop shopping,' said Rob Horowitz, a spokesman for Bhalla. 'Before hiring Mr. Nastasi, the mayor vetted his hiring decision with the city's legal counsel, who determined there was not a conflict.' Nastasi was awarded a $1.7 million contract in February to design the proposed Department of Public Works facility at 1501 Adams St. after being awarded a $24,000 contract for the project in December … The estimated cost of the construction, which also includes some plumbing and sewer work, totals $547,700, according to the building permits.

—" 'It's a willingness issue': This is why some Paterson homeless won't seek shelter"

—"Should NJ towns steer public projects to union labor? Parsippany latest to take up debate"

—"Cherry Hill voters approved a $363 million school bond referendum, N.J.'s largest in at least a decade"

—" Three Readington female officials sue township, allege sexual discrimination in pay"

—"Hillsborough controversial warehouse plan hits environmental snag "

—"'We need more trees, not less': Plan for Overpeck great lawn draws residents' ire"

—"[Montclair and Glen Ridge] declare state of emergency amid water main break"

—" Newark case will determine if school board members should have voted to enter costly litigation"

EVERYTHING ELSE

—"Comedian Ariel Elias chugs beer thrown at her during act in NJ club"

—"Boat 10-knot speed limit? NOAA says it saves right whales, critics say it kills industry"

—" This teacher keeps an empty chair in his [Montclair] classroom. Here's why other schools are doing the same"