News: Murphy runs the DGA

Monday, December 5, 2022

Murphy runs the DGA — again

Dec 05, 2022

Presented by AARP New Jersey

Good Monday morning!

Gov. Murphy is once again chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Read more about that from Matt Arco here . And from The Washington Post we learned some details about his time there, like how he and James Carville dined at this restaurant and that Murphy took pictures with women in front of the — get this — elevator bank.

Just three governor seats are up next year: A red state Democratic governor running for reelection in Kentucky, a Democratic-held seat with a term-limited incumbent in Louisiana and a Republican-held seat in, uh, Mississippi. On the bright side for Murphy, he took the job in New Orleans, so if the election doesn't go well, his political career can at least get a jazz funeral.

News from the weekend below.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 302

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

WHERE'S MURPHY? — No public schedule.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Please inform the stupid people of Englewood that I am perfectly willing to pay the debts for which I am responsible. Those for which I am not responsible, I refuse to pay." — Edith Marie Van Buren in 1901

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Jessica Calefati, Jeff Booker, Rocco Riccio

A message from AARP New Jersey:

Caring for a parent, spouse or other older loved one can be financially and emotionally draining. Every day, family caregivers struggle to assist older loved ones often using money out of their own pockets. The average family caregiver spends about a quarter of their income on caregiving activities. That's a huge burden. But NJ lawmakers can give family caregivers the relief they need by supporting the Caregiver's Assistance Act (A1802/S2021). Tell lawmakers: support (A1802/S2021).

WHAT TRENTON MADE

HEALTH NEWS — " Flu, RSV, COVID 'trifecta' fills NJ hospitals and emergency rooms ," by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby: "Across New Jersey, a triple-threat is filling emergency rooms. Three serious respiratory infections — influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV — are straining healthcare systems as they spread across New Jersey, according to doctors. 'The demand (for care and treatment) that this trifecta has required has definitely left us… shocked and strained,' said Dr. Sanjay Mehta, who oversees pediatric emergency care for the CentraState Healthcare System in Freehold. For the first time in Mehta's memory — he has worked at the hospital for 15 years — other pediatric hospitals across the state have declined to accept transfers of young patients due to a lack of beds, the doctor said."

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — " More domestic violence victims finding refuge in N.J. hotels as calls for help rise ," by NJ Advance Media's Brianna Kudisch: " The demand to place domestic violence survivors in safe houses has exploded in recent years, advocates and officials said. Calls to domestic violence hotlines spiked during the pandemic's first year as people reached out for help and experts worried a housing crisis loomed. Now, the state is seeing an increase in the use of its hotel aggregator program, which started in 2020 to help agencies place domestic violence victims in area hotels instead of shelters. This year, officials are projecting more than 3,400 domestic violence victims in New Jersey will end up in hotels through the relatively new program. Over the past year, the number of domestic violence calls and intensity of abuse have increased in New Jersey, mirroring nationwide trends, agencies say"

RICE-A-CEREMONY — " 'Authentically the North Star' – New Jersey honors Senator Ronald L. Rice ," by InsiderNJ's Max Pizarro: "New Jerseyans came here from all corners of the state on Saturday to honor retired state Senator Ronald L. Rice (D-28) as an uncompromising, often lone voice champion of the poor and dispossessed. Rice stepped down in August after a 36-year career in the state senate. "This is such a wonderful tribute to someone who deserves it," U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) told the packed oversized room downtown in Rutgers University's Ruth Bader Ginsberg Hall."

MR. JONES AND JERSEY — Jones: 'We kind of never expected' to be among the very first Democratic primary states, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Despite a push by state leaders, New Jersey will almost certainly not be one of the very first presidential primaries in the nation in 2024. "We kind of never expected that," Democratic State Chair LeRoy Jones said in a phone interview. "That would have been a serious win, for sure. But our expectations were very measured." Jones is still hopeful New Jersey will get a relatively early primary slot.

—" How did NJ students do on the NJSLA test post COVID? Results will be released next week"

—" N.J. cannabis panel gives initial green light to consumption lounges "

—" Surge in calls to NJ's gambler hotline "

—" Friendly Fire: Be skeptical of a Murphy-anointed probe "

—" Stomping Grounds: Murphy's pandemic review, the next presidential election, gerrymandering, and the state of the media "

—Moran: " Murphy bullied the wrong woman. Now she's crushing his White House dreams "

—Mulshine: " Gun control: It's time to bury the Graves Act

—McKeon: " New Jersey's tough gun bill respects the 2nd Amendment and will save lives "

—" Murphy names Jennifer Sciortino senior advisor for strategic communications "

—" For the first time, a medical marijuana outlet gets approval by N.J. to begin selling recreational weed "

— "NJ explores creation of new regional market for clean energy "

POLITICO APP USERS: UPGRADE YOUR APP BY DECEMBER 19! We recently upgraded the POLITICO app with a fresh look and improved features for easier access to POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Starting December 19, users will no longer have access to the previous version of the app. Update your app today to stay on top of essential political news, insights, and analysis from the best journalists in the business. UPDATE iOS APP – UPDATE ANDROID APP .

BIDEN TIME

INFLICTING PAYNE — " Biden's Holiday Express delivers for 21st Century robber barons at rail workers' expense ," by InsiderNJ's Bob Hennelly: "As destiny would have it, this 21st century train wreck fell into the lap of New Jersey's own Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-10th) who chairs the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. This week it would be up to Payne to try a real hat trick, get the House to sign off on Biden's defective rail deal and in the next breadth pass a bill to grant the rail workers seven of the 15 sick days they had been stiffed out of by the rail robber barons. Not since Denzel Washington starred in the 2010 thriller Unstoppable as a locomotive engineer who gains control of a runaway freight train, has there been such a daunting assignment."

PATERSON MAN THREATENS 'INTERESTING INTERJECTIONS' — " As excessive helicopter noise in Clifton continues, Pascrell pressures FAA and its budget ," by The Record's Colleen Wilson: " U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. threatened to make some 'interesting interjections' to the Federal Aviation Administration's budget over what he said were 'disappointing' conversations with agency officials over concerns about excessive helicopter noise. 'I support most of these agencies' budgets when it comes time,' the Democratic congressman from the 9th Congressional District, who is on the Ways and Means Committee, said in a recent interview. 'The authorization for their budget comes up next year for the FAA, and if I have to go that route, I'll go that route.'"

—" Bill Stepien's midterm score "

A message from AARP New Jersey:

LOCAL

TRENTON CLAIMS 2023 TITLE FOR STATE'S MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL CITY BEFORE THE YEAR BEGINS — " Murphy must name interim Trenton city council members ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Five of seven Trenton City Council seats will be vacant on January 1 after a Superior Court Judge moved the runoff elections to January 24, which means Gov. Phil Murphy must fill the vacancies on an interim basis until the election results are certified around February 6. Until Murphy names an interim city council, the state' capital city won't have a quorum to conduct business for the first five weeks of 2023. Mayor Reed Gusciora, who secured a second term with a massive 71% landslide in the November 8 non-partisan municipal election, will take office on New Year's Day. So will Councilman Joseph Harrison, who was re-elected to his East Ward seat, and West Ward Councilwoman-elect Teska Frisby."

—" Judge moves Trenton runoffs for North and South Wards back to December 13 after AG's office acknowledges error "

TRENTON MAKES, THE WORLD DOESN'T CARE — " No comments: Trenton council silences Vaughn with civics lesson ," by The Trentonian's L.A. Parker: "The calamitous election included Gov. Phil Murphy offering an endorsement for seated Mayor Reed Gusciora although state monitors control most Trenton government actions; at-large candidate Yazminelly Gonzalez being challenged about residency; South Ward candidate, Jenna Figueroa Kettenberg, being criticized about her alleged Latina heritage while she dissed the candidacy of rival Evangeline Ugorji who apparently had signatures of two dead people amongst her accepted petitions; and City Clerk Garcia seemingly in way over his head. Trenton politics remains dysfunctional, personal and pitiful. Hardly anyone cares anymore which means this city appears doomed."

—" Trenton elections are screwed up and there may be no good fix "

—" Trenton, NJ councilwoman questioned whether police director is really Black "

ALARMING — " NJ cop hacked 2,800 student accounts to steal nude pics, prosecutors say ," by NJ 101.5's Erin Vogt: "A former Mount Laurel police officer already charged with hacking into one woman's social media accounts and stealing nude photos has been accused of being a serial hacker — breaking into 2,800 student email accounts at Rowan College of Burlington County, police said. Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw on Friday announced 87 new charges against 22-year-old Ayron Taylor, stemming from 18 more victims, some of whom also had private nude photos sent to social media contacts. The police department suspended Taylor in October and began measures to fire him — he ultimately resigned. Investigators have since found that some of his hacking was carried out from a patrol car while he was on duty, using personal electronic devices."

PASSAIC COUNTY — " Passaic prosecutor Valdes had great promise. Did ego send the wheels flying off? " by The Record's Steve Janoski: "When Camelia Valdes took over the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office in 2009, many thought it marked a new day for a troubled agency that had been crippled by budget cuts, carved up by layoffs and crushed beneath stacks of internal lawsuits. Plucked from the ranks of the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey by then-Gov. Jon Corzine, Valdes brought an impressive resume … But the hope and promise did not last. Now, 13 years into her tenure, Valdes finds herself buffeted by multiple conflagrations, including lawsuits alleging employee abuse, an unprecedented no-confidence vote by the county's police unions and a burgeoning controversy over her pulling the plug on investigations into corrupt Paterson police officers. This string of stumbles has threatened to collapse her reign."

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS COME DOWN TO BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN, FREDDY VS. JASON — " Here's why some Monmouth school board candidates are staying off the ballot. And winning ," by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: "Here's why some Monmouth school board candidaJohn Ord is a unique member of the Roosevelt Board of Education. Since 2019 he is the only winning board member whose name has appeared on the ballot. In the past four school board elections for this small, one-school district, all winning candidates except Ord have won write-in campaigns because no candidates had to formally run … It's not exclusive to Roosevelt. Throughout Monmouth County, 15 school board members were elected to their boards this fall via write-in ballots after no one formally chose to run for those seats."

RECKLESS — " A former slave — one of N.J.'s biggest unsung heroes — gets long-overdue honor in her hometown ," by NJ Advance Media's Jackie Roman: "More than two centuries after she escaped slavery to become a leader of the abolitionist movement, Amy Hester 'Hetty' Reckless is being honored in Salem County with a new community center bearing her name." The Amy Reckless Civic Center on West Broadway in Salem City, owned and operated by Salem Free Public Library, will function as a community gathering spot for programs and events"

—" Two massive fires in North Hudson displace dozens of families "

—" Wyckoff's first Democrat committee member resigns "

—" State trooper breaks woman's fall from Atlantic City Expressway overpass "

—" N.J. [School Ethics Commission] removes West New York BOE trustee for not filing financial disclosure form "

—" Union City landlord who had ethics complaint against Stack dismissed still seeking recourse "

JOIN WEDNESDAY FOR A POLITICO DISCUSSION ON THE NEW TRAVEL EXPERIENCE : Americans are now traveling in record numbers — but the travel experience has changed drastically in recent years, not always for the better. What lessons can we learn from the pandemic and different responses around the globe? And in the face of a possible recession, what will help the travel industry remain vibrant and deliver jobs? Join POLITICO on Dec. 7 for "The Travel Experience Redefined" to discuss these questions and more. Breakfast and coffee will be provided. REGISTER HERE .

EVERYTHING ELSE

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE COPS — " Chris Christie's niece kicked off New Orleans plane, injured 6 deputies, officials say ," by The Times Picayune's Gabriella Killett: "Shannon Epstein, 25, boarded the Spirit Airlines flight to New Jersey on Nov. 24 at about 6 a.m., and asked a family who were near her and whom she perceived to be Latino if they were 'smuggling cocaine,' said Capt. Jason Rivarde, a Sheriff's Office spokesperson. Airline workers requested Epstein be removed from the plane as she became increasingly irate, and the plane, which had started to taxi to the runway, returned to the gate, Rivarde said Friday. … In the scuffle, she injured six deputies, biting one on the arm and breaking the skin, and kicking another in the groin, Rivarde said. They were treated there by paramedics. All the while, Epstein shouted that the deputies were going to lose their jobs or end up in jail, boasting that she was related to powerful people and that her uncle is a friend of former President Donald Trump, Rivarde said. Chris Christie did not return messages left Friday at two telephone numbers associated with him."

WASHINGTON RALLYING THE PRICE AT MONMOUTH— " Historic painting, heated debate: Why Battle of Monmouth canvas has struck a nerve ," by The Asbury Park Press' Jerry Carino: "In the summer of 1937, shortly after his family donated the painting 'Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth' to the Monmouth County Historical Association, Walter B. Howe wrote a series of letters indicating satisfaction with the decision … Those words have renewed relevance now, as the painting has become quite a story. In May its famous companion painting 'Washington Crossing the Delaware,' by the same German artist Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, sold at auction for $45 million. That begged the questions: Is the MCHA sitting on a gold mine, and how should that be handled? The ensuing discussion has set the local-historian community ablaze with passionately voiced concerns for the painting's future, prompting the MCHA (at the behest of media inquiries) to issue three rounds of statements on its position – and shining a light on the prickly intersection of history, art and money."

—" With high-speed crashes on the rise, N.J. needs to push drivers into the slow lane, advocates say "

A message from AARP New Jersey:

Caring for a parent, spouse or other older loved one can be financially and emotionally draining. Every day, family caregivers struggle to assist loved ones often using money out of their own pockets. The average family caregiver spends about a quarter of their income on caregiving activities. Many take on debt or tap into savings to make sure their loved ones get the care they need. That's a huge burden. And their sacrifices save the state and taxpayers money by keeping their loved ones out of costly nursing home facilities. New Jersey family caregivers provide more than $13 billion a year in unpaid care. It's past time to give them some financial relief. NJ lawmakers can take action by supporting the Caregiver's Assistance Act (A1802/S2021). This bill would provide a modest tax credit for family caregivers who pay for expensive care out of their own pockets. Tell lawmakers: support (A1802/S2021).