| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Wednesday morning! I can’t think of a better way to honor New Jersey’s agricultural heritage as well as its reputation for, ahem, unorthodox disposal of dead bodies than what state Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Middlesex) recently proposed. Vitale introduced legislation to update cemetery and crematorium regulations to “incorporate the creation and regulation of natural organic reduction facilities and the oversight of the organic reduction process.” This is more commonly known as “human composting,” and New Jersey wouldn’t be the first state to allow it. Like with physician-assisted death, which Vitale also sponsored, this practice was first legalized in the Pacific northwest — in Washington — and has since been adopted by five other states, including New York. I also think it's worth noting that Vitale introduced this bill just a few days state after Sen. Sam Thompson, now a fellow Middlesex County Democrat, compared the GOP ditching him to the movie Soylent Green, which he incorrectly but fortuitously summarized as being about euthanizing people to turn them into fertilizer. Jokes aside about bodies in the Meadowlands, there’s real reasons people want to have this. Some may not want to be cremated after they die, but also may not want to do anything that would artificially preserve their remains, or don’t want their corpse to have a negative environmental impact. Regardless, I think it’s healthy to openly discuss death, at least once in a while. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “[I]n 2018, the New Jersey legislature passed a resolution designating ‘pork roll’ as the official state sandwich of New Jersey, using the term that was more commonly used in the northern part of the state. This suggests that the term ‘pork roll’ is also considered accurate and valid by many people in the state.” — The AI chatbot ChatGPT demonstrating its own limitations while expounding on the Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll debate. Fact check: The Legislature did not pass a resolution designating pork roll as the official state sandwich. In fact, then-Assemblymember Tim Eustace in 2016 introduced two competing bills to name the state sandwich: One calling it a “pork roll, egg and cheese” and one calling it “Taylor Ham, egg and cheese.” Neither passed. WHERE’S MURPHY? In Monmouth Junction at 11 a.m. to visit a Pre-K program and make an announcement. Media: "Ask Governor Murphy" on News 12 at 4:30 p.m. | | | | JOIN POLITICO ON 3/1 TO DISCUSS AMERICAN PRIVACY LAWS: Americans have fewer privacy rights than Europeans, and companies continue to face a minefield of competing state and foreign legislation. There is strong bipartisan support for a federal privacy bill, but it has yet to materialize. Join POLITICO on 3/1 to discuss what it will take to get a federal privacy law on the books, potential designs for how this type of legislation could protect consumers and innovators, and more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
|  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
OVERTURNING ROE = GOP WOE — Poll: Support for abortion rights has increased in N.J., by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: A majority of New Jerseyans favor writing abortion protections into the state constitution, something New Jersey lawmakers recently considered but did not do, according to a new poll. The Monmouth University survey released Tuesday of 809 New Jerseyans found 58 percent said it was a good idea to put abortion protections into the constitution, while 34 percent said it was a bad idea and 9 percent didn’t know ... The poll showed strong and growing support for abortion rights in New Jersey. New Jersey residents who considered themselves “pro-choice” outnumbered those who called themselves “pro-life” by more than two-to-one, 62 percent to 29 percent. That’s significantly higher than an April 2013 Monmouth poll, which found 54 percent called themselves “pro-choice” and 38 percent “pro-life.”
—“New Jersey, with 19 other states, seeks to expand reproductive freedom” THE HORIZON BOARD IS BECOMING NJ DEMS’ RETIREMENT HOME — “Caputo will leave State Assembly to take Horizon board seat,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Nutley), who has served in the legislature during the presidencies of Lyndon B. Johnson and Joseph Biden, will not seek re-election this year and instead is expected to resign his seat to join the board of directors of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed from two sources with direct knowledge over Caputo’s plans. Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to nominate Caputo to replace Paul Juliano, who is stepping down to become the president and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Caputo will leave the legislature upon his confirmation by the State Senate to the $82,000-a-year post. During a political career that has spanned 56 years, Caputo has defeated four incumbents in primaries and one in a general election. He joined the State Assembly six years before former Gov. Richard Codey (D-Roseland), now in his 50th year in the legislature.” IS THOMPSON AIMING FOR A HORIZON SEAT? — “What comes next for Sam Thompson, NJ's party-switching state senator?” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “For those who had hoped Thompson's departure was evidence of growing disenchantment within the Party of Trumpist Tribalism, don't hold your breath. Thompson's switch was fueled by a local-level political grievance and encouraged by Democratic Party opportunism. It's Thompson's bid to cling to power as a 24/7 legislator with a cellphone as long as possible. And on his terms … Despite the welcome, there are some Democrats who have qualms about opening the party tent to a staunch Trumpian who has voted against core Democratic Party priorities in Trenton — such as last year's vote to codify abortion and the recent package of bills to reduce gun violence, for starters. Thompson also opposed bail reform — although his opposition might come in handy now that some Democrats are looking to roll back some of those reforms. State Democratic Party Chairman LeRoy Jones Jr. said he has ‘grave concerns’ about Thompson's past voting record, but he hasn't taken the temperature of the Senate Democrats to see if they share those misgivings.” TIED WITH DELAWARE IS NEVER A GOOD PLACE TO BE — “N.J. is becoming more diverse. So, why aren’t there more teachers of color?” by NJ Advance Media’s Tina Kelley: “In a state known for its diversity, almost half of New Jersey public schools lack a Black teacher; nearly 3 in 10 do not have a Hispanic teacher; and more than half do not have any Asian ones, according to an NJ Advance Media analysis of state data for the 2020-21 school year. The hiring of teachers of color is slow to keep pace with the state’s increasing diversity for a host of reasons, including fewer diverse candidates, barriers to certification, and staffing cuts. Almost 60% of the state’s student population is Hispanic, Black, or Asian. Yet, only 17% of teachers are. As a result, New Jersey is tied with Delaware for the second-largest diversity gap between teachers and students nationwide, after California.” TILTING TOWARDS WINDMILLS — “Citing ‘disinformation,’ Murphy will not stop N.J. offshore wind work after whale deaths,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steven Rodas: “A spokesperson for Murphy, a Democrat, said scientific experts with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the state’s Board of Public Utilities are in coordination with federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has studied the marine mammal deaths for several years. But claims that acoustic systems used during survey work are linked to the whale deaths, including more than a dozen in the Greater Atlantic Region since the start of December, are unfounded, Murphy’s office and NOAA said. ‘The results of (federal) investigations have been unanimous and unmistakable: at this time, there is no evidence of specific links between recent whale mortalities and ongoing surveys for offshore wind development,’ Murphy’s office said in a statement Tuesday.” —“Growing group of mayors at odds with experts over whale deaths and offshore windmills,” by USA Today’s Dinah Voyles Pulver and Elizabeth Weise: “Twenty-two large whales have died along the U.S. Atlantic coast since Dec. 1, including 16 humpback whales between North Carolina and New York. Experts say that's not unusual because large whale deaths have been high in the region for years, with a dozen each in New Jersey and New York in 2019, and 22 total in the two states in 2020. However, the latest deaths have become a Republican cause célèbre for the first time. Individuals and organizations with ties to the fossil fuel industry have denounced the clean energy expansion efforts of President Joe Biden and New Jersey’s governor, Democrat Phil Murphy. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green and FOX News commentator Tomi Lahren have commented about the whale deaths and FOX commentator Tucker Carlson aired a series of segments on the deaths.” IMMIGRATION — “Private prison firm sues Governor Murphy in bid to continue housing ICE detainees,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “The company that runs the last immigration detention center in New Jersey is suing Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin over a 2021 law banning anyone from contracting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house immigrant detainees. CoreCivic, which operates correctional facilities and detention centers nationwide, says the 2021 law — which bars all state, country, and local agencies, along with private detention facilities, from renewing, extending, or entering into new immigration detention agreements — is unconstitutional. CoreCivic has a contract with ICE to house detainees in an Elizabeth jail through August” HALF LIFE — PSEG looks to extend life of nuclear plants, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: The owner of New Jersey's largest utility wants to upgrade and extend the life of three nuclear power plants, a sign of stability for the nuclear industry buoyed by new federal tax policy. A tax credit in the federal Inflation Reduction Act provides what amounts to a guaranteed price floor for nuclear energy through at least 2032. Because of that, Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. said it can begin thinking more about the longer-term future of its nuclear plants. —Opinion: “Overregulation hinders New Jersey’s charities” —“Dozens of N.J. towns, schools dump state public worker health plan after big rate hike, records show” —“NJ lawmakers want to lower health costs with more competition. Would that do anything?” —“Groups spar over NJ bill to let students use preferred rather than given names on diplomas” —“Advocates push Murphy, lawmakers to strengthen voting rights, make N.J. ‘most inclusive democracy’”
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SEAN CADDLE IS AVAILABLE UNTIL AT LEAST MARCH — “Lesniak won’t rule out Congressional race vs. Kean,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Former State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) is giving some thought to challenging freshman Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) in New Jersey’s 7th district next year. ‘What keeps me going are causes that I strive for,’ Lesniak told the New Jersey Globe. ‘I have not ruled it out.’ … Lesniak issued a statement calling on Kean to stand up to House Republicans who are opposing aid to Ukraine. ‘Separate yourself from Republican wackos and call out these fringe politicians and make a mark for yourself as the reasonable and responsible person I know,’ he said. ‘Your dad would be proud.’”
| | LOCAL | |
AREA POLITICIANS TO SUDDENLY EMBRACE STATE ENVIRONMENTAL BUREAUCRACY — “Do warehouses belong in NJ's Highlands region? Towns that say no getting help,” by The Record’s David M. Zimmer: “Officials at the state's Highlands Council are offering towns in the region cash to review local zoning regulations and potentially ward off warehouses. The council's “Local Zoning Local Control” program will provide as many as 10 municipalities with $5,000 to study local zoning for deficiencies or issues that could lead to inappropriate, unintended, or unwanted development, officials said. The goal is to ensure potential developments permitted by local zoning meet the community's vision.”
NO RESTING ON MT. LAURELS — “1,000+ people have applied for 3 affordable rentals in Haddonfield, as the borough tries to expand housing options,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Kevin Riordan: “Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich was walking in a Haddonfield neighborhood where a well-maintained house signifies her affluent community’s willingness — after years of opposition, contention, and reluctance — to embrace affordable housing as a public good. ‘Historically, Haddonfield hasn’t done a good job with affordable housing,’ the mayor said, pausing at a two-bedroom Fowler Avenue home that the borough bought for about $350,000 to reserve for income-eligible tenants … first round of applications closed Jan. 31 after attracting 1,169 prospective tenants for rental units on Fowler Avenue, Lake Street, and in Haddonfield Commons, and Triad is continuing to accept applications for a waiting list, township officials said.” BECAUSE HE ALLEGEDLY TOOK BRIBES? — “A Paterson housing inspector was charged with bribery. This is why,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Jose Fermin, a city housing and zoning inspector, allegedly took bribes for issuing fraudulent building permits, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. State authorities have not revealed how many bogus permits they think Fermin issued or how much money in bribes he allegedly collected. Court records said the alleged crimes happened between Nov. 1, 2020 and Sept. 15, 2022. Fermin, whose city salary was $47,396, allegedly operated with two co-conspirators — one who took the fraudulent permits from the inspector and another whose clients would receive the bogus building documents, according to court records filed with the criminal charges. R.I.P. — “Monmouth County Parks leader dies after 58 years on the job,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Susanne Cervenka: “James J. Truncer, the longtime leader who oversaw the growth of the Monmouth County Park System from 350 acres and three parks to more than 18,000 acres across more than three dozen facilities, died Sunday. He was 86 years old. Truncer, of Allentown, was still serving as the county's parks director, a position he had for 58 years, nearly the entire history of the system itself. ‘Jim was a true visionary and respected leader. We will always remember Jim's tireless dedication to the Park System and the people of Monmouth County as his legacy,’ a statement issued by Monmouth County Commissioners said.” —“[Camden County] jail developed a novel drug treatment policy for inmates. Now it’s a model for federal prisons” —“Funeral service set for Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour” —“Rutgers students call for change amid uptick in crimes near New Brunswick campus” —“Widespread damage reported after tornado warning in Central Jersey” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
SLAPP LAWSUIT COULD LEAD TO A DUEL — “Unionization and contract efforts drag on at Medieval Times,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Ted Goldberg: “Negotiations have stalled between the Medieval Times entertainment company and the union representing the cast at the Lyndhurst location. New Jersey members tried to unionize last summer, following in the footsteps of workers at other locations nationwide. But workers say the company won’t negotiate in good faith. The union’s name is Medieval Times Performers United, and the company is suing the union for trademark infringement, alleging the union’s name could create ‘consumer confusion.’ ‘It seems like we’re being punished for unionizing, when all we want to do is have a safe work environment and get paid properly for what we do,’ said worker Jonathan Beckas. William Brucher, a professor of Labor Studies and Employment Relations at Rutgers University, said of the union name, ‘My understanding, it’s well within fair use, because they are, of course, workers at Medieval Times … To me, it’s just an attempt at punitive retaliation.’”
AMERICAN SCREAM — “American Dream water park is an ‘unsafe structure,’ will stay closed during investigation, state says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jeff Goldman: “The water park at the American Dream entertainment complex in East Rutherford will not reopen until state officials complete an investigation into an incident Sunday in which four people were hurt after a decorative helicopter fell into a pool. The state Department of Community Affairs’ construction office has declared the building that houses the DreamWorks Water Park an ‘unsafe structure,’ a DCA spokeswoman said in an email Tuesday.” —“The woman who escaped. How accused kidnapper’s twisted trail of terror finally ended in N.J.” —“Arena near American Dream could get $2B replacement under new proposals” —“Unfinished business in Delaware River’s polluted urban stretch”
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