| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | It’s been a while, but we’re finally seeing some new developments related to the Sean Caddle case. Bomani Africa, one of the two hit men that Caddle admitted hiring to kill Michael Galdieri, is scheduled to be sentenced today. Prosecutors are asking for 15 to 18 years in prison, according to The Record. Caddle and the other hit man, George Bratsenis, are scheduled to be sentenced next month. Sentencing memos from the government obtained by several New Jersey media outlets give some new details on Caddle’s hiring of the men, but nothing that speaks to motive. For instance, the documents mention that Caddle met Bratsenis through his brother, who served prison time with him, and that Bratsenis began working on a state Senate campaign with Caddle in 2013. Some of that was known, or presumed, but not confirmed. Per The Record’s Ashley Balcerzak: “Prosecutors wrote that at a dinner at Caddle’s home in March or April 2014, Caddle told Bratsenis he was aware of Bratsenis’ extensive criminal history and a murder he committed in 1984. Caddle told Bratsenis he wanted to have someone killed, and asked if he knew if someone would commit the murder for $15,000, prosecutors wrote.” A year ago, when this story first broke, everyone noticed the circumstantial similarities between Galdieri’s murder and the still-unsolved Sheridan deaths. In both cases, the victims were stabbed to death and their surroundings set aflame. This document shined no light on that, and there’s no indication that prosecutors have found any connection. And, at this point, there’s really no way to tell how far authorities pursued it. But what everyone is really waiting for is to see just how much Caddle has offered — and how much the government has taken him up on — as a cooperating witness. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I hear there’s a lot of packages. That’s all I hear — this package, that package. I don’t believe in any package until I see the Senate confirm them.” — New Jersey State Bar Association President Jeralyn Lawrence on the judge shortage WHERE’S MURPHY? In Clinton at 11 a.m. to discuss liquor license law. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Ian Shearn, Jeff Van Drew | | | | 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 | |
OLDWIRTH — More delays in fired health official's lawsuit against Murphy administration, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Despite a judge’s attempt to speed it up, a lawsuit filed nearly three years ago by former Assistant Health Commissioner Christopher Neuwirth against the state alleging retaliation by the Murphy administration and defamation by the governor is still bogged down in pre-trial procedure, with no end in sight. Now the state’s bar association president is questioning whether the case will even be resolved before Gov. Phil Murphy leaves office in January 2025. That could be in part because of the lack of progress in nominating and confirming judges by the Murphy administration and the Democratic-controlled state Senate. Earlier this month, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, citing 69 judicial vacancies in the state, ordered to temporarily halt civil and matrimonial trials in six counties — though not Mercer, where the Neuwirth case was filed. “We’re now [two weeks] into this shutdown, and there’s not a new judge that’s been placed on the bench,” Jeralyn Lawrence, president of the New Jersey State Bar Association, said in a phone interview. “I don’t think it’s a far reach to conclude that maybe the next governor’s first term will be over by the time the trial starts.”
A SIMPLE PLAN — Assembly Republicans propose new plan to fund schools: Fund the existing school aid formula, by POLITICO’s Carly Sitrin: Assembly Republicans are proposing a new plan they say will fully fund all school districts in New Jersey and lower local property taxes statewide: Put more state aid into the already existing school funding formula. Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio said Wednesday his party in the lower House wants to increase the state’s contribution to education aid by anywhere from $1.2 billion to $2.95 billion to fully meet the needs of school districts as set by the state’s funding formula enacted in 2008. In return, DiMaio said, districts “would be required to lower local property taxes dollar for dollar.” The money needed would come from the state’s surplus, according to DiMaio. ENERGY — Two power plant projects, miles apart, test Murphy’s clean power target, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: Instead of appeasing his harshest environmental critics, Gov. Phil Murphy’s plan to adopt some of the nation’s most ambitious clean power targets may be inflaming them. That’s because even as his administration says it is preparing for a future of carbon-free power, two state agencies are planning to spend over $700 million on two gas-fired power plants within a few miles of each. Last week, Murphy said he wants the state to get 100 percent of its power from carbon-free sources by 2035 — the most aggressive target of any large state. Many leading environmental activists praised the move, but a few continued to question Murphy’s commitment to climate change action because of the two plants, one planned in Newark and the other in neighboring Kearny. Each has fueled months of opposition and community activism. —“NJ corporate business tax brings in $664M and should be kept, analysts say” —“Could weddings or car shows be a lifeline to preserved farms struggling in South Jersey?” —“N.J. legislators propose punishing social media companies for kids’ online addiction” —“N.J. expanding free pre-K again, Murphy announces. See which school districts are included” —“Schepisi and Auth will run with Azzariti in 39th, possibly ending GOP Assembly primary” | | BIDEN TIME | | —“Proposal to give $1,000 at birth to American infants would lower inequality, Booker says” —Snowflack: “Sherrill sees strong support for Ukraine in her district”
| | LOCAL | |
IN AC, THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS BUT THE HOUSED OFTEN LOSE — “Atlantic City Housing Authority fined $10,000, given till March 14 to fix mold, infestations,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “The Atlantic City Housing Authority was fined $10,000 Tuesday and given until March 14 to fix outstanding violations of city code at the aged Stanley Holmes Village public housing complex, a city official said. Municipal Court Judge Henry L. Warner issued the fine Tuesday, said Dale Finch, director of licensing and inspection for the city. ‘He sent a message to them, I believe,’ Finch said … [D]espite finding hundreds of health and safety violations in its latest inspection, HUD gave Stanley Holmes a passing grade. The city went into almost all 420 units at the aging public housing complex on an emergency basis in early December and issued eight summonses for violations of city code after inspectors found 220 units had infestations of mice, roaches and bed bugs; 106 had mold; 67 had heating issues; 60 had a stove or oven malfunction; 57 had nonworking smoke detectors, 51 had nonworking carbon monoxide detectors, 45 had hot water temperatures below what they should be, and 20 had refrigerator problems.”
METRO RIDES THE, UH… PARIS PATH TRAIN — “Mayor travels in secret to Paris with council members and department heads,” by The Jersey City Times’ Aaron Morrill: “Mayor Fulop has taken a group, which includes council members and city department heads, to Paris to meet with officials of the Pompidou Museum. In June of 2021, Mayor Fulop announced a plan to build a $40 million satellite of the famed museum in the Pathside Building at Journal Square. The mayor has argued that the Jersey City satellite, to be called ‘Pompidou x,’ will attract visitors from around the region, spur development, and elevate Jersey City’s profile in the art world. News of the trip was apparently limited to a small group of City Hall insiders … Council President Joyce Watterman, Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey, Director of Cultural Affairs Christine Goodman, Business Administrator John Metro, and Housing, Economic Development and Commerce Director Annisia Cialone are in the group, according to a source.” THERE’S AN AP FOR THAT — “Two North Jersey districts will add AP African American Studies class banned by DeSantis,” by The Record’s Ricardo Kaulessar: “When Gov. Phil Murphy announced last week that Advanced Placement African American Studies classes will be expanded in the state from one high school to 26, he left the actual list of schools a mystery. Now the picture is a little clearer on where students will have the new option in North Jersey. The Morris School District and Paterson Public Schools confirmed after inquiries from NorthJersey.com and the USA Today Network New Jersey that their high schools will be carrying the course.” LGBTQ-PD — “How this transgender Monmouth County detective made LGBTQ history in NJ,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Alex Biese: “Detective Connor Johnson is part of New Jersey history. Johnson, a Morris Plains native and part of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, is the first known, openly-transgender law enforcement officer in the state. Johnson, 36, isn’t shocked that barrier was left to be broken. He is, however, impressed with the desire for education among Garden State law enforcement professionals when it comes to interacting with members of the LGBTQ community.” —“Suspended Mount Olive cop, union president sues department for retaliation” —“[New Providence] cop files notice of lawsuit, faces IA charges the next day” —“Jersey City Fire Chief Steven McGill to retire after decades of service” —“Montclair council member accused of conflict of interest in Lackawanna Plaza hearings” | | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
MURPHY PROPOSES EVERY SENIOR GETS A SEAT ON THE HORIZON BOARD — “Amid NJ's senior population boom, families face many sensitive and costly care choices,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “As the bulk of the baby boom generation enters its golden years, the number of New Jerseyans over 60 is expected to explode this decade to 3 million residents — a jump of almost 1 million. By 2030, for the first time, seniors will make up a larger percentage of the state’s population than school-age children. In the decades to come, that wave of older New Jerseyans will place an enormous strain on a patchwork of services that is already difficult to access. ‘We're facing a real crisis,’ said Elizabeth Davis, executive director of Bright Side Family, a nonprofit senior care services organization in Teaneck … New Jersey has the highest base cost in the nation for assisted living, ranging from $6,300 to $8,300 a month, or $75,000 to $99,000 a year. The monthly cost for a home health aide is closer to the national average, but it’s still $5,710 — more than $68,000 a year — and that only covers six hours of care a day. A shared room at a New Jersey nursing home, in turn, cost an average of $11,254 a month in 2021 — or $135,000 a year — and $3,300 a month above the national average.”
SOYLENT GREEN RESTAURANT WILL SERVE KIDS AS WELL AS ADULTS — “A popular N.J. restaurant banned kids under 10. Here’s what other chefs had to say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jeremy Schneider: “David Viana may run two of New Jersey’s most lauded restaurants in Heirloom Kitchen and Heirloom at The St. Laurent. But before he’s an acclaimed chef, he’s a dad. And this past weekend, Viana was one of many watching as social media went wild over popular Italian restaurant Nettie’s House of Spaghetti in Tinton Falls, which announced Thursday they would no longer permit children under 10 years old in their dining room … Viana tried to process the news as both a parent and a restauranteur. ‘I support it, I think that it’s definitely something that they’re trying to curate as an experience for their guests, and they think the children have gotten in the way of having the best possible experience,’ Viana said. ‘I would never do that, I don’t think that’s hospitable for me. But I appreciate the level of detail and what they’re trying to curate.’ … Vicari was basically raised in the restaurant, he said, and fondly remembers spending time there as a child. ‘Honestly, I think that’s horrendous,’ Vicari said of Nettie’s new policy. ‘I want you to bring the kids, I want you to bring your families ... For this place to say they’re not going to accept kids under 10 years old, that’s ballsy.’” FILM YOUR OWN FELONY — “New York rapper Nas Ebk charged in YouTube incident at Rochelle Park ShopRite,” by The Record’s Liam Quinn: “A New York man was charged with assault and making terroristic threats after appearing in a YouTube prank video at ShopRite in Rochelle Park, the township police department said Wednesday. Nasir Valenzuela, 19, better known by his stage name Nas Ebk, a Bronx resident, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Penns Grove on Tuesday. … Valenzuela … and Buba are filmed going up to ShopRite customers and employees, asking them questions and yelling loudly. At one point, Buba takes the hat of an employee who reacted angrily … Toward the end of video, it cuts back to the disgruntled employee who engages in a verbal spat with Valenzuela and Buba, with the latter explaining they were filming a video. As the encounter escalated, Valenzuela is shown taking something out of his pocket. Rochelle Park police alleged that Valenzuela brandished a scalpel-style knife and threatened the employee. ‘Walk toward me again and I'll violate you,’ Valenzuela can be heard saying. Following the exchange the video shows Valenzuela appear to kick the man before running toward the store's exit.” —“A rare February tornado was confirmed in New Jersey, and the lack of snow may have been a factor” —“How will NJ commuters be affected as developer delays plans around Penn Station?” —“Cash-strapped NJCU can’t erase $10.9 million deficit, so it’s banking on new state aid, sale of assets”
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