| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Is the Election Law Enforcement Commission about to get less independent? Yesterday, just before voting on the massive “Elections Transparency Act” that would completely overhaul New Jersey’s campaign finance system, the Senate Judiciary Committee added an amendment that would make the commission’s executive director a gubernatorial nominee, serving at the governor’s pleasure. I’m not yet sure if the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which also advanced the bill yesterday, added the same amendment. As it stands, the executive director is appointed by ELEC’s commissioners, who are themselves nominated by the governor. So while there’s already connective tissue, this amendment would erode a check between the governor and the agency. (That’s not to say there haven’t been instances that raised suspicions of gubernatorial meddling in the agency). But typically in New Jersey, governors are usually also candidates for office — at least during their first terms. ELEC is not only responsible for their campaign finance reports, but also for the matching funds program most major gubernatorial campaigns have used. Jeff Brindle, ELEC’s current executive director who’s been broadly supportive of the Elections Transparency Act, didn’t know about this amendment before I asked him about it and seemed a bit taken aback. “That would really fly in the face of the independence of the commission, if that were to be done,” he said. “The governor is a candidate.” Some other striking changes to this bill would allow state and county political parties to create “housekeeping accounts” to pay for day-to-day expenses like legal activity, accounting, rent, etc. And these funds would be able to take donations twice the size as the explicitly political donations, which themselves are doubled under the bill. The League of Women Voters called this a “slush fund.” That, by the way, is on top of the already-existing provisions in the bill that would essentially gut New Jersey’s pay-to-play laws. Another change: The bill would create a two-year statute of limitations for ELEC to enforce campaign violations. If you know anything about ELEC, you know that it often takes a while for them to take action on anything. Perhaps this could be a well-intentioned way to speed the notoriously-slow agency up, but if so you’d expect it to be coupled with some generous funding. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Acting is like scoring a touchdown.” — Ed Harris, according to the New Jersey Hall of Fame as printed on a pillar at the Jon Bon Jovi rest stop. Oh wait, he actually did not say that. WHERE’S MURPHY? Lincroft for an 11 a.m. State Police graduation ceremony HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Jon Bramnick, Dale Florio, Laura Lindsey Jones, Trish Zita. Saturday for Jeffrey S. Jacobson, Frank Fiamingo. Sunday for AnneMarie Devito, Paul Fishman, Quinton Law, Taneshia Nash Laird, Jason Springer. Missed yesterday: David Cruz | | | | 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 | |
HALL OF SHAME — Murphy administration seeks $12 million in federal Covid funds for New Jersey Hall of Fame project in American Dream, by POLTICO’s Daniel J. Han: The Murphy administration is requesting the Legislature approve $12 million in federal Covid-19 relief funds to build the New Jersey Hall of Fame's new home at American Dream mall, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO. The request to build a new "Entertainment and Learning Center" within the East Rutherford mega-mall was the largest of seven requests sent to the Legislature in a memo dated Feb. 13, totaling $32 million in requested spending of federal Covid-19 relief funds. Other requests include several million dollars to shore up the municipal budget in Union City, lure more people to Newark and improve recreation facilities in Woodbridge.
CADDLE CASE — Hitman in murder-for-hire sentenced to 20 years, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: One of the two hitmen that former New Jersey Democratic operative Sean Caddle hired to kill an associate in a case that has put the state’s political world on edge was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday. Bomani Africa, 62, admitted working with fellow career criminal George Bratsenis to kill Michael Galdieri in 2014 at Caddle’s behest. During the hearing, the U.S. District Court Judge John Michael Vazquez for the first time revealed Caddle's motive for hiring the killers: He believed Galdieri stole money from him … called the murder “for a paltry sum of money” — $7,500 apiece — a “depraved, debased, vile” act. POLICE SHOOTINGS — “N.J. promised to change how it probes police shootings. Critics say it isn’t working,” by a bunch of reporters at NJ Advance Media: “The legislation was touted as a landmark step toward ensuring fair and transparent investigations. But four years later, reformers call the overhaul disappointing, saying secrecy by the state has kept both the public and grieving relatives in the dark about how these critical cases are decided. Families of those killed by law enforcement — from Newark to Trenton, to Asbury Park, to Ventnor — say they have little faith in the process, as the investigations move at a glacial pace, offer little insight into what happened and rarely result in criminal charges … The Attorney General’s Office insists the changes are doing exactly what supporters envisioned and have improved how New Jersey tackles often highly sensitive police shootings. The office says the system is thorough and objective and that backlogs are largely to blame on the coronavirus pandemic and its disruption of the courts … Since the law took effect, state prosecutors have announced at least 75 police-involved death investigations, 29 of which remain unresolved Police were cleared of wrongdoing in all but one case: a Trenton officer indicted in January for pepper-spraying an ailing man who died at the hospital less than three weeks later. And that officer was not charged directly in the death, instead facing a lesser charge of official misconduct. An attorney for the deceased man’s family denounced that outcome, calling it ‘bullsh–’ and saying other officers who were at the scene should have also faced justice.” STRONGER AND FAIRER AND SEPARATE BUT EQUAL — “Where is Phil Murphy on NJ school segregation? Fighting culture wars,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “After Ron DeSantis, Florida's dog-whistling governor and likely Republican candidate for president, took pains to trash the modernized AP curriculum, Murphy, a just-in-case Democratic candidate for president, embraced them as an important step in providing a more honest and complete rendering of African American history … But Murphy … has written his own perplexing and disappointing chapter in New Jersey’s long struggle against racism, some advocates say. A coalition of education and civil rights activists filed a potentially explosive lawsuit in May 2018, seeking to strike down the state's school residency requirement, which, they argued, has made New Jersey's schools among the most segregated in the country … After eight years of a combative and conservative Republican Gov. Chris Christie, hopes ran high that Murphy, a former executive board member of the NAACP, would embrace their initiative … The opposite has happened. The case has been bogged down in the courts, with the last hearing on it held almost a year ago … The opposite has happened. The case has been bogged down in the courts, with the last hearing on it held almost a year ago.” SCHNALL STALLS — “Lakewood Orthodox leader will not run for Assembly as a Democrat,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A powerful leader in Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish community who had explored a bid for State Assembly as a Democrat in a staunchly Republican district has decided not to run … Avi Schnall, the director of the New Jersey office of Agudath Israel of America, had spent the last few weeks looking at the race. His decision not to become a candidate makes the two veteran Republican incumbents, Sean Kean (R-Wall) and Ned Thomson (R-Wall), heavy favorites to win re-election in the 30th district.” —Senate to make small dent in judge shortage —Gov. Phil Murphy talks liquor license reform, fills out some details of plan —Senate committee advances another tough-on-crime bill, upsetting criminal justice reform advocates — “Limiting supply of Rx opioids fails to achieve goals” —“New Jersey’s plan to spend federal water aid leaves thousands without relief, critic warns” —“Is it time to expand deer hunting? N.J. task force puts deer population in the spotlight” —“NJ educators demand more care for teens experiencing a spike in bullying” —“Ciattarelli: Presidential ambitions are guiding Murphy on offshore wind development” —“Senate pulls Murphy Board Of Education pick from agenda for a second time” —“InsiderNJ’s 2023 African American Power List in honor of Black History Month” | | BIDEN TIME | |
AUTHORITY VS. AUTHORITY — “Congestion pricing could trigger a PA bridge and tunnel toll hike, stall vital projects, Gottheimer says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “The most vocal opponent of New York City’s congestion pricing plan to charge a $23 peak period toll to enter south of 60th Street issued a warning that it could put a dozen Port Authority projects in jeopardy and trigger a $2 toll hike on the agency’s bridges and tunnels, if enacted as it’s been proposed. Speaking with the George Washington Bridge towers in the background Thursday, U.S. Rep Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ, said the loss of in toll revenues could cost the Port Authority $1 billion in toll revenue over 10 years. ‘According to the MTA’s own projections, in their federal reporting, the Port Authority stands to lose $125 million a year, more than $1.25 billion over a decade in lost revenue,’ Gottheimer said in Fort Lee … But MTA CEO Janno Lieber said that is not the case. ‘They’re not in any MTA report and I have no idea where they came from,’ he said in response to NJ Advance Media questions.” —“EPA kept missing chemical safety deadlines under law named for N.J. senator, report says” —“Federal agency says no evidence offshore wind activity responsible for whale deaths” | | | | 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. | | | | | | | LOCAL | |
COLTS NECK NOW IDENTIFIES AS FILLYS NECK — “Colts Neck school board rejects attempt to change transgender student policy,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp: “A proposal to restrict bathroom and locker room use by transgender students and require teachers to notify parents of gender-questioning students failed to get school board approval Wednesday after an outcry from dozens of residents. The Board of Education voted, 7-2, against a proposal to revise the current transgender policy, which currently doesn’t require parental notification if a student opts to change their gender identity. It also allows students to use the bathroom or locker room of the gender with which they identify. ‘I’m concerned with this as a parent and as a board member because this policy as it stands means that in the middle school, a 6th grade girl could be walking into the locker room and a boy who identified as female could be fully unclothed in the locker room,’ said Board Member James Camera, who proposed the policy change two weeks ago … But the majority of board members opposed the idea, with several noting that it was put forth too soon and would unfairly target students who deserve equal protection.”
MAN HAS NERVE TO INFORM PUBLIC ABOUT CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION — “Atlantic City school board votes to file ethics charges against board member,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Christopher Doyle: “The city’s Board of Education voted Tuesday to file ethics charges against fellow board member John Devlin. The decision came as the board denounced Devlin for comments he made on a local radio station and criticized how he has represented the Atlantic City School District to the public … Devlin said he was considering taking legal action against Steele and the school board … [Board President Shay Steele] indicated the ethics complaints were prompted by comments Devlin made to WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM. Earlier this month, Devlin spoke to the radio station and described a basketball game between Atlantic City High School and the Atlantic County Institute of Technology as a ‘riot-like atmosphere.’ In July 2021, Devlin told WPG about a grand jury subpoena the board had been served, in what he said was political corruption … Steele said the subpoena had been brought to the board’s attention in executive session and should have been kept confidential.” A WELL REGULATED MILITIA OF ONE — “In road rage incident, Gloucester official pulls gun on motorist who hit his car,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A hit-and-run incident in Washington Township last Thursday led to Jack DeAngelo, the deputy director of the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management, pulling his gun on the person who allegedly hit him, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed. At approximately 6:50 PM on February 17, DeAngelo called 911 to report that someone had hit his car. DeAngelo followed the car to the end of a local street and pulled his gun on the driver of the other vehicle. Nobody was injured in the incident. Washington Township police allowed DeAngelo, a former firefighter with contacts in the community, to drive home. Now he’s been less than fully cooperative with law enforcement officials investigating the matter.” —“[North Wildwood] fined $12.8M for replenishing beaches without state approval” —“President of South Jersey school board that removed ‘The Bluest Eye’ from curriculum resigns” —“Another charge filed against juvenile in Central Regional bullying incident” —“Chatham schools lawsuit claims 'callous' social media causing rising depression” —Video: “Manchester Regional school board member celebrates 50 years of service” —“Bergen County executive tells Leonia he's setting up group to review Overpeck Park plan” —“Paterson sues 6 former officers to recoup $500K paid during suspension” —“Passaic County says preliminary 2023 budget could cut property taxes” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
—“No more sticker shock? Springsteen tickets for MetLife Stadium shows go on sale tomorrow”
—“5th grader stabbed by fellow student after fight outside [Perth Amboy] school, teachers’ union says”
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